Attraction Tickets

[Lauraken]

We are going at the end of May, staying at HoJo near Universal. DD8 and DS7 want to see Mickey Mouse, DH is more interested in Universal, I can't miss SW and we all enjoy water parks.
There seems to be great competition between the two companies with both offering multiday passes for little more. I'm tempted to buy a 10 day world pass for Disney and a 4 Park Flex ticket for Universal. Do you think I'm crazy?
I know there will be unused days, but it will give us great flexibility.
Yes, we are only staying for two weeks...

 

[richard3330]

Have you considered a Fun In The Sun Pass for Disney? This gives unlimited access to the parks, water parks and Disney Quest for 30 consecutive days (Plus it gives access to some other minor non-disney attractions). It comes in at great value at around $299 per adult and $240 for children. It also includes a free character breakfast for each ticket holder.

With the good exchange rates at the moment this ticket proves to be great value, plus, with 30 days you don't need to worry about them running out!

HTH
Richard.

 

[UKDEB]

I don't think you're crazy, Lauraken. There's a lot to be said for flexibility. Of course, the 10 day passes which are just for the British market, do expire, but I would be prepared to trade that for flexibility.

Is there any chance that you might go back again within 12 months? If so, it would be worth considering Annual Passes for both Disney and Universal. Disney APs are not significantly more than the 10 day passes (although you would have to pay extra for the water parks, or buy PAPs), and Universal are currently offering 2 years for the price of one on APs (you need a code which you can find on the Universal Studios forum, or I will post it here if anyone wants it). Being an Annual Passholder has many benefits, including free parking at the parks and worthwhile discounts at onsite hotels.

 

[wayneg]

The Universal/ Island of adventure AP is superb value. Last summer we got 2 years addmission to both parks for less than £100 each. We were there 2 wks July, 3 wks Oct, going 3 wks this Oct, 1wk Xmas might go another 2 wks this Aug and still valid until July 2005. I think we had our monies worth. Like you say with free parking and discounts off food well worth it.
I can spend 4 or 5 hours in Curious George wetting everyone and not worry I am wasting £35 a day addmission.
Wayne

 

[FHWC]

Hi Lauraken

If you are like my family, we are only planning the one visit to WDW. I don't think the budget will stretch to another visit next year but possibly another visit in a few years time. I appreciate it is easy to get hooked into visiting again and again but there are other places and countries to visit.

I have been looking at all the tickets and having wanted to do everything possible in 2 weeks have decided to buy the 10 day hopper available to Brits and the Orlando Flexi pass for 4 parks with 7 consecutive days access to the parks. Mainly for the flexibility of going back to the parks if we want to. With 3 children in the party you only need one to be off colour and you have lost a day at the park, these tickets give you the flexibility to go back.

The 10 day has a character breakfast free included and for my group 2 adults and 2 children works out at only £12.00 dearer than the 7 day hopper (which doesn't have the character breakfast included).

Several friends have already done Florida and have all bought these two tickets and found them worthwhile.

I haven't bought my tickets yet but one website recommended by a dis member is www.themeparkland.co. I have found them to be the cheapest so far.

Debbie

 

[Lauraken]

Thanks for your reply.
I still can't decide though.
The 10 day World Pass is excellent value and obviously adds to your flexibility - if the park gets too busy, or you get too tired after an early start, you can leave Disney without worrying about wasting a day.
But, practically I think a 5 Day Hopper Plus and a 4 Park Flex will give us more than enough days.
Also I made the mistake of booking over Memorial Day weekend so we'll waste a couple of days then...
Is this your first trip? We went 3 years ago with 2 small children and 4 grandparents and only managed 5 days at Disney with one hop on our last day - it is not as easy as you think

 

[Lauraken]

Originally posted by richard3330
Have you considered a Fun In The Sun Pass for Disney? This gives unlimited access to the parks, water parks and Disney Quest for 30 consecutive days (Plus it gives access to some other minor non-disney attractions). It comes in at great value at around $299 per adult and $240 for children. It also includes a free character breakfast for each ticket holder.

With the good exchange rates at the moment this ticket proves to be great value, plus, with 30 days you don't need to worry about them running out!

HTH
Richard.

Thanks for your advice but I'm short of days already as we want to visit the Universal attractions and hopefully Gatorland too.

Do you think the Character breakfasts are worth it ?

 

[Lauraken]

Originally posted by UKDEB
I don't think you're crazy, Lauraken. There's a lot to be said for flexibility. Of course, the 10 day passes which are just for the British market, do expire, but I would be prepared to trade that for flexibility.

Is there any chance that you might go back again within 12 months? If so, it would be worth considering Annual Passes for both Disney and Universal. Disney APs are not significantly more than the 10 day passes (although you would have to pay extra for the water parks, or buy PAPs), and Universal are currently offering 2 years for the price of one on APs (you need a code which you can find on the Universal Studios forum, or I will post it here if anyone wants it). Being an Annual Passholder has many benefits, including free parking at the parks and worthwhile discounts at onsite hotels.

