Park Ticket Savings for DVC Families with children 5-17

[dairyqueenmom]

Just found an amazing way to save some money on our park tickets. Mods if this is in the wrong place feel free to move. Since we own DVC and don't purchase park tickets in packages through Disney, I am always looking for ways to save money on the largest ticket item for our trips. I stumbled across the Disney Yes Educational Program. You can sign up your kids for awesome educational classes and then purchase discounted park tickets for the whole family!

We are going to Disney World in August with our 4 kids ages 14, 12, 9, & 9. I was planning on buying 6 day MYW park tickets for the kids, and it would have been $940. My husband and I have AP's and don't need tickets.

I signed up the kids for a Disney Yes Educational Program and was able to buy 7 day Premium passes, that include 7 fun visits that can include water park passes, park hopping, water parks, and Disney Quest for $833! It was $194 per 7 day Premium Ticket. Plus we get to do a 3hr class on sound and energy at Magic Kingdom, and we get to go backstage at Haunted Mansion!

If you are looking into buying just tickets this is a gold mine of savings! It would have cost over $1400 for those same tickets! I could have bought tickets for my husband and I too at that price!

Check it out: http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/

 

[supersuperwendy]

Wow...I bet my kids would love to participate. Our travel dates for this year don't coincide with any of the programs. I think my daughter would love the ocean program. We'll have to look into this for 2012! Thanks for sharing!

 

[dis-happy]

Be aware these can't be upgraded (incl/ added days, NE, or to AP's). We usually go with the AP option but it's a great savings if it works for you.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Thanks for that caution, I was aware of this. We are going this summer and then the kids are taking a year off, so they won't need AP's. My husband and I have AP's already so we didn't get these tickets, just tickets for the kids.

 

[akl-fan]

Thanks for the post. My DD is too young now but in a few years we may well choose that package.

 

[loveswdw]

That looks great unfortunately any of the classes offered during our vacation our DS7 is not old enough to take. They are all 8+. Boo!

 

[Mjkre]

This seems so cool. Thanks for posting. I can totally justify taking the kids out of school now! I wonder if adults accompanying the under 13 year old minors pay the same price? It almost seems to good to be true. It really is a fantastic savings for those of us with kids in the age range and who only go once per year (eliminating any savings with the Annual Pass). My only issue is that we are going in Nov. (and usaully do)when it seems there are no programs! Does anyone know if they add programs as the end of the year approaches?

Btwn this and the Swim with the Dolphin savings at Sea World, today has been a great day for me to read this board!

Sorry for all the icons, my kids were having fun.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I was thinking that these packages were for HOME SCHOOL students ONLY.

It sounds great though.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

There was no stipulations about homeschooled when I registered for our class today. I doubt they could police that even if they wanted to. I would call to check if they will be addding classes for November.

We are thinking of taking our kids out of school during May which is a project term session for our kids, and have them do independent studies with these classes.

 

[mom of princessx2]

I have friends that are doing this for our upcoming Dec trip (As soon as they post those dates) My dd's are a bit young so I hope they continue to offer this for years to come. It is something a bit different and educational for the kids to do and I agree with PP that it makes taking kids out of school a bit more guilt free!!

We currently get AP's and even if we still get them in the future I would still sign them up for the one day price. Even that is a bargin compared to some "behind the scenes" tours they could do.

 

[GoofItUp]

I signed my niece up for a class a couple of weeks ago. There is an extensive thread on the budget board if anyone wants a LOT of details.

There are now spaces reserved for "open enrollment" so that you do not have to be a homeschooled child.

The tickets are for the child attending and their immediate family. Immediate family (per a phone conversation with a YES rep) includes the childs parents, siblings, and grandparents.

The classes look really neat and we are hoping to take advantage of this on our next trip with my son who will be 5 then -- which is the minimum age for any of the classes.

 

[dallastxcpa]

We took advantage of this program last year and it was great. The kids loved the classes and we received a great price on tickets for our group. If you have time I would highly recommend signing up for more than one class. Additional classes last year were only $30 per student.

 

[Vickis3js]

Oh my kids would LOVE this. But when I went online I only saw for a 5 day ticket do you have to call to get longer tickets? We will be going in Dec and I am hoping they have it then as well.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Oh my kids would LOVE this. But when I went online I only saw for a 5 day ticket do you have to call to get longer tickets? We will be going in Dec and I am hoping they have it then as well.

You have to get further into the reservation process to see the longer day tickets. I think they go to 8 day tickets. I only need 7 day tickets.

