So after careful planning our trip is scheduled, ticket price questions inside...

[southern_redhead]

Okay, I have been "planning" since last July for our Disney trip. The date has varied from time to time - do we want an extended luxury trip all out on dinners and "extras" or a budget/value trip with a few meals in park and one or two "experiences" with the plan to return at a later date to do other things? We sort of settled on a happy medium, I guess. We are going semi-luxury but it is off property so we could have a full sized apartment type condo with a fun pool or maybe rent a house for even more space (we have two quotes in trying to decide between the two), have one ADR every other day to free up more time for playing/riding and also to budget the food. Other meals will be in the condo/house, I kind of look forward to that, DH isn't big on eating out since he does it 24/7 for work.

We did 3 character meals (the kids are right on the brink of being too cool for character meals and I wanted to get it in now, also they were buffett's that offered what appeared to be something we would all eat...choosing from a menu is grueling for my kids.) So even though they are a bit costly for four adults (I about my 14 yo stepson and 11 yo son being "adults" but I do get it - they eat like wild boar) and two kids I think it will also give the kids interaction with a variety of Disney characters (Chef Mickey and the Mickey Gang, 1900 Park Fare and the Cinderella bunch, Ohana and Stitch - I could personally go the rest of my life without meeting Stitch, I find him annoying, but the food looked like good fits for us and I think the kids will enjoy his antics) so we won't feel like we "have" to track down those characters at the parks. That, alone, is worth the cost to me...the food is a bonus

All that money is budgeted and accounted for. As are travel/grocery money and "spending" money for the kids. I am at a loss about tickets. DH was when he saw the ticket prices. Bear in mind that I am the one coughing up the $$$$ for them out of my paycheck but he still had sticker shock. He had casually said "What are tickets, like, eighty bucks each?" I pulled up the site and showed him the chart and his eyes rolled up in his head. Still, my parents took me as a kid and I'm glad they did. I think every kid should go at least once - and DH has never been so I REALLY want to take him - it just seems like a rite of passage. Plus, it is a bit different from the "beach" or "lake" vacations that are our standard fare.

We ordered the planning CD and my kids watched it every morning for weeks. They would say "Can't we go?" DD found one of those fliers in the mail and said "But they INVITED US!!" LOL I guess I have drilled "We don't show up uninvited" into their heads

The options I have found, thus far, seem pretty much the same:
1) We are AAA members so we could go that route. It looks like a whopping $3 or $4 savings per ticket. Still, we haven't used this $200 membership yet (Thank Goodness!) so discounts would be nice.

2)I get the mousesavers and allears newsletters. Seems like one has discounts in it, again small ones but *still* a savings.

3) Maybe I should just shut up already and order them from the Disney site? After booking the ADRs and requesting the customized maps they have flooded my email inbox and my mailbox at home with offers for credit cards (no thanks) and weeklong ticket/room discounts (sounded good but we don't qualify for 2 adults per room if we have to list DH in one and me in another....and we would HAVE to get 2 rooms...) I am thinking, though, that they don't really do ticket only discounts unless I've overlooked that info somewhere.

So what have other people done? What do you recommend?

Also - for six people ... 2 parents, a 15 yo, a 12 yo, an 8 yo, and a 7 yo ... who have never been/haven't been in so long it's like never having been - would you do 4 basic tickets and stick to one park a day or would you do 4 PH's so that if you don't like a park or find it very crowded you could leave and try it later? What about Disney Quest and the Water Parks? I think the kids would love those, we'd like to do DQ on an "off" day and a WP one day instead of a park, should we buy the WP & M option or do those as stand alone tickets? What works out to be less expensive - what would be the benefits/drawbacks to either option?

I feel like I have done really well with planning everything else but I need some direct input and suggestions on tickets. There are just so many options. Thanks

 

[cglaura]

Okay, I have been "planning" since last July for our Disney trip. The date has varied from time to time - do we want an extended luxury trip all out on dinners and "extras" or a budget/value trip with a few meals in park and one or two "experiences" with the plan to return at a later date to do other things? We sort of settled on a happy medium, I guess. We are going semi-luxury but it is off property so we could have a full sized apartment type condo with a fun pool or maybe rent a house for even more space (we have two quotes in trying to decide between the two), have one ADR every other day to free up more time for playing/riding and also to budget the food. Other meals will be in the condo/house, I kind of look forward to that, DH isn't big on eating out since he does it 24/7 for work.

