Is it better to buy tickets to the parks before I leave or when I get there?

[marsun]

Is there a benefit to buying my tickets to the park at the Disney Store (using my DC card)
before I leave for Orlando or is it the same price at the gate?

 

[Dopeygirl]

We prefer to buy our tickets ahead of time for two reasons. The first is that we like to pay for things as we go, so it doesn't take as much money all at one time. The other reason is so that we don't have to wait in the lines at the parks to buy them. But this could be avoided by purchasing them at the hotel. Also, I have this crazy fear that I'll get down there and won't be able to buy them for! LOL I know that's crazy but its always been a fear!! So I like to go prepared.

But to answer your question, as far as I know, there is no real advantage to purchasing them ahead of time! Prices are the same!

 

[kellymonaghan]

And if you buy your tickets through AAA you get a modest - very modest - discount.

Another consideration: You can buy your tickets a few months in advance, thus spreading out the cost of the trip a bit.

 

[castmbr]

Prices are the same no matter where you buy them. The Disney Stores sell them, but they must charge the FL tax, etc. because the passes are being brought into FL to be used. As was posted earlier, AAA does give a bit of a discount. We have many people come into the Disney Store to buy passes one at a time, every few months before their trips so they can spread out the cash outlay. It definately is easier on the budget this way!

 

[MinnieMe2]

We've done both, and prefer to buy once we get to the hotel. We use our DC, which I think gives us about the same discount as AAA would. We used to always purchase prior to leaving for WDW. But on one of my sister's trips, my BIL forgot their passes at home and didn't realize it til they got to Virginia. They got to DW, and explained the problem to a CM, who pretty much said, tough for you. He asked to speak with her supervisor, and at that point they did something with the computer, replaced the passes, and the situation was salvaged. So now, just in case we too suffer a 'senior moment', we wait til we get there!!!

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

If you can afford it, it is probably better to get them before you leave because the passes never expire so if something happens and you miss your trip you can always use them next time. And the prices of the tickets are always going up so you may be able to save a little money if you get them early.

 

[WayneB]

We always buy them at home. It seems like the ticket prices are always going up. They go up a couple of times a year. Buy them now before they go up again.

 

[CatOne]

We were just trying to decide the same thing and we decided to wait, here's why....I want the 7 day hopper plus put on my room card. NOW, I have received conflicting stories, some say you cannot do this, others tell me not only can you do this but they have done it!! I am pretty persistent (although nice) so IF it is possible, it will be done. We had ultimate passes last time and it was soooo easy just to have the room cards and nothing else to worry about. We intend to use our DC card and purchase them at check-in. I asked the DC agent I talked to and while she cannot GURANTEE they will not increase she said they have not been told they will increase any by our trip in Dec. Your DC card will give you about a 5-7% saving which is pretty much the same as AAA. Plus, I don't feel good about having tickets to remember or keep track of if anything should change our plans. Just my opinion.

Have a great time!
CatOne