Purchasing Tix in the Current Era

[TheBigErn]

With the park reservation system in place, the coming Genie+ and the days of booking dinning at 180 days gone for now, how far out is the best time for purchasing pard tickets and scheduling park days? I used to base everything off of my dinning reservations but that seems too late now.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

I booked my late July 2022 trip the day that I could (some point in March 2021) including room and tickets package and booked park passes. Likely highly unnecessary, but only cost a refundable $200. I don't know that I recommend it.

 

[starry_solo]

I would do what @NY Pirate Princess did and book a package with tickets for the refundable $200. That way, you can cancel it without penalty (up to a certain time), book the park reservations, etc., and then if something comes up, make sure to cancel within the required amount of time.

If discounts come along, great.

If not and you're going to go and stay off-site buy tickets (although there may be an increase), link to MDE before cancelling the package.

 

[TheBigErn]

Let me add 2 details. Staying on site and buying the tickets from a discount broker, not part of a package.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

Let me add 2 details. Staying on site and buying the tickets from a discount broker, not part of a package.

While I agree you can (and I have) gotten deals through a ticket discount broker, the Disney discounts for the last few years have necessitated a package in order to take advantage of the best discounts offered. With no dining plan available now, and potentially not desired when it reappears, the best way for me to position our trip was to purchase package through Disney. Room only booking requires a larger deposit for the room type we chose than $200. I can always cancel the booking I made for a full refund and rebook if something better comes along next spring.

I booked a rack rate room for exactly where we want to be and I am prepared to pay that if necessary or rebook a less advantageous room if a great discount appears.

In the end, for OP, overthinking the possibilities might just be too much. I feel like preplanning to provide flexibility and save money are rapidly disappearing in the age of Covid and Genie. Sorry we likely didn't help much!

 

[lanejudy]

how far out is the best time for purchasing pard tickets and scheduling park days?

I would say keep an eye on the theme park reservation calendar. Right now that is pretty much green, but if you are going holiday time or spring break it may turn yellow sooner.