Reformed Non-Expiration Ticket User Seeks Help Buying Park Tickets :)

[mmackeymouse]

I have a trip coming up in January, woo hoo. I currently have a few days left of a 10 day NE park hopper ticket. However, I am thinking of saving those days. We have a week in January, and I think those park hopper days would be more valuable during some of our shorter trips. So, I am being a little stingy. Haha.

So, now I am looking at regular tickets at regular price or through UT. This is the longest Disney vacation we have done in a while. We have done some long weekends, and land/sea trips, but our last week-long Disney trip was probably....2004 maybe? I'm so used to going commando, park hopping, 14 hour days, the whole thing. In fact, I actually have come to enjoy it. So, it's going to be a little different for me, having ample time to go to the parks, DTD, resort time.

It makes purchasing tickets a little difficult. I'm tempted to just buy a 6 or 7 day regular ticket over a 4 or 5 day Hopper. I enjoy being able to park-hop. I'm just not sure it would be worth the extra cost if I don't need to do it. A part of me is saying, "It will be nice to only go a half day at a time or do a leisurely trip of Disney." But, the commando part of me is saying, "If I have a 6 day ticket, I am not going to be able to use it leisurely, and I will wear myself out using the 6 days to the absolute maximum."

Price isn't too important, but value is, and I would probably kick myself if I buy a 7 day ticket, and only use 4 full days (just a random number) of it. If you were in my position, would you buy more days, and allow yourself a more slow-paced Disney experience, even if it meant wasting days possibly? Or, would you get the minimum number and make each day count to the fullest?

Demographics: 3 adults. I will probably be going to the parks the most, so a solo experience for the most part. No kids. No disabilities (knock on wood).

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I would buy the minimum number of days you think you will use, you can always add on more days there (just do it before the end of your final day). Same with the hopper, I think you can always add that on.

My family goes back and forth, some trips we hop, some we don't. We're happy either way. No need to overbuy up front and waste money on days/features you don't use.

 

[jamescanuck2001]

PH to me only makes sense if staying at an epcot resort, with two parks an easy distance.... too much work to get around otherwise. As for number of days, the only park i can see myself going to more than once during a trip is MK. Unless, again, I am at an epcot resort I will take advantage of the showcase restaurants through a PH.

so for me - epcot resort - 5 day ticket with park hopper
any other resort - 5 day ticket

 

[mustlovecats]

I would buy the minimum that you plan to use, from your post 4-5 days, and add extra days or PH on once you get there and have spent a day in the parks you should have a better idea on how you would like to spend your remaining time.

Just don't forget to upgrade before they expire! I think if you've gotten any discounts on them you are also supposed to use them for a park entry first to keep the discount. I don't have any personal experience with that though so I can't say for sure.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree about waiting but I would go for more days over the hopper

 

[msmama]

The remember the more days, the less you are paying per day so the "value" changes a bit.

Personally I like tickets for every day I'm there. I like doing partial days. I want to go to a park every day I'm at WDW whether or not I spend the whole day there. The park hopper, though, I wouldn't add until I need it.

If you didn't get tickets for every day you're there, what would you do with your off days?

 

[mmackeymouse]

The remember the more days, the less you are paying per day so the "value" changes a bit.

Personally I like tickets for every day I'm there. I like doing partial days. I want to go to a park every day I'm at WDW whether or not I spend the whole day there. The park hopper, though, I wouldn't add until I need it.

If you didn't get tickets for every day you're there, what would you do with your off days?

Well, we are technically only going to be there for 6 full days. We'd probably spend a day or two (not full days, but partial days) at Downtown Disney. Pool time. Maybe go to some of the resort restaurants we never have time to go. The day we get there, it will be about 9 pm, so that day will be pretty much shot.

Yes, the "value" thing is tricky. My initial gut was to say 4 days. But, then it is like, "Yeah, but it's only $X more for 5 days...and it's only $Y more for 6 days..." And so on and so forth until I have myself talked into a 10 day ticket when we aren't even going to be there that long. Haha.

I think the whole go-at-your-own-pace partial days thing sounds soooooo nice. I guess I just don't trust myself to say when, when I'm ready to call it a day. I'm torn because...eventually when I have kids, I won't be able to go at it 1000 mph anymore. I won't be able to wiggle through people, walk at a brisk pace, do my own itinerary. BUT, at the same time, how often will I get the chance to just....enjoy the World, to just soak it in, browse the gift shops, explore the hidden treasures, have 0 lunches and 5 desserts if I so choose?

 

[IrishNYC]

Do you not plan on booking any FP+ before you go? I'd start with the number of days you plan to book those for as your initial purchase, then add on as necessary once you are there.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Do you not plan on booking any FP+ before you go? I'd start with the number of days you plan to book those for as your initial purchase, then add on as necessary once you are there.

Actually, I hadn't really given much thought to FP+. The last time I was in WDW was late 2013, so FP+ and Magic Bands were in their infancy at that point, so I am brand new to them. The last several times we've been to WDW, we have skipped Fast Passes for the most part.

We are an all adult party, and I often do park days on my own. Being adults, we can navigate the park more quickly, have more stamina/less need for breaks. The single lines don't bother us. We have also traveled at less busy times of year. So, as I said, we haven't relied on FP. The only times we have gotten Fast Passes are for repeat rides. I know FP+ is a little bit of a different beast than traditional Fast Passes. But...that's just why I haven't really given FP+ a thought.

But, thanks for bringing it up. That is definitely something else to keep in mind.

 

[scrapquitler]

I would buy the minimum that you plan to use, from your post 4-5 days, and add extra days or PH on once you get there and have spent a day in the parks you should have a better idea on how you would like to spend your remaining time.

Just don't forget to upgrade before they expire! I think if you've gotten any discounts on them you are also supposed to use them for a park entry first to keep the discount. I don't have any personal experience with that though so I can't say for sure.

This! Buy the least days you think you might use on your trip, then add extra days if you decide to visit the parks more days.