Maximizing Ticket Value for short trip

[ChesapeakeTechie]

Hi everyone - we're heading to Orlando soon for a quick 4 day trip. We will plan to spend 2 - 3 days in WDW and possibly a day at Sea World. Looks like there are minimal savings through AAA on tickets of this duration, so we're thinking of just buying them once in Orlando, possibly at the Official Ticket Center as mentioned by Pete on the Dis Unplugged.
The first decision - do we do 2 day hopper or 3 day base, as they seem to be fairly close in price.
Second decision that comes to mind, we will be heading back to WDW in Oct, 2010 to use our DVC. We'll be hitting the parks then for 5 days. Do we just go for a 7 day No Expiration ticket now...

Sea World looks to have a buy a ticket for a kids price and get in the 2nd day free, so that could be worth it.

Any thoughts from all of the experts on here would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[fakereadhed]

Oct 2010? Do you have a time machine???

I would buy a 10 day no expiration- you could always use the extra days later. I always upgrade after I use it to include 10 WP days for around 50 extra which makes it a great deal for the future. Not sure when your 2010 trip is , but have you priced out an annual pass?

 

[Donnainnj]

Do they still offer a DVC discount on the AP? May work for you either way esp if you may return again before next year.
Donna

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Current pricing:

Three day adult base - $ 224
Five day adult base - $ 237

Total $ 461

Eight day adult No Expire - $ 434

And if you add hopping, it is $ 54 per tickets, so

Three day hopper = $ 278
Five day hopper = $ 291

Total $ 569

Eight day hopper with No Expire $ 488

(Add 6.5% tax to all numbers above).

And if you are going in October it will probably be after a price increase.

But your best option really would be to purchase a DVC Member Rate AP for $399.

 

[ChesapeakeTechie]

D'OH!!

I should have said our next trip will be a DVC trip in Oct 2012!!

As far as the DVC AP, it may make sense for the adults in case we decide to go back to Orlando within the next year. Is it valid for 365 days from first use?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to look at the Everything About WDW Tickets locked sticky in the TPA&S Forum. Especially the items bolded in the list below.

Post and Contents

1. This Table of Contents
2. Magic Your Way (MYW) Ticket Basics Including Definitions
3. Annual Passes and Water Park Tickets
4. Tickets Available Only to Florida Residents
5. Tickets Not Available to the General Public
6. Upgrading MYW Tickets (Not to Annual Passes)
7. Upgrading Tickets to Annual Passes
8. Dealing With Tickets Issued Prior to 1 January 2005 (Pre-MYW)
9. Children and Adults
10. Special Events
11. Comprehensive MYW Ticket Example
12. Hotel Card (Key To The World (KTTW))
13. Lost Tickets
14. Finger Scans
15. Frequently Asked Ticket Questions.
15A. Hopping Rules
15B. WPF&M With No Expire
15C. No Expire Upgrades
15D. Upgrading an Unused Ticket
15E. Upgrading Special Tickets
15F. Checking on Old Tickets
15G. Renewing Annual Passes
15H. Upgrading a Completely Used Ticket
15I. Getting Park Tickets Before Package Start Date

Page Two of the Sticky

16. Resident 4 Day Wild 4 Disney Pass
17. 2010/2011 Armed Forces Salute Tickets
18. Prices Effective August 5, 2010
19. "Free" Tickets and Special Promotions
20. Ticket Purchase/Upgrade Locations and Telephones
21. Florida Resident Installment Purchases of Annual Passes

To get there directly, follow the link in my signature.