Park tickets - please explain

[kazdav]

So starting with Universal, they offer a 2 park or 3 park unlimited ticket. How may parks exactly are there under the Universal belt. From what I can see you have Universal Studio's, Island of Adventure, Wet n Wild. So I make that just three in total. Not bothered about Wet and Wild as doing Discovery so will have unlimited access to Aquatica.

Not worried about Magic Kingdom, but will probably do animal kingdom and maybe epcot. We literally only got as far as the entrance when we went there the first time. Our youngest at the time was 4 and the jet lag really did him in and was running a temperature and everyday would be totally unconscious from about 3pm. He was fine the following week when we went to Marco Island. The next time we went to Orlando we were with my mum and we still didn't take advantage of the parks so much.

This time I really want to get the most out of the parks, either by eating there and staying all day or by coming home for a swim and chill then going back, assume you don't have to pay to park again. (2006 since we last went so can't remember and we have only been back in the evening once and that was to Universal)

 

[kazdav]

I am sure when I was pricing up a swim package yesterday the price was coming out at $289 but today it is showing at $488. That is booking direct with Discovery Cove.

 

[kazdav]

My mistake I was looking at Trainer for a day package over the dolphin swim.

Didn't realise there were three packages, thought it was just dolphin swim or non swim.

 

[kazdav]

Sorry lots of questions, if you do dolphin swim how many people normally in your group

 

[WiganTony]

So starting with Universal, they offer a 2 park or 3 park unlimited ticket. How may parks exactly are there under the Universal belt. From what I can see you have Universal Studio's, Island of Adventure, Wet n Wild. So I make that just three in total. Not bothered about Wet and Wild as doing Discovery so will have unlimited access to Aquatica.

For Universal, there are tickets available from some UK ticket sellers giving 14 days unlimited access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This price is roughly the same price as Universal's own 2 day 2 park ticket, so you have far more flexibility to visit over the course of your holiday.

Not worried about Magic Kingdom, but will probably do animal kingdom and maybe epcot. We literally only got as far as the entrance when we went there the first time. Our youngest at the time was 4 and the jet lag really did him in and was running a temperature and everyday would be totally unconscious from about 3pm. He was fine the following week when we went to Marco Island. The next time we went to Orlando we were with my mum and we still didn't take advantage of the parks so much.

This time I really want to get the most out of the parks, either by eating there and staying all day or by coming home for a swim and chill then going back, assume you don't have to pay to park again. (2006 since we last went so can't remember and we have only been back in the evening once and that was to Universal)

Depending on which tickets you buy, you have varying access. If you buy any of the UK tickets (5/7 day Premium or 14/21 day Ultimates), you can visit more than one theme park on the same day (park hopping) as well as having the same admissions to the water parks. You could visit one park in the morning, return to your accommodation for an afternoon swim/nap, then visit the same or another theme park in the evening.

If you buy the US Magic Your Way tickets, the base ticket will only give you access to one park per day up to the total number of days your ticket is valid for (tickets expire 14 days from first use). You can leave and re-enter the same park on the same day. Base ticket prices range from approx $235 (3 days) to approx $260 (10 days) - I would be tempted to go for additional days as a contingency given the small additional cost. To add Hopping Option or Water Parks (Plus Option) will cost an additional $50 per option.

This thread has details of ticket prices from the various suppliers.

HTH.

 

[kazdav]

Thanks WiganTony, I had looked at one site and the Ultimate Disney was working out about £220 ea so thats £1100

Not sure if we will make as much use of it to make it worthwhile and am considering by a day pass. I think we need to plot out which parks on what days and go from there.

 

[kazdav]

Well call me tight but £2536 on park tickets for which we cannot use for the full two weeks is a bit steep. I appreciate the price is hiked because we are doing discovery cove.

We have decided on Discovery Cove Swim Package with Aquatica option.
Universal 3 park ticket.
Animal Kingdom - pay at the gate

My husband arrives on the 18th Aug and leaves on 30th so we only have 12 days to play with and he will have been travelling from first thing on the Wednesday morning and not arriving in Orlando until midnight Thursday possibly 1am Friday morning after coming through customs. So the Friday will be a chill day so that cuts us down to 11 days.

