Tickets and Annual Pass Questions - Please add your ticket questions to this thread

[Robo]

Welcome to the "Ticket Sticky"
Information about Walt Disney World Tickets

This thread is monitored by members who specialize in ticket and Annual Pass questions. Please add your question to this thread and it will be responded to in a reasonable amount of time. You may also want to check the last few pages of questions as many questions get asked frequently. Thank you!​

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Park HOPPER (Park Hopping) returned as of Jan. 1, 2021
www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/modified-park-hopping-returns-to-disney-world-in-january/

The Disney Parks Blog has announced that a modified park hopper option returned to the Walt Disney World Resort beginning January 1, 2021.

The new option will require guests to make a Park Pass Reservations for their first park of the day then physically go to that park.

At 2 p.m. they can head to any other Disney theme park for the rest of the day until that park closes without needing a second reservation.

It's important to note that capacity limits are still in place and could change at any time.
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New Park Hopper Discussion Thread HERE.

UPGRADE your ticket? See how in Post #6 below.

Ticket Prices Increased Feb. 11, 2020: HERE.

Walt Disney World Resort has introduced Date-Based Ticket Pricing
As of October 16, 2018:
WDW single-day and multi-day tickets are now priced by the date guests intend to visit.

Info regarding date-based tickets: Click HERE.
At that link's first page, Moderator @rteetz has compiled a thorough FAQ post for these new tickets.
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Mid-Day Magic Tickets (available for limited dates):
Afternoon and Evening of Walt Disney World Theme Park Entry After 12 p.m.

• 2-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 2-day Mid-Day Magic Tickets are available from $176 total (plus tax) and expire 4 days after the selected start date.
• 3-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission to after 12 p.m. 3-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $252 total (plus tax) and expire 5 days after the selected start date.
• 4-Day Mid-Day Magic Ticket: Valid for admission after 12 p.m. 4-day Mid-Day Magic tickets are available from $316 total (plus tax) and expire 7 days after the selected start date.

More Info regarding these tickets: Click HERE.

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Contents of this Thread-
Click on a heading below to go directly to its post.

• General Ticket Information -Post 2
• Annual Passes -Post 3
• Special Tickets & Florida Resident APs & Tickets -Post 4

• How to Upgrade Tickets -Post 5
• Cost to Upgrade Tickets -Post 6

• Discounted Tickets & Ordering Tickets -Post 7
• Age Categories (Tickets, Resorts & Dining) -Post 8

• Using a SPECIFIC Ticket in your MDX account:
(Setting the PRIORITY of multiple tickets.)
SAVING a NEW Ticket in your MDX account for future use. -Post 10


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The latest Ticket price increase: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.

The previous Ticket price increase: Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

"2020" CURRENT Prices can be found on the WDW ticket page HERE.

--Current 2020 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before Dec. 31, 2021.
--Current tickets generally will be purchased and priced based to the specific date(s)
of use chosen by the guest.

"2019" Prices (March 12, 2019 thru Feb. 10, 2020) on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2019 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before Dec. 31, 2020.

"2018" Feb-Oct Prices on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2018 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before December 31, 2019.

"2017" Prices (Feb. 12, 2017 thru Feb. 10, 2018) on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2017 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before December 31, 2018.

"2016" Prices (Feb. 28, 2016 thru Feb. 11, 2017) on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2016 (and earlier) tickets' do not have a mandated expiration date.

The significance of the multiple price-level dates above figure into the
"upgrade value" of tickets issued in relation to those dates.

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This sticky thread is an ongoing work-in-progress.
There is so much to discover about WDW tickets, it is a continual education.
And, as always at WDW, things can change quickly,
so please let me know of anything that needs updating.
------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgement:
The ticket information in these posts is principally based on the original Ticket Sticky
created by long-time DISboards member,
Co-Moderator of the disABILTIES! Forum, and WDW ticket CastMember, Cheshire Figment.
Cheshire Figment's real world name was Mike.
Mike knew of my interest in WDW ticket information, so for many years he kept me in the loop
regarding WDW ticket updates by frequently sending me PMs regarding the latest ticket rules as they happened.
That's why I was able to stay knowledgeable about tickets over the years.
Fortunately, I was able to actually meet and talk with Mike in-person during one of my previous trips to WDW.
Sadly, Mike passed away a few years ago, but his great work and help with the DISboards
and WDW ticket information has inspired me, and others here, to continue to try to offer accurate ticket info.
In addition, I currently have the gracious help of other WDW experts who are contributing info to these ticket posts.
If there are errors in these posts, please pass that info along to me and I'll try to address it quickly..

As always, a big "Thank You" goes to all of the helpful posters and moderators here on the DISboards!
-Robo

 

[Robo]

Walt Disney World Resort has introduced "Date-Based" Ticket Pricing
As of October 16, 2018:
WDW single-day and multi-day tickets are now priced by the date guests intend to visit.

As of March 12, 2019 there was a ticket price increase on certain types and levels
of tickets. Additional increases (including to AP prices) are expected sooner or later. More details HERE.

More info regarding date-based tickets: ClickHERE.
At that link, Moderator @rteetz has compiled a thorough FAQ post for these new tickets.

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The ticket descriptions and rules contained in the first several posts of the
Ticket Sticky thread are being updated as new information become more clear.
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General Ticket Information:

Walt Disney World (WDW) has eleven different venues which require admission that fall into two categories.

"Primary" Theme Parks:
Magic Kingdom Park (MK)
Epcot (EP)
Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS)
Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK)

"Secondary" parks and venues:
Most are a part of the "Park Hopper PLUS" (formerly known as the "Water Parks Fun & More") ticket option.
Blizzard Beach Water Park
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
The following locations are often referred to by WDW as "Fun options" in relation to the WP ticket option.
Oak Trail Golf Course (One round. Guest must arrange tee time & golf clubs.)
Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf (Play before 4:00 p.m. One visit per day.)
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf (Play before 4:00 p.m. One visit per day.)
ESPN Wide World of Sports (Most activities at WWS also require an additional paid admission.)
Disney Quest Interactive Adv. (DQ) at Disney Springs closed permanently on July 3, 2017.

Children under 3 years of age (age 2 years and younger) do not need tickets to enter WDW parks.
They are admitted, free-of-charge, with an accompanying adult.

Children who are under 3 years old at the BEGINNING of a WDW trip but
have a birthday and turn 3 years old DURING that same trip, will be considered
to be "under 3 years old" for the duration of that trip.
So no ticket is needed for the duration of that same trip.

Likewise:
Children who are under 10 years old at the BEGINNING of a WDW trip but
have a birthday and turn 10 years old DURING that same trip, will be considered
to be "under 10 years old" for the duration of that trip.
So they can continue to use a "Child ticket" (no "Adult ticket" is needed) for the duration of that same trip.



Ticket PRICES-Current-Since Oct. 16, 2018 can be found on the WDW website HERE.