We did 3 character meals (the kids are right on the brink of being too cool for character meals and I wanted to get it in now, also they were buffett's that offered what appeared to be something we would all eat...choosing from a menu is grueling for my kids.) So even though they are a bit costly for four adults (I about my 14 yo stepson and 11 yo son being "adults" but I do get it - they eat like wild boar) and two kids I think it will also give the kids interaction with a variety of Disney characters (Chef Mickey and the Mickey Gang, 1900 Park Fare and the Cinderella bunch, Ohana and Stitch - I could personally go the rest of my life without meeting Stitch, I find him annoying, but the food looked like good fits for us and I think the kids will enjoy his antics) so we won't feel like we "have" to track down those characters at the parks. That, alone, is worth the cost to me...the food is a bonus

All that money is budgeted and accounted for. As are travel/grocery money and "spending" money for the kids. I am at a loss about tickets. DH was when he saw the ticket prices. Bear in mind that I am the one coughing up the $$$$ for them out of my paycheck but he still had sticker shock. He had casually said "What are tickets, like, eighty bucks each?" I pulled up the site and showed him the chart and his eyes rolled up in his head. Still, my parents took me as a kid and I'm glad they did. I think every kid should go at least once - and DH has never been so I REALLY want to take him - it just seems like a rite of passage. Plus, it is a bit different from the "beach" or "lake" vacations that are our standard fare.

We ordered the planning CD and my kids watched it every morning for weeks. They would say "Can't we go?" DD found one of those fliers in the mail and said "But they INVITED US!!" LOL I guess I have drilled "We don't show up uninvited" into their heads

The options I have found, thus far, seem pretty much the same:
1) We are AAA members so we could go that route. It looks like a whopping $3 or $4 savings per ticket. Still, we haven't used this $200 membership yet (Thank Goodness!) so discounts would be nice.

2)I get the mousesavers and allears newsletters. Seems like one has discounts in it, again small ones but *still* a savings.

3) Maybe I should just shut up already and order them from the Disney site? After booking the ADRs and requesting the customized maps they have flooded my email inbox and my mailbox at home with offers for credit cards (no thanks) and weeklong ticket/room discounts (sounded good but we don't qualify for 2 adults per room if we have to list DH in one and me in another....and we would HAVE to get 2 rooms...) I am thinking, though, that they don't really do ticket only discounts unless I've overlooked that info somewhere.

So what have other people done? What do you recommend?

Also - for six people ... 2 parents, a 15 yo, a 12 yo, an 8 yo, and a 7 yo ... who have never been/haven't been in so long it's like never having been - would you do 4 basic tickets and stick to one park a day or would you do 4 PH's so that if you don't like a park or find it very crowded you could leave and try it later? What about Disney Quest and the Water Parks? I think the kids would love those, we'd like to do DQ on an "off" day and a WP one day instead of a park, should we buy the WP & M option or do those as stand alone tickets? What works out to be less expensive - what would be the benefits/drawbacks to either option?

I feel like I have done really well with planning everything else but I need some direct input and suggestions on tickets. There are just so many options. Thanks

I would go the Mousesavers/Undercover Tourist Route. It is definitely less than AAA. And if you order from Disney you pay tax (and shipping unless you do will-call). The UCT prices have all that included already. Even if you saved around $10 per ticket...that's the approx. amount of a CS meal and maybe a snack too depending on what you get. So, look at it this way...one day of free lunch

As far as base or park hoppers. If you are really unsure, just get base. You can add the hopper at anytime during your stay. The price however will be the same whether you add it on day one or day last ($52ish each?)

 

[southern_redhead]

I would go the Mousesavers/Undercover Tourist Route. It is definitely less than AAA. And if you order from Disney you pay tax (and shipping unless you do will-call). The UCT prices have all that included already. Even if you saved around $10 per ticket...that's the approx. amount of a CS meal and maybe a snack too depending on what you get. So, look at it this way...one day of free lunch

As far as base or park hoppers. If you are really unsure, just get base. You can add the hopper at anytime during your stay. The price however will be the same whether you add it on day one or day last ($52ish each?)

