Undercover Tourist vs Disney for Passes

[DizFan13]

Hello, DISers,

I currently have a package booked with Disney for our October trip, and I am wondering if I should keep my passes with them or purchase them from Undercover Tourist, which we've always used in the past. I have no concerns about UT, but I'm wondering if there are any advantages to keeping your tickets as part of a package purchased through Disney? Are there extra benefits or anything?

If not, it seems like a waste to spend a little extra and have to buy everyone the same exact pass regardless of how many days the party members will be in the parks.

TYIA!

 

[clr055]

It was my understanding that to have a package with Disney that tickets had to be included or it was not in fact a package but being booked individually as a room only and in that case you cannot get the dining plan. If you are not using the dining plan then you could change your reservation to a RO but you may get a different rate by moving out of the package deal you signed up for..

 

[Robo]

If not, it seems like a waste to spend a little extra and have to buy everyone the same exact pass regardless of how many days the party members will be in the parks.

The FINANCIAL solution to this is to buy EVERYONE tickets with the number of days that suit those guests who want the SHORTEST/SMALLEST tickets, then UPGRADE everyone else to what they need after you arrive and get your tickets. Once you get the tickets, each can be treated individually, as needed.

HOWEVER-
That would mean that for FP+, you would only be able to book advance FP+ for the number of days on the tickets... leaving those who want LONGER tickets unable to book advance FP+ for the extra days until the tickets where actually upgraded after arriving at WDW.

 

[nkereina]

If you remove tickets from your Disney package, it will flip from a package to room only. Room only requires a one night deposit and the balance is paid at check-in, rather than 45 days out. You'd also lose out on the free dining promo, if applicable. If you have the dining plan and are paying for it, make sure you call and get a CM that understands how to add dining to a ticketless package. It can be done.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Advantage of the package - you get the voucher booklet which includes mini-golf passes (before 4 pm), discounts on certain experiences, etc. Other advantage, if you have to reschedule or cancel, you aren't completely out the entire upfront cost of purchasing your tickets separately. Disadvantage of the package - paying more for the tickets, having to pay in full 45 days in advance.

Contrary to popular belief, you can purchase a ticketless package, so if you want room plus dining and want to purchase your tickets elsewhere, you can do that.

If you don't want a ticketless package and simply want room-only, you would have to completely cancel out your package and re-book as a room-only. The only other issue, if you booked your package with some type of discount (free dining for instance), that discount will go away when you cancel and you will just have to keep your fingers crossed there is another discount available for the dates and resort/room category you want. As of now, there are no discounts released for October.

 

[Luv2Camp]

Question on the UT tickets...If we purchase tickets through UT, can more days be added to the tickets if needed at the parks?

 

[Robo]

Question on the UT tickets...If we purchase tickets through UT, can more days be added to the tickets if needed at the parks?

Yes.
Be sure to USE the tickets at least one time to enter a theme park BEFORE you do any upgrade.

 

[DizFan13]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is our fifth family trip to WDW (too many to DL to count) but the new systems and Magic Bands are a little overwhelming, and I feel like I have to learn everything from the start since we haven't been since 2011. I am trying to understand the way the bands work in correlation to these other issues: If we buy through UT, can we still 1)plan our FP+ 60 days in advance, and 2)do we receive Magic Bands or have to wait and buy them in the park?

 

[supersnoop]

You can book FP+ as long as you have tickets linked to your account.

You get bands if you have an on-site reservation.

Undercover Tourist tickets can be linked to your account.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. This is our fifth family trip to WDW (too many to DL to count) but the new systems and Magic Bands are a little overwhelming, and I feel like I have to learn everything from the start since we haven't been since 2011. I am trying to understand the way the bands work in correlation to these other issues: If we buy through UT, can we still 1)plan our FP+ 60 days in advance, and 2)do we receive Magic Bands or have to wait and buy them in the park?

As long as you are staying onsite and have tickets linked to MDE you can book FP+ at 60 days out, regardless of how you purchased your tickets. For magic bands as long as you are staying onsite you will get band for every reservation whether or not you have ticket.