How many days to get tickets

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

We are taking my dad, his wife and my 18 year old step brother (his first trip) in June with our family (we have a 7 year old and 2 year old). They will be there Saturday to Saturday. We have annual passes and they will be purchasing the military tickets and want to know what they should get.

They also want to visit universal. I’ve never done universal so I’m not sure how many days they should allow for that (going mostly just for Harry Potter). Any recommendations?

I think it comes down to either 4 or 5 day park hopper. It’s only a $20 difference but also don’t want them to waste $20 if they won’t use the 5th day.

 

[gmi3804]

One way to save is to not get the park hopper option if you don't have. to.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

One way to save is to not get the park hopper option if you don't have. to.

I believe the military solute tickets are all hoppers.

 

[gmi3804]

I believe the military solute tickets are all hoppers.

That's convenient then, as they'll sync with your APs.

For the $20 difference, I'd get the extra day, even if you just use it for a quick visit or park meal.

Another option, if military ticketing allows it, is to add on the extra day while down there if/when you know you're going to want it. Disney usually doesn't say no to extra money.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

That's convenient then, as they'll sync with your APs.

For the $20 difference, I'd get the extra day, even if you just use it for a quick visit or park meal.

Another option, if military ticketing allows it, is to add on the extra day while down there if/when you know you're going to want it. Disney usually doesn't say no to extra money.

I’m not sure if you can add the 5th day at the discounted price or not. Something to consider though.

 

[rwdavis2]

Get 2 days for Universal with park to park tickets so you can rode the Hogwarts Express between the 2 parks. i would also recommend staying on site at Universal to get the free Express Pass for those 2 days.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Get 2 days for Universal with park to park tickets so you can rode the Hogwarts Express between the 2 parks. i would also recommend staying on site at Universal to get the free Express Pass for those 2 days.

The hotel pricing isn’t looking very cost effective but you would still recommend the 2 day universal as opposed to a 1 day 2 park ticket with express pass?

 

[Skippyboo]

Universal has military discount tickets and hotel rates, I would have them investigate those.

 

[disny_luvr]

We also have a Disney/Universal trip planned for June. I’ve never been to Universal, but after all my research, it seems that the consensus is two days with Express Pass is the best to see and do everything. We actually purchased 3-day, 3-park, day-to-day tickets because we want to also visit Volcano Bay and we have a throw away room booked at Royal Pacific for the Express Pass for two days. You might want to look into booking a throw away room to get the Express Pass. It might be cheaper than purchasing it outright.

 

[rwdavis2]

The hotel pricing isn’t looking very cost effective but you would still recommend the 2 day universal as opposed to a 1 day 2 park ticket with express pass?

That would work, 1 day park to park. But the Universal hotels are very nice with better service.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

That would work, 1 day park to park. But the Universal hotels are very nice with better service.

Thanks, I was seeing pricing at $800 a night and I think only 4 max would go to universal so that doesn’t seem cost effective even for a 2 day ticket. But I will have to have them check military rates too as someone above mentioned.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Universal has military discount tickets and hotel rates, I would have them investigate those.

Thanks again for this. The rates are excellent so I definitely think they will do 2 days and I’ll let them know option for hotel since it looks like 40% off for Portofino Bay which would be less than the express passes.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

A little update, they are cutting their stay short a day so only 6 nights now. They still want 2 days for universal and that leaves 3 days for Disney. I am inclined to think 4 days Disney and 1 day Universal with express pass, but I think they are less excited about Disney and really only care about Galaxy's Edge.

I mentioned express pass and the price and also told them to check the hotel rate to get the express pass free but they don't want to do the express pass. Is this something I need to try to convince them to upgrade to or should they be ok without it? They want to do Harry Potter, don't really care about anything else but want to ride and see all the Harry Potter things.

 

[JodyK]

For me lines in the Orlando summer heat are brutal, but if they don't mind waiting in lines, the heat doesn't bother them, and they really only care about Harry Potter things they'd probably be okay without it.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

For me lines in the Orlando summer heat are brutal, but if they don't mind waiting in lines, the heat doesn't bother them, and they really only care about Harry Potter things they'd probably be okay without it.

I so agree. We usually get out of the park around lunch time and try to return after dinner that time of year. Just isn't worth the heat but I also have small kids (my step brother is 18). From what I could find from data in the past, lines should range from 30-60 minutes that time of year and they seemed fine with that. As long as that data isn't terribly inaccurate then sounds like they should be ok.

 

[JodyK]

I mean Harry Potter is only a handful of rides and so is Star Wars so if you really only care about those things and you are staying in the park all day you could wait in 2-hour lines and still do all the rides. Are they doing Park Hoppers for Universal? I'd probably do 1 day with park hopper instead of 2 days if they really care about Harry Potter because you need the PH to do the Hogwarts Express.