Ticket Price Increases:
Last increase: Tue. Oct. 16, 2018
Ticket prices are very often raised at least once per year.
In 2018, they were raised twice within the same year.
There is usually very little advance warning of an increase.
Sometimes a "hint" will come from one or more of the authorized WDW Ticket Resellers (discounters)
who may be given a tip from Disney about a pending increase.
The actual increase will be announced directly by Disney.
This announcement is often first made to WDW Ticket CMs, typically on a Friday,
with the price increases actually going into effect two days later, on Sunday.
Over the past 10-15 years, the increase has happened at many different months of the year.
There have been years when prices were raised (at least on some tickets) more than once
within that same year.
Over the previous 3-4 major ticket price increases have come sometime in February,
but that may or may not continue. This date is unpredictable.

Who can use an individual ticket?
When a ticket is "new" and has never been used, it can be "transferred" (given, sold) by the person who originally bought the ticket to another guest. This is even true for tickets that are obtained as part of booking a WDW resort "package" (that includes combination of the room and tickets.) Those package tickets do not have to be used at all during that first resort package stay, but instead, can be saved for use or upgrade on a future trip (by anyone, not just the original purchaser.)

Once a ticket has started being used by one person, it cannot be transferred (given to) another person to use.
This is enforced by use of a biometric finger scan.
At a ticket's first use, a finger scan is made of the original user.
This is not a conventional "finger print" as the image of the entire finger is not used or saved.
The WDW finger scan is coded to a simple "scan number" which relates to several key elements of the shape of the scan. That scan number is then stored along with that ticket's information in the WDW computer system.
(Again a guest's "fingerprint" is not saved by the system.)
Each time that ticket is again used, another finger scan is performed by the user
of that ticket. The scan number is instantly compared to the original scan number on file,
and if it matches, the guest is admitted.
The finger scanners are used at all WDW locations which require tickets for entry.

-A MagicBand can be used for nearly all purposes and places in which guests need to use a ticket.
Much more information about MagicBands can be found HERE.


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Ticket Types:
Disney Theme Park Tickets-
Most tickets sold for admission to the WDW parks since Oct. 16, 2018 are called Disney "Theme Park Tickets" (TPT) which allow the purchaser to choose from multiple major features for their tickets.

A ticket "entitlement" or ticket "asset" are terms used in this thread that represent what a particular ticket will allow the bearer to do.

A base ticket is one that will allow a guest access to one primary theme park per day, up to the maximum number of entitlements per ticket.
A base ticket allows unlimited exit and re-entry to the same theme park if you leave and return during that day, but it can only be used at one of the theme parks on any given day.

Only one "day" from a base ticket is allowed to be used during a single day at WDW.
A guest cannot visit 2 theme parks in one day by attempting to use 2 "days" from a base ticket.

A TPT base ticket may be purchased for a
1 day theme park admission, or for
2 days of theme park admission, or for
3 days of theme park admission, or for
4 days of theme park admission, or for
5 days of theme park admission, or for
6 days of theme park admission, or for
7 days of theme park admission, or for
8 days of theme park admission, or for
9 days of theme park admission, or for
10 days of theme park admission.

10 days is the maximum number of days of theme park admissions
possible for a single USA-based Disney Theme Park Ticket.

A 10-day TPT ticket cannot be upgraded to more than 10 days,
even if some of the days have already been used.

Ticket purchases are generally considered to be "non-refundable."
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Below info from www.mousesavers.com

Ticket Validity:
“Under the new system, 1-Day base tickets are valid for admission on the specific start date selected. Multi-day tickets are valid for admission beginning on the start date selected and must be used within a limited time period, as indicated below:

Ticket Duration Valid Use Period
1-Day Ticket valid one day on the date selected (Next day can be used for “+ Option” with a PH+ ticket)
2-Day Ticket Any 2 days within 4 days beginning on start date (5 days with PH+)
3-Day Ticket Any 3 days within 5 days beginning on the start date (6 days with PH+)
4-Day Ticket Any 4 days within 7 days beginning on thestart date (8 days with PH+)
5-Day Ticket Any 5 days within 8 days beginning on the start date (9 days with PH+)
6-Day Ticket Any 6 days within 9 days beginning on the start date (10 days with PH+)
7-Day Ticket Any 7 days within 10 days beginning on the start date (11 days with PH+)
8-Day Ticket Any 8 days within 12 days beginning on the start date (13 days with PH+)
9-Day Ticket Any 9 days within 13 days beginning on the start date (14 days with PH+)
10-Day Ticket Any 10 days within 14 days beginning on the start date (15 days with PH+)

For example, a 6-day base ticket with a start date of November 1 is valid any 6 days from November 1 to November 9.

Regarding Tickets purchased in a hotel + tickets package - info posted by @GillianP1301:

Date-based tickets purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package will have one of the following valid use periods (whichever is longer):
(i) the same valid use period described above, OR
(ii) a valid use period beginning on the package resort arrival date and ending on the package resort check-out date.

For example, a Guest who purchases a Walt Disney Travel Company package with a 3-Day base ticket and a resort length of stay of 6 nights with an arrival date of Nov. 1; ticket is valid any 3 days from Nov, 1 – Nov. 7.

Selection of the Park Hopper Option for same-day admission to more than one theme park is subject to the validity windows listed above.

Selection of the Park Hopper Plus Option to include visits to Disney water parks and other attractions—along with same-day admission to more than one theme park— adds another day to your valid use period. For example, a 6-day Park Hopper Plus Option ticket with a start date of November 1 is valid any 6 days from November 1 to November 10.

Disney Theme Park Tickets Purchased as Part of a Walt Disney Travel Company Package

Tickets purchased as part of a Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package are valid for admissions beginning on the date of check-in and must be used by the date of check-out, or in accordance with the validity windows listed above—whichever period is longer.
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Ticket prices can vary based on the day of the week and/or the "season:"
"Peak season" most costly tickets
"Regular season" mid-priced tickets
"Value season" least costly tickets
The actual calendar dates of these seasons can vary from year-to-year.
See the WDW website HERE for the most current ticket season and price information.
NOTE:
Since the cost of a ticket changes (generally based on expected attendance levels,)
if a guest pre-purchases a "value" priced ticket,
but a higher level entry price is in effect on the date of the guest's WDW visit,
the guest has the option of upgrading her/his ticket to the higher entry cost that day.
Logically, then, if a guest is unsure of the exact date of a one-day WDW park visit,
and the guest wants to purchase a ticket in advance,
it would make sense to only purchase the lowest cost "value season" ticket before the trip.
Then, just use that ticket "as-is" or upgrade it, depending on if the actual visit date chosen requires the use of a higher cost ticket.


At this time, if never used, all new Theme Park Tickets (TPT) have an expiration date.
The date of this expiration will be shown when the ticket purchased.
Tickets currently being sold will expire if not first-used on or before: "Unknown"
However, if this ticket is never used by a guest and allowed to expire,
the purchase price of the ticket is not "lost" to the guest.
The unused and expired ticket can be turned in at WDW and its original purchase price can be applied to the purchase of a new ticket.

Ticket OPTIONS-
There are three additional TPT options which may be purchased with (or, with an upgrade fee, added to) a base ticket,
each has a direct relationship to the number of theme park days on the base ticket.
Base ticket Theme Park days cannot be used as entry to any of the secondary parks or venues.