Thank you. The information on ticket pricing is just what I was looking for. So are you saying I can buy a ticket from UCT and use a mousesaver discount through them? I wondered about that but forgot to ask.

I'm still waffling on PHs. I can see my kids going "This isn't fun" or "It's sooo crowded!!" and I think it might be worth the extra $ to be able to say "Okay, let's go elsewhere." vs feeling like it was a "wasted" day because the park didn't pan out. As we are off property I am under the impression or best bet it to make note of EMH hours and go the OPPOSITE direction LOL So maybe that will help a bit. If we do base and then see, that first day, that it is a problem can we upgrade right then at a ticket booth? If we upgrade there does that day become PHs or is it from the following day on?

Also, for others reading, still looking for ideas on pricing the WP and DQ...do it as part of the upfront ticket or wait and buy individual tickets?

 

[vicki_c]

Subscribe to Mousesavers e-mail newsletter, it comes out on the 15th of the month. In there, there will be a link to special UCT pricing, so it will save you a little more.

As for park hoppers, you can just go and pay for that at the parks, and it is effective immediately.

For the "plus" options, if you are only going to do one, you're better off to just buy a single ticket. If you want to go to more than one place or more than one time, it is more economical to add it to your ticket. It's the same price as park hopping to do that - about $55 - and you will get the same number of plus visits as you have park days (so on a 5 day ticket, you will get 5 plus visits to DQ or WP). Again, it can be added at any time.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The cost to add hopping (or WPF&M) is $54 ($57.51 including tax) per ticket. It does not matter if it is adult or child, one day or ten day, first day of use or last day of use, the price is the same. (For a Florida Resident it is $27 plus tax.)

So if you are not sure, don't order them. If you find you do need them, then upgrade your tickets at any ticket window or Guest Relations Office. It only takes a minute or so.

If you are only planning to have one water park or Disney Quest day you are much better off purchasing separate tickets.

If you add the Water Parks Fun and More option to your MYW ticket it will cost $57.51 (including tax) per person, adult or child. It will add one WPF&M entry per day on the base or hopper ticket (but two entries on a one day ticket).

If you purchase one day water park they cost $48.99 adult and $42.60 child. (Disney Quest tickets are $44.73/$38.34) If you are an Annual Passholder or DVC Member you can purchase one day water park tickets at an approximate 10% discount.

This upgrade may be done at any Park (including water parks or TTC) ticket booth or Guest Relations Office. If it is on your room key it can also be done at the Resort Lobby Concierge.

(Note each person must have their own ticket. Even though it adds multiple entries to your ticket, you can only use one ticket for one person.)

Also, if you are planning to do three or more water park visits within a year there is a definite price advantage to purchase Water Park Annual Passes.

We have two unusual policies at the water parks concerning ticketing. Both involve use of a one day water park ticket.

One is we will allow full value of the used WP ticket to upgrade to a WP AP as long as it is within 14 days of use.

The other, which is the only time combining tickets is allowed, is we will merge a used WP one day ticket with a MYW ticket to add the WPF&M option and only charge the difference in price.

 

[brymolmom]

I will second using UT for the tickets. I have enjoyed using them and every small bit helps.

Did you mention how long you're staying? I didn't catch that. But it SOUNDS to me if you have a sit down meal scheduled every other day and you have 3 character meals scheduled - that you're in the area for at least 5 days...maybe more since you're thinking about DQ or WP? I'm going to assume you're there a week.

If that's the case - my recommendation would be to buy a 7 day pass....not a 4 day pass. And I personally would do the base ticket. if you check pricing you will see that it is only about $15 per ticket TOTAL to change from 4 to 7 days. The first 4 days are the most expensive and it is very cheap to add more on. So - if there is a park that you don't know for sure you want to go to for a full day or are worried that you won't like it as much - you can just do that one for half a day and then hang at the pool at your house or do DQ/WP for the rest of that day.

