Can you cancel theme park tickets? What to do if your holiday travel plans unravel

The holiday travel season is here and so are two of the biggest threats to fall and winter vacations: cold and flu season, and winter storm season. And the Atlantic hurricane season is still hanging on through the end of November.

Getting sick or stranded at the airport can derail any trip, but travelers hoping to visit theme parks in the coming months have one less thing to worry about because most parks allow guests to reschedule visits, though terms vary, and refunds are rare.

Here are the ticket change policies for America’s most popular theme parks, which apply all year.

Walt Disney World

Typically, Walt Disney World tickets are non-refundable. However, ticket values never expire, and guests may change the dates for wholly unused tickets. They are responsible for any difference in ticket prices.

One exception, when refunds are allowed, is if a hurricane directly impacts the Orlando area or guests’ place of residence.

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Disneyland Resort

Disneyland tickets are non-refundable. Single-day tickets purchased through Disneyland's website or app are valid through Dec. 30, 2026. Mutli-day tickets are valid through Jan. 12, 2027 or 13 days of first use, whichever comes first. Guests are responsible for any difference in prices for new dates.

They would also need to make new theme park reservations, which are required at Disneyland, but not Disney World.

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando tickets are typically non-refundable, though the Florida resort makes exceptions for hurricanes impacting the Orlando area or guests’ place of residence.

Guests who need to reschedule their trips may change their ticket dates, paying any difference in ticket prices. Guests Services can also review requests on a case-by-case basis.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are only valid on the date for which they were purchased, but guests who purchased tickets directly from Universal and need to reschedule may contact the Southern California park for help.

Tickets are usually non-refundable, but there are exceptions for natural disasters or state of emergency declarations in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area and guests’ place of residence.

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Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Sesame Place parks

The following United Parks & Resorts theme parks have a zero-change fee policy, as long as ticket changes are made 24 hours in advance of the reservation date. Tickets are typically non-refundable, and guests are responsible for paying any difference in ticket prices.

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg

• SeaWorld Orlando

• SeaWorld San Antonio

• SeaWorld San Diego

• Sesame Place Philadelphia

• Sesame Place San Diego

Additionally, the parks’ inclement weather policies allow guests to return for free if severe weather impacts their in-park experience.

LEGOLAND California, Florida and New York

LEGOLAND tickets are typically non-refundable and non-transferable.

"If circumstances change, you may be able change the date of your visit, within 12 months of the purchase date. You can do this via the My Account Portal," according to all three resorts' websites. "The portal will show the dates available for your ticket type and number of times this ticket can be further modified."

The new tickets must be at or below the price of the original tickets, and some dates may not be available.

Refunds are, however, available to LEGOLAND California guests who buy Cancel for Any Reason coverage when purchasing tickets through the resort's website. All Flexible cancellations must be by emailing experience@legoland.com.

All three LEGOLAND resorts also have inclement weather policies allowing guests to return for free within a year of their visit if a portion of rides or experiences are closed for extended periods due to weather.

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Hersheypark

Hersheypark tickets are non-refundable but they are not dated, so they can be used any time during the same season. The 2024 season ends on Jan. 1, 2025.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania park’s website says, “In the event the inclement weather conditions cause the majority of major rides and attractions to close for a continuous 60 minutes on a public operating day, a Return Visit Voucher may be issued for a return visit." Typically that would only be for a return the same season, but since it's already so late in their operating season, if the weather policy is activated at this point, the voucher would be valid until June 30, 2025.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Theme park tickets are rarely refundable, but there is wiggle room