Park Hopper (PH) is an option which can be added to (or purchased with) any MYW base ticket.
The PH option allows you to go to two, three, or even all four of the primary theme parks within the same day (and, of course, includes unlimited exits and re-entries to any of these parks.)

The PH's cost is based on the total number of days on the entire ticket.
The price does not change if any of the days have already been used or not.
The price to add the PH is the same whether you buy it before your trip, or on the first day, or the last day (or any other day,) of a ticket's use.

Park hopping only involves the four primary theme parks.
Adding the Park Hopper option, in itself, does not allow access to any of the secondary venues.

Park Hopper PLUS (PH+)(Formerly known as "Water Park & More Fun") is an option which can be added to (or purchased with) any Theme Park Ticket (TPT) that also has the Park Hopper option, adult or child, whether 1 day, or up to 10 days.
Purchase of the PH+ option will add entitlements to the hopper ticket which are entries (or same day reentries) to the secondary parks / venues.
The number of Primary theme park days on the base ticket determines the number of secondary entries on the WPF&M portion.
You will get the number of PH+ (Water Park & More Fun) entries equal to the number of days of the ticket.

PH+ (Water Park & More Fun) Examples:
1-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 1 entry to the WP&Fun venues.
2-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 2 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
3-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 3 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
4-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 4 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
5-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 5 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
6-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 6 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
7-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 7 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
8-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 8 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
9-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 9 entries to the WP&Fun venues.
10-day TPT w/Park Hopper with Park Hopper+ offers 10 entries to the WP&Fun venues.

Disney Quest (DQ) at Disney Springs.
Disney Quest permanently closed July 3, 2017.

Oak Trail Golf Course (a nine hole walking "executive" course.)
Tee time reservations are required.
Call 407-WDW-GOLF for reservations and more information.
A set of golf clubs may rented, if needed.
There is no charge for children under 18 years old to borrow a set of clubs.
Bag carts can also be rented.

Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf and/or
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Admission and play once per day at each location,
but it must be prior to 4:00pm.

ESPN Wide World of Sports
In addition to entry,
guests can get 30 minutes daily at the PlayStation Pavilion there.

Each initial entry into a Secondary park or venue on any day uses an "entry" from the ticket.
Example:
If you attend a water park in the morning, go to Oak Trail Golf in the afternoon of the same day you will have used two of your WP Fun entries.

Any day in which you go to one (or more) Secondary park(s)
and do not go to any of the Primary theme parks will only count as entries against the WP Fun option and will not use up a day of Primary theme park visits.

Purchase of (or upgrade to) the Park Hopper option is required in order for the Park Hopper PLUS (Formerly known as "Water Park & More Fun") upgrade to be added to a MYW ticket.
Adding the Park Hopper PLUS upgrade to a MYW Hopper ticket of 2 or more days (as of Feb. 2018) is a flat fee of $25 per ticket, plus tax.

Tax on tickets.
All MYW tickets purchases or upgrades, regardless of location or site purchased,
are subject to the Florida 6.5% Sales Tax.

Expiration of Tickets:
For most guests (non-Florida residents) once a ticket has started being used,
all MYW ticket entitlements, including Water Parks and other options, will be valid for a specific number of days starting on the day you specify as your first intended use any part of the ticket.
The order in which you choose to use the assets/options does not matter.
It does not matter if a ticket is first used at a Primary theme park or, if the first use is at one of the Secondary parks.

Without a corresponding WDW Resort stay:
1-Day Ticket: Valid Only the date selected by the guest.
2-Day Ticket: Valid on any 2 days within 4 days beginning on the start date.
3-Day Ticket: Valid on any 3 days within 5 days beginning on the start date.
4-Day Ticket: Valid on any 4 days within 7 days beginning on the start date.
5-Day Ticket: Valid on any 5 days within 8 days beginning on the start date.
6-Day Ticket: Valid on any 6 days within 9 days beginning on the start date.
7-Day Ticket: Valid on any 7 days within 10 days beginning on the start date.
8-Day Ticket: Valid on any 8 days within 12 days beginning on the start date.
9-Day Ticket: Valid on any 9 days within 13 days beginning on the start date.
10-Day Ticket: Valid on any 10 days within 14 days beginning on the start date.


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VALUE of EXPIRED TICKETS:
Tickets currently being sold will expire if not first-used on or before: "Unknown"
However, if this ticket is never used by a guest and allowed to expire,
the purchase price of the ticket is not "lost" to the guest.
The unused and expired ticket can be turned in at WDW and its original purchase price can be applied to the purchase of a new ticket.

If a multi-day MYW ticket was purchased before Feb. 12, 2017, as long as the ticket has not been used to enter any park gate, it is considered "unused" and remains valid forever with no expiration date.

"Transferring" a ticket to another person.
An "unused" ticket can be used by the original ticker holder, or given away to anyone else, or sold to anyone else.
This is true even if the ticket has been connected to a MyDisneyExperience account, but has yet to be used by anyone.
That ticket can still be transferred via MyDisneyExperience to another guest who connects to the original ticket holder's MyDisneyExperience account.

However, once a ticket has started being used by a guest, that ticket cannot be used by any other person, nor given or sold to any other person.

Older tickets issued from a date prior to when MYW tickets were introduced cannot be modified or upgraded.
(But, any valid entitlement can still be used for entry.)

If you have an unused pre-MYW ticket you can use the original Disney selling price of one ticket as a credit to the purchase price of any current ticket with a selling price equal to or higher than the value of the old ticket.
However, it probably will make more economic sense to simply USE the ticket for park entry. This will depend a lot on what is the determined "dollar value."

Note that if the ticket was purchased from a discounter/broker the value given is what Disney sold the ticket for to the discounter/broker and NOT what YOU paid for it. (This price will be less -maybe much less- than what YOU originally paid for the ticket.)

If you have a partially-used pre-MYW ticket it cannot be upgraded, but the remaining entitlements can be used.
If the ticket has no magnetic strip (or has become demagnetized,) as long as the serial number string is readable, a replacement RFID plastic ticket, with the same remaining entitlements, can be issued.

Ticket purchases are generally considered to be "non-refundable."

Ticket Price List- https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/
Annual Pass Price List- https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/

 

[Robo]

Annual Passes (AP or APs)

An AP is valid for one person and it is, in most cases, valid for one year from date of activation. Good, in most cases, 366 days.
If you activate your Annual Pass, for example, on October 1 of this year, the last day of valid use would be through the end of the day, Oct 1 of the following year.

There is no price difference between an Age 3-9 and an Age 10+ Annual Pass.

Virtually all APs purchased, in-person, at any WDW park ticket window or Guest Relations (including at DS) are activated and are "live" APs.
However, a guest CAN purchase an AP "certificate" at a WDW booth if the guest specifically asks to do so.
All APs purchased by phone, by mail or on-line are "certificates" and, therefore, NOT activated.
An AP certificate is by nature NOT activated, and will remain fresh and ready to activate up through the end of the year 2030.
However, the purchase price of the unused AP voucher is not "lost" upon expiration.
The "expired" unused voucher can be turned in and its original purchase price can be applied to the purchase of a current AP voucher, live AP or other WDW ticket.

