Help! Staying for 17 days, but we can only get a 10 day pass... Boo! Plus MNSSHP question

[TayjaDanger]

So my long subject might have stated most of this post-- we are going to be staying off-site (my first time not on property, will be interesting to compare!) and could only get 10 day passes. We were hoping to be able to add a few days once we arrive, but from what I've read in a few other posts that is not easily done for resort guests, and near impossible for people not staying on property. Is this true?! please tell me I'm wrong!

So now I'm planning two possible trips: what to do if we can't add on days (Universal, the beach, resort touring/dining, Disney Springs, etc.) which is a complete bummer, because it means that we have to lose (or at best, reschedule) some of our ADRs I made in the parks, and figure out how to kill time elsewhere. And plus I love the parks! They're the whole reason for going to WDW! All whining aside, I have another question for you--

If we get tickets to MNSSHP, do we also need to use up one of our now-even-more-valuable days in the park tickets? Or can we show up at 4pm and enjoy the party without putting a dent in our 10-day passes?

I'm also concerned that our tickets might expire while we still have days left on them. That is, if I'm weaving non-disney-park days into our schedule, that will push our last few days in Florida outside of the 14 day window we have for using our 10 day passes. Certainly I can't be the first person to have problems like this?

I am feeling pretty frustrated that we couldn't get passes that coincide with our length of stay to begin with, and now with all the limitations it is making me freak out just a little bit.

I would love to hear your experiences, and am open to suggestions for possible solutions, outside of buying annual passes (I would LOVE to, but they are cost-prohibitive and we aren't going to be able to come back to Florida for another Disney trip anytime soon, so they would be a waste). We have considered buying separate multi-day passes in addition to the 10-day passes we already purchased, is this a better option for anyone who enjoys long stays at WDW? Please help!

Thank you!

 

[mom2rtk]

No regular ticket needed when you attend MNSSHP. I'd add 2 Halloween parties and take 2 down days for a total of 14 days.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

Annual passes : ) Are you sure they aren't cost savings given the number of days you're looking for? Then you get included parking, included memory maker and discounts on MNSSHP tix and merch. I always stay off property, we like having more room and a kitchen.

 

[linzbear]

Do the math on Annual Passes - at 17 days it's pretty reasonable (especially with free parking even for offsite and other discounts).

 

[TayjaDanger]

Hmmmmm I'm going to have to have a long conversation with my wallet about this. First off, thank you! It might be easier to justify an AP when you consider how much $$$ entertaining 3 people will be for the remaining days outside our 10 day pass. Even if we did spent 2 days in Universal (my preference would be only 1), there's only so much resort touring, pool lounging, and DS I can handle! And maybe TIW will be a good enough savings that we can justify the added expense... oh my my, I'm not sure how we are going to work this out, but I am grateful to you all who replied so speedily!

 

[Fastpassminus]

Any interest in Water Parks. With WP&M you would get 10 Water Parks admissions in addition to 10 park days. You a few Water Park days, and a few rest days.

 

[Momof2Singers]

Annual passes : ) Are you sure they aren't cost savings given the number of days you're looking for? Then you get included parking, included memory maker and discounts on MNSSHP tix and merch. I always stay off property, we like having more room and a kitchen.

EXACTLY what I was thinking. Someone told me after 2 weeks you break even, not sure with the increase if that is still true.

 

[princessfionasmom]

When are you going? If you're there when the water parks are open how about doing the 10 day with water parks fun and more then do water parks a couple days. You could also do mini golf with that pass (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that). Might be worth looking into to see if those extras make it work it. Good luck!

 

[purple figment]

An annual pass would cost $749, but if you were to buy the 10 day ($400) and an additional 7 day pass ($370) to cover all 17 days, it would actually be more expensive. If you wanted park hopping with each ticket that would be an additional $69 x 2. An annual pass is automatically a park hopper. With an annual pass you would get free parking which would save you an additional $20 every day. Annual passes also include photopass and food and merchandise discounts and you could purchase the Tables in Wonderland card for more dining discounts.

The MYW tickets are good for 14 days so if you plan non-Disney days in between be aware that the 10 day ticket expires 14 days after first use so if you use it for the first time on a Monday, the last day you can use it is 2 Sundays later (i.e Monday Aug 1 through Sunday Aug 14.)

If you decide to go to the MNSSHP party you can enter at 4 PM with just your party ticket, but earlier than that would require using one day on your 10 MYW tickets.

 

[TayjaDanger]

An annual pass would cost $749, but if you were to buy the 10 day ($400) and an additional 7 day pass ($370) to cover all 17 days, it would actually be more expensive. If you wanted park hopping with each ticket that would be an additional $69 x 2. An annual pass is automatically a park hopper. With an annual pass you would get free parking which would save you an additional $20 every day. Annual passes also include photopass and food and merchandise discounts and you could purchase the Tables in Wonderland card for more dining discounts.

The MYW tickets are good for 14 days so if you plan non-Disney days in between be aware that the 10 day ticket expires 14 days after first use so if you use it for the first time on a Monday, the last day you can use it is 2 Sundays later (i.e Monday Aug 1 through Sunday Aug 14.)

