With park reservations going away, is there any reason to buy tickets in advance of January trip?

[nfceagles]

We have a 4 day trip starting Jan 11th. In the past, I've always bought park tickets well in advance. Years ago it was so I could make fast pass reservations and more recently so I could make park reservations. Is there any reason I should get them in advance now? The one reason I'd like to wait is because last year we had a flight cancelled and missed a day of our trip but I'd already purchased tickets and we ended up paying for a day in the parks we couldn't use. If there's no reason to get them in advance I'd rather wait until we arrive to purchase them so I that doesn't happen again. Am I forgetting some reason to have them 60 days out or so? Thanks!

 

[musicguy856]

We have a 4 day trip starting Jan 11th. In the past, I've always bought park tickets well in advance. Years ago it was so I could make fast pass reservations and more recently so I could make park reservations. Is there any reason I should get them in advance now? The one reason I'd like to wait is because last year we had a flight cancelled and missed a day of our trip but I'd already purchased tickets and we ended up paying for a day in the parks we couldn't use. If there's no reason to get them in advance I'd rather wait until we arrive to purchase them so I that doesn't happen again. Am I forgetting some reason to have them 60 days out or so? Thanks!

Theoretically a day could “sell out” of tickets if too many people buy tickets for a certain time frame.

 

[soniam]

Just don't wait until the day of to buy them if you are going to try to use Genie+ or ILL.

 

[Tom_E_D]

We have a 4 day trip starting Jan 11th. In the past, I've always bought park tickets well in advance. Years ago it was so I could make fast pass reservations and more recently so I could make park reservations. Is there any reason I should get them in advance now? The one reason I'd like to wait is because last year we had a flight cancelled and missed a day of our trip but I'd already purchased tickets and we ended up paying for a day in the parks we couldn't use. If there's no reason to get them in advance I'd rather wait until we arrive to purchase them so I that doesn't happen again. Am I forgetting some reason to have them 60 days out or so? Thanks!

There is always the possibility that Disney will raise prices before you can buy them. However, that is unlikely in your case since they just had a recent price increase. I don't think they'll raise them again between now and January 11. I certainly hope not. I'm going in January too and haven't bought my tickets yet. I'm hoping one of the discounters has a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale.

There is also the possibility that the changes to Genie+/ILL that Disney says are coming will be in effect by the days you go and it'll be a mad rush to make Genie+/ILL reservations once they're announced. Already having your tickets would save you a step if you have to do things quickly once the changes are announced. I'm willing to take my chances on that. I keep up with Disneyworld news on a daily basis and can buy the tickets without much delay if necessary. Still, it is something to consider.

 

[nfceagles]

There is always the possibility that Disney will raise prices before you can buy them. However, that is unlikely in your case since they just had a recent price increase. I don't think they'll raise them again between now and January 11. I certainly hope not. I'm going in January too and haven't bought my tickets yet. I'm hoping one of the discounters has a Black Friday or Cyber Monday sale.

There is also the possibility that the changes to Genie+/ILL that Disney says are coming will be in effect by the days you go and it'll be a mad rush to make Genie+/ILL reservations once they're announced. Already having your tickets would save you a step if you have to do things quickly once the changes are announced. I'm willing to take my chances on that. I keep up with Disneyworld news on a daily basis and can buy the tickets without much delay if necessary. Still, it is something to consider.

This is exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about. I used to follow Disney news closely but don't go as often so I'm always wondering what I'm not up on. I wasn't aware of upcoming changes to Genie+. Off to look that up. Thanks!

 

[AprilsZoo]

You could buy the tix you expect to use from Undercover tourist or another discounter that has a refund policy, and if need be you can re-purchase last minute different tix at the gate (or exchange or re-purchase from UT) and use the refund policy for the ones you can’t use.

UT has a 5% restock fee, but may allow for exchanges. Either way it’s less than losing a full day.

 

[Tom_E_D]

This is exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about. I used to follow Disney news closely but don't go as often so I'm always wondering what I'm not up on. I wasn't aware of upcoming changes to Genie+. Off to look that up. Thanks!

Disney hasn't specified what is happening or when, just that changes are coming. See the article here. It has been reported elsewhere. Because other changes are happening January 9 (end of park reservations, dining plan returns, end of park hopping limited to after 2:00), people are speculating that the Genie+ change will also happen then. But I don't think Disney has said that'll be the date.

 

[_19disnA]

Buying park tickets now would avoid any potential price increase. That is the only issue I can think of. Even if Disney changes the arrangements for the various Genie things, that is independent of ticket prices so not sure they are related. I can't think of any change to Genie that would be worded such that 'tickets purchased prior to a certain date..............'. You pay individually for the various Genie options independent of your park tickets.

 

[nfceagles]

Disney hasn't specified what is happening or when, just that changes are coming. See the article here. It has been reported elsewhere. Because other changes are happening January 9 (end of park reservations, dining plan returns, end of park hopping limited to after 2:00), people are speculating that the Genie+ change will also happen then. But I don't think Disney has said that'll be the date.

Thanks! I'll keep my eyes open for that. I would really appreciate being able to prearrange some of our rides. I don't love having to be up by 7am to schedule rides for the day.

 

[dsanner106]

We have a 4 day trip starting Jan 11th. In the past, I've always bought park tickets well in advance. Years ago it was so I could make fast pass reservations and more recently so I could make park reservations. Is there any reason I should get them in advance now? The one reason I'd like to wait is because last year we had a flight cancelled and missed a day of our trip but I'd already purchased tickets and we ended up paying for a day in the parks we couldn't use. If there's no reason to get them in advance I'd rather wait until we arrive to purchase them so I that doesn't happen again. Am I forgetting some reason to have them 60 days out or so? Thanks!

It is never a bad idea to buy them in advance and the ability to add them to your mydisneyexperience app will help in planning and making reservations for dining etc.

 

[mamaofsix]

This is exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about. I used to follow Disney news closely but don't go as often so I'm always wondering what I'm not up on. I wasn't aware of upcoming changes to Genie+. Off to look that up. Thanks!

It's quite the rabbit hole of rumors if you're going to look it up. However, the most reliable rumor I've seen so far is from Touring Plan's Len Testa. Sounds like it will likely be very similar to the old FP+ where you book 3 ride reservations per day, in advance of your trip instead of same day like now.

Onsite guest will get an earlier advanced booking window (7 days ahead is the rumor - with offsite being 3 days in advance).

 

[lanejudy]

I'd rather wait until we arrive to purchase them

You can wait until arrival... BUT I suggest purchasing the tickets online from your resort room (or even the parking lot). "Gate-price" tends to be ~$20 higher than online, and you'll be charged gate-price if you walk-up to the ticket booth and buy right then to enter immediately.