> Florida Resident APs are discussed in THIS thread on the Ticket Sticky.

AP Activation:
Guests must first go to any WDW ticket booth or Guest Relations (along with a legal photo ID) to purchase an AP, or get their pre-ordered AP certificate activated before that AP can be used at a park.

However, there is new ACTIVATION PROCEDURE for APs that allows guests to go to a ticket booth or Guest Relations to get the AP certificate activation completed on an earlier day than on the date that they first enter a park.
After the new AP is activated, the AP will NOT actually start its year of counting down UNTIL the guest actually goes through a park gate using that new AP.
The date that the AP holder goes into a park with the AP for the first time will then become the AP's Anniversary Date and the new AP will then be valid until the end of the day on that same date, one year later.

The AP anniversary date will be found in the guest's MDX account.
If the guest wants the AP anniversary date to be ON the AP card itself, the guest must manually write the date.
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A Disney Platinum Pass is valid for unlimited entries during regular park hours for the four primary theme parks.
There are no block-out dates.
An AP is automatically considered to be a Park Hopper.
It includes free parking at the four primary theme parks.
It includes PhotoPass downloads.


The Disney Platinum Plus Pass is similar to the Platinum AP.
It is automatically considered to be a Park Hopper.
It includes free parking at the four primary theme parks.
It includes PhotoPass downloads.

The Platinum Plus AP includes not only the four primary theme parks, but also includes some of the secondary parks.
It offers Blizzard Beach and/or TyphoonLagoon water parks.
It offers the Oak Trail Golf Course entry.
It offers ESPN Wide World of Sports admission, but
It does not include the 30 minutes per day at the WWS PlayStation pavilion.
It does not provide access to either Fantasia Gardens or Winter-SummerLand miniature golf, although you can receive a discount there by showing the PAP.

Tables in Wonderland Dining Discount Card (TiW) is available for purchase to owners of either AP.
TiW offers a 20% discount on many WDW restaurant meals, including beverages.
TiW card holders are allowed free valet parking at WDW resorts if they
show their TiW card and that day's dining receipt from that resort.
More TiW details HERE.

AP holders also benefit from various other discounts on food, merchandise, lodging, and certain additional ticket purchases.

AP information directly from Disney can be found HERE.

The Disney Premier Pass (DPP) is a combination of a Walt Disney World Platinum Plus Pass and a Disneyland Resort Premium Annual Pass.
There is no differentiation between child or adult.
There is no reduced price for renewal.
There is no reduced price for DVC Members, Florida Residents, or Southern California Residents.

At WDW, DPP can only be purchased at a Guest Relations Window just outside of the four theme parks or at Disney Springs (DS.)
The DPP cannot be purchased at the International Gateway at Epcot.
At Disneyland the DPP can only be purchased at a Park Guest Relations Office or the Annual Pass Office.

AP vouchers (also called exchange certificates) may be purchased from Disney online, from Disney by telephone, from the Disney Store, and from some AAA Offices.
Once purchased, an AP voucher can be exchanged for a live AP any time up to the end of the year 2030.
AP vouchers must be exchanged for an actual AP (or activated for MagicBand use) at any ticket booth or Guest Relations at WDW.
Each person 18 yrs. or older must present a legal photo ID when purchasing any type of AP, or converting a voucher to an activated AP.

An AP can be "renewed" (including any upgrades or downgrades) within 60 days BEFORE and up to 30 days AFTER AP expiration.
There is a renewal price discount and the original AP's Anniversary calendar date will not change.

A discount on the price of a new AP is available at some "AAA South" Offices.

There can be some WDW discounts on some restaurants, merchandise, and special tickets for guests who have APs or are DVC members.

At Blizzard Beach there is a special one day ticket which includes entry to BB and a round of miniature golf at Winter-Summer Land.

If a person is planning to have more than one visit to secondary parks it generally makes economic sense to add WPF&M option to a base ticket rather than purchasing two tickets.

Other kinds of APs at WDW.

The Water Park Hopper Annual Pass.
These do not provide the benefits such as discounts and are very limited.

There is a is renewal rate discount for the Water Park Annual Pass.

Note:
A Water Park AP costs less than two days entry to the water parks.

Disney Resort Front Desks and Lobby Concierges cannot handle any kind of sales or upgrades related to any level of Annual Pass.

DVC Members and Florida Residents have special AP rates which are
priced at a lower cost than the those available to the general public.

Ticket purchases are generally considered to be "non-refundable."

What is the "break-even point" to consider buying an AP over a conventional ticket?
It is a common misconception that there is one ticket price or trip length that,
once reached, is a "break-even point" for jumping up to an AP.

Since the longest ticket that WDW sells for USA guests is a 10-day Hopper PLUS (which includes 10 admissions to Water Parks and other WDW venues,)
many would say that anything needed longer/larger than that for a single trip would rate an AP.

BUT, there are many other considerations for AP value.
The AP is good for multiple trips for 366 days, straight.
The AP includes Memory Maker photos & videos (which costs extra for non-AP holders.
The AP includes free parking at the theme parks.
The AP includes many discounts on certain meals and some hard-ticket events.
The AP includes shopping discounts at some stores.
The AP includes (often times) special invitations for the pre-opening of new attractions.
The AP includes (many times) special pricing for WDW resort rooms at certain times of year.
The AP includes the right to purchase "Tables in Wonderland" which offers a percentage off on certain WDW dining.
And, there are a few other benefits, too.

So, if a guest wants or needs any of the above extras, that can heavily influence
the "break-even point" at which an AP looks advantageous.

 

[Robo]

Special Tickets (generally, not fully available to all USA residents at all times.)

Florida Resident (FL-Res) Tickets and APs
Only 3-day and 4-day MYW tickets are discounted for Florida Residents.
Proof of residency is required when purchasing tickets, and upon first use. This includes (but is not limited to) the showing of a government-issued photo ID such as a Driver's License or state-issued ID card.

The cost for a one-day base ticket is not discounted.
However, the cost for the Hopper and WPF&M options are set at 50% of the non-Florida prices.

There is no 2-day FL-Res ticket available.
However, the 3-day costs less than a 2-day base MYW
and the 4-day costs significantly less than a three-day MYW base.
The FL-Res 3-day and 4-day tickets are valid for six months from date of first use.
Certain Blackout Dates may apply to these tickets.
-------------------------------------

Florida Resident Annual Passes
There are special types of APs for Florida Residents.
These are in addition to the six types of annual passes which may be purchased by any guest, including FL-Res.
------------------
Florida Resident Silver Pass -
This is a park hopper which is valid about 265, or so, days of the year.
The blackout dates tend to be a week on either side of Easter, a week on either side of Christmas. And, most of the Summer is blocked out.

Florida Resident Gold Pass -
(also Disney Vacation Club Gold Pass -)
This is a park hopper which is valid about 335, or so, days of the year.
The blackout dates tend to be a week on either side of Easter, a week on either side of Christmas.

