WDW ticket help, I can't decide

[littlemichelle16]

I had an annual pass for myself for my May 2017 trip. We bought a package so my husband and children used the 7 day park hopper plus tickets and I used my annual pass. I have a 7 day park hopper plus with no expiration that I have not used. We are going to WDW April 2018 and want 7 days in parks, hopper and water parks. Am I crazy to buy 7 day PH tickets through a broker that are $67 less than the current Disney price and then upgrade 1 to annual pass and add the water parks on the others? Boys like both water parks. And should I buy 4 and keep my ticket that does not expire? We are off site and like memory maker.

 

[Marionnette]

I had an annual pass for myself for my May 2017 trip. We bought a package so my husband and children used the 7 day park hopper plus tickets and I used my annual pass. I have a 7 day park hopper plus with no expiration that I have not used. We are going to WDW April 2018 and want 7 days in parks, hopper and water parks. Am I crazy to buy 7 day PH tickets through a broker that are $67 less than the current Disney price and then upgrade 1 to annual pass and add the water parks on the others? Boys like both water parks. And should I buy 4 and keep my ticket that does not expire? We are off site and like memory maker.

Your AP will still be good in April 2018. Is there a reason why you want to purchase another one on your next visit?

Are you sure that the unused 7-day ticket from you May 2017 package does not expire? The rules for tickets changed in Feb. 2017 and tickets minted after that date have an expiration date. You might want to make sure that it isn't set to expire on 12/31/18.

And why would you not just purchase the 7-day PH w/waterparks from the ticket seller to begin with? Is the savings that much less for the hopper+waterparks than it is for just hopping?

 

[littlemichelle16]

My annual pass expired in August, I already got 2 trips out of it. My 7 day PH plus was purchased as part of a package BEFORE the ticket change and the Disney World app shows an expiration in year 2030.

 

[Marionnette]

My annual pass expired in August, I already got 2 trips out of it. My 7 day PH plus was purchased as part of a package BEFORE the ticket change and the Disney World app shows an expiration in year 2030.

Okay. That makes a lot more sense. I was under the impression that your AP was purchased in May.

Given that info., here are my thoughts:
The 7-day PH w/water parks from your May package does not expire until 2020 BUT it's only worth the pre-2/12/17 gate price when used for an upgrade of any sort. However, it can be transferred to another member of your party for the purpose of being used on your next trip since it has not been used.

For the rest of the family, buy whatever gets you the best deal but take the time you will spend on doing any in-person upgrades into account. If your savings is only a few dollars over getting exactly what you need, it might be worth spending the extra money now instead of spending valuable vacation time in line at guest services with your family.

Consider purchasing Disney GCs at a discount to pay the cost difference for any upgrades so that you save a little bit of money.

Upgrading one ticket to an AP could be worth the added cost but keep in mind that benefits like dining and merchandise discounts and free MM can disappear at any time, so make sure that you completely understand what you're buying before your do the upgrade. The price difference between a 7-day hopper c/water parks and an Platinum Plus AP is nearly $400 (unless you're a DVC owner or FL resident)! That's a lot of merchandise and dining. You might be better off just buying the MM outright.

 

[littlemichelle16]

Okay. That makes a lot more sense. I was under the impression that your AP was purchased in May.

Given that info., here are my thoughts:
The 7-day PH w/water parks from your May package does not expire until 2020 BUT it's only worth the pre-2/12/17 gate price when used for an upgrade of any sort. However, it can be transferred to another member of your party for the purpose of being used on your next trip since it has not been used.

For the rest of the family, buy whatever gets you the best deal but take the time you will spend on doing any in-person upgrades into account. If your savings is only a few dollars over getting exactly what you need, it might be worth spending the extra money now instead of spending valuable vacation time in line at guest services with your family.

Consider purchasing Disney GCs at a discount to pay the cost difference for any upgrades so that you save a little bit of money.

Upgrading one ticket to an AP could be worth the added cost but keep in mind that benefits like dining and merchandise discounts and free MM can disappear at any time, so make sure that you completely understand what you're buying before your do the upgrade. The price difference between a 7-day hopper c/water parks and an Platinum Plus AP is nearly $400 (unless you're a DVC owner or FL resident)! That's a lot of merchandise and dining. You might be better off just buying the MM outright.

Thanks for the information! I usually buy my Disney gift cards at Sams club- good reminder to buy some before I go! I wonder if there is a history of broker ticket prices. Wondering if I should continue to watch them or just buy now. I imagine ticket prices will go up early next year.