Is this right??? RE: tickets (UPDATE & new winner!)

[Jennasis]

I went online and shopped around to see who had the best prices on tix. I am shocked, but it seems like DISNEY itself has the best deal! Here is what I found online (am I nuts...is this right??). I was looking for 5 day MYW tix plus the hopper feature:

Ticketmania: $237 (plus $6 shipping)

AAA- $238 (if I drive into the city and pick them up from the office)

Disney- $234 (off of www.disneyworld.com)

Ticketmania lists the "gate" price of this ticket as $254.54 while Disney lists the cost as $239 at the gate. Is Ticketmania lying to make their prices sound better? Also, does Ticketmania charge tax on the purchase? This could be where the savings are since WDW DOES charge tax (about $15.21 for one 5day ticket with hopper). I am still trying to figure out if AAA will charge tax on the purchase as well.

Assuming that all 3 outlets equally tax the purchase then WDW is cheapest.

 

[FINFAN]

Yes, I believe Ticketmania price is including tax, not sure about AAA as I have not ordered thru them.


Pam

 

[kimberlym4]

Yes, the Ticketmania price includes tax and the WDW tickets do not (not sure about AAA). If you add tax to the Disney ticket I'm pretty sure it will add up to the price that Ticketmania quotes for WDW. I just told a friend the other day that I basically saved the cost of the tax on each ticket. Which for us was a savings of almost $20 each or almost $80 total. Still a good deal.

Do you get the Mousesavers newsletter? There are deals in there for even a couple dollars more off the Ticketmania price. It comes out on the 15th of each month I think so you have to request it soon (it's free) if you want it for this month. www.mousesavers.com

 

[Jennasis]

I see...so the savings is simply on tax? THAT makes sense. I'll have to see if I can find out about whether AAA charges tax.

Ticketmania charges for shipping at $6 (Disney does too but it's only $3). Are the online prices quoted by Disney the same as the prices at the Disney Store? I could save on shipping, have nice plastic tix (don't really like paper ones) etc. Looks like the totals now are:

Ticketmania: $243 (with shipping. no tax added)

WWDW (online): $252.21 (with shipping and tax added)

AAA: $238 (no shipping cost, but will have to check into tax status)

 

[samano]

You're right, it is the tax that makes the difference. AAA and Disney prices are before tax, Ticktemania is total with tax.

I bought 2 adult, one child 6 day expiry hoppers with the Mousesavers discount from Ticketmania. Once I added the 6.5% tax to the price on the Disney site, I saved $45.

On your 5 day MYW, the total price for each would be:

Ticketmania: $237 (plus $6 shipping) = $243.00

AAA- $238 = $253.47

Disney- $234 = $249.21

Of course, the $6 shipping from Ticketmania would not be on each ticket, but rather your whole order.

Happy planning!!

 

[samano]

I see...so the savings is simply on tax? THAT makes sense. I'll have to see if I can find out about whether AAA charges tax.

Ticketmania charges for shipping at $6 (Disney does too but it's only $3). Are the online prices quoted by Disney the same as the prices at the Disney Store? I could save on shipping, have nice plastic tix (don't really like paper ones) etc. Looks like the totals now are:

Ticketmania: $243 (with shipping. no tax added)

WWDW (online): $252.21 (with shipping and tax added)

AAA: $238 (no shipping cost, but will have to check into tax status)

LOL! I must have been calculating this at the same time you were...
I was just over at the AAA office on my lunch break today buying some travelers checks and the woman next to me was asking about the Disney tix prices, definitely pre- tax prices.

The Disney Store's prices are the same as Disney.com

Hope that helps!

 

[Jennasis]

Sorry dudes...just spoke to AAA on the phone (the Winston-Salem, NC office). The price I was quoted of $238 INCLUDES tax. AAA wins the "lowest price" award.

New Breakdown:

AAA: $238 (with tax...must pick tix up at AAA office)

Ticketmania: $243 (includes shipping...tix will not be taxed)

Disney Store: $249.21 (includes tax...must pick up tix at the store)

WDW online: $252.21 (includes tax and shipping)

HOWEVER, nowhere was I able to find the "gate" price for WDW as $254.54 as listed on Ticketmania. So why would Ticketmania inflate the "gate" price

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i owuld use undercovertourist
theres a link in the mousesavers newsletter and their prices are good and i thought they included shipping

 

[Jennasis]

Undercovertourist has these tix at $240.

AAA still wins.

 

[sbpuckett]

Do you have to be a member to get the AAA discounts? So far my cheapest prices were with my hubby's military discount... I hadn't checked AAA.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> nowhere was I able to find the gate price Ticketmania quotes at $254.54 ...