Florida Resident "Theme Park Select" AP
-Introduced Monday July 9, 2018-
More HERE from a post by DIS member @mrzrich
--------------------------------------

Florida Resident Weekday Select Pass -
This is a park hopper which is valid only on weekdays, Monday through Friday.
There are other blackout dates during the busiest times of the WDW year.

The FL-Res Epcot After 4:00 Pass -
It does include free parking at Epcot (after 3:00pm only.)
It is primarily intended for local residents who would like to dine at some of the Epcot restaurants.

The "Water Park After 2:00 Hopper"
Since the water parks do tend to empty out starting in mid-afternoon, this is primarily intended for after-school use.

Other Special Tickets
These are tickets which generally are not sold at WDW itself,
and/or may require purchase prior to arrival at WDW.

14 or 21 Day Ultimate Park Hopper (sometimes called "United Kingdom (UK) Tickets")
These are valid for unlimited entry for one person to all the parks, both primary and secondary, for either 14 or 21 days from first use.
Theses tickets include Memory Maker Photos/Videos.
They are sold by Disney in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
They can be ordered through www.disney.co.uk but will not be shipped to the United States or Canada.
People in the USA sometimes ask friends or travel agents in the UK to purchase these tickets
and then ship the tickets to the USA.
These can be upgraded to Annual Passes, based on the current exchange rates.

2 Day or 7 Day Premium (UK) Available on the UK web site.
Basically they are the same as the 2-day and 7-day domestic MYW tickets which offer both Park Hopping and WPF&M.
The 7-day is a Hopper, with 7 secondary park entries during its 14 day validity period.
The 2-day is a one park per day, with 2 secondary park entries during its 14 day validity period.
The 7-day includes Memory Maker Photos/Videos. The 2-day does not include Memory Maker.
For upgrade purposes, these are treated as 2-day and 7-day Hoppers with WPF&M.

"Touch of Magic" tickets are available through some "time share" promoters in the Orlando area.
These are 2-day, 3-day and 4-day, one park per day -or- Hoppers, plus one entry to one of the "secondary" parks.
At the time the voucher is purchased or received, hopping may be added.
Normally, the "time share" promoter will issue a voucher for these tickets,
which can be redeemed at any park (including water parks or TTC) ticket booth.

These tickets may not be upgraded once the voucher is issued.
If hopping is desired, it must be arranged at the off-site purchase.

Convention tickets
These are only available to people who are attending conventions held at WDW.
Normally purchase is via a web link provided by Disney through the convention's web site for pre-purchase,
or sometimes at the convention itself.
Which version(s) of the Convention Tickets are available for which convention(s) can vary.
Verification of convention attendance may be required.

One Day-After 1PM - Convention ticket allows admission to one park after 1pm, one day.
These tickets may not be upgraded.

One Day-After 5PM - "Twilight Park" Convention ticket allows admission to one park after 5pm, one day.
These tickets may not be upgraded.

Multi-day MYW Convention Ticket is about a 10% savings from the regular MYW prices and includes one Water Park or "Fun" option visit.
----------------------

YES Tickets ("Youth Educational Series")
There are special reduced-price tickets available for specific groups,
usually school groups and/or teams participating in events at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

These may be Base, Hopper and/or WPF&M.
They are valid only for specific dates.
They may be used both by chaperones as well as students/team members.
Very often for control purposes the chaperones will hold on to the tickets or MagicBands
to effectively prevent the students from leaving the park after entry,
so these tickets may not require finger scans.
----------------------

Click HERE to find the closet thing I've found to a complete "everything reference" regarding Military discounts and tickets at Disney.

Military Tickets -
These are tickets similar to MYW tickets and can be sold at various military bases and at the Shades of Green Resort at WDW.
These Military Tickets are not only price-discounted, but Florida Sales Tax is not charged.

Military "Non-Salute" Tickets can be upgraded similarly to regular MYW tickets.
They can be "price bridged" to the current full price of the equivalent ticket bought from Disney.
These are subject to the same rules as MYW ticket upgrades:
Must be done within 14 days of first use and with entitlements still remaining on the ticket.

Military "Salute" Tickets can only be upgraded in limited ways.
There's a 5 day option this year, so someone with a 4 day Salute ticket can add the extra day. They can also add either option they didn't already have (PH or WPF&M).
This can be done up until the ticket is expired, regardless of entitlements remaining.

Any of the military tickets, Salute or not, can be upgraded to an AP.
But, the Salute tickets only get price bridged to their own equivalent gate price, with tax included - not to the full price of a regular 4 or 5 day PH/WPF&M.
If any WPF&M entries have been used, the ticket can only be upgraded to the Platinum Plus pass.

Some military tickets have been subject to blackout dates.

Ticket purchases are generally considered to be "non-refundable."

 

[Robo]

Upgrading Tickets

With the latest major change in WDW ticketing which brought in "Date-based tickets" (Oct. 16, 2018,)
UPGRADE RULES do not appear to have been significantly altered from those used in recent years.

Cost to Upgrade Tickets is explained in the next post (HERE.)

An "upgrade" is defined by WDW as adding one or more days to any base ticket,
and/or adding one or both of the other options, Park Hopper or Park Hopper PLUS ("Water Park Fun & More" options) to an existing ticket.
Or, upgrading a standard ticket to an Annual Pass (AP) is other popular option.
Basically, an upgrade is a change to a ticket that requires an additional payment.
"If it costs MORE... its an "upgrade."

A ticket (including still active "Non-expiring tickets) cannot be upgraded if it is past the maximum number of days that the original ticket can be used.
That info is reproduced below-

Expiration of Tickets:
For most guests (non-Florida residents) once a ticket has started being used,
all MYW ticket entitlements, including Water Parks and other options, will be valid for a specific number of days starting on the day you specify as your first intended use any part of the ticket.
The order in which you choose to use the assets/options does not matter.
It does not matter if a ticket is first used at a Primary theme park or, if the first use is at one of the Secondary parks.

Without a corresponding WDW Resort stay:
1-Day Ticket: Valid Only the date selected by the guest.
2-Day Ticket: Valid on any 2 days within 4 days beginning on the start date.
3-Day Ticket: Valid on any 3 days within 5 days beginning on the start date.
4-Day Ticket: Valid on any 4 days within 7 days beginning on the start date.
5-Day Ticket: Valid on any 5 days within 8 days beginning on the start date.
6-Day Ticket: Valid on any 6 days within 9 days beginning on the start date.
7-Day Ticket: Valid on any 7 days within 10 days beginning on the start date.
8-Day Ticket: Valid on any 8 days within 12 days beginning on the start date.
9-Day Ticket: Valid on any 9 days within 13 days beginning on the start date.
10-Day Ticket: Valid on any 10 days within 14 days beginning on the start date.

(Certain exceptions for Florida residents.)


The basic rule for the cost of upgrading a ticket is to
subtract the cost of the ticket that you HAVE from the cost of the ticket that you WANT.
That difference in cost is how much the upgrade will cost (plus 6.5% tax on that difference amount.)

