First Timer Ticket Question!!

[neil2jo]

Hi All,

I am going to WDW for the first time in February with my DH & DS (2). We are staying on site for one week and then going to Clearwater for one week. However, the more I'm reading about Disney on this site I wish we had gone for 2 weeks at WDW. Nevermind its all booked and paid for now.

All that aside I wondered if anyone could please offer some ticket advice. I have been looking at Attraction Tickets Direct and I am trying to work out which are the best tickets for us. I notice from their brochure that they sell Disney Ultimate/Premium tickets but I'm sure I've also heard that you can buy what I think are called Magic Your Way tickets. I know I am probably being really stupid but can someone tell me what the difference is and what they think would be best in my circumstances.

I already have a ticket to get us into Busch Gardens & Sea World so any advice on what other Universal ticket to buy would also be appreciated.

Sorry this has gone a bit but I don't feel very organised and I am starting to panic!!

Thanks again.

 

[carolfoy]

Basically the ultimate/premium tickets are a one off 'package' that give you complete access for how ever many days they are purchased for, ie 14 day ultimate gives 14 days from first use and includes park hopping, water parke etc. As a first timer, you are already wishing you had booked for longer in 'the world' so probably a magic your way ticket, which is a basic ticket allowing entry to one park on that day would be a good idea. MYW tickets are designed so you can add options on ie park hopping, non expiry etc. Methinks you'll probably be going again next year so by adding non expiry you can budget to buy tickets this year that'll last 'til next. You can add water parks and park hoppingif you wish. I'd definately recommend the water park option but park hopping depends entirely on whether you think you'll ever want to swap from one park for a dinner reservation for instance to another park for a show. I can live without park hopping, basically enter a park and stay until closing! but I do love the water parks
HTH

 

[JohnnySharp2]

What Carol says is right, we purchased the MYW tickets in Kissimmee from www.mapleleaftickets.com - mainly because we are regular visitors but do not visit WDW theme parks excessively on our holiday.
We bought the 10 day Premium ticket with hopper/no expiry facility as we think these will probably last us 3 holidays - having the 5 day water park's is also a big bonus for us.

I think we all have different opinions on what is right for us , but as you are staying at Clearwater for a week you may want to consider buying passes that will still be valid should you return to Florida another time.

We have Annual Passes for Universal so you are better off checking their website for more details, you probably may only require a one or two day pass, and they often have special deals on - to be honest as you only have 1 week in Orlando it may be best just going to Universal when you arrive and seeing what's available.

Clearwater has one of the nicest beaches in Florida so I think you will like it there.

 

[carolfoy]

Actually I forgot to mention, do you intend on doing ALL parks in one week??? could be a big mistake, you'll be so stressed organising, and never underestimate queue times and the size of WDW, it will take much longer than you think to get TO a park once you're inside the main gates!

 

[neil2jo]

Thanks for the advice so far, its much appreciated and I now understand the difference in tickets.

I'm not sure what parks we are going to do as I know to fit everything into one week would be too much of a task. I am still trying to do my research to see what parks have the most on offer to entertain a 2 year old and then I will go from there. We may even leave out Universal altogether this time and visit it another year as I'm sure we will want to go back.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the advice so far, its much appreciated and I now understand the difference in tickets.

I'm not sure what parks we are going to do as I know to fit everything into one week would be too much of a task. I am still trying to do my research to see what parks have the most on offer to entertain a 2 year old and then I will go from there. We may even leave out Universal altogether this time and visit it another year as I'm sure we will want to go back.

I think certainly some of the parks there would not be much to suit a 2 year old child.
Certainly Magic Kingdom is a must for you, it's for children of all ages
There would be very little at EPCOT, MGM or Universal's IOA for a very young child, one or two things at Universal Studios and Animal Kingdom perhaps...however, you will still have a brilliant time whichever parks you go to.
To a degree it depends on your child, certainly as our son has got older he appreciates and takes in more and more every time we go.

 

[Rascal1003]

We first went to Florida as a couple in 2002 and did a 1 week stay in Orlando followed by a 2 week tour of the Gulf Coast, The Keys and Miami.
We managed to get round everywhere in the week that we were there, but it is quite gruelling. It means doing 3 Disney parks in 2 days* and really not fully taking it all in.