As for DQ/WP I believe the pricing works out to be best if you add the option on to your main ticket if you plan to do this for more than one trip. That said, depending on the pool options at your condo...if you realy want to save some $$ this would be an easy way to do it - by just swimming on that day instead. If you really think it is a 'can't be missed' for your family - then add it onto your main ticket and hit DQ once or twice and then plan in a day for a WP.

 

[cvjw]

Before we were season pass holders, we always bought the 10 day non-expiring hoppers with water parks and more tickets. Yes, they are more up front, but you get 10 full theme park days, and 10 water park days. From UT, they are around $570 per ticket, $520 without the hopping feature. That works out to be less than $30 per admission, and they are good forever. You could get multiple trips to Disney out of those tickets, if you ever plan on a return visit.

 

[southern_redhead]

If you add the Water Parks Fun and More option to your MYW ticket it will cost $57.51 (including tax) per person, adult or child. It will add one WPF&M entry per day on the base or hopper ticket (but two entries on a one day ticket).

If you purchase one day water park they cost $48.99 adult and $42.60 child. (Disney Quest tickets are $44.73/$38.34) If you are an Annual Passholder or DVC Member you can purchase one day water park tickets at an approximate 10% discount.

So from this info I can understand that if we were deciding between doing DQ *OR* a WP then it would be cheaper to pay for the experience itself.

However, we are planning to do a full day of no parks but a visit to the WP on that day and also visit DQ on a day (but likely not for the full day, perhaps on the evening of the day we go to the beach or the evening of the day we arrive if not too tired.) So in that instance it would be $57.51 pp (x6 for a total of 345.06 or in that neighborhood) vs paying each admission and paying around $281.16 for the WP for the six and $255.60 for DQ for all of us. That would total about $536.76...

It would be my understanding, in that scenario, we would be better off to add WP&M and save about $191.70. Or is my math off (I never claimed to be a math whiz LOL)

I will second using UT for the tickets. I have enjoyed using them and every small bit helps.

Did you mention how long you're staying? I didn't catch that. But it SOUNDS to me if you have a sit down meal scheduled every other day and you have 3 character meals scheduled - that you're in the area for at least 5 days...maybe more since you're thinking about DQ or WP? I'm going to assume you're there a week.

If that's the case - my recommendation would be to buy a 7 day pass....not a 4 day pass. And I personally would do the base ticket. if you check pricing you will see that it is only about $15 per ticket TOTAL to change from 4 to 7 days. The first 4 days are the most expensive and it is very cheap to add more on. So - if there is a park that you don't know for sure you want to go to for a full day or are worried that you won't like it as much - you can just do that one for half a day and then hang at the pool at your house or do DQ/WP for the rest of that day.

As for DQ/WP I believe the pricing works out to be best if you add the option on to your main ticket if you plan to do this for more than one trip. That said, depending on the pool options at your condo...if you realy want to save some $$ this would be an easy way to do it - by just swimming on that day instead. If you really think it is a 'can't be missed' for your family - then add it onto your main ticket and hit DQ once or twice and then plan in a day for a WP.

Yes, 7 days in the area - Sat to Sat. We had planned traveling for 3 days for a total of 8 days vacation and doing a stop 1/2 way on the way down. We wanted to do Disney parks for 4 days (alloting 1 day each but not sure we want to be tied to one park for the whole day, that is the conundrum), a day at Universal, and a day at the beach. My tentative schedule is this:

day 1 6/25 finish travel and DTD?
day 2 6/26 prk and dinner
day 3 6/27 prk only
day 4 6/28 universal
day 5 6/29 bkfst and prk
day 6 6/30 prk and dinner
day 7 7/1 Waterpark (and DTD if we didn't do it on the front end)
day 8 7/2 checkout/beach on the way home (actually we plan to stay overnight in that area as well so I guess 9 days total away from home.)

The pool at the condo looks nice, the house (other option) has a splash pool so okay for playing but not an "experience" LOL) My kids love, love, love waterparks so I really would like them to do one of the WPs either way and it seems to be a full or at least 3/4 day sort of visit unless I am much mistaken(?)

