Tickets and Annual Pass Questions - Please add your ticket questions to this thread

[AhsokaFan]

I purchased an annual pass and have it linked to my MDE. Will I need to stop at guest services before going into the park for the first time or can I just scan in with my magic band?

I’d probably want a physical pass at some point, but hoping to avoid having to wait in the early morning guest service line if possible.

I don’t find my physical card very useful. When making purchases (getting the AP 20% discount or the 10% at restaurants) they always ask to see it in MDE because it has the expiration date, where as the physical card doesn’t.

 

[leebee]

Planning info:
We are 4 adults (me/DH/DD/SIL) and 1 child (7yo LittleGuy) staying in 2 rooms at ASMovies, starting next week. DD is the lead guest on her room (with SIL and LG), I am the lead on my room (with DH), but both reservations were made with my BounceBack offer. DD has "shared" her planning on MyDisneyExperience as I can see everyone on MY MDE account, all our meal reservations, etc. All 4 adults have activated magic bands from prior trips- but DH/mine are in my MDE account and DD/SIL's are in her MDE account. We bought a new band for LG (which is still in the box). My question is about tickets and Magic Bands (sigh).

I bought park passes for DD/SIL/LG thru Maple Leaf tickets and the "media" was sent to my email. Can I link these directly to their magic bands, or do I need to send the info to DD and have her link them via her account? ALSO... what the heck do I need to do to make the LG's magic band work? We won't have photopass and more than likely won't do any of the Lightning Lane stuff (although SIL just told me they might LL for Tron and FoP). LG's magic band came with some sort of cable... do we need to use that, or will his band just "work" for room door and tapstyles like ours do?

Talk to me like I am a 2 year old. I don't have a cell phone and am somewhat techno-stupid, so all of this is a challenge for me. Sigh. I used to be the person everyone came to for help and info when planning their trips, but now, due to all the tech-stuff, I can barely manage my OWN trip!

 

[bcbmommy]

I'm needing to purchase tickets for our trip coming up in 3 weeks. Is there any advantage to buying tickets directly from WDW, rather than something like Undercover Tourist? Also....I remember years ago we would get a package in the mail before our trip. Of course, that's when they mailed out free magic bands, but it also had luggage tags, etc. Will we get those with just a room only booking?

 

[CarolynFH]

Planning info:
We are 4 adults (me/DH/DD/SIL) and 1 child (7yo LittleGuy) staying in 2 rooms at ASMovies, starting next week. DD is the lead guest on her room (with SIL and LG), I am the lead on my room (with DH), but both reservations were made with my BounceBack offer. DD has "shared" her planning on MyDisneyExperience as I can see everyone on MY MDE account, all our meal reservations, etc. All 4 adults have activated magic bands from prior trips- but DH/mine are in my MDE account and DD/SIL's are in her MDE account. We bought a new band for LG (which is still in the box). My question is about tickets and Magic Bands (sigh).

I bought park passes for DD/SIL/LG thru Maple Leaf tickets and the "media" was sent to my email. Can I link these directly to their magic bands, or do I need to send the info to DD and have her link them via her account? ALSO... what the heck do I need to do to make the LG's magic band work? We won't have photopass and more than likely won't do any of the Lightning Lane stuff (although SIL just told me they might LL for Tron and FoP). LG's magic band came with some sort of cable... do we need to use that, or will his band just "work" for room door and tapstyles like ours do?

Talk to me like I am a 2 year old. I don't have a cell phone and am somewhat techno-stupid, so all of this is a challenge for me. Sigh. I used to be the person everyone came to for help and info when planning their trips, but now, due to all the tech-stuff, I can barely manage my OWN trip!

You should be able to link the tickets to them in your MDE. If you open the MDE website and click on My Plans and then scroll down to [your name]'s Plans and Tickets, you'll see circles for F&F, Resort Hotel, etc. Hold your cursor over the Park Ticket circle, and you should see an option to Link Tickets. Click there and then follow instructions. Because they're in your F&F list, you'll be able to link each ticket to the individual person. They'll be able to see them in your DD's MDE, and you'll be able to see them, too.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm needing to purchase tickets for our trip coming up in 3 weeks. Is there any advantage to buying tickets directly from WDW, rather than something like Undercover Tourist? Also....I remember years ago we would get a package in the mail before our trip. Of course, that's when they mailed out free magic bands, but it also had luggage tags, etc. Will we get those with just a room only booking?

We used to buy from authorized resellers, but now we buy Disney gift cards at a discount (minimum 5% via Target Circle Card, but usually more via special offers), so we use those to buy directly from Disney.

If we didn't have the DGCs, we'd buy from whichever of the authorized resellers had the best price.

 

[Mle8308]

I'm needing to purchase tickets for our trip coming up in 3 weeks. Is there any advantage to buying tickets directly from WDW, rather than something like Undercover Tourist? Also....I remember years ago we would get a package in the mail before our trip. Of course, that's when they mailed out free magic bands, but it also had luggage tags, etc. Will we get those with just a room only booking?

No, not if it is a room only booking. It has to be a package of some sort, even if it's a rooms only package (like a rooms only bounce back offer) in order to get the luggage tags.

 

[bcbmommy]

No, not if it is a room only booking. It has to be a package of some sort, even if it's a rooms only package (like a rooms only bounce back offer) in order to get the luggage tags.

Okay, thank you. Are there other things that come in there besides the luggage tags?

 

[Mle8308]

Okay, thank you. Are there other things that come in there besides the luggage tags?

