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How to Get Free Disney Tickets to Disneyland and Walt Disney World [UPDATED FOR 2020]

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Disneyland and Walt Disney World are the happiest places on earth. Getting there, though, gets expensive really quickly. What if I told you there was a way to get free Disney tickets?

Well, it’s true. Your dreams have become a reality. I’m not saying it’s easy to do, but free Disneyland tickets and free Disney World tickets do exist. If you’re willing to do a little work, you can become one of the lucky few to get free Disney parks tickets.

So, without further ado, here are several ways for how to get free Disney tickets. Disneyland and Walt Disney World await!

Free Tickets to the Press

There are times when the parks will provide free Disney tickets to members of the media. Press relations courtesy tickets exist for people to visit the park and write about their experience.

Both parks have their own guidelines, so be sure to check their websites (DL and WDW). Updates, details, and policies may change at any time.

According to Walt Disney World’s website:

The Public Relations courtesy ticket policy is designed for business purposes to give working journalists an opportunity to experience and cover Walt Disney World Resort. All decisions regarding courtesy tickets are at the discretion of Walt Disney World Public Relations. The following information is meant to serve as a guideline to help media determine if they may be eligible for consideration.

Walt Disney World

The guidelines are very specific. They have included the fine print, so that you can decide for yourself whether you fit this description.

As of May 2017, the guidelines were as follows (quoted directly from the WDW courtesy tickets website):

  • Qualifying media may request two (2) 1-Day Park Hopper tickets once every 12 months.
  • Due to the popularity of Walt Disney World Resort during U.S. holidays, we will not be able to provide complimentary tickets Dec. 22, 2019 through Jan. 2, 2020. 
  • All requests must be emailed to [email protected] and received at least 2 weeks prior to the media visit. A scanned copy of your business card and media credential must also be included. Due to the high volume of inquiries, and our support of conservation efforts, faxes are no longer accepted.
  • Employment will be verified on all requests to check for full-time status and position being news/editorial professionals who cover entertainment, business, travel, consumer, amusement, sports and news or assigned freelance work. Once verification has been made an email confirmation will be sent to the requester from Walt Disney World Public Relations.

Qualifying positions include the following in these news-related categories:

Print Media: Editors*, News Reporters, Photojournalists, Publishers, Managing/Assignment Editors and Freelance Writers

Broadcast Media: News Producers, News Directors, News/Sports Reporters, Managing/Assignment/Planning Editors, News Writers, Editorial Web Producers, Photojournalists and Meteorologists

Online Media: Bloggers, Freelance Writers with assignments and Editors affiliated with established news organizations, or approved online media affiliated with an established social media entity that features travel, lifestyle, entertainment or consumer news

*Editors in travel, lifestyle, entertainment, business, consumer, sports or related fields

  • In general, the only “director” position that qualifies for tickets is the News Director over a newsroom, not technical directors, floor directors, newscast directors, studio directors, etc.
  • Additional positions that do not qualify for Walt Disney World Public Relations courtesy tickets include sales, graphic artists, promotions, programming, technical, public relations, clerical, engineering, management, production, staff assistants, video editors, station managers, general managers and disc jockeys, and programming or reality TV producers and staff.
  • Requests for tickets from multiple staffers at a single media entity, all on the same date, will not be granted.
  • Freelance journalists must provide copies of current articles (published in the past 6 months) with the requester’s byline and publication date. Topically, the content provided must have some relevancy to Walt Disney World Resort. We will also accept a letter of assignment from the editor of an established/researchable publication with the promise of receiving tear sheets after the story has been published.
  • Complimentary media tickets can only be picked up by the requester at a Guest Relations window, with a current government issued photo ID or passport and a business card.
  • Walt Disney World Public Relations office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday.

Disneyland has its own policy. Their opening statement is as follows:

Greetings from The Disneyland Resort: The Public Relations courtesy ticket policy is designed for business purposes to give working journalists an opportunity to experience and cover the Disneyland Resort.  All decisions regarding courtesy tickets are at the discretion of Disneyland Resort Public Relations.  The following information serves as a guideline to help media determine if they may be eligible for consideration.

Disneyland

As of early 2020, the guidelines were as follows (quoted directly from the DL courtesy tickets website):

  • Qualifying media may request two (2) Park Hopper tickets, good for one day at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks, once every 12 months. You may not split park visits over a two-day period.
  • Due to the popularity of the Disneyland Resort during the holidays, we will not be able to provide complimentary tickets Dec. 22, 2019 through Jan. 2, 2020.
  • All requests should be made via www.disneylandnews.com, and be received at least 1 week prior to the media visit. A copy of your organization’s letterhead and a business card must also be included.  To submit a request, go to Contact Us and click on “Request Theme Park Admission” toward the bottom of the page. This opens an e-mail. Fill in the requested information and type your request in the “Message” section. Please follow this procedure to ensure your request will be reviewed.
  • Due to volume and our support for conservation efforts, faxes are no longer accepted for ticket requests.
  • Employment will be verified on all requests to ensure full-time status in a professional news/editorial capacity or assigned freelance work. Once verification is complete, an email confirmation will be sent from Disneyland Resort Public Relations.