The big difference though, is that we didn't have children and could get round the parks quite quickly. I therefore think you might struggle a little.
But, don't forget, Orlando is only a 2 hour drive from Clearwater, so when you get a bit bored, why not get up early and drive up to Disney ? Might make things a little easier in the Orlando week for you.

What we have found when travelling in the quieter times (usually September) is that it can be better value to pay on the door, so to speak, rather than pre-booking with a UK agent.

Hope this helps.

(* Note - If you go to Epcot first, this is only half a day, then spend the afternoon in the MK. Spend the 2nd Disney day in MGM for half a day then back to MK for the remainder. AK might be a full day, so that's 4 days. 2 days in Universal - 1 day per park and one day at Seaworld. That is an exhausting 7 consecutive days, but more than possible. Alternatively, why not come back for either Seaworld or Animal Kingdom ?)

 

[Clare D]

My DS was 2 (just turned) last December when we visited and we did all of the parks inc Busch Gardens as we had 2 weeks in Orlando and we visited with friends who had never been.
We visited again this year with DS nearly 3 but only did Disney (MK, Epcot and AK) and Sea World.
In my opinion I would definatley do Sea World, MK and AK. IMO Universal IOA is lost on young children as the only area suitable is Suess Landings which may not register with children who have never read the books. I would maybe miss Universal as again there are only a couple of areas which appeal to children.
My son likes Epcot and enjoys the Living Seas and Spaceship Earth. He also loves the ride in Mexico and Norway. He also enjoyed MGM last year too.
You could always visit Busch Gardens whilst staying in Clearwater as you are not too far from it this would then give you 7 days in Orlando to concentrate on the Orlando parks.
If you would like any other info PM me.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hello and welcome to the Dis

You may get a lot of different opinions on this one! But if I only had a week and I was staying onsite with a little one, I would just do the Disney parks.

Save the others for another trip


We did one week Orlando & 1 week Clearwater a few years ago and only did WDW - and we were very very tired at the end of the first week (2 children in tow, aged 3 & 6 at the time). We certainly didn;t have the energy to drive up again to Orlando ( a 4 hour round trip approximately) for day trips. Instead we went shopping, enjoyed the beach, relaxing at our hotel and doing local attractions

My 3 year old loved Epcot on that trip, I am not sure I would say it was not one for kids. They love the KidCot Fun Stops which are basically a free mask that you collect "bits" for as you go round the World Showcase. Tons of fun for youngsters.


Which hotels are you booked into?

 

[neil2jo]

Once again, thank-you all for your welcome, replies, and advice given.

We had considered the option of driving back for a day or so but as mentioned it will be quite a long day. I don't think either of us will fancy the 2 hour drive back after a day in the park. I think we will see how the weather goes because the beach part of the holiday (Clearwater) may turn into a bit of a disaster depending on the weather, although there are probably lots of local things to do in the rain!!

We are staying in Allstar Movies in Disney and Best Western in Clearwater. Has anyone else stayed at the Best Western? Booked through BA and I think we only had the choice of 2 hotels in our price range so hopefully we made the right decision.

 

[carolfoy]

ITA with Miffy, if you're staying on site, only do WDW, theres sooo much to do you won't need to venture further. Read some of the trip reports and see how others fill their days then take away the amount of extra time it'll take you to get around with a small child and you'll see you won't even fit half of it in in a week.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I agree with what Carol and Miffy have said - also if you do try and pack too much in you will lose some of the magic, all the parks whether it be WDW or Universal are best enjoyed (where possible) at a leisurely pace.
You just cannot take any of it in if you are rushing around and part of the attraction is just being there and soaking up the atmosphere.

 

[Miffy2003]

We stayed at All Star Movies last year and loved it! Fantastic for children. There was a bit in my trip report about staying here so I will dig it out if that would be helpful?

As to your Clearwater Hotel, I have not stayed at this one but if it's the one I am thinking of (Gulfview Blvd rings a bell??) it is located right on the beach with several restaurants within walking distance (Waffle House, International House of Pancakes, an Italian, a seafood place etc). We really enjoyed our week in Clearwater, especially sat on the beach with a cocktail while our DDs played in the play area which was beachside. It was lovely and relaxing.