I think there are a few discount coupons, all I remember is one for Joffrey's, and last year there were coupons for mini golf or entry to DWWS at certain times. We never use them and even though the luggage tags are cute, if you use them on checked luggage, they probably won't be there after you fly! Nothing extra I would worry about. You could always try and re-book your room, but if you have a good rate, you could lose it. Having to call and re-book is probably nor worth a few plastic luggage tags.

 

[lanejudy]

Okay, thank you. Are there other things that come in there besides the luggage tags?

These are the Magical Extras that come with a package booking in 2025:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/vacation-package-magical-extras/

 

[StormyCA]

Apropos of probably nothing; one of the benefits of booking a package thru WDTC is that if you have to cancel EVERYTHING is refunded, including the tickets (subject to the cancellation policy). Normally WDW tickets aren't refundable, although they retain their value after expiration which is fine IF you know you will be able to use them at a later date.

We live 3000 miles from WDW and are entering the age where 'every trip may be our last'. So although we pay more for tickets as part of a package than if we bought them 3rd party, if we have to cancel a trip we aren't 'stuck' with tickets we may not be able to use in the future.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I am planning to go to WDW again in Feb 2026, same week as we went Feb 2025. Crazy how the price went up for the 7 day ticket in just 1 year period. I am paying an extra $100 for each person for the same period in 2026. That would be an extra $400 for a family of 4 in just a 12 month period.

I guess that is the final price and there is no point waiting for a "sale" right? I will wait for boardwalk ticketing to release their 2026 tickets and see if I can save some money

 

[lanejudy]

I am planning to go to WDW again in Feb 2026, same week as we went Feb 2025. Crazy how the price went up for the 7 day ticket in just 1 year period. I am paying an extra $100 for each person for the same period in 2026. That would be an extra $400 for a family of 4 in just a 12 month period.

I guess that is the final price and there is no point waiting for a "sale" right? I will wait for boardwalk ticketing to release their 2026 tickets and see if I can save some money

WDW rarely has special ticket offers at that time of year; but anything is possible. However since you mentioned the price increase, I assume you are looking at the week of Presidents' Day -- which in 2026 happens to coincide with the week of Mardi Gras. That makes it a double-whammy for crowds and VERY unlikely that it will come down in price (or discounts).

 

[DaviVascaino]

WDW rarely has special ticket offers at that time of year; but anything is possible. However since you mentioned the price increase, I assume you are looking at the week of Presidents' Day -- which in 2026 happens to coincide with the week of Mardi Gras. That makes it a double-whammy for crowds and VERY unlikely that it will come down in price (or discounts).

no, is the week before president's day. I love that specific week, because it is usually quiet just before the storm (president's day week.)
Our last day is Friday before the holiday, and that friday is already packed.

 

[leebee]

You should be able to link the tickets to them in your MDE. If you open the MDE website and click on My Plans and then scroll down to [your name]'s Plans and Tickets, you'll see circles for F&F, Resort Hotel, etc. Hold your cursor over the Park Ticket circle, and you should see an option to Link Tickets. Click there and then follow instructions. Because they're in your F&F list, you'll be able to link each ticket to the individual person. They'll be able to see them in your DD's MDE, and you'll be able to see them, too.

Thank you so much!! This was stupidly easy to do; these were great directions! We'll be in Epcot on SUNDAY!!!

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you so much!! This was stupidly easy to do; these were great directions! We'll be in Epcot on SUNDAY!!!

Yay!! So glad I could help. Have a wonderful time!

 

[leebee]

I have ticket money "on hold" at Disney from a trip in 2021 that was cancelled due to covid. The money is from two tickets (one was for DH and one for me) and I believe they were two day base tickets. Tickets are now obviously more expensive. We are going to the parks for 3 days in May. Is it possible to combine the money from these two tickets to purchase one ticket (for one of us)? Then I'd buy the other ticket from a different source. Otherwise I'll have to purchase both tickets from Disney, apply the credit, and pay the balance.

You can ask. Generally it’s a 1-for-1 kind of credit. But yours may be handled differently from usual expired tickets since I thought all Covid credits had to be used a while ago.

Follow-up from a month ago. I called Disney yesterday and was successful in getting my credit applied to new tickets (thanks again to @CarolynFH). Here is what I learned during the 20 minute phone call:
>Old tickets were 2-day base tickets for two adults, purchased in January 2021. I had $550 on hold at Disney. Price for new 2-day base tickets was $668. Roughly a $60 per-ticket increase over 4 years.
>The credits had to be used only for the person for whom the ticket was originally purchased, and the credit will only be applied once (no using some of the credit for this trip, some for another).
>"New" ticket had to be for the same media or something more expensive. I didn't ask if I could use it for a cheaper ticket and forfeit the balance. [Knowing Disney, I bet I could )
>I upgraded the tickets for both of us to 3-day base tickets. I'd already "done the math" and the numbers Disney gave me were exactly what I calculated on my own.
>I was able to use a gift card to pay for the balance due on the new tickets. Also, the new tickets showed up in my MDE account while we were still on the phone, already linked.

The entire transaction took a little bit of time, but I spoke with two different very efficient, very lovely CMs. It all happened smoothly. They both mentioned that it was most helpful that I had the original ticket number, as all the actual info was on file. All in all, it was a good experience (because I'm never sure with Disney's CMs and IT). Whoosh... it's all done, everything is ready, and we leave for Disney World in about 48 hours!