Qualifying positions include the following in these news-related categories:

Broadcast Media: News Directors, News Producers, News/Anchors/Reporters, Managing/Assignment/Planning Editors, News Writers, Editorial Web Producers, Photojournalists and Meteorologists, News Radio Editorial Staff.

Print Media: Editors*, News Reporters, Photojournalists, Publishers, Managing/Assignment Editors, Freelance writers with assignments.

Online Media: Freelance Writers with assignments from established news organizations, editors affiliated with established news organizations, or approved online media affiliated with an established website that features travel, lifestyle or entertainment news.

*Editors in travel, lifestyle, entertainment, business, consumer or related fields.

  • In general, the only “director” position that qualifies for tickets is the News Director over a newsroom, not technical directors, floor directors, newscast directors, studio directors, producers/directors, etc.

As you can see, they provide very thorough details and instructions. Some overlap exists between the two Disney theme parks. That said, you will want to read your park’s policy in detail to know for sure.

You might wonder, “I wanted to know how to get free Disney tickets, but I’m not a member of the media.” Well, you’re in luck. There is another way to get free Disney tickets to the parks.

Free Tickets for Disney Moms

Now, I know what you’re thinking… “I’m a Disney Mom! I get free tickets?!”

Sort of. You actually need to be a very specific kind of Disney Mom. In fact, to get free Disney tickets, you need to be an official Disney Mom. Read more on that in my interview with an official Disney Mom here.

What Is a Disney Mom?

Disney Moms Logo
Disney Moms Logo
(Source: Disney Parks Moms Panel)

To be a Disney Mom, you need to get a spot on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. According to their official website, the Disney Parks Moms Panel is “the ultimate digital resource for you to receive helpful tips and heartfelt advice about Disney vacation destinations from real moms, dads and in the know family members”.

In other words, Disney “Moms” are not actually all mothers or women. Fathers are encouraged to join the Disney Parks Moms Panel as well. Any other family members who serve as resident experts on all things Disneyland and/or Walt Disney World can join, too.

The official website continues to say, “Whether you have a question about a theme park, restaurant, service, shop, hotel or activity, our Moms Panel is here to help you plan and get the most out of your magical trip.”

First formed in 2007-08, the Disney Parks Moms Panel exists to help everyone have the most magical trip to Disney ever. Watch this video to learn more. (And yes, we’ll get to the free Disney tickets part, soon. I promise!)

The Official Disney Parks Moms Panel

How Do I Join the Disney Parks Moms Panel?

First, you need to be an expert in one or more of the following: Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, runDisney events, the Disney Vacation Club, or the Disney Cruise Line.

“Moms” can know about all sorts of things. Some are experts on Disney’s timeshares and DVC presentations. Others know how to have the best Disney birthday party ever and how to spend your birthdays with Disney. Still others will know about Disney parks visits for military members and veterans. The list goes on: volunteering, the cities of Orlando and Anaheim, where to tour or the best tours, hotel stays, Make A Wish, nonprofits, euro Disney, and anything else you might imagine or think of. And they are always up to date. It’s 2020, so they will know everything you need to know for 2020. (This is one reason why it’s so important that they get free Disney tickets!)

While you can get good information on Facebook, there is really and truly nothing like the Disney Parks Moms Panel. They are absolute experts and absolutely love to help people with their Disney theme parks vacations.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a Disney Mom? Check out their website specifically dedicated to this search. Here is a quick overview:

  • Search is only conducted once per year, during the fall. Best time to check back is in early September.
  • There are three rounds to the selection process. They don’t take the decision lightly!
  • Short essays and question & answer samples are required as part of the application process. Some rounds may even require photo or video submissions as well.
  • Final selections to the Disney Moms Panel is made in November for the individuals joining the team the following year.
  • Four languages are currently supported: English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Check back at MomsPanelSearch.com in the fall to put in your application! (Note: the search website does not load unless a search is currently underway.)

If you want more information on anything, just ask one of the Moms! Ask a Disney Mom.

Disney Parks Moms Panel
The Parks Moms Panel Gets Free Disney Tickets (Source: The Disney Parks Moms Panel)

As a thank you to these special people who join the Panel, Disney provides complimentary tickets to the parks. Here’s how Disney puts it:

Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

Disney Parks Moms Panel

Pretty cool, right? In other words, pretty much anybody can get free Disney tickets. If you know enough about the parks or other Disney vacations, you can get free Disneyland tickets or free Walt Disney World tickets by joining the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

While travel/hotel is not included, it is still an amazing opportunity for people to visit the parks without spending any money on tickets.

I hope this was helpful for you. I recognize that not every single person will be able to take advantage of these two free Disney tickets opportunities. That being said, I hope that you can!

If you would prefer to have a specialist do the travel planning for you, hire an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. They’re free, and they’re amazing! Learn all about them here, and read my interview with one here.

If you’re considering a trip soon, make sure to check for Disney blockout dates and annual pass tiers before you go. It can make all the difference and ensure there’s no surprises.

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Neal Tucker is one of the world’s most engaging Disney influencers, with thousands of views and responses across his blog, podcast, and social media profiles every month.

Get started with more D Is For Disney content here

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