Park tix: Online vs. at the gate??

[covertWDWproposal]

Background: I am a registered DIS member since 2001, but as you can see I created this pseudonym for a very specific purpose. I am familiar with the parks and dis procedures, with 10 visits and 2 cruises under my belt.
I am now planning to propose to my gf in the parks with the help of some cm friends in dhs, possibly with character involvement on gmr .

This will be a big surprise visit (going to tell her to pack her bags the night before we leave) and it will be very quick. I could not pass up a jetblue package for a weekend in march from jfk to mco (early friday morning arrival, sunday morning departure) with a stay at csr.

The jetblue package only offered 3-day tickets. Since I will only need 2-day tickets (fri and sat), I didn't buy them.

I am doing dhs/epcot friday, and mk on saturday. So, I will need a 1-day park hopper, and a 1-day regular ticket (for two adults).

Question: Which is more economical- buy tickets right now through disney online ($432 total) or buy tickets at the gate? Is there even a difference in price? I've never purchased tickets at the gate before so I don't know if I even need to explore this option. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

1- I am doing dhs/epcot friday, and mk on saturday. So, I will need a 1-day park hopper, and a 1-day regular ticket (for two adults).

2- Which is more economical- buy tickets right now through disney online ($432 total) or buy tickets at the gate? Is there even a difference in price? I've never purchased tickets at the gate before so I don't know if I even need to explore this option. Thanks!

1- Park Hopping is good for ALL the days on the ticket.
The Park Hopper upgrade costs a one-time $54 per ticket (plus tax) and it covers ALL of your "days" at WDW.
If you buy a 2-day ticket with Hopper upgrade, you can hop on either or both of those two days for the same one-time $54 fee.

2- No difference in price at all.
None of the authorized ticket discounters even offer a 2-day ticket for less than the Disney gate or on-line price.

 

[covertWDWproposal]

That was fast, thanks for the clarification! You da man Robo

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Not only does it make no difference in the price, but it actually takes longer to do it online.

If you just go to a ticket window you tell them what you want, make your payment, and get your tickets.

If you order and pay for them online, you then have to print out the voucher and go to a ticket window. It actually takes more transaction time to go into reservations, do the lookup, confirm what you had ordfered, and then print the tickets for you.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Not only does it make no difference in the price, but it actually takes longer to do it online.

If you just go to a ticket window you tell them what you want, make your payment, and get your tickets.

If you order and pay for them online, you then have to print out the voucher and go to a ticket window. It actually takes more transaction time to go into reservations, do the lookup, confirm what you had ordfered, and then print the tickets for you.

Print voucher?? I never saw that option when I ordered my tickets. Although I did ask for them to be mailed...is that the difference? Will I get actual tickets or a voucher when they arrive?

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

For fun, as I like to play with numbers.

2 - 1 day/1 park tickets $174.66
+
2 - 1 day Hopper tickets $289.68
Total $464.38

Versus

2 - 2 day Hopper tickets $460.08

I am guessing the ticket prices you saw online are pre-tax prices, which is how you came to $432.

Sounds like a fun quick trip!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If ordered online there is an extra fee to have them mailed to you. Otherwise they are set up for "will-call" and you should print the confirmation, or at least write down the ticket reservation number (which is four lketters followed by about seven numbers) so they can easily find the reservation in the system.

 

[taliategan]

I was going to buy 1 day tickets at the gate for a day we will be in the Disney area for Spring break. We are coming in the night before. What type of lines are typical at the gates around parking opening? Would it be better to stop at Downtown Disney the night we arrive and buy the tickets at guest services?

 

[Robo]

I was going to buy 1 day tickets at the gate for a day we will be in the Disney area for Spring break. We are coming in the night before.

1- What type of lines are typical at the gates around parking opening?

2- Would it be better to stop at Downtown Disney the night we arrive and buy the tickets at guest services?

1-Not usually very long lines.
Many guests will already have their tickets.

2- Sure, you can do that, if you like.
I wouldn't say. "better," but that way you can bypass the ticket booth the next day.
Just one less thing to worry about.


There are two Guest Relations at DTD-

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Not meaning to hijack the thread but under the same questions. Can we get our GAC at DTD or only at the park guest services? We have always gotten it outside at MK at park opening and the lines move very very fast.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

If ordered online there is an extra fee to have them mailed to you.

Yes I'm aware of that. But you didn't answer my question. Do I get actual tickets or a voucher when they arrive? I printed the confirmation page and I've saved the email with my ticket reservation number.