 

[Mississippian]

My son is going on a church camp trip just north of Orlando, and we are giving some thought to picking him up and allowing him to ask two or three of his friends to join him for a couple of days at WDW after camp. I had already read about this, and it will be perfect for us.

We're going to provide the room and the home-cooked meals but the friends will have to pay for their tickets.

Just deciding if we want to set four 12-year-olds loose on the World.

 

[tow-mater-1]

This is so awesome! Thanks for posting this. I just checked on the dates that we are going and it works out perfectly! I do have a question however... my DS that is eligible is 14 so it says he can do this without an adult but we also have 2 other DS 5 and 7....the program says 8-15 yr olds. Will we all be able to go or do we just have to drop him off?

 

[5forDiz]

I have friends that are doing this for our upcoming Dec trip (As soon as they post those dates) My dd's are a bit young so I hope they continue to offer this for years to come. It is something a bit different and educational for the kids to do and I agree with PP that it makes taking kids out of school a bit more guilt free!!

We currently get AP's and even if we still get them in the future I would still sign them up for the one day price. Even that is a bargin compared to some "behind the scenes" tours they could do.

There was no stipulations about homeschooled when I registered for our class today. I doubt they could police that even if they wanted to. I would call to check if they will be addding classes for November.

We are thinking of taking our kids out of school during May which is a project term session for our kids, and have them do independent studies with these classes.

I was thinking that these packages were for HOME SCHOOL students ONLY.

It sounds great though.

This seems so cool. Thanks for posting. I can totally justify taking the kids out of school now! I wonder if adults accompanying the under 13 year old minors pay the same price? It almost seems to good to be true. It really is a fantastic savings for those of us with kids in the age range and who only go once per year (eliminating any savings with the Annual Pass). My only issue is that we are going in Nov. (and usaully do)when it seems there are no programs! Does anyone know if they add programs as the end of the year approaches?

Btwn this and the Swim with the Dolphin savings at Sea World, today has been a great day for me to read this board!

Sorry for all the icons, my kids were having fun.

These are Individual Enrollment programs so any child that is not Home Schooled or not part of an official Youth Group (like Boy Scout Troop traveling together) may enroll for Individual Enrollment class if there is availability and providing they meet the age requirement & have an adult to attend the class with them.

Presently tickets may be purchased for up to 8 days but if you choose Water Parks/Quest option that would give an equal number of days for that option. The ticket prices are same for child and adult and include one class, additional classes can be added for $30 per class. The park tickets may be purchased for child & immediate family members (parents & siblings) and can include grandparents as well. The tickets can be used one week prior to your scheduled arrival date and expire one week after what you indicate is your departure date. Also, you must have at least a day on your ticket available to use for day that the class will take place because you have to enter theme park for class; also if you don't attend scheduled class it is stated that the tickets can be invalidated Unused days & Water Park/Quest option days if you added that will expire; these tickets cannot have a no expiration option added to them like regular MYW tickets & can't be applied to purchase APs, MYWs, etc.

Individual Enrollment classes are usually not scheduled during spring break & holiday times/months, typically there will not be Individual Enrollment classes in March,April,May, November or December.
~ So far for 2011 there were clases in January & February and there will be again in June July & August and dates have been posted for September & October but registration for Sept & Oct has not been opened as of yet. Recently a poster on thread on Budget said they called Disney Youth Group office and were told there would not be classes for November & December, but it can't hurt to keep checking the schedule to see if anything may change.

Hope this helped some.

Our youngest DD & Niece attended last summer & we found it informative & fun; if it works for your travel dates & you have kids who are interested and can tolerate 2 1/2hour - 3 hour program(s) definitely give it a try if it's available to book

 

[5forDiz]

This is so awesome! Thanks for posting this. I just checked on the dates that we are going and it works out perfectly! I do have a question however... my DS that is eligible is 14 so it says he can do this without an adult but we also have 2 other DS 5 and 7....the program says 8-15 yr olds. Will we all be able to go or do we just have to drop him off?

One adult can attend with your DS 14. The rest of your family can go to the same park if they wanted to during the class but could not be part of the class group. If the class begins prior to the park opening time only the child & adult attending with them can enter; all other guests would be admitted at regular park opening time.

Older kids (teens) can attend without an adult if they wish but an adult family member would have to still be in same theme park that the class takes place in during the scheduled class time & give a cell phone number to be reached at; there is information on registration pages that gives details.

 

[Laurabearz]

Wow this really sounds great!

I think we might have a plan for next year!

Thanks!

 

[hmdelf]

I just saw this on another thread. Great idea posting it here for DVCers. I love it and the classes are awesome! My DSs will love it! Now I may have to change my 2012 trip to February instead of April!