My kids and I are movers and shakers on vacation - for us the experiences ARE the relaxation. However, we don't do very many rides. I can see them liking things like Small World and the "classic" rides like Peter Pan or Dumbo. We don't like spinning things (tea cups) or coasters so I doubt anyone will ride them (though I wouldn't say no if they decided to try that sort of ride again.) For us Disney would be the sights and sounds, the meals a "bit". At least that is what I've gleaned from my researching and previous experiences on vacations - we tend to do a lot of museums, science centers, and zoos to break up time on the beaches when we vacation.

Before we were season pass holders, we always bought the 10 day non-expiring hoppers with water parks and more tickets. Yes, they are more up front, but you get 10 full theme park days, and 10 water park days. From UT, they are around $570 per ticket, $520 without the hopping feature. That works out to be less than $30 per admission, and they are good forever. You could get multiple trips to Disney out of those tickets, if you ever plan on a return visit.

Buying 10 day no exp passes is a great idea *if* you know you will ever go back. Being as this is a first visit and, previous to now, we've never done the same place twice (beaches more than once but never the same state/location) I'm not sure if the kids will want to return or will feel they have BTDT. If we fall in love then for sure the next whirl around I would be comfortable doing the above and planning 2 trips back with some time in between for other venues

 

[Cheshire Figment]

So from this info I can understand that if we were deciding between doing DQ *OR* a WP then it would be cheaper to pay for the experience itself.

However, we are planning to do a full day of no parks but a visit to the WP on that day and also visit DQ on a day (but likely not for the full day, perhaps on the evening of the day we go to the beach or the evening of the day we arrive if not too tired.) So in that instance it would be $57.51 pp (x6 for a total of 345.06 or in that neighborhood) vs paying each admission and paying around $281.16 for the WP for the six and $255.60 for DQ for all of us. That would total about $536.76...

It would be my understanding, in that scenario, we would be better off to add WP&M and save about $191.70. Or is my math off (I never claimed to be a math whiz LOL)

You are correct. But what you may want to do is get the one-day WP or DQ tickets. Then if you decide to do the other take the used tickets to a WP or DQ window, with your MYW tickets, and you can do the upgrade to add WPF&M for the difference in price. Then you would the difference between the tickets you have and the $345.

 

[bumbershoot]

Buying 10 day no exp passes is a great idea *if* you know you will ever go back. Being as this is a first visit and, previous to now, we've never done the same place twice (beaches more than once but never the same state/location) I'm not sure if the kids will want to return or will feel they have BTDT. If we fall in love then for sure the next whirl around I would be comfortable doing the above and planning 2 trips back with some time in between for other venues

If, while you're there, you decide that it's awesome and you will never really BTDT (b/c after 10 total days in the parks, we barely scratched the surface), you can upgrade them if you wish, and if it makes sense.


Basically, I'd get the bare bones of what you need, from undercovertourist via the link in the mousesavers e-newsletter that comes out on the 15th of each month. Then upgrade during your trip to what you find you need.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Wow that is a lot of vacation for 8 days!

You will be there during the heat of summer and crowds will be building as you get closer to the 4th of July. Keep in mind it is HOT HOT HOT in Florida in the summer. We have traveled to Disney the last 2 summers right around the time you plan to be there. We had a great time! But we were careful not to over do it in the hot afternoon. We would go into the park at ropedrop and stay until 1 or so. By then we were so ready to head back to the hotel pool for a break. We would then go back to the parks for the evening entertainment. We easily spend 8 days just at Disney.

The parks are huge! Really you just don't realize how much there is to see and do until you are there. Picture trying to see ( walk) all of New York City in 4 days.

I say all this to help you think about if you really want to try to "see it all" 4 Disney Parks, A water park, Universal and the beach (which is at least an hour drive). Of course you know your family better than I do but I think you may be trying to do too much in too short a time. For my family at some point we just need to slow the pace down. Usually day 3 or 4 we need to take a more relaxed pace. Maybe get to bed early, spend our park time seeing some shows and a more relaxed meal.

All that said if I were you I would buy the less expensive per day 7 day ticket and spend the entire trip at Disney. Only you know what will work for your family. I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

With your age group of water loving travelers I would say a water park is a must. We absolutely love them! My, then 14 year old son, and DH both totally enjoyed Disney Quest, BUT they would choose a water park over DisneyQuest.

I think renting a home is the way to go with your group. You will love the extra space. We so enjoy having our own pool. It is soooo nice to come home from the parks and be just your family and not have to share.

