When do you buy park tickets?

[KevDog]

We're new to DVC having just closed on our first contract (Direct/DGF). My question is when do you all buy your park tickets? We've booked our vacation (11 mos out - next June) so do you buy your tickets when you book or wait until it gets closer? I assume there is always a risk of prices going up so buying early might be better?

We will be there 10 days and a 10-day park hopper pass is $827. The sorcerers pass is $969. Since it seems like the Sorcerer pass starts on the first day you visit the park - this means we could buy it now, activate it next June and then have 12 mos from June to do another trip making the $969 a better deal. If we couldn't fit in another trip (we're not close enough to just visit a day here and there - it's a plane trip for us)- is there any reason to pay the extra $ for the sorcerer pass?

Thanks.

 

[kes601]

As you stated if you make another trip then you wouldn't have to buy additional tickets, so that would be a plus. If you plan on going annually and would be renewing your pass each year you will get 15% off the renewal price.

Also, if you are planning to add Memory Maker is currently $169 for a single trip, whereas you can add it to one of the Sorcerer's Passes for $99 for a year.

 

[davidhr]

Normally I wait until I get closer. Like the week before.

During the past few years I was buying 3-4 months out due to some reservations becoming unavailable, but that doesn’t seem to be happening anymore.

If there are rumors of a price hike I might buy before it.

If I know we’ll get two trips in 12 months we get the pass.

 

[Hubalorian]

There is no guarantee this will happen but I am curious if Disney will discount the AP for DVC members given the most recent earning call. DVC was called out and low park attendance, a potential solution would be discount APs for DVC members. It would encourage us to visit more which would also increase the amount of points we need. Just a thought. Buying now could save or cost you money depending on whatever your magic 8 ball says

 

[Sandisw]

If you think you can get a second trip in before next June, buying the Sorcerer pass now is a good idea.

That is what we always did when we went only once a year. While waiting, in the past, was no big deal, there is always the chance the suspend sales of the APs again.

I don’t expect it, but it is something to consider…if you can swing it, I’d just buy now and know you are set!

 

[puffkin]

With the recent park attendance and earnings call, I would wait as long as you can. For our August trip, we bought 3 day park tickets right before the winter price increase. Then this spring they dropped the 4 day pass special which was significantly cheaper + an extra day than what I paid. I was pretty ticked. We just returned and seeing the crowds....I have a feeling more discounts are coming......especially for Florida residents (although I would love a DVC deal, I talked to so many disenfranchised owners over our trip).