Rather than do an extensive web search I'm just getting a second opinion for you out of my own web page whcih I updated beginning of this year:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/dispass.htm

Gate price of the 5 day basic including tax and rounded to nearest dollar is $212.
Gate price for hopping (any ticket) including tax and rounded to nearest dollar is $43.
Total including tax for 5 day expiring hopper comes out to $255.

WDW online gives you advance purchase discounts even if you arrange to pick up the tickets at WDW (one 5 day hopper shipped comes out to $252.21 mentioned above).

If you walk up to a ticket window or box office or front desk asking for an AAA discount you have to be an AAA member. (Once in awhile they forget to ask for your AAA membership card.) Not sure whether you have to be a member to go into an AAA travel agency to book a vacation. You can join on the spot.

 

[samano]

Sorry dudes...just spoke to AAA on the phone (the Winston-Salem, NC office). The price I was quoted of $238 INCLUDES tax. AAA wins the "lowest price" award.

*Warning - Vent!!!*
Thanks for straightening me out!
When I first saw this, I thought sure you were wrong because 2 different AAA agents said tax was not included. I even found the email from the AAA travel agent in Charlotte who originally told me 'without tax'. So I called the Raleigh office (same one I was in yesterday and heard them tell another guest tax not incl.), this agent assures me that the prices DO include tax! Also called the Greensboro office and was told the same. I cannot stand misinformation like that. Like most DISers, I am a meticulous planner, and had my prices calculated to the penny from various sources. I would be LIVID right now if I discovered after the fact that it would have been cheaper through AAA.
*Vent complete*

Having said that, I just looked over my pricing again to make sure I still had the best deal...Ticketmania still wins for me. I suppose it depends on your individual ticket combination...

I bought 2 adult, 1 child 6 day expiring hoppers from Ticketmania:

Adult - $233 (x2) = $466
Child - $196
Shipping - $6
Total - $668

AAA prices:
Adult - $239 (x2) = $478
Child - $201
Total - $679

Disney Store
Adult - $235 ($250.28 w/ tax) x 2 = $500.56
Child - $200 ($213.00 w/ tax)
Total - $713.56

Ticketmania wins for me! (whew!)

 

[Jennasis]

Hey Samano! Nice to see another NC'er planning their trip. Looks like you'll be there shortly! Very exciting.

MAn they sure do make it interesting as far as "hunting down" the best price on tickets. I also hate when misinformation is given out. It would seem that you're right...it depends on the type of ticket you get as to which outlet has the best price.

Have a fantastic trip!

 

[BonnieA]

Well two weeks ago I ordered thru undercovertourist using the mousesavers newletter link and got a 7 day hopper with free shipping for $239. I received the ticket within a week. A 5 day was $235.

 

[BethR]

If you walk up to a ticket window or box office or front desk asking for an AAA discount you have to be an AAA member. (Once in awhile they forget to ask for your AAA membership card.) Not sure whether you have to be a member to go into an AAA travel agency to book a vacation. You can join on the spot.

So are you saying that if you are a AAA member and have your membership card with you that you can get the AAA discount on tickets if you buy them AT Disney?

I had never heard that. I always thought that you had to get your AAA discounted tickets directly from AAA itself. :

 

[mdhkitten]

Allearsnet also shows the gate price as being $254.54 on their ticket price list. Here's the link:

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/ticketchart.htm

Plus, it says on the Disney website when you check out that the ticket price is $5 more if you purchase them at the gate. You do get a discount for ordering them early.

 

[samano]

Hey Samano! Nice to see another NC'er planning their trip. Looks like you'll be there shortly! Very exciting.

MAn they sure do make it interesting as far as "hunting down" the best price on tickets. I also hate when misinformation is given out. It would seem that you're right...it depends on the type of ticket you get as to which outlet has the best price.

Have a fantastic trip!

Hey neighbor!!

I am less than 48 hours away from flying out of RDU, I am so excited!!!!

You are so right about hunting for prices. I don't know why AAA Carolinas does not publish their WDW ticket prices online, you have to call for a quote. 4 different agents, 2 different 'interpretations' about the tax!! Oh well...

I hope you have a great trip too!

 

[FINFAN]

I just placed an order w/Ticketmania...4 adult 10 day hoppers/no expire..
total including tax and shipping....$966. For me it was the best deal as it would have cost $72 to join AAA, and while you do get the AA benefits, I am trying to wait until DD gets her lisence to join, so timing not right for me yet. Having options is great tho...glad you saved a few $$$$!


Pam