If you decide to go to the MNSSHP party you can enter at 4 PM with just your party ticket, but earlier than that would require using one day on your 10 MYW tickets.

Thanks for all this info! I did a little math and it is going to be tight, but I'm going to lay out the pros and cons to my travel companions. I personally think it's worth it but I'm not the only one making decisions. You know how it goes! In the past I traveled with a different group for about the same amount of time and we got APs and TiW and it was great. This time we have a leaner budget so are trying to make it work out. Initially we were thinking just 3 or 4 extra park days would be all we'd really need- we want to take breaks on busier weekend days and have freedom to visit Universal or the beach, and we don't have to head right to the parks on check in day or the day we fly out (as much as I'd like to!). But it costs more than an AP would be to add a 4 day hopper, or even a 3 day hopper. And here's the newest concern-- timing out our tickets by weaving in the non-disney days throughout the trip. Even if we don't go to the parks the day we fly in, by the end of 14 days we will still have 2-3 days left of our trip, and it would be nice to be able to spend our last full day in Florida at a park. :/ Hmmm.

That's a good idea that someone said about adding the water parks. That might be worth while, we'll be there from mid-october to Nov 4, which has been plenty warm enough for Alaskans to get in the water, in my past experience! (And it looks like Typhoon Lagoon at least is open during that time). And the water parks upgrade is 10 days in addition to the "regular" park days? That's awesome! I wonder, if we added that, would that stretch out the amount of time we have to use our 10 day passes? I enjoy TL a lot and BB isn't too bad except for the occasional yodeling music tracks, heheheh!

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

Any interest in Water Parks. With WP&M you would get 10 Water Parks admissions in addition to 10 park days. You a few Water Park days, and a few rest days.

And the water parks upgrade is 10 days in addition to the "regular" park days?

NO.

The ticket will still expire after 14 days.

The WP visits are *admissions*, not days. So if you go to TL and BB on the same day, that takes 2 off of the 10.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is, at heart, a math problem. Get a notebook, pen, and a cup of coffee if it helps you think, and sit down and do some figuring-out.

Passes to Uni = ?
10 + 7 day =?
Beach day (what beach? what coast, even?) = ? total
etc etc

 

[ProudMommyof2]

You will have a car so explore. Did you know you can get free tickets to Cape Canaveral from one of your elected representatives? A day or two resort exploring would be easy. Lots of unique experiences at the resorts. That and the waterpark option gets you there. Mini golf, Disney Springs.

 

[goofyernmost]

You will have a car so explore. Did you know you can get free tickets to Cape Canaveral from one of your elected representatives? A day or two resort exploring would be easy. Lots of unique experiences at the resorts. That and the waterpark option gets you there. Mini golf, Disney Springs.

Very good advice. There are countless things to do in Central Florida or from Central Florida for day trips that are either in line with Disney costs or much cheaper. Other then Cape Canaveral, there is Sea World, Universal, Legoland, a two hour drive to Silver Springs. Countless roadside attractions that are not Disney level, but, fun anyway. Massive miniature golf destinations, (even on Disney property), also Disney Springs, Boch Tower, Orange Groves, flea markets and about an hour drive in either direction to the beaches on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. I sure would find lots to do.

It's hard for me to be objective because in spite of being a Disney Fan by the end of one week, I'm looking for some giant mousetraps. I can handle just so much before I need to take a break.

If you like water parks you can run those tickets up to 14 days if you buy the Water Park extra. That's actually 10 days in parks and 10 days in water parks, but I believe the tickets expire after 14 days, so the best you can get would be 4 more days after your 10 day visit.

Believe me, if you have a car, there are unlimited things to do in the area. They may not be Disney, but, that doesn't mean that they are fun and interesting.

 

[TayjaDanger]

Very good advice. There are countless things to do in Central Florida or from Central Florida for day trips that are either in line with Disney costs or much cheaper. Other then Cape Canaveral, there is Sea World, Universal, Legoland, a two hour drive to Silver Springs. Countless roadside attractions that are not Disney level, but, fun anyway. Massive miniature golf destinations, (even on Disney property), also Disney Springs, Boch Tower, Orange Groves, flea markets and about an hour drive in either direction to the beaches on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. I sure would find lots to do.

It's hard for me to be objective because in spite of being a Disney Fan by the end of one week, I'm looking for some giant mousetraps. I can handle just so much before I need to take a break.

If you like water parks you can run those tickets up to 14 days if you buy the Water Park extra. That's actually 10 days in parks and 10 days in water parks, but I believe the tickets expire after 14 days, so the best you can get would be 4 more days after your 10 day visit.

Believe me, if you have a car, there are unlimited things to do in the area. They may not be Disney, but, that doesn't mean that they are fun and interesting.

Giant mousetraps, I love it! heheh. I can definitely see how people get disneyed out, though I go infrequently enough (only every few years) that I just want to soak up as much magic as I can while I'm there, because it has to last! Unfortunately we aren't getting a car, just doing uber/lyft to and from the parks each day, so that narrows our options a bit.

