Staying on site with Disney passes

[UKDisneyWorldFan]

Hi, the last time we travelled from the and UK stayed in WDW was on our honeymoon back in 1997. We plan to go back next year for our 10th anniversary, and take our 2 kids with us this time so they can experience the magic for themselves.
I know things will have changed mightily since 1997 though, but specifically at this stage I wanted to ask about the room/ID/resort cards and park passes.
When we were there in 1997 we had 1 card each (credit/charge card style) which acted as room key, ID, card for purchases etc and park entrance ticket. Now though, I think park tickets have to be purchased separate from accomodation? So does this mean we do use 2 cards for each person when we are there now? I only ask because park tickets seem to be able to be bought from other ticket agencies cheaper than Disney, but I thought this might be a problem if the 1 card system is still being used as it was back in 1997. Can someone confirm please how it works now with a room card and separate park passes, thanks. Steve

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

You can still get the packages from WDW where your ticket is tied to your room key. Or like you stated, you can find them cheaper elsewhere and use the ticket for admission to the parks and your room key for everything else.

 

[ntsammy5]

Hi, the last time we travelled from the and UK stayed in WDW was on our honeymoon back in 1997. We plan to go back next year for our 10th anniversary, and take our 2 kids with us this time so they can experience the magic for themselves.
I know things will have changed mightily since 1997 though, but specifically at this stage I wanted to ask about the room/ID/resort cards and park passes.
When we were there in 1997 we had 1 card each (credit/charge card style) which acted as room key, ID, card for purchases etc and park entrance ticket. Now though, I think park tickets have to be purchased separate from accomodation? So does this mean we do use 2 cards for each person when we are there now? I only ask because park tickets seem to be able to be bought from other ticket agencies cheaper than Disney, but I thought this might be a problem if the 1 card system is still being used as it was back in 1997. Can someone confirm please how it works now with a room card and separate park passes, thanks. Steve

Nope, you can still have everything, including the dining plan, put on one card if you do the Magic Your Way package. Look on other threads here for discount codes. Have a good time.

 

[UKDisneyWorldFan]

Thanks for the reply guys.

So, If I book accomodation and tickets through Disney, then we will carry just the 1 card each again. But, if I want to, I can buy separate passes cheaper from elsewhere and will carry 2 cards to use for everything.

I'm surprised Disney allow this really, and don't insist that you have to buy their tickets with accomodation.

Another thing then, we were planning to stay in WDW for 2 weeks, and then have a week outside to do other things. But here in the UK, a 21-day pass isn't that much more to buy than a 14-day pass, so we are considering the 21-day so we could come back again in the 3rd week if we wanted to. Can I book my accomodation for 14-days with Disney though, but have a 21-day pass on the same card? Carrying 1 card would be more convienient I guess. I can't imagine though that we can carry a single card with 14-days accomodation and 21-day park pass though? So, I guess I have to do it seperately if we go this route?

 

[UKDisneyWorldFan]

Sorry guys, just remembered something else. Seeing as you mentioned the Disney Dining Plan, I'm sure I read that you CANNOT choose the Disney Dining Plan if you book accomodation only, and that it has to be a 'package' to have this option? Can you confirm?

 

[WillCAD]

You can only get the dining plan as part of a package that includes tickets and room. If you want the dining plan, you will have to add it to your room ressie, and you will have to add some kind of ticket to your room ressie at the same time to qualify for it - room-only ressies cannot have the dining plan added.

Fortunately, you can add the smallest ticket there is - a one-day base ticket - and that would qualify you for the dining plan. You also don't have to use that one-day base ticket on your trip; you can have it coded onto a separate card when you check in and save it for later.

Many people buy the package with the dining plan and a one-day base ticket, then trade in the ticket toward purchase of an annual pass when they arrive. I don't know what the cost of a 21-day ticket is in the U.K. (they are not even available over here), but a new AP is $462. If a 21-day ticket is over $400, then it makes sense for you to get the one-day base ticket as part of your package, then trade it in for an AP when you arrive.

 

[UKDisneyWorldFan]

Thanks for that. Bringing up the Annual Pass also brings the question, what's best? Doing the Disney Dining Plan, or using the benefits of the AP, which I think might include a discount on meals?
A 21-Day Pass can be bought in the UK from Disney themselves for £200 (around $375), a 14-Day for £180, kids a bit cheaper. Buying from a ticket agency over here can bring the 21-Day down to around £185, and the 14-Day to around £170 for adults. Decisions, decisions!
I did contemplate buying 1 AP so we could make use of the benefits on our trip, but not sure if it would be worthwhile or what you get. If it would have got me a discount on our stay then it probably would have been worth getting. Anyone know all the benefits exactly? Do you get newsletters, offers etc?