Park Tickets

[nancymac]

I'm planning my husband's and mine first trip to WDW, and am wondering what's the best way to go as far as purchasing park tickets. We're planning to be there three full days, four nights. I was going to purchase a Park Hopper ticket, but they're for 5 days. I see we can purchase single day tickets, but only for individual theme parks. The Ultimate Park Hopper appeals to me, but it looks like it can only be purchased by making reservations to the hotels.

Am looking for suggestions on the best way to buy park tickets.

Thanks!

Nancy

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

If you think you will return I'd buy seven day passes. Disney tickets are good forever. With a seven day pass you also get 4 additional forever visits to Pleasure Island, the waterparks or I think mini-golf.

However if you aren't sure I'd buy the 4 day hopper passes (that's the minimum). The ability to be able to go to any park on any given day is invaluable. Single day passes limit you to a single park...and since you will only have 3 days to visit the parks you need to be able to hop. And you will be powerhopping. Three days is the minimum you need to be able to see most things in the parks alone. Be sure to only visit Epcot after 5pm to get the most out of your time if you plan to see as much as you can of the other parks.

If you are looking to relax then buy the single tickets. Personally I'd buy Epcot, MK and MGM...in that order...as adults. Other people would probably choose Magic Kingdom first. Animal Kingdom I'd leave for another trip without a hopper.

My personal powerhopping plan would be: Magic Kingdom from opening until 2 or 3. Rest for 2 hours in the hotel room. Go to Epcot until 9.

Repeat the next day for MGM & Epcot...you will not get to see Fantasmic.

Repeat the last day for Animal Kingdom...use the evening hours to hit everything you didn't see. Or skip Animal Kingdom and use the entire day to fill in as much of you can of what you didn't see. Try to make Fantasmic this day.

You will have to pass on a lot of shows so I highly recommend purchasing a guide book or going to www.wdwig.com for help in formulating a plan of attack.

Your best bet would be to add a day to your trip.

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

It really depends upon when you go as to how much you can get done. I agree though that since unused days don't expire you get more bang for your buck by even purchasing a 4 or 5 day parkhopper ticket and just saving the extra days later on.

We just got back from a short trip in which we had 2 full days in the parks and 2 half days. We missed some shows and parades but don't really think we missed much b/c the parks were basically empty and we walked onto just about every ride. This allowed us to really maximize our time and we did do MK on EMH until about 1:30, left, rested at our hotel for 2 hours and then finished off at Epcot until 9.

Single park tickets are by far the costliest way to go and I wouldn't advise it. We know we won't be back for probably 3 years but I'm already saving up to buy tickets now when they're a couple of bucks cheaper. JMHO

 

[JimC]

I agree with the others. Go to MousePlanet.com and read their park planning suggestions, also go to Mousesavers.com and Deb Wills sites for their review of ticket options.

We use APs because of the discounts and we visit often. One AP pass, if you get a great resort discount code, can be a money saver for even a four night trip. The other pass can be a park hopper.

Another consideration is to use a Disney specialist travel agency such as www.DreamsUnlimited.com. I have used them and recommend them. They are expert at helping you plan, making the reservations and advising on cost effective ways to visit WDW.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Many of the ticket wholesalers often have 3 day park hoppers and/or 3 day PHP's. But they are not allowed to advertise the fact on their websites. You would have to call some of them (Paramount, Ticketmania, FloridaOrlandoTickets, etc) to find out if they currently have these. The 3 day PH's are not available for purchase year round. I believe Alamo car rental may still be offering a 3 day through the link on its web site.

Other than that, your best bet would be the 4 day PH since I gather from reading your post that you will be staying off site.

One other thing. mini-golf is not included in the plus options. Only water parks, PI and WWoS admissions are covered by the plus options.

 

[nancymac]

Thanks to all of you for your replies and good advice. I'm going to go check out the web site suggested, decide what we want to do while we're there, and then purchase our passes. Sounds like the hopper passes are the best way to go - will give us more options and allow us to be flexible.

Thanks again!

Nancy