Personally I would cut it back to one character meal and put the money towards renting the house with the pool. That's me though.

I would not do the park hopper. You will be just fine with one park per day. All the parks get more crowded as the day goes on, so leaving one park to hop to another park to get away from the crowds is a gamble. That second park may or may not be more crowded than the one you left. And you will NOT get bored at any of the parks. For instance let's say you cruise through all the Animal Kingdom things you want to do. Then you can go on the different trails, sit and watch the outdoor shows (all over Animal Kingdom sooo cool), sit and watch a parade.....

Have you picked up the Unofficial Guidebook to Disney? You can get it at your library. It tells you all about every single thing you can see and do. It's a great way to make sure you don't miss the little things that may appeal to your family.

 

[southern_redhead]

With your age group of water loving travelers I would say a water park is a must. We absolutely love them! My, then 14 year old son, and DH both totally enjoyed Disney Quest, BUT they would choose a water park over DisneyQuest.

I think renting a home is the way to go with your group. You will love the extra space. We so enjoy having our own pool. It is soooo nice to come home from the parks and be just your family and not have to share.

Personally I would cut it back to one character meal and put the money towards renting the house with the pool. That's me though.

I would not do the park hopper. You will be just fine with one park per day. All the parks get more crowded as the day goes on, so leaving one park to hop to another park to get away from the crowds is a gamble. That second park may or may not be more crowded than the one you left. And you will NOT get bored at any of the parks. For instance let's say you cruise through all the Animal Kingdom things you want to do. Then you can go on the different trails, sit and watch the outdoor shows (all over Animal Kingdom sooo cool), sit and watch a parade.....

Have you picked up the Unofficial Guidebook to Disney? You can get it at your library. It tells you all about every single thing you can see and do. It's a great way to make sure you don't miss the little things that may appeal to your family.

Thanks, very informative. Actually the meals and either lodging are already budgeted we just haven't decided which to do. I've contacted both owners with further questions then will decide.

That's good to know about the parks. I guess I was afraid parks like DHS seem to have a "skip it or blow through it" rep in the posts I've read. But, we love to look around so I guess that's true that any park would offer lots of sensory experience.

I'll have to check out the book, I don't have it yet. Thanks!

Oh, to the PP, we do plan to make mid day breaks. I figure an early-ish morning at the park, back to the lodging for lunch/swimming/rest (mix there of) and then head back to the parks to either do a few more hours or to eat (our reservations are fairly early ones for supper, as close to the "opening" for that meal as I could get at 5 for 1900 PF and 5:10 for Chef Mickey.) I wouldn't dream of planning to stay in the parks all day, it wouldn't be "us" at all. Our beach day is the "cool down" even though it is an hour away (trust me we drive an hour to the grocery store ) and I don't know that Universal would be a full day. We want to see Harry Potter. Kids don't like coasters so I don't know that they will want to ride, they just want to see the storefront type things, decorations and eat lunch at 3 Broomsticks. Our vacation last year was quite fast paced, we were worn out when we got home but we all felt really fulfilled and like we had each seen at least one thing that was a "must" for us. Living here (in what I not so lovingly refer to as bum****) we try to squeeze in every sight/sound in a new area. I'm still 50/50 on Universal. I just hate to be so close and not let the kids see the HP stuff, we probably will choose to go North next year so it would be 2 more years before we would be of a mind to head South again.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

It sounds like you have thought it all through and have a good plan. I figured it was Harry Potter you were after as you said the kids don't like the big thrill rides too much. Just get there early! Enjoy your trip.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Ok, I have another way to save you a ton of money on your tickets. Disney's YES program!!! They are doing four different classes for individual enrollment on June 28--Disney's Captivating Moments (ages 12-18), Everyday Chemistry (ages 9-15), Disney's Wild by Nature (ages 7-15) & Synergy in Science (ages 6-11). As long as at least one or more of your kids participates in one of the scheduled classes (you have to pre-register and pay for tickets when registering), everyone in your group (family) get the group ticket price. The classes average 3 hours each.

