Weighing GAD ticket / FP options (experts only!)

[PAL_1]

Experts only? Not really. I have a complex situation - at least it seems so to me. It didn't get an answer from the notoriously nice people at TGM. Let's see what the DIS can do.

Here's the situation. Family of 4, teens and adults, Disney vets and headliner hunters (E tickets are us). 4 GAD vouchers, frequent Disneyland AP holders (lapsed, but we're local to Anaheim).

What's the best way to use the GADs? We're coming in just before the Easter week blackout. Since it'll be busy and we don't get here often, we'd like to maximize rides. Our first day (March 26) will be at the Studios, but just for the Tower, RnR, and maybe TSM with repeats. Around noon we'll hop to AK. Trying to get GAD FP for both (2 vouchers, 1 day). Yep, we realize we might have no luck arriving late at AK.

That leaves two GAD vouchers. On Sat the 27th we're going to Epcot. Do I really need to the GAD for rope drop here? We'll start with Sum of All Fears, hit Mission Space and Test Track then split our party. Mom and dad are going to the World Showcase. That's boring for the youngsters, so they'll take our tix and double up on Future World FP. I think I can get by without the GAD - this is really where I'm wondering. Soarin is not important, we've been dozens of times out west. What do you think?

That might be our last Disney day in this week-long Orlando trip. There's a chance we'll brave the Easter week crowds for an MK day, but probably not with the GAD blackout likely for FP.

Assuming I blow two GAD vouchers on FP on at DS and AK, I'll have two left. Options are GAD FP at Epcot anyhow, GAD admission for up to two of us upgrading to 2 day hoppers, or leaving them in the bank for future use at Disneyland (probably in Oct for Ghost Galaxy, upgrading to a pair of APs).

I don't want to overbuy WDW tickets, so I'm leaning toward buying two 2-day hoppers for anyone who isn't upgrading a GAD admission. That'll get me access to the GAD FP. If we decide to come back a third day, we'll add it to our already used up tickets. I understand I can do that within 14 days of first use. I realize that I could get 4, 5, or even 6 day hoppers from a discounter for roughly the same overall price as the full pop 3-day hoppers, but there's little chance we'd use them. Its just a distraction.

One more thing. I don't think its possible, but I don't really know. There's no real way to use WDW Magic Your Way ticket entitlements or credits at Disneyland, is there, maybe with the No Expire option? I don't even know if it would make economic sense if that were the case.

I haven't charted a course yet, but there's really no wrong option - I'm just having trouble choosing between treats. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.

 

[swedie]

Yes, We've used non-expiration WDW tix at Disneyland - no problem other than we had to go to Guest Services.

 

[PAL_1]

Yes, We've used non-expiration WDW tix at Disneyland - no problem other than we had to go to Guest Services.

Thanks. How did that work? Day for admission day, or a credit based on actual dollar cost? The info would go a long way toward figuring out the most cost effective option.

 

[swedie]

We just went to Guest Services (+ the tix were the ones from long, long ago - when you woud buy 3 or 4 and I think even 5 day passes - all were non-exp. at that time - didn't have to pay extra for it - we had a few left-over tix from previous trips).
Anyway, it was no problem, we just turned them in and they gave us new ones to use @ DL. It was sad though as the older ones had our photos on them & I thought they would just void them & hand them back - they said they had to turn them in - oh well!
One of them was a child tix for my daughter who was probably 25 or 26 when we were in DL and they just upgraded to an adult DL tix with no extra charge.
Once you have a ticket with no expiration - they do not penalize you for growing up/older (although there are some that never ever grow up no matter how old they are!)
Hope this helps to at least answer part of your question.
Just an FYI - I do think the DL tix cost less than the WDW tix, so you may want to figure that into your finances, and again on how many days you will need, etc.

 

[PAL_1]

Ok, thanks. I ran a search on the DIS Disneyland board, and discovered non-expiring WDW MYW tickets are usually honored as a courtesy. So...

A WDW MYW 10-day non expiring park hopper is $504 plus tax. That's $425 plus tax upgrading with a GAD voucher.

A Disneyland Deluxe AP is $299; the SoCal AP is $219. Add a 3-day WDW (expiring) MYW hopper is another $271 plus tax. $411 total with SoCal AP after GAD discount.

No surprise here really that the totals are so close. It comes down to a trade-off between 7 or 8 days left for use at Disneyland with the benefit of no blackout dates but the worry that a policy change could make them invalid, vs. an AP that can't be used on Saturdays or most of the summer but will definitely get you through the gate the rest of the time. The right answer isn't obvious, because Disneyland attendance is now lower during prime time AP blackout dates than late spring or summer Sundays.

I'll probably buy 2-day MYW hoppers for the entire group, then use any remaining GAD vouchers for a free Disneyland day, then upgrading to a Deluxe AP.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you want to use a WDW ticket at DL they will give you a one day for one day exchange, but you can only do one entry per day and the ticket they give you will be good that day only.