Why I like non-expiring tickets

[N_Phoenix]

I would like to add a data point on why I like non-expiring tickets and find them to be a value. This is utilizing the maximum value which is adding the parkhopper and waterparks and more. This probably won't fit most families agendas but it might help those who are like us. We are currently on our 3rd trip with our original 10 day non expiring tickets. The 10 waterparks and more are a great value if you love Disneyquest and the waterparks, which we do.

We are a family of four, two kids 4 and 6. I plan our days and read these boards to minimize our wait time, which we really haven't had any. Also, we home school our kids so we can come when crowds are down.

What we have done is maximize the most of each park day. This usually involves using the EMH's and definitely park hopping. For example, this trip we are only using one total park day and hitting three different parks. To do this with kids this young, you must take a nap break. If your kids don't nap, then it won't be fun for anyone. In fact, on one of our previous stays we had the kids out in MK until it closed at 3am. People looked at us like we were crazy coming back on the bus but if you plan needed down time you can make it work. Another advantage of non-expiring tickets is there is no time frame, so we never go to a park on back to back days.

The best part of non-expiring tickets is you can do other things in the area and not feel pressured to be in Disney park. We fill our non-park time with visiting the Disney resorts, DTD, Seaworld, Busch Gardens (love this park), Legoland (highly recommended for young kids) and the resort we are staying at.

Here is our trip breakdown:

1st trip - Two park days, Disneyquest, Pop Century resort
2nd trip - Two park days, both water parks, Seaworld, Busch Gardens,
Aquatica, off-site resort and All-star resorts
3rd trip - One park day, Disneyquest, Legoland, Swan

We have only used 5 total park days and have pretty much done everything in WDW. Not everything, but all the main attractions and 80% of all attractions. We usually do counter service due to the kids ages. I plan on doing another two or more trips for a total of 7 or more trips on these single tickets alone. There is also the 6 more waterpark and more admissions we can use anytime.

Hopefully, this helps anyone who is debating non-expiring tickets and is wondering what can be done with them (as I was).

 

[jayandstacey]

Agreed 100%; the biggest downside is the significant up-front investment required. Disney will pay handsomely tomorrow for your money today, but not everyone has the cashflow to plunk down a few thousand on a family's park tickets for the next few trips.

 

[duffy]

I bought my husband and I each a 10-day, non-hopping, non-expiring ticket a few years ago. Almost $1,000, I forget exactly how much. He was fairly "meh" about it.

We were in Disney World last November for a short trip, just the 2 of us, and had just the best time. Part of it was knowing we had our tickets already paid.

We're going back in Feb. 2013, for our 30th anniversary with-hopefully!-all 3 kids and their families. Once again, it's nice knowing we won't have to pay for our tickets.

 

[Robo]

We have only used 5 total park days and have pretty much done everything in WDW. Not everything, but all the main attractions and 80% of all attractions.

Since we visit WDW with the exact opposite idea, (we spend up to 10-12 days at WDW, per trip, likely multi trips in the same year, and visit a Disney theme park every one of those days) we find AP's to be a much better value.


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[kaligal]

"No Expiration" ought to be free.

It is ridiculous that they now charge for that.

 

[Robo]

"No Expiration" ought to be free.

It is ridiculous that they now charge for that.

That might be true if all "days" on a multi-day ticket were the same price.

But, since they charge just $8 a "day" after the first 4, allowing those tickets to be used without additional charge in the dim future doesn't compute.



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[kaligal]

I like pie.

I clicked "reply" like the second you posted this and am replying to what you wrote the first time.

That might be true if all "days" on a multi-day ticket were the same price.

But, since they charge just $8 a "day" after the first 4, allowing those tickets to be used without additional charge in the dim future doesn't compute.

It computed just fine before 2004 or 2005 or whenever Disney changed it.

I like pie, too...well, I like the fillings. If I'm not with other people, I'll just eat the fruit part and skip the flaky crust part.

 

[Oglet]

Now if they would just allow you to add the non expiration option to AP's when you purchase them

 

[Hootch]

been using non epiry tickets the last few trips. Ours usually last two. We do have the Water Parks and More option and will have it for a few more trips as we go to the parks usually once per trip. And we're using one of our days for Disneyland next summer. That is going to save us a couple hundred dollars.

It's a decision we make every time based on cost. The last time we bought right before a price increase and the increase included a hefty raise on the non expiration fee. We'll see if it is worthwhile next year. I think last time our family bought the tickets, it worked out to be $150 per day for major park days for four and about $5 per day for the water parks.

But I agree that the non expiration option can be a good thing depending on your planning tours. And, if you like water parks, that option is a great deal.

 

[jayandstacey]

"No Expiration" ought to be free.

It is ridiculous that they now charge for that.

As unused tickets will typically cross quarters, they end up showing as a liability on the Disney books, thus devalue the company slightly. The upcharge compensates for that (and the administrative costs and such).

I'd like it free too - but I understand why it isn't and why the 10th day on a 10day trip is less expensive than the 10th day after 3 separate trips.

 

[amcnj]

I feel you need to look at your visit schedule. If you do go frequently, an annual pass may work best. If you go once in a while but for a lot of park days, an MYW might be more cost effective. If you tend to do visits that are only a few days at a time, then the non exp myw may prove best. Even if you buy 10 day non exp, you may decide on a future trip that includes more park visit days tahn your normal visits and opt for a myw ticket that fits just that one trip, saving the no exp tickets for future shorter trips. I agree that the water park add on is a good value for the non exp tickets.

 

[sammielynn]

I just bought 10 day everything tickets. Going for Christmas this year and generally go every May. I'm planning on staying for an extended time period this summer, so the AP might have been my best value. We will see.

 

[Diegosmom]

I just bought 10 day everything tickets. Going for Christmas this year and generally go every May. I'm planning on staying for an extended time period this summer, so the AP might have been my best value. We will see.

As long as you havent used the the 10 day tix yet I believe you can upgrade it to an AP...I think you can upgrade within 14 days of first use.

 

[Reddog1134]

As long as you havent used the the 10 day tix yet I believe you can upgrade it to an AP...I think you can upgrade within 14 days of first use.

You also have to make sure you haven't used up the ticket before upgrading.

 

[mom2rtk]

It computed just fine before 2004 or 2005 or whenever Disney changed it.

I could be wrong, but I'm thinking when they made it free back then, they didn't offer the super cheap (nearly free) extra days.

It's not that it doesn't fit any more, it's that those 2 "perks" just can't co-exist.

 

[Alesia]

It computed just fine before 2004 or 2005 or whenever Disney changed it.

But you're forgetting that Disney completely revamped the ticket system. They also dropped the price.