Warning: Those purchasing Theme Park tickets!

[GymLeaderPhil]

I'm almost finished with the guide to Orlando and the Worlds event