How do I handle ticket purchase when one of us leaves before the other?

[redheadx3]

I am need suggestions on how to plan my next trip.
So my next trip to WDW will be end of Sept. beginning Oct time frame, celebration my 50th birthday.
My DH is actually coming, first time for him, but he won't stay as long as I will.
The plan is to spend 2 1/2 days at Universal studios, 2 1/2 days at WDW, and I will stay another 2-3 days WDW. I could hit the US first and then head over to DWD or could do a split stay-WDW then US then just me back to WDW. I know when you purchase a WDW package, tickets for all people have to be the same.
So first should I split my visit w/2 different reservations & tickets for both but just extend mine once I'm there?
Any suggestions? Please help? I'm usually good at this planning but this trip is very different than my past trips, usually WDW only and all come and leave at same time.

 

[maxiesmom]

You can buy the minimum number of days and then extend your ticket while you are there. However you won't be able to book FPs for those extra days. Or you can make it a split stay, which is what I would do.

 

[sharonabe]

If you do the split (WDW-US-WDW), and you do the minimum ticket (which is the only way to save the extra dollars), you could extend your ticket on the first day of WDW which would give you a few days to get FP+ for the second stay. It's not much, but it's better than day of.

 

[msmama]

You could do room only reservation and then purchase tickets seperately. Especially if you're not interested in the dining plan.

 

[redheadx3]

If I buy room only & tickets separately all thru WDW, how does that effect FP+?
If I buy tickets from another vendor I can't do FP+ until day of, right?

 

[maxiesmom]

If I buy room only & tickets separately all thru WDW, how does that effect FP+?
If I buy tickets from another vendor I can't do FP+ until day of, right?

You should be able to enter your ticket into the system via My Disney Experience. Buying your room and tickets separately won't affect FP+ at all.

 

[Hootch]

The FP+ period is based on whether you are staying onsite or not. You just have to link your tickets in MDE. Room only has an better cancellation policy. Some Disney offerings require a package deal, but many don't.

One other benefit with room only is that you can practice with the FP+ system looking 30 days out. I made FP reservations and deleted them immediately. When our 60 days out came, it took me only 10-12 minutes to make all of our FPs for the week.

With your son only going three days, you will likely get the same price from Disney or an authorized re seller. You might save $10 or so on your ticket. I haven't bought a ticket from Disney years.

 

[Alesia]

1. If I buy room only & tickets separately all thru WDW, how does that effect FP+?
2. If I buy tickets from another vendor I can't do FP+ until day of, right?

1. It doesn't. You'll be able to book FP at 60 days out.
2. Nope. As long as you're staying onsite and you have tickets (regardless of where you bought them,) you'll be able to book at 60 days out.

Just book a room only reservation and buy your tickets from the authorized reseller of your choice.

 

[hiroMYhero]

If I buy room only & tickets separately all thru WDW, how does that effect FP+?
If I buy tickets from another vendor I can't do FP+ until day of, right?

Buy the tickets from where you'll receive the best pricing.

As soon as you link the tickets to MDE, your FP booking window opens. Your 60-day window opens when you are exactly 60 days out from your 1st onsite check-in date and you can book FPs from check-in through checkout day. Then, when you are 60 days out from your 2nd onsite stay, complete the rest of your FP bookings.

 

[redheadx3]

Thanks for the help. I knew my fellow disers would have the answers.
Now to just figure my exact dates & start planning.

 

[pa. dad]

Thanks for the help. I knew my fellow disers would have the answers.
Now to just figure my exact dates & start planning.

Most of my trips have been to both Disney and Universal.
I'll buy my Universal tickets at AAA as they give me a little discount.
Figuring out which day at which park is best is not easy to figure out and it takes time and thought. One thing to be sure to factor in to your plans is the rehabs and closings of rides. We had to reset our epcot day so that we were at epcot before they closed Soarin' for its lengthy remodel.