Question about Buying Tickets

[GPC0321]

So I'm about 16 months out from our next trip, and I figured I'd better start obsessing over things. LOL!

We're going for a short 3-night trip in December 2017, and will realistically only be spending 2 days in the parks. My mother and I will also be doing MVMCP, and will likely want Hoppers because we won't be able to resist going to MK pretty much whenever the mood strikes us, even if it's on our "Epcot day." We do not currently envision going to Hollywood Studios, though if they have something Christmasy by then we might hop over there from Epcot. We will not visit Animal Kingdom during this trip.

My father, is less of a park enthusiast, and will be happy chilling at the resort (GF). He will want to go sometimes, especially to Epcot where we'll have a Candlelight Processional dinner package and will stay for IllumiNations. I think he'd probably like to at least venture into MK for one visit (we missed the Main Street Philharmonic last time, and he really wants to catch them).

So my question is, would it be smart to just buy our tickets when we get there (other than MVMCP, obviously)? There's no real benefit to purchasing 1-2 day tickets in advance is there?

And how flexible are they about adding Hoppers? Can you buy a single day admission to MK then add a Hopper to that if you decide you want to hop over to Epcot? Or do you have to go to Epcot and buy a ticket there?

Thanks for all advice!

 

[Robo]

1. There's no real benefit to purchasing 1-2 day tickets in advance is there?

2. And how flexible are they about adding Hoppers?
3. Can you buy a single day admission to MK then add a Hopper to that if you decide you want to hop over to Epcot?
4. Or do you have to go to Epcot and buy a ticket there?

Thanks for all advice!

1. Advance FP+ booking.
(60-days in advance: WDW Resort. 30-days in advance: Non- WDW Resort.)

2. You can add them at any time. Same price.
3. Yes.
4. No.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As Robo mentioned, you will need tickets linked to your My Disney Experience account in order to make FP+ reservations prior to arrival. Because you are staying onsite, you can make those FP+ reservations up to 60 days prior to check-in if you have tickets linked. If you want FP+ for 7DMT or any of the Tier 1 attractions at EP (specifically FEA, Soarin' or TT), I would recommend buying your tickets prior to your FP+ window opening. Even if you simply buy 2-day base tickets, you could always upgrade them to hoppers once you get there.

 

[GPC0321]

FP+

Robo, you are FAST! LOL.
Good point. Although honestly, we probably won't use FP+. We're basically going to see Christmas stuff, shop, and eat. LOL. I want to ride 7DMT since I missed it last time, but I'm thinking I could do that toward the end of the MVMCP night without a FP+.
I'd kind of like to do Frozen as well, but maybe we can Rope Drop that one.
Any other reason besides FP+?

 

[GPC0321]

As Robo mentioned, you will need tickets linked to your My Disney Experience account in order to make FP+ reservations prior to arrival. Because you are staying onsite, you can make those FP+ reservations up to 60 days prior to check-in if you have tickets linked. If you want FP+ for 7DMT or any of the Tier 1 attractions at EP (specifically FEA, Soarin' or TT), I would recommend buying your tickets prior to your FP+ window opening. Even if you simply buy 2-day base tickets, you could always upgrade them to hoppers once you get there.

Yeah. Like I told Robo, FP+ isn't a big deal for this trip for us.
I'm most worried about the scenario of adding a last minute hopper if we decide to visit two parks on one day. That's doable though, right? I don't think all three of us will need hoppers on both days, so I don't want to pay for something that doesn't get used. For instance, whatever night mom and I go to MVMCP we won't need hoppers at all and can just get by with a one-day to Epcot for that day. And dad might not need a ticket at all that day if he decides to stay at the resort, which is likely. And on the day we plan to do Epcot at night, mom and I will probably need a hopper because we'll likely be at the MK for the first part of that day. Dad? Who knows.
So I guess I'm asking if buying tickets there and adding hoppers on days we need them would be more flexible?

 

[Robo]

You can add the hopper to any still-valid ticket at any time.

Before or after you enter the first park, or before you enter the second park.

Same price.

 

[Robo]

And, it will be to your advantage to buy a two-day ticket for those in your party who WILL be going on two days.
That way, if you add the Hopper on the first day ($50-ish, or so) it will ALSO allow you to HOP on day 2, with no additional charge.

 

[GPC0321]

And, it will be to your advantage to buy a two-day ticket for those in your party who WILL be going on two days.
That way, if you add the Hopper on the first day ($50-ish, or so) it will ALSO allow you to HOP on day 2, with no additional charge.

Aha! That's a good point!
Thanks, Robo!