Thanks for the advice. I'd love to go back soon but think it's unlikely I'm so excited that I can't sleep or think of anything else. Please can you give me the link to countdown

 

[wayneg]

I appreciate it is easy to get hooked into visiting again and again but there are other places and countries to visit

There are other places and countries, you name it I have done it or on my list to do but found nothing to compare with Orlando yet. After 12 visits still finding more to do, this year 7 nt Disney cruise, Gatorland, Arabian nights dinner show, Dolphin swim. I have a list as long as my arm what I still want to do there.
We are lucky and can afford about 8 weeks a year abroad usually 4 or 5 wks in Orlando then 3 wks elswhere plus a couple of long wkend Euro city breaks.
Maybe when I grow up I will change but still a 37 years old child. Sorry we are hooked.

Lauraken, not done a Character breakfast yet (another thing on our list) but our friends have with a 5 year old daughter at the Hollywood and Vine in MGM(don't think they do it here now), they said it was brilliant and will be doing again next year when they go.

 

[Lauraken]

Originally posted by wayneg
The Universal/ Island of adventure AP is superb value. Last summer we got 2 years addmission to both parks for less than £100 each. We were there 2 wks July, 3 wks Oct, going 3 wks this Oct, 1wk Xmas might go another 2 wks this Aug and still valid until July 2005. I think we had our monies worth. Like you say with free parking and discounts off food well worth it.
I can spend 4 or 5 hours in Curious George wetting everyone and not worry I am wasting £35 a day addmission.
Wayne

Thanks for your advice.
Everyone says it's cheaper to buy tickets from America but I can't get my head around it. First I need to find out all the different exchange rates given by the credit cards. Does it really save you alot of money? It seems simpler just to walk into LunnPoly...
While I'm on the subject where do you get your dollars from?
The exchange rate is meant to be 1.9 but the high street is only giving 1.6
Laura

 

[Lauraken]

Originally posted by wayneg
There are other places and countries, you name it I have done it or on my list to do but found nothing to compare with Orlando yet. After 12 visits still finding more to do, this year 7 nt Disney cruise, Gatorland, Arabian nights dinner show, Dolphin swim. I have a list as long as my arm what I still want to do there.
We are lucky and can afford about 8 weeks a year abroad usually 4 or 5 wks in Orlando then 3 wks elswhere plus a couple of long wkend Euro city breaks.
Maybe when I grow up I will change but still a 37 years old child. Sorry we are hooked.

Lauraken, not done a Character breakfast yet (another thing on our list) but our friends have with a 5 year old daughter at the Hollywood and Vine in MGM(don't think they do it here now), they said it was brilliant and will be doing again next year when they go.

I knew I'd married the wrong man !!!
Seriously, any other personal favourites?

 

[wayneg]

Our 9 year old loved Disney Quest, we went in with the intentions of spending half a day there. We ended up staying from opening to closing and will be going back this year designing your own coaster then riding it in a simulator is cool. I have heard it gets really busy on rainy days with it being indoors. If you buy a 7 day Hopper from a UK supplier (not included on US supplied) you get a day included free.
For us the 7 day hopper is best value at £180 adult you get 7 days in parks 4 water park days and Quest day which is a total of 12 days but valid for life.
Also doing La Nouba show by Cirque du Soleil this Oct saw it on TV at Xmas, looks good but £50 each. Don't know how they get the prices in US for shows cost me £75 each last time we went on Broadway.
As for exchange rates you do get 2 rates the exchange rate and the tourist rate, Follow this link for exchange rate http://www.x-rates.com/d/USD/GBP/data120.html gives you historical data to show which way it has gone recently then click on real time quotes to get latest price. For the rate you actually get for your pound look at Travelex or Post office websites, there should never be the difference you quoted but usually about 5 cents is norm.
Wayne

 

[Lauraken]

Thanx again
I was planning to miss out Disney Quest this time but know it will be my little boy's favourite too.
Also tempted by La Nouba, but put off by the price and the fact that you have to book in advance. We hate to be tied down.
You must have a great job - all those holidays and you get to play on the internet all afternoon.
I work from home, and should be finishing my VAT return, but am having much more fun talking about my favourite subject.

Laura

 

[wayneg]

Laura, I own 2 Florist shops, today is my afternoon off. We had a choice a few years ago either have a larger family and move into a large 5 bedroom house that came up for sale near us very cheap but wanted loads of work doing to it and have 1 holiday a year with a large mortgage Or stick with 1 child, a very small mortgage in our modest 3 bedroom house and be able to afford all the holidays we want and a nice new BMW every 3 years.
The 1 child holiday option won if you follow this link http://www.asters.demon.co.uk/underconstruction.htm it gives you some of the holidays we have been on since our son was born. It is his webpage so only includes holidays he has been with us.
Good luck with the paperwork
Wayne