Where oh where...Help me Plan!!! (PLEASE)

[dcsend]

Looking to hear where people got their tickets. I'm willing to spring for the hopper passes, but want to get them as cheap as possible - there's 6 of us: Mom, Dad, 12, 9, 7, & 5 yr. olds... I've seen "new tickets from a travel agent" listed on ebay (good deal, actually); I've heard that Walmart has good prices & AAA. Where do YOU get 'em?

Also, if we're staying in Orlando for 6 1/2 days, (flying in at midnight Apr. 19 - flying out 5pm Apr. 25; bad week, I know...) should we do a 4 or 5 day hopper pass? My intention is to only do Disney. I don't anticipate going back - ever. We're in NY and we want to travel West someday and w/our size family, we can only afford "real" vacations once every 3 - 5 years... So I want to do it "right". Would you suggest even visiting the ocean, Arabian Nights' show, Sea World, other Orlando attractions???

Question #537 In all of the parks, do you have to pay for parking? I've read about parking at the resorts and hopping onto the monarail, etc...though in good conscience (bad speller!) I couldn't do that...

One more thing (THANKS for bearing with me!!!) I've read a little about the Pirate Adventure at the Grand Floridian Resort. Has anyone done that? Worth it? Can kids: 12, 9, 7, & 5 do that? Fill me in!!!

Can someone help me with my thinking... What are the absolute MUSTS? I want to make the most this experience, do things we'll never do again, and not "waste" time on doing things that we could do someplace else...My kids really aren't into the characters, so i wouldn't spring for a character dinner since they'll see them at the park; are the making of the masks at Epcot just an arts/crafts thing we can do at home? The dinosauer pit at AK, is that just a big sandbox & playgym? Is AK a trip to a big zoo??? Bottom line is that we're spending all of this money, I don't want to hang out at Disney Quest for 4 hours playing video games when we have an arcade here...ya' know???

Okay, LAST question. Has anyone been to the Holy Land? We hear it's wonderful, but...I'm sure it is, but to take one day away from Disney to do it...Any responses???

THANKS A BUNCH ya' all!!!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Welcome to the DIS!

I recommend The Official Ticket Center. http://www.officialticketcenter.com/home.htm

I've gotten tickets from them a couple of times and they are very reputable.

 

[rileyroosmom]

Looking to hear where people got their tickets. I'm willing to spring for the hopper passes, but want to get them as cheap as possible - there's 6 of us: Mom, Dad, 12, 9, 7, & 5 yr. olds... I've seen "new tickets from a travel agent" listed on ebay (good deal, actually); I've heard that Walmart has good prices & AAA. Where do YOU get 'em?

Also, if we're staying in Orlando for 6 1/2 days, (flying in at midnight Apr. 19 - flying out 5pm Apr. 25; bad week, I know...) should we do a 4 or 5 day hopper pass? My intention is to only do Disney. I don't anticipate going back - ever. We're in NY and we want to travel West someday and w/our size family, we can only afford "real" vacations once every 3 - 5 years... So I want to do it "right". Would you suggest even visiting the ocean, Arabian Nights' show, Sea World, other Orlando attractions???

Question #537 In all of the parks, do you have to pay for parking? I've read about parking at the resorts and hopping onto the monarail, etc...though in good conscience (bad speller!) I couldn't do that...

One more thing (THANKS for bearing with me!!!) I've read a little about the Pirate Adventure at the Grand Floridian Resort. Has anyone done that? Worth it? Can kids: 12, 9, 7, & 5 do that? Fill me in!!!

Can someone help me with my thinking... What are the absolute MUSTS? I want to make the most this experience, do things we'll never do again, and not "waste" time on doing things that we could do someplace else...My kids really aren't into the characters, so i wouldn't spring for a character dinner since they'll see them at the park; are the making of the masks at Epcot just an arts/crafts thing we can do at home? The dinosauer pit at AK, is that just a big sandbox & playgym? Is AK a trip to a big zoo??? Bottom line is that we're spending all of this money, I don't want to hang out at Disney Quest for 4 hours playing video games when we have an arcade here...ya' know???

Okay, LAST question. Has anyone been to the Holy Land? We hear it's wonderful, but...I'm sure it is, but to take one day away from Disney to do it...Any responses???