But don't worry, I definitely have a pen and a notebook (and a couple calendar mock ups to boot) and I am busily planning everything out, in dollars and cents, day by day.

I'm really hoping my friends will agree to getting annual pass upgrades (we thought we were clever buying our 10 day tix back before the increase) since that will make it easier on me trying to plan everything out, but of course I understand where it's a financial stretch. It's $900 extra bucks that could be spent on merch and food and Harry Potter!

I had wanted a little bit of flexibility in our vacation, but it is getting more complicated by the moment! APs would solve that problem and allow us to be a little more impulsive or see what we feel like when it comes down to it-- hard to know how tired we will be by week 3 of the trip, we might rather just relax, but if that means we will miss our last day in the park on day 14, that would be a total bummer. Or we'd force ourselves to go and have a lousy time bc we are overtired and crabby (I'm super guilty of this particular crime)!

 

[goofyernmost]

Giant mousetraps, I love it! heheh. I can definitely see how people get disneyed out, though I go infrequently enough (only every few years) that I just want to soak up as much magic as I can while I'm there, because it has to last! Unfortunately we aren't getting a car, just doing uber/lyft to and from the parks each day, so that narrows our options a bit.

But don't worry, I definitely have a pen and a notebook (and a couple calendar mock ups to boot) and I am busily planning everything out, in dollars and cents, day by day.

I'm really hoping my friends will agree to getting annual pass upgrades (we thought we were clever buying our 10 day tix back before the increase) since that will make it easier on me trying to plan everything out, but of course I understand where it's a financial stretch. It's $900 extra bucks that could be spent on merch and food and Harry Potter!

I had wanted a little bit of flexibility in our vacation, but it is getting more complicated by the moment! APs would solve that problem and allow us to be a little more impulsive or see what we feel like when it comes down to it-- hard to know how tired we will be by week 3 of the trip, we might rather just relax, but if that means we will miss our last day in the park on day 14, that would be a total bummer. Or we'd force ourselves to go and have a lousy time bc we are overtired and crabby (I'm super guilty of this particular crime)!

Rental Cars are cheap in Florida, You can take what you spend on Uber and apply it to the car rental and I'll bet that you will come out ahead based on the flexibility that it will give you. Just a suggestion. And if you do get an AP the parking is free, so that is also a plus.

 

[rdominy]

So my long subject might have stated most of this post-- we are going to be staying off-site (my first time not on property, will be interesting to compare!) and could only get 10 day passes. We were hoping to be able to add a few days once we arrive, but from what I've read in a few other posts that is not easily done for resort guests, and near impossible for people not staying on property. Is this true?! please tell me I'm wrong!

So now I'm planning two possible trips: what to do if we can't add on days (Universal, the beach, resort touring/dining, Disney Springs, etc.) which is a complete bummer, because it means that we have to lose (or at best, reschedule) some of our ADRs I made in the parks, and figure out how to kill time elsewhere. And plus I love the parks! They're the whole reason for going to WDW! All whining aside, I have another question for you--

If we get tickets to MNSSHP, do we also need to use up one of our now-even-more-valuable days in the park tickets? Or can we show up at 4pm and enjoy the party without putting a dent in our 10-day passes?

I'm also concerned that our tickets might expire while we still have days left on them. That is, if I'm weaving non-disney-park days into our schedule, that will push our last few days in Florida outside of the 14 day window we have for using our 10 day passes. Certainly I can't be the first person to have problems like this?

I am feeling pretty frustrated that we couldn't get passes that coincide with our length of stay to begin with, and now with all the limitations it is making me freak out just a little bit.

I would love to hear your experiences, and am open to suggestions for possible solutions, outside of buying annual passes (I would LOVE to, but they are cost-prohibitive and we aren't going to be able to come back to Florida for another Disney trip anytime soon, so they would be a waste). We have considered buying separate multi-day passes in addition to the 10-day passes we already purchased, is this a better option for anyone who enjoys long stays at WDW? Please help!

Thank you!

Check out this post.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/regarding-adding-days-to-10-day-tickets.3510740/

 

[siskaren]

Check out this post.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/regarding-adding-days-to-10-day-tickets.3510740/

This is only done for onsite guests, though, and the OP indicated that she's staying off property.

 

[TayjaDanger]

This is only done for onsite guests, though, and the OP indicated that she's staying off property.

Yeah, this is the post that started me worrying in the first place. I had thought it would be easy enough to add a few days to our passes once we were there, (I easily added days to my pass at Disneyland so assumed it would be just as easy in WDW) but then the challenge of adding days for those posters and the advice from a CM got me all in a tizzy! Working on it... If we take frequent rest days we can spend our last 2 full days at Universal. Would rather spend them at Disney but it is less expensive than upgrading to APs that we'd never get to use again after this trip.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

Would rather spend them at Disney but it is less expensive than upgrading to APs that we'd never get to use again after this trip.

Yes, but you never know - maybe you can sneak another trip in within the year. It's easier to justify to yourself when your tickets are already paid for