A ticket can be upgraded while at WDW:
Before the guest uses that ticket to enter a park -or-
After that ticket has been used to enter a park (or parks)
No later than close-of-business on the same day that the last asset of the ticket has been used.

The object of a WDW ticket upgrade is to make it as though the ticket to which a guest upgrades had been the ticket originally purchased by the guest.
So, upgrading a ticket after a guest has used it to enter the parks on, say, three days,
the upgraded ticket would be "back-dated" by three days (in this case) but the credit
allowed for the original ticket in the upgrade transaction would still be at full value.

A ticket can be upgraded more than once, if needed,
even during the time the guest is using the ticket's assets, with no restrictions,
except for the maximum number of days allowed per ticket
and the "14 days from first use rule."

Note that in order to qualify as an "upgrade" the transaction requires a payment (not a refund,)
and can only be done on a one-to-one basis.
Guests cannot combine the value of more than one ticket.
In other words, if you own two different tickets (say, a 3-day ticket -and- a 1-day ticket,)
you could not add the value of both tickets to end up with a single new ticket of four or more days.

Where to do the Upgrade
An upgrade can be done at any WDW theme park or water park ticket window or Guest Relations, or at the Disney Springs Guest Relations office.

The Concierge staff at WDW resorts can do many standard ticket upgrade transactions,
but they cannot do any transactions regarding Annual Passes.

Upgrading BEFORE arriving at WDW.
•If you bought tickets as part of a WDW Resort package, you can usually call WDW and have your package tickets upgraded before you arrive.

In many cases, it may be possible to upgrade a stand-alone ticket (one NOT purchased as part of a WDW resort package.)

If you use up all of your entitlements on a ticket, the LATEST that you can do any sort of upgrade or modification
is before close-of-business on the day that you use that ticket's last asset.
This means that if you had (as example) a four day ticket and your fourth day of use was a Friday,
from Saturday onward you cannot do any upgrade, even though it is within the 14 day period.
Note this does not apply to Florida Resident Tickets, in which case the Guest name is preprinted on the ticket...
and they may add days after the last entitlement is used
as long as they have a photo ID that matches the name preprinted on the ticket.

Note that you can add major theme park days and/or the "Park Hopper PLUS" (formerly called "Water Parks Fun & More") option
to any ticket even after all of the original major theme park days have been used,
provided it meets the requirements of the previous paragraph.
You can not exceed the maximum of ten days of total major theme park entitlements.
-----------------------------------

Cost to Upgrade Tickets is explained in the next post (HERE.)

======================================

Upgrading to an Annual Pass (AP)
An upgrade to any level of Annual Pass follows basically the same rules as any other upgrade of MYW tickets.
You cannot combine the value of more than one ticket in order to upgrade to a singe new ticket or AP.

The notable exception to this is if you have both a MYW ticket and a used water park ticket,
these can be combined, along with additional money, for upgrading to a Platinum Plus AP.

If the current value of the ticket from which you want to upgrade is higher than the full price of the AP,
"officially," you would not be able to do an upgrade.
(If an exception is made, "officially," you will not receive a refund of the difference price.)

Any upgrade must be done at WDW at a location with access to the Automated Ticketing System (ATS).
Basically this is any park (including water park) ticket window or Guest Relations location,
or at the Disney Springs Guest Relations ("Welcome Center.")
The Concierge staff at the resorts are not able to handle any type of AP transaction.

If you are an Annual Passholder
and you are renewing your AP within the renewal window (up to 60 days before or 30 days after your AP anniversary date)
you may upgrade a MYW ticket to the Pass using the renewal rate.
I suggest that if you want to use the value of a new, unused WDW ticket to help pay
for an AP renewal that you go to a full service Guest Relations (the Welcome Center at Disney Springs would be a good choice.)
All other upgrade rules apply, except the expiration date will be one year from the expiration date of the original AP.

If upgrading from a MYW ticket, and the MYW ticket has been partially (or fully) used,
the expiration date of the new AP will be set to one year from the date of first use of the original MYW ticket being upgraded.
If the MYW ticket has not been used, the expiration date will be one year from the date of the AP upgrade.

NOTE:
When upgrading to Annual Pass,
if the Guest's original ticket included Water Park Fun & More Option, and any part of that option was used,
then the Guest may only upgrade to the Platinum Plus AP or Premier AP.

If none of the WPF&M options were used prior to upgrading,
then the guest may choose the kind of AP (Platinum, Platinum Plus, or Premier AP)
to which the guest will be upgrading.

If the guest purchased the Memory Maker photo service, in some cases, it is possible that the Memory Maker purchase cost can be refunded -or- deducted from the cost of purchasing, or upgrading to, an AP (since APs now include the Memory Maker photo service.)

When parking at a theme park, if the guest has paid for parking and wants to purchase, or upgrade to, an AP that day,
if the guest takes the parking receipt to the booth where the AP transaction takes place, the parking cost can be refunded -or- deducted from the cost of purchasing, or upgrading to, an AP (since APs include free Theme Park parking.)

A Florida Resident who is upgrading a 3-day or 4-day ticket may do the upgrade any time within six months of the date of first use of the original ticket.
The Florida Resident will also have the option of a Weekday Select Pass or Seasonal Pass, as well as an AP, PAP or DPP.
Note that the Florida Resident six month rules do not apply if upgrading to any Annual Pass using the Monthly Payment Plan.
If the Florida Resident intends to use the Monthly Payment Plan, the upgrade may only be done within 14 days of first use.

The UK 14-day and 21-day Ultimate Tickets may be upgraded to Platinum or Platinum Plus Annual Passes.
The ATS system will give a current value in US$ which is considered the base for upgrading.
Note: If any of the minor park entries have been used, the upgrade may only be to the Platinum Plus Annual Pass.
If none of the WPF&M options were used prior to upgrading,
the guest may choose the kind of AP (Platinum or Platinum Plus Annual Pass) to which their ticket will be upgraded.

 

[Robo]

Cost to Upgrade Tickets:
Updated: Feb. 11, 2020

There are multiple ticket upgrade pricing levels:

NOTE: The date on which you BOUGHT a ticket from an authorized ticket reseller is not necessarily the date on which the ticket was "minted" (created) by Disney.
(The resellers sell from "old stock" tickets until they need to order "new stock" tickets.)
So, it is quite possible that if you bought tickets from a reseller/discounter a short time after a WDW ticket price increase, the tickets you have will be from the previous year's stock.
That doesn't matter if you use the tickets as-is, but if you intend to upgrade, it can mean
a higher price to do so.

