Buying tickets now to beat price hikes, but that won't expire before we go?

[meryll83]

So it sounds like a price increase on tickets is due, so I thought we'd get some bought now ready for our next trip.

Trouble is, this is likely to be 2017 and we don't know specific dates yet - where/how can we buy tickets that won't expire and that we don't have to specify a start date for? (e.g. looking on Disney's website it seems we can buy the UK 14 day tickets valid for 2017, but you need to specify a start date...)

Can anyone help? We're flexible on the type of ticket we buy...

 

[Minniesgal]

When I am buying tickets for a future trip I buy US tickets not UK

 

[chmurf]

You need to specify a date only to determine the year they're valid for

UK tickets are valid for the year they're purchased for = a 2017 ticket must be activated (first used) on or before december 31st 2017. If theyy are not activated by then, they are no longer valid for admission

The only tickets that don't expire are the US tickets (see restrictions before purchasing)

 

[wilma-bride]

Meryll, if you want to buy tickets now I would absolutely recommend buying MYW tickets as these (generally) never expire (until activated). If you know for definite that you will be going in 2017, you could buy the Ultimates and just put a dummy date in (as chmurf says, they will need to be activated by December 31 2017) but if, for any reason, you don't go in 2017 you wouldn't be able to use them.

In all honesty, the 'price hikes' are minimal in the grand scheme of things so I don't see the point of taking the risk if you don't have a definite date.

 

[meryll83]

Thanks all for the advice!

 

[meryll83]

If I do decide to get some MYW tickets, what's the best place to purchase them from here in the UK? Direct on Disney's US website?

 

[Elise79]

If you are looking at MYW look at Undercover Tourist - they offer a discount off of disney price and will ship you the tickets to link to MDE.

I have used them several times

 

[meryll83]

Thanks for the advice.

Just as another option - annual passes - can you purchase these in advance of activating them?

 

[Elise79]

Yes you can but that is a big outlay unless you are sure you will get your money's worth out of them.

 

[chmurf]

Thanks for the advice.

Just as another option - annual passes - can you purchase these in advance of activating them?

Disney has changed it's AP structure.
The standard AP (no waterpark) is now a few bucks shy of $800 after taxes
That's £560 at the current exchange rate

That kind of money could almost get you 2 ultimate 14 days tickets

If you only want to secure tickets for a later date that will cost you more than buying tickets when you're sure to go
So as above, be sure you can get at least 2 trips out of that AP

 

[meryll83]

Thanks, that's what I've figured from a bit of research.
14 day ultimate is better than MYW once you get to a week plus, and AP is better if we know we'll have at least 2 trips in the year - so, trip scheduling to think about now!

With the AP, how far in advance can you purchase before you activate?

 

[Elise79]

Thanks, that's what I've figured from a bit of research.
14 day ultimate is better than MYW once you get to a week plus, and AP is better if we know we'll have at least 2 trips in the year - so, trip scheduling to think about now!

With the AP, how far in advance can you purchase before you activate?

As long as you want - we have got Ap certificates we bought about a year ago and won't activate until December.

 

[meryll83]

Thanks again for the advice everyone - we're hoping we'll be planning for needing an annual pass

 

[tinkerpea]

Meryll, if you want to buy tickets now I would absolutely recommend buying MYW tickets as these (generally) never expire (until activated). If you know for definite that you will be going in 2017, you could buy the Ultimates and just put a dummy date in (as chmurf says, they will need to be activated by December 31 2017) but if, for any reason, you don't go in 2017 you wouldn't be able to use them.

In all honesty, the 'price hikes' are minimal in the grand scheme of things so I don't see the point of taking the risk if you don't have a definite date.

I agree.
I brought a 2 day Base tickets for the 5 of us, but then we had 14 day ultimates too, as the Base came with a package that I had to get for US free dining.
And they don't expire plus I can add days to them.

 

[meryll83]

What does this 14 day bit mean in the Ticket Use section when I go to purchase a Gold AP?

 

[wilma-bride]

What does this 14 day bit mean in the Ticket Use section when I go to purchase a Gold AP?

I think it has been transposed incorrectly from the terms and conditions for the DVC MYW ticket special.

 

[meryll83]

That would make more sense!
I was hoping it didn't mean you have to activate the AP within 14 days of purchase...

 

[wilma-bride]

That would make more sense!
I was hoping it didn't mean you have to activate the AP within 14 days of purchase...

No, not at all.

 

[meryll83]

Sounds like they've just concentrated on altering 1 day ticket prices after all that anyway!

 

[wilma-bride]

Sounds like they've just concentrated on altering 1 day ticket prices after all that anyway!

Yes, there is no intention to increase the multi-day ticket prices currently, I believe.