When to buy tickets???

[mdgineok]

Hello, I was just wondering at what point should I buy park tickets. We are staying at OKW for 5 nights prior to our cruise in March of 2017 and wondering if there is a reason to buy park tickets far in advance? I realize to add MM when I buy the tickets it needs to be more than 3 days before. Also, it seems if you order ahead they ship you actual tickets or you can pick them up at Guest Services. I guess I would prefer to have the tickets ahead of time so I can link them to MDE.

I don't think I want to pick them up at GS as that is just an extra stop on arrival day and I would like to book an ADR for that evening.

I know on-site guests can make FP+ selections 60 days in advance but do you have to have park tickets on file to book them? TIA

Mark in MN

 

[uccats97]

Yes. Your tickets must be purchased and linked prior to being able to make FP+ selections. You won't need to pick up physical tickets if you purchase them from Disney online in advance. They will be linked to your MagicBands. Also, buying now will keep you from paying more closer to your cruise as the inevitable yearly price increase will happen before you go.

 

[rwdavis2]

Tickets purchased online are automatically linkd to your MDE account. I also had mine mailed which took a couple week. But the tick numbers were available immediately. And yes, you have to purchase tickets before you can make FP+ reservations.

 

[gatorlisa]

The last few years, price increases have occurred in February, so I would recommend purchasing in advance. If you are just in need of tickets (not looking for a room/ticket package), then I'd recommend looking into Undercover Tourist for tickets. They do have discounted multi-day tickets. It's not a large discount, but every bit helps. With them, you have the option of e-ticket or physical ticket. Both can be linked to your MDE account and allow you access to book your FP+ 30/60 days in advance. With an e-ticket, if you have a magic band linked to your account, you can go straight to the turnstiles. If you do not have a magic band, you have to exchange the e-ticket for a physical ticket when you get there.

 

[Anal Annie]

I would purchase ASAP to avoid any unexpected future price increases. Disney has been going a little nuts the past couple of years with price increases.

 

[mdgineok]

Thanks everyone!

 

[mdgineok]

One follow up question. If I do the advanced purchase of memory maker at the same time do I have to use that by a certain day, as in does it expire? I wouldn't start using it until March 2017. Can I just call and add it later for the advance purchase price? I realize I would need to do it more than three days prior to arrival to have arrival day pictures available. We had memory maker for our last trip and thought it was well worth it.

 

[mdgineok]

One follow up question. If I do the advanced purchase of memory maker at the same time do I have to use that by a certain day, as in does it expire? I wouldn't start using it until March 2017. Can I just call and add it later for the advance purchase price? I realize I would need to do it more than three days prior to arrival to have arrival day pictures available. We had memory maker for our last trip and thought it was well worth it.

It looks like I should have just read the fine print. It seems that once I purchase it, MM is valid for 30 days from first use. From the site:

You can begin capturing photos including attraction and dining photos and even some magical extras like Animated Magic Shots and Attraction Videos as soon as you purchase Memory Maker. Once you download the first photo or video, you then have 30 days to capture more photos (“Memory Maker window”). Remember to download your photos before they expire. Please note that if Memory Maker was purchased at the advance purchase price, photos taken within 3 days of the date of purchase will not be included in Memory Maker and must be purchased separately.

Thanks anyway, please disregard.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would purchase before fall for sure. Normally Disney raises prices once in a year, but it has happened (more in recent years), that they've increased them twice in a year (6-8 months apart). The last increase was Feb (or did they push it into March? I forget).... so myself, I'd be buying by August or September just to be safe.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I bought tickets for December 2017 back in February