I think the tickets we are purchasing will be enough.

Now has anyone done the Pirate Dinner Show?

 

[kazdav]

Question

Universal three park ticket - My understanding is this is unlimited access for two weeks to any three parks, can you visit two parks on the same day or can you only access one park per day.

 

[irisheyes123]

Question

Universal three park ticket - My understanding is this is unlimited access for two weeks to any three parks, can you visit two parks on the same day or can you only access one park per day.

You can visit both on the same day

 

[kazdav]

Great and we can go back as many times as we want within the two weeks.

I should know this but I have a brain like a sieve and just cannot remember back to our last visit in 2006.

 

[rpbert1]

I intend buying the Universal 2 park ticket valid for 14 days, £84 approx go to each park as often as you want within 2 week period.
have already bought Seaworld Busch and Aquatica tickets valid for 14 days for £70 each. not planning Disney as DD is not interested , but always ask her if she wants a day , and if she does we will just pay at the gate.
Not planning any other parks

 

[kazdav]

I must admit I am still debating whether we should pay the extra $50 ea for the Discovery Cove ticket and have the option of Seaworld as well.

 

[WiganTony]

Not sure if we will make as much use of it to make it worthwhile and am considering by a day pass. I think we need to plot out which parks on what days and go from there.

This would be the best move, as you could then purchase the Magic Your Way (MYW) Base tickets (but bear in mind you cannot "hop" between parks on the same day). As I noted above, it may be worth adding on a few extra days to give you more flexibility given the small price difference between 3 and 10 day tickets. 3 day base tickets approx £150 saving you around £75pp over the UK tickets.

Regarding Discovery Cove, have you considered adding Seaworld as you nominated park? You could then use the $50 to upgrade Disney MYW base tickets with the Plus option so you would then have the choice of two water parks over the fortnight. If you get a few additional days on your MYW ticket (and you may find that you can get a day or two free), you could then plan in a few days with a visit to a water park in the morning, then visiting a theme park late afternoon/evening to watch the evening shows/fireworks.

If you are worried about your youngest chid (presume they are age 9 now?), then at this age they shoudl be okay for longer days at the parks. Our first visit to WDW Orlando with our daughter was when she was 7 years old, and she had no problems in doing full days in the parks without any breaks. We did however make sure we planned in a day at the water parks/shopping/ relaxing every third or fourth day.

 

[kazdav]

This would be the best move, as you could then purchase the Magic Your Way (MYW) Base tickets (but bear in mind you cannot "hop" between parks on the same day). As I noted above, it may be worth adding on a few extra days to give you more flexibility given the small price difference between 3 and 10 day tickets. 3 day base tickets approx £150 saving you around £75pp over the UK tickets.

Regarding Discovery Cove, have you considered adding Seaworld as you nominated park? You could then use the $50 to upgrade Disney MYW base tickets with the Plus option so you would then have the choice of two water parks over the fortnight. If you get a few additional days on your MYW ticket (and you may find that you can get a day or two free), you could then plan in a few days with a visit to a water park in the morning, then visiting a theme park late afternoon/evening to watch the evening shows/fireworks.

If you are worried about your youngest chid (presume they are age 9 now?), then at this age they shoudl be okay for longer days at the parks. Our first visit to WDW Orlando with our daughter was when she was 7 years old, and she had no problems in doing full days in the parks without any breaks. We did however make sure we planned in a day at the water parks/shopping/ relaxing every third or fourth day.

Youngest is now 11, this is our 4th trip with all three kids but the last time we were there was in 2006, we went three years running.

The only Disney park we are thinking about going to is Animal Kingdom so I figured it would be cheaper to pay for that on the gate. The water park aspect is covered by the Aquatica option on the Discovery Cove ticket. The Discovery Cove ticket is the one I am now thinking about - whether to add the extra $50 ea and have the Seaworld option as well and although it also adds the Busch Gardens option not sure we are that bothered about driving 90 minutes to another park when there are so many available in Orlando.

We were contemplating Universal 3 park to include WNW but having heard good things about Aquatica might just opt for the 2 park and save £110.