The holiday travel season has arrived, bringing along two significant concerns: the onset of cold and flu season and the risks of winter storms. Moreover, the Atlantic hurricane season continues until late November.

Becoming ill or getting stranded at the airport can derail any journey. However, travelers planning visits to theme parks in the upcoming months have one less worry, as most parks allow guests to modify their visit dates. Note that the terms for changes differ, and refunds are uncommon.

Below are the ticket change policies for some of America’s top theme parks, applicable year-round.

Walt Disney World

Generally, tickets for Walt Disney World are non-refundable. Ticket values do not expire, and guests are permitted to adjust the dates for completely unused tickets. Any price differences in tickets for new dates are the responsibility of the guests.

Refunds are permitted in cases where a hurricane directly affects the Orlando area or the guests’ home area.

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland tickets are also non-refundable. Single-day tickets purchased through Disneyland’s website or app are valid until December 30, 2026. Multi-day tickets remain valid until January 12, 2027, or for 13 days after the first use, whichever comes first. Guests are responsible for any price differences for their new dates.

Additionally, they must secure new theme park reservations, which are mandatory at Disneyland, unlike Walt Disney World.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando tickets are mostly non-refundable, but the resort does make exceptions for hurricanes affecting the Orlando area or guests’ local residences.

Visitors needing to adjust their plans can modify their ticket dates but will be responsible for any price differences. Guest Services may also review rescheduling requests on an individual basis.

Universal Studios Hollywood

At Universal Studios Hollywood, tickets are only valid for the date chosen at purchase. However, guests who bought tickets directly and need to change their plans can reach out to the park for assistance.

While tickets are typically non-refundable, exceptions apply for natural disasters or official state of emergency declarations in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area and for the guests’ local residences.

Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and Sesame Place Parks

The following theme parks under United Parks & Resorts have a no-change-fee policy as long as ticket changes occur at least 24 hours before the designated reservation date. Tickets are generally non-refundable, and guests must pay any price differences for the new dates.

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• SeaWorld Orlando
• SeaWorld San Antonio
• SeaWorld San Diego
• Sesame Place Philadelphia
• Sesame Place San Diego

Moreover, these parks have policies regarding severe weather, allowing guests to return for free if their experience in the park is affected by extreme weather conditions.

LEGOLAND California, Florida and New York

Generally, LEGOLAND tickets are not refundable and cannot be transferred.

“If your plans change, you may be able to reschedule your visit within one year from the purchase date. This can be done through the My Account Portal,” according to the websites of all three resorts. “The portal will indicate the available dates for your ticket type and how many times the ticket can be modified further.”

New tickets must be at the same price or lower than the original tickets, and some dates may not be available.

However, LEGOLAND California does offer refunds for guests who purchase Cancel for Any Reason coverage at the time of buying tickets on the resort’s website. All Flexible cancellations must be handled via email at experience@legoland.com.

All three LEGOLAND parks also have policies for bad weather that allow guests to return for free within a year if a significant number of rides or attractions are unavailable for extended durations because of weather.

Hersheypark

Tickets for Hersheypark are non-refundable but are valid for any date during the same season. The 2024 season concludes on January 1, 2025.

Moreover, the park’s website states, “If bad weather causes most major rides and attractions to halt for over an hour on a public operating day, a Return Visit Voucher may be issued for a future visit.” While this voucher is usually valid for a return in the same season, if the weather policy is enacted at this late point in the season, it will be valid until June 30, 2025.