Welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today. You're smart to be thinking ahead about your upcoming trip, and I'm happy to clarify everything you need to know about
purchasing your tickets in advance.
Here's the scoop: if you purchase stand-alone Walt Disney World tickets, just the tickets by themselves, those are non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased. That means you won't be able to get a price adjustment later on, even if a
deal or promotion comes out. Once they're bought, the price is locked in and they are not eligible to apply a new promo or get a refund of the difference.
However, if you book a vacation package instead, which bundles together your tickets and your
Disney Resort Hotel stay, you've got a lot more flexibility. With a package, you can modify your reservation up to 30 days before your check-in date with no fee, and that includes changing your ticket type or applying a new discount or promotion that becomes available. So if Disney releases a great offer between now and your trip, you can absolutely take advantage of it if you're eligible.
That said, ticket deals in December are pretty rare. Most of the time, special ticket promotions like extra days or discounted multi-day passes pop up in the summer, not the fall and winter. But it's not uncommon for Resort Hotel discounts to be released for the winter months, so if you've booked a vacation package, you could potentially apply one of those deals later on.
Long story short: if you want the ability to apply a future promotion, booking a vacation package gives you the most wiggle room. And don't worry, if a new offer does come along, Disney makes it easy to modify your reservation, and Cast Members are always happy to walk you through it.
I hope that helps you plan with confidence, and fingers crossed for some magical deals!
Jessica