THANKS A BUNCH ya' all!!!

Hi and welcome!! YOu have lots of questions, I'll do my best to give you my opinions.
First off, Ticketmania.com is a great site and I have found them to be the cheapest. I think you should get the 5 day hoppers, they only cost a few dollars more. WDW is a huge place and there is no way you will be able to do and see it all in 6 days. I think you should limit this trip to just WDW and forget all the other places.

You do pay to park at the parks (unless you are staying on site). I think the fee is like $8.00/day. If you leave the one park to go to another, you don't pay again - hang on to the receipt for the day. If you go to a resort you are not staying at, you are given a 3 hour pass, so you can't park there are ride the monorail to the park.

I have never done the pirate adventure. Many people on these boards have, you can do a search for it. I have read many postive results about it. I believe your 12 year old is way too old for it, and possibly even your 9 year old.

As for the "musts" to do. I recommend getting a guide book and order the planning video from Disney (it's free) You should even be able to rent one from your library. Read allears.net for details about various rides. Let the family watch the video and read about the attractions, Decide what sounds best for your family. Every person on this board will have a different opinion about what is a "must". As for the characters, a think one meal is a great idea. Although they are expensive (breakfast and lunch is cheaper than a dinner) it's a great way to see the characters without the lines. I assume you have never been to WDW before, so don't be so quick to rule those characters out!!! You may find yourself getting excited to see them. We always go to Chef Mickey's for breakfast (I have a 12, 9 and 5 year old- they all love to go). It's an all you can eat buffet and there is music and a lot of energy in the place. You can really fill up on food, and end up skipping lunch(saving money!) I think if you can swing it, you should at least try one.
Epcot's mask is a little art and craft thing. Kids color a mask and when you go to each country, they get a "symbol" they attach to the mask. It's cute and keeps them interested in going to the countries. Again, your 12 year old will be bored by it (mine helped the 4 year old at the time).
My family does not enjoy the dinosaur pit at AK. They kids were hot and the sand kind of stuck to them. However, I feel you should try things for yourself. I'm sure others will tell you the pit is a great place to pass some time. Disney Quest is a place all to it's self and you need the plus on the tickets to enter there. I'm sure you could pass on this and not have your trip ruined by any means. It is much different from a video aracade at home. Again, read up on it to decide it it's something you'd like to try.

Neve been to the Holy Land, can't comment on it.

Remember, there is lots to see, you can't see it all. I suggest taking time for afternoon breaks and if the touring becomes too much, spend a day at the pool.

Hope that helps. Enjoy!!! You'll have fun!!

 

[sskem96]

I second ticketmania for tickets. We used them and had the tickets delivered to our hotel. They were waiting when we checked in. Be sure to join mousesavers.com. Members get a monthly newsletter with member-exclusive discounts on tickets and hotels and updates about things like what's going on in the parks and what rides are closed for refurbishing and things like that. We're not allowed to discuss specific discounts through them here on the board, but hopefully it's ok for me to refer you there! Allearsnet has lots of great info also. You're off to a good start by doing some research. As for the character meals, we did the princess breakfast in the castle and lunch with pooh. The characters don't spend much time with you, just long enough for you to take a photo. It's fun, but not necessarily a must do if it's too much stretch for your budget. I've never been to any of the other area attractions. We spent 7 days at WDW and didn't even get to see everything we wanted to. AK isn't just a big zoo. It's really great. We didn't do the dinosaur dig just because we didn't get that far in the park, so I can't really comment on that. I don't think the crowds will be too bad for you. We went April 6-12 and the crowds were great. I know Easter's later this year, but for a lot of places that won't affect when their spring break is. It's only REALLY bad when the whole country is on break at the same time. Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[tinkwannabe2]

Tickets - I wouldn't do ebay... way too risky as an empty ticket looks just like a full ticket and now with the bone scanning, you can't even use the days leftover from someone else's ticket. We did ticketmania with a mousesavers newsletter code and we were very happy!


I heard parking is up to $9, but that's for the day even if you go to another park.

 

[stacy6552]

I got ours once at the Disney Store because the mall was offering a GREAT rewards program, so I scored big time with my jumbo sized receipt.