We are doing Synergy in Science this Tues. We paid $485.50 for 3 tickets (2 adults, 1 child & 1 infant) for 4 day park hoppers including a $4.50 processing fee and $10 for express shipping--worried that we wouldn't make it the will call window before 2 pm on day of arrival. When we checked the prices for these classes, none of the listed prices (through a 5 day ultimate park hopper--5 days, ph, wp, dq with use available starting 7 days before class and 7 days after class) was over $200 each. From what I've read here, you can actually have them quote you a price for more days.

Here is a link to the page with the info:

http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/catalog/?location[]=WDW&filter=startDate

There is a spot for "contact us" and has a phone # listed. Ashley is the CM that deals with the individual enrollment program.

ETA: There are other dates available starting mid June-late August. I was just basing it on your plans so far. Good Luck!

 

[disney32811]

Can someone email me the January mousesavers newsletter? We are going to Disney in March and I just signed up the newsletter. I want to buy tickets before the 15th of this month! Thanks!!!!

 

[southern_redhead]

Ok, I have another way to save you a ton of money on your tickets. Disney's YES program!!! They are doing four different classes for individual enrollment on June 28--Disney's Captivating Moments (ages 12-18), Everyday Chemistry (ages 9-15), Disney's Wild by Nature (ages 7-15) & Synergy in Science (ages 6-11). As long as at least one or more of your kids participates in one of the scheduled classes (you have to pre-register and pay for tickets when registering), everyone in your group (family) get the group ticket price. The classes average 3 hours each.

We are doing Synergy in Science this Tues. We paid $485.50 for 3 tickets (2 adults, 1 child & 1 infant) for 4 day park hoppers including a $4.50 processing fee and $10 for express shipping--worried that we wouldn't make it the will call window before 2 pm on day of arrival. When we checked the prices for these classes, none of the listed prices (through a 5 day ultimate park hopper--5 days, ph, wp, dq with use available starting 7 days before class and 7 days after class) was over $200 each. From what I've read here, you can actually have them quote you a price for more days.

Here is a link to the page with the info:

http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/catalog/?location[]=WDW&filter=startDate

There is a spot for "contact us" and has a phone # listed. Ashley is the CM that deals with the individual enrollment program.

ETA: There are other dates available starting mid June-late August. I was just basing it on your plans so far. Good Luck!

Hey that is awesome information - thank you! I think that sounds like such a neat idea, and not just for the budget ticket price (though that is cool). Can two kids participate? My kids would all fit the age range for the Nature one and I think it's something that would appeal to my older son and my daughter especially. DS 7 would love it but he is a bit learning delayed (Kindergarten level) and I don't think he'd be a good fit. Maybe we could do something else with him during that time. I would hate to a take spot from others, though, if they were wanting in.

Is this done once you get there? I am guessing but would love to hear others experience. If we have to do it at home we might be out of luck, we are in the middle of nowheres-ville But if it is onsite that could be cool.

Wait - I have a question. You said it is open to individual enrollment but the website states this: "Disney Youth Education Series Packages are available to organized youth groups of 10 or more between the ages of 5-22. Ticket prices are valid for Domestic U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico only. Disney Youth Education Series Programs must be arranged in advance prior to purchasing ticket packages. All students must attend a program. A minimum of 10 students is required and a maximum of one adult may attend the facilitated Youth Education Series Program per every five students. The number of Group Leaders and Additional Guests cannot exceed the number of students." at the top of the sign up/order page (in paging through the info) so....if you want to enroll just YOUR kid(s) do you need to call Ashley and she can do that?

 

[Ericandjenng]

Hey that is awesome information - thank you! I think that sounds like such a neat idea, and not just for the budget ticket price (though that is cool). Can two kids participate? My kids would all fit the age range for the Nature one and I think it's something that would appeal to my older son and my daughter especially. DS 7 would love it but he is a bit learning delayed (Kindergarten level) and I don't think he'd be a good fit. Maybe we could do something else with him during that time. I would hate to a take spot from others, though, if they were wanting in.

Is this done once you get there? I am guessing but would love to hear others experience. If we have to do it at home we might be out of luck, we are in the middle of nowheres-ville But if it is onsite that could be cool.