• Remember that Florida taxes (6.5%) will be added to any tickets purchased,
(it's a Florida law) so when figuring the upgrade cost it is best to make sure that
you compute using cost of the original ticket WITH TAX included,
and the cost the ticket to which you are upgrading WITH TAX included.
That will give you the total price of the upgrade WITH TAX included.
-------------------------------------------------------------

Ticket bought from an Authorized Reseller/Discounter:
-or-
Ticket bought as part of a WDW Resort Package:
-or-
Ticket bought at a Disney Store:
A __ Created BEFORE Feb.12, 2017 - (2016) Prices HERE.
B __ Created BETWEEN Feb.12, 2017 & Feb.11,2018 (2017) Prices HERE.
C __ Created BETWEEN Feb.11, 2018 & Oct.16,2018. (Early 2018) Price list HERE.
D __ Created BETWEEN Oct.16, 2018 and March 12, 2019. (Late 2018) (Price list unavailable.)
E __ Created ON and AFTER March 12, 2019. (2019) Price list HERE.
F __ Created ON and AFTER Feb. 11, 2020. (2020) Price list HERE.
_________________________________________

A __________
Find the full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you HAVE on the 2016 Price list HERE.
Subtract that 2016 price from the current full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you WANT.
Current Price list HERE.
Pay that difference price for the upgrade.

B __________
Find the full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you HAVE on the 2017 Price list HERE.
Subtract that 2017 price from the current full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you WANT.
Current Price list HERE.
Pay that difference price for the upgrade.

C __________
Find the full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you HAVE on the early 2018 Price list HERE.
Subtract that early 2018 price from the current full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you WANT.
Current Price list HERE.
Pay that difference price for the upgrade.

E __________
Find the full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you HAVE on the 2019 Price list HERE.
Subtract that 2019 price from the current full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you WANT.
Current Price list HERE.
Pay that difference price for the upgrade.

F __________
Find the full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you HAVE on the 2019 Price list HERE.
Subtract that 2020 price from the current full Disney price for the kind of ticket that you WANT.
Current Price list HERE.
Pay that difference price for the upgrade.


__________________________________________

No price-bridging is done on a ticket bought directly from Disney:
On-line Order from Disney site.
Phone Order from Disney Phone Cast Member.
In-person at a WDW ticket booth, etc.

--------------------------------------------------------------
The latest Ticket price increase: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020.

The previous Ticket price increase: Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

"2020" CURRENT Prices can be found on the WDW ticket page HERE.

--Current 2020 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before
--Current tickets generally will be purchased and priced based to the specific date(s)
of use chosen by the guest.

"2019" Prices (March 12, 2019 thru Feb. 10, 2020) on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2019 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before

"2018" Feb-Oct Prices on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2018 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before December 31, 2019.

"2017" Prices (Feb. 12, 2017 thru Feb. 10, 2018) on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2017 tickets' expiration date: First use must be on or before December 31, 2018.

"2016" Prices (Feb. 28, 2016 thru Feb. 11, 2017) on an archived Allears page HERE.
--2016 (and earlier) tickets' do not have a mandated expiration date.

The significance of the FIVE discrete price-level dates above figure into the
"upgrade value" of tickets issued in relation to those dates.

For the transaction of a ticket upgrade: a ticketing CM can manually raise the price of a guest's ticket that was purchased at a discount (or purchased before a WDW price increase) up to the current (that day) on-line/phone-order price of that same kind of ticket.
This procedure is often called "Price Bridging" on these boards.
Price bridging allows guests to upgrade a ticket and still "keep the savings" that they got when they bought a discounted ticket.
___

Even with the major change in WDW ticketing on Oct. 16, 2018,
UPGRADE RULES do not appear to have been significantly altered from those used in recent years.

Price bridging

Price-bridging is a process used for dealing with "discounted tickets" because a guest has paid less for those tickets than the Disney price on the date that the guest bought them.
(That's why what YOU paid for the discounted tickets does not enter into the upgrade transaction.)
The price that the guest paid is "bridged" up to the price that Disney charged at the time the discounted ticket was minted (created) by Disney and sold to the authorized ticket discounter.
Then, that Disney price (at that time) is subtracted from the current Disney price.
And, the guest will pay that amount for the upgrade.

•Price bridging is done for upgrading tickets purchased from authorized WDW ticket resellers (discounters.)
•Price bridging is done for upgrading tickets purchased at any retail Disney Store.
•Price bridging is done for upgrading tickets purchased as part of a WDW Resort package (room -and- tickets.)
The DATE that a WDW resort package (room and tickets) was first booked by the guest can determine the price that it will cost to upgrade the tickets that were purchased with that package.
Whether the value of those tickets will LOOK to be "bridged" or not will not be so apparent as it is when upgrading
a discounted ticket bought from an authorized third party reseller.
The reason is that guests cannot SEE what actual amount was actually paid for the tickets
when a guest books a resort "room & tickets" package.
The amount paid for the tickets will be LESS than the "Disney price" on that same date,
but if and when the package ticket is upgraded, the price would be bridged up to the Disney price on the same date that the resort package was booked.
___
•Price bridging is NOT done for tickets purchased "directly from Disney," as in:
On-line Order from Disney site.
Phone Order from Disney Phone Cast Member.
In-person at a WDW ticket booth, etc.
___

The best way that a guest is sure to get the correct price when upgrading a ticket
that qualifies the the "price bridge" is first "do the math" and KNOW exactly how much the ticket upgrade should cost BEFORE going to the booth to get the upgrade.

Current Ticket PRICES can also be found on the WDW website HERE.

If the ticket CM offers an unexpected (incorrect) upgrade price, the guest can nicely ask the CM to "check again, please, as the price should be lower on these kind of tickets."
If that doesn't net the correct price, nicely ask to speak with a ticket supervisor.
If that doesn't net the correct price, nicely decline the upgrade, i.e., "I've decided not to do this."
Then, the guest can go to another ticket/Guest Relations booth (at a different park or other WDW ticketing location) and/or try the upgrade at a different time of day.

There is no "best location/worst location" to get a correct ticket upgrade transaction, as the skill-level, training-level, experience-level of any CMs at any particular location can change with the date, the time, and any other scheduling situation.
"Luck-of-the-draw" is fully in play, here.

-----------------------------------------------
The cost of Upgrading to an Annual Pass (AP)
follows the same rules as upgrading to regular park tickets.

Which discounted ticket to buy for use in an Upgrade to Annual Pass:
Don't worry about the LENGTH of the discounted ticket intended for upgrade.
You want to do the math to see which of the tickets offer the best SAVINGS over the full on-line/phone-order price.

That way, when you do the upgrade the price-bridge will allow you to "keep the savings"
while getting to buy the AP.

The other side of this is that if the advance-purchased intended-for-upgrade discount ticket is the only ticket that you have in your MDE account, you will only be able to advance-book FP+ for the number of days on your ticket, even if your trip will be longer than that.

Thank you to @dismedvc for suggestions on this post.

 

[Robo]

Ordering Tickets

With the advent of MyDisneyExperience (MDX) and MagicBands, it is often unnecessary for tickets to be physically sent to guests.
When ordering a ticket, if the guest receives a "ticket number," "validation number," or "confirmation number" from the ticket seller (including Disney) the guest can simply put that number into her/his MDE account, and the ticket can be accessed via a guest's MagicBand(s.)

But, there are times when a guest will choose to buy tickets from Disney and have them physically delivered via the mail.

Disney can send various kinds of tickets and documents via the mail.

Examining the design of and reading what is printed on a ticket
can reveal what procedure a guest needs to do in order to use the ticket at WDW.

First, check the background color of the barcode on the ticket document sent.

