2 or 3 day passes

[KAC]

Hi, I bought a package deal from Ramada and Carnival Cruiselines that included two one day adult passes to WDW. We are staying in Orlando for 6 nights and we would like to go to WDW for 3 days. Has anyone heard of a good way to get passes for the other 2 days? We have two children travelling with us. This is our first time to WDW and we have heard that it is rather overwhelming (in a good way) and that 3 days will be plenty when it is your first time.

What do you think? We will be travelling in July 2003. We are both teachers and this is really the only time that we can go as we have family coming in August. Also, our March breaks are at different times so going at that time is out of the question.

Thanks!
KAC

 

[CarolMN]

The simplest thing to do would be to buy two more 1 park/1 day passes for the adults and three 1 park/1 day passes for the children (if they are 3-9). Children 10 and over need adult passes and those under 3 are free. You can get a discount if you buy all the single day passes at the same time - there is a $5 discount on the second single day pass (for the same person) and a $10 discount on the third single day pass (for the same person). You cannot hop between parks with these tickets, however.

It's going to be hot and humid during the time you are planning to visit. Since the parks are more crowded during the summer months, they also tend to be open later. Since you are staying for 6 nights/7 days, I'd recommend you consider getting 4 day park hopper passes for your family. You can turn the single day tickets you already have in and get a credit that can be applied to the hopper passes. It will be more expensive, but you will be able to hop between parks on the same day. That means you can leave the parks for a few hours during the very hot afternoons and either nap or swim at your hotel. Then you can return in the early evening to the same park or a different park without using another day of admission. IMHO, 4 days is the MINIMUM you need to enjoy the many things WDW has to offer. You can never see it all! If you only go 3 days, you will have to skip at least one of the 4 WDW major parks, and you may feel impelled to stay in the parks as long as you can to "get your money's worth". Resting/Swimming in the hot, humid, crowded afternoons is a very good way to tour, especially if you have young children. You will be more rested, you won't be so overwhelmed and you will see more of what WDW has to offer.

Here's a link to DIS ticket prices so you can do some figuring based on your park touring plans:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tickets.htm

Enjoy your trip!

 

[It'sMe]

Personally, when my husband, myself and 3 children went to Disney our experience was contrary to CarolMN. We bought the one day/one park tickets at a discount for a 3 day visit to WDW. It was great. We were really able to enjoy each park. Practically, I would never want to Park Hop. There is so much so see and do at each of the parks, there is no way you can experience it all a half day here, half day there...running to this park, then running to that park. You didn't say how old your children were, bu we did one park each day. The pace was very good, especially with the children. If we didn't spend the whole day there, we went in the morning, came back in the evening for the parades, shows, etc.

I guess to each his own, but like I said for me, it was really nice just to do one park a day and to get as much out of that park for that day instead of rushing from place to place. It was just nice to enjoy the moment. And actually some parks, like Epcot, you could never get all out of it in one day. You really need at least two whold days at that park alone. If you are like me, sit and enjoy a meal at the park. Enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the shows, rides, parades, etc. This really worked great for us.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by It'sMe
Personally, when my husband, myself and 3 children went to Disney our experience was contrary to CarolMN. We bought the one day/one park tickets at a discount for a 3 day visit to WDW. It was great. We were really able to enjoy each park. Practically, I would never want to Park Hop. There is so much so see and do at each of the parks, there is no way you can experience it all a half day here, half day there...running to this park, then running to that park. You didn't say how old your children were, bu we did one park each day. The pace was very good, especially with the children. If we didn't spend the whole day there, we went in the morning, came back in the evening for the parades, shows, etc.

I guess to each his own, but like I said for me, it was really nice just to do one park a day and to get as much out of that park for that day instead of rushing from place to place. ..(snip)....

I didn't intend to give the impression that I was advocating commando park touring. My point in recommending the 4 day hopper was to allow for an afternoon of swimming and/or naps - breaks! July is very hot and very humid! Unless you are from an area with hot, humid summers, it is easy to over estimate how long you (and especially little ones) can last without a break. Of course, you could still take a break with one park one day tickets if you return to the same park. However, IMHO, you would miss a lot with only 3 park days. The extra day gives you the option to tour fairly leisurely and still see all four parks. The 4 day hopper also gives you the option to spend the evening in a different park than the one you visited in the morning. For example, with the hopper, you can spend 1/2 days at the parks that may appeal less to your family/children, leaving more time for the MK.

I'm sure that KAC will do whatever is best for his/her family. I just wanted to provide another option/opinion and to make him/her aware of the weather. Hot humid weather can wear people out very quickly if they are not used to it.