Inexpensive Tickets?

[Philadisney]

Does anyone know if buying tickets ahead of time really saves you that much money? I've yet to see any proof that it does on the Disney website...I'm mostly concerned becos I was planning to spend a half day at AK on the last day of my vacation and am grouchy about shelling out $60 if I'm only going to be there for four hours...any thoughts? (Sorry if this has been addressed before, I'm new here and didn't see it in any of the top budget boards)

 

[BethR]

Hi Philadisney!

Yes, buying tickets in advance usually DOES save you some money. But if you are only buying a single day's ticket, there is no discount for buying in advance.

It would really irk me to pay over $60 for only 4 park hours too. Are you saying that that is the ONLY day that you are going to WDW this trip? If so, and if that is what you want. paying $60+ is your only option. Unless you want to purchase a longer pass that will not expire and use it for future visits.

 

[Philadisney]

Hi Philadisney!

Yes, buying tickets in advance usually DOES save you some money. But if you are only buying a single day's ticket, there is no discount for buying in advance.

It would really irk me to pay over $60 for only 4 park hours too. Are you saying that that is the ONLY day that you are going to WDW this trip? If so, and if that is what you want. paying $60+ is your only option. Unless you want to purchase a longer pass that will not expire and use it for future visits.

Hi BethR-thanks for the advice. I'm going to be at WDW for four days, staying at CS. on the last day i have to head to the airport around 3 so that's why we were only going to spend half a day at AK. do those passes seriously never expire? it may be a couple years before I make it back to WDW...if so, that sounds like a neat option.

 

[BethR]

Philadisney,

The "non-expiring" is an option that you can buy when your purchase your ticket. Here is a link to a page here on the DIS that gives the ticket prices and describes the options. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tickets.htm#hm-tickets-quicklink
It really is kind of confusing. And all of this "option stuff" is so new. So if you have any questions, we can muddle through them together.

 

[HappyLawyer]

yes it doesn, but if you have patience, which i do not you can go down and do all the time share stuff and get tickets that way,

 

[Philadisney]

Philadisney,

The "non-expiring" is an option that you can buy when your purchase your ticket. Here is a link to a page here on the DIS that gives the ticket prices and describes the options. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tickets.htm#hm-tickets-quicklink
It really is kind of confusing. And all of this "option stuff" is so new. So if you have any questions, we can muddle through them together.

wow that is a bit confusing....thanks for the info! i'm going to think about it a bit - i do have a month or so (the prices don't go up as you get closer like airline tickets, do they? okay, that's a silly question). i don't know if i want to pay extra for non-expiring tickets when i'd be using 2 of them right away....i'll have to sit down with a calculator and see what's most appropriate for my budget and whatnot. thanks again for your speedy help!!!

 

[Philadisney]

yes it doesn, but if you have patience, which i do not you can go down and do all the time share stuff and get tickets that way,

curious....what is this time share stuff of which you speak?

 

[MrsPete]

You're never going to save a significant amount on tickets; however, I think the savings from a reputable dealer like ticketmania.com are worth the effort to order ahead. Depending upon what tickets you're buying, it'll pay for a meal or two or perhaps your parking. Plus, you're not paying taxes on tickets bought via internet, and you don't have to spend your vacation time waiting in line to buy tickets. I see no downside to purchasing ahead even if the savings aren't huge.

Your concern about buying a ticket for a four-hour visit is a different issue. I wouldn't do it. If I had four hours before I had to leave, I'd go to Downtown Disney or tour some Disney resorts. Perhaps a water park -- that doesn't cost as much as a "big park ticket". Perhaps you could spend that last day driving mouse boats (big fun!) or just lounging by your hotel pool. Can you rearrange your schedule so that you can do something "free" on that last day?

 

[Philadisney]

thanks for the advice - i've decided to forgo the AK trip and spend my last day enjoying CS and strolling around downtown disney. i've been to animal kingdom about 5 times, and nothing new has been added since i was last there, so i doubt i'll feel like i'll be missing much.