Wait - I have a question. You said it is open to individual enrollment but the website states this: "Disney Youth Education Series Packages are available to organized youth groups of 10 or more between the ages of 5-22. Ticket prices are valid for Domestic U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico only. Disney Youth Education Series Programs must be arranged in advance prior to purchasing ticket packages. All students must attend a program. A minimum of 10 students is required and a maximum of one adult may attend the facilitated Youth Education Series Program per every five students. The number of Group Leaders and Additional Guests cannot exceed the number of students." at the top of the sign up/order page (in paging through the info) so....if you want to enroll just YOUR kid(s) do you need to call Ashley and she can do that?

Let's start backwards. They now have 'individual enrollment'. I know some of the info still says groups of 10 or more. But the link I posted takes you to the individual enrollment classes. If you have a group of ten or more, then you can pick exactly which class (they offer at least a dozen options) and exactly what day and morning or afternoon. For individual enrollment you have to pick from what they have available.

The main website for the classes is www.disneyyouth.com. If you click on the "education" tab, 2nd one down is "individual enrollment". This will take you a main page. Click on "program catalog". It will list all the classes that have been scheduled so far this year--they started in Jan going thru Feb 14 and then pick up again in June. Select "Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) and click "go". Scroll down to the class you want.

When I first tried to register, there was a glitch in the system and it gave me only the group registration. The individual enrollment looks very similar. I completed the form as best I could. Simply completing as if I was the Parent chaperone coordinating the trip. The form will ask for names and ages of class participants before you get to the ticket purchase page. If you don't get that, you should call and discuss it with Ashley (She is super nice and very helpful!!). She can email you a link to take you to the individual enrollment form.

It appears that the current classes are closed for registration and they haven't actually started the next group yet. BUT you MUST pre-register and order/pay for your group program tickets before your trip. From every indication I've had, you canNOT do so when you arrive. Classes are only held if they have enough participants. It does seem that if there are not, you still get the tickets at that price. I paid for the express shipping ($10 total, not each--the $4.50 was also a one-time charge and not each ticket) and when I received them, registration was still open and there was no guarantee of the class being held (I do now have confirmation that it is going to be held! I get to go with DS and I am excited!) The tickets include participation in one class per child registered. You can add additional classes at $26 per person per class.

Why are you out of luck because you're from nowheresville..?..it can't be that bad, we're in TN too.

I understand about not sure if all the kids are a good fit. We definitely have one too young (only 13 months) to participate. She and Daddy will going to find Marie at France while Big Brother & I do the class. We're meeting outside Epcot but hopefully we'll have a few minutes just inside the gate so that we can give our tickets to DH and he can get us FP while we're busy.

I am going to pm you the number....Not sure if I should post it here.

 

[TinkerbellSecret]

Before we were season pass holders, we always bought the 10 day non-expiring hoppers with water parks and more tickets. Yes, they are more up front, but you get 10 full theme park days, and 10 water park days. From UT, they are around $570 per ticket, $520 without the hopping feature. That works out to be less than $30 per admission, and they are good forever. You could get multiple trips to Disney out of those tickets, if you ever plan on a return visit.

To piggyback on this....so if we get 10 day non-expiring hoppers with water parks and more, we'd have 10 full theme park days, PLUS 10 water park days? So essentially 20 days? I wish I wouldv'e figured that out a LOT sooner. Would it be *allowed* to use like 5 theme park days one trip, and then another trip to use the water days? i am asking b/c we are going in Nov. 2011, and I don't plan to be able to do water parks then. But, in the long run, this could save us SO much money. I could see having the water park ticket days last for the next 3-4 trips this way! We go about every two years.

Thanks!

 

[Ericandjenng]

To piggyback on this....so if we get 10 day non-expiring hoppers with water parks and more, we'd have 10 full theme park days, PLUS 10 water park days? So essentially 20 days? I wish I wouldv'e figured that out a LOT sooner. Would it be *allowed* to use like 5 theme park days one trip, and then another trip to use the water days? i am asking b/c we are going in Nov. 2011, and I don't plan to be able to do water parks then. But, in the long run, this could save us SO much money. I could see having the water park ticket days last for the next 3-4 trips this way! We go about every two years.

Thanks!

Yes, we still have water park visits on tickets that were initially bought in 2006.