If the color background behind the barcode is BLUE and the instructions say "Proceed to park entrance," a guest can go directly to a park's entrance touch-points with
that ticket, along with a legal photo ID.
A CM can scan that ticket and check the guest's ID.
At that time, the guest will be issued the actual usable RFID plastic ticket by the touchpoint CM.
(There MIGHT be a delay in entering the park using this method. You might be holding up others from entering behind you if it is a busy entrance time. If you want to avoid that possibility, you COULD take your ticket document to any ticket booth or Guest Relations and get your actual usable RFID plastic ticket BEFORE you go to a park entrance.)

On the other hand, if the guest has been sent a ticket document that has a YELLOW background behind the barcode, and the instructions say to, "Go to a ticket window..."
The guest needs to take that document, along with a legal photo ID, to any ticket window or Guest Relations outside any park, or at TTC, or at Disney Springs.
At that time, the guest will be issued the actual usable RFID plastic ticket.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discounted WDW Tickets

Below are listed some popular, reliable links for info and/or tickets:

OfficialTicketCenter.com
kgstickets.com (Kissimmee Guest Services)
MapleLeafTickets.com
OrlandoFunTickets.com
BoardwalkTicketing.com
ParkSavers.com
And, AAA travel offices can often be a discount tickets source.

(There are others, but these will be some good sources.)

Click HERE to view and use the TouringPlans.com "Discount Ticket Search."

You should ABSOLUTELY check each of these yourself to see which happens to
have the best deal, as the specials can change at any time.

• Remember that Florida taxes (6.5%) will be added to any tickets purchased,
(it's a Florida law) so be sure to check if taxes are included in the price shown.

• Also, shipping fees may or may not be included in the price,
so consider that cost, as well.

 

[Robo]

Age Categories for Tickets, Resorts and Dining

Disney has three age categories used for TICKETS.
Disney has four age categories used for RESORTS.

TICKETS:
Infant: guest less than three years old.
Child: a guest aged 3 years thru 9 years.
Adult: a guest 10 years or older.

RESORTS:
Infant: guest less than three years old.
Child: a guest aged 3 years thru 9 years.
Junior: a guest aged 10 years thru 17 years.
Adult: a guest 18 years or older.
-------------------

An Infant is allowed entry into any of the parks without a ticket.

A Child must have a ticket for park entry.
Normally a child's ticket will either state "child" or "Age 3 - 9" on it.

Adults must have an adult ticket for park entry.
Normally these tickets will say either "Adult" or "Age 10+" on them.
Finger scans are required for all adult tickets.

Dining in restaurants, a child will pay a reduced price at buffet or AYCE,
and generally, will order from a special menu at menu service restaurants.
The price for any Age 3-9 AP is the same as for the equivalent Age 10+ AP.
In restaurants that are buffet or all you can eat (AYCE) an infant can have her/his own plate and beverage at no charge.
In menu service restaurants, as well as counter service,
if items are ordered specifically for the infant they must be paid for.
If eating from parent's plate, there is no charge.

"Aging Out" of a category
Disney does not penalize children for growing older.
If you have a partially-used child's ticket, and the child is now 10 or older, go to any ticket booth or Guest Relations (along with the child) and the CM will exchange the child's ticket for an adult ticket with the same remaining entitlements at no charge.

The child for which this is being done must be present at the ticket window when the "upgrade" is being done.
The age difference must be "reasonable."
For example, if the child appears to still be a pre-teen, and the ticket is two or more years old they should be no problem.
However, if the child appears to be 16 and the ticket is only a year old this "upgrade" will not be done.
This applies whether the ticket is MYW or pre-MYW.
However, if the ticket has never been used,
the ticket may only be upgraded to a ticket with at least the same entitlements
and the guest must pay the difference.

If an infant turns three years old during a trip,
or a child turns ten years old during a trip,
the infant/child is still considered to be in the younger category for the length of the trip.
This applies whether the family is staying on or off property.
It does not apply to local residents who commute (unless they are staying on property.)

There is no need to carry a birth certificate to try to prove a child's age.
Disney does not ask for "proof" of a child's age.
Disney just asks that a parent be honest about a child's age.

 

[Robo]

Future Post -9

 

[Robo]

Using a specific ticket in your MDX account.
(Setting the PRIORITY of multiple tickets.)
SAVING a NEW ticket in your MDX account for future use.

Many times a guest may have more than one valid ticket in her/his MDX account.

It can be very important to designate WHICH ticket will be used the next time(s) that guest
goes into a WDW park.

One way to do this is to make a stop at any Guest Relations outside any park (including Epcot's International Gateway) or at Downtown Disney's Guest Relations (called "The Welcome Center.")
Have the Guest Relations CM set the "priority" to the highest level of the ticket that you wish to use next at a park gate.
If that ticket has multiple assets (entries) on it,
it will stay set at the highest priority until its assets have all been used.
Some WDW Resort Concierge CMs can do this.
Stop be the Concierge desk and ask.
(If the CM there seems uncomfortable with the procedure, nicely decline the request
and head to a Guest Relations outside any park or visit the "Welcome Center" at Disney Springs.)

If you have a NEW (never been used) ticket that you wish to SAVE:
an easier way to accomplish this (with no need to make a trip to Guest Relations)
is to create a "fake name" profile in your MDX account and transfer that new, unused ticket to under that "fake" profile.
Since that "person" will not be going into a park, that ticket will never be used.

In the future, when you are ready to use (or upgrade) that saved ticket,
you can transfer it to yourself (or anyone else in or connected to your MDX account.)
You can even use that saved ticket's value toward renewing an (or buying a new) AP.

 

[Robo]

Future Post -11

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The Florida resident Silver Pass does include parking, as do all the resident annual passes.
Just passing along the info...
(Actually no clue about the water park pass).

MG

 

[Robo]

The Florida resident Silver Pass does include parking, as do all the resident annual passes.
Just passing along the info...
(Actually no clue about the water park pass).

MG

Fixed.
(If you're referring to a WP AP, the Water Parks have free parking, already.)

Thanks!

 

[DavidNYC]

I think the names on the FL passes are out of date. They're now Gold, Silver, Weekday Select. With Gold having fewer blackouts and photopass. Silver is pretty close to the old seasonal.

 

[Robo]

I think the names on the FL passes are out of date. They're now Gold, Silver, Weekday Select. With Gold having fewer blackouts and photopass. Silver is pretty close to the old seasonal.

OK. Thanks.
I'm working on them.

 

[Accident]

good luck on this thread! it was sorely missed and great to see a new one coming back.

 

[Robo]

good luck on this thread! it was sorely missed and great to see a new one coming back.

Thank you.
A very broad topic that is hard to fully cover.
I'm starting with some basics and, with help, we'll see how it progresses.

 

[linzbear]

OK. Thanks.
I'm working on them.

Gold pass is the only one available to DVC as well. (So DVC gets the 6 AP choices plus 1)

 

[lovethattink]

Once again, thanks so much for all your work on another very valuable thread!

 

[china mom]

Thank you for this information and if this is the wrong place to ask this, I apologize.

As an AP holder, do I get any discount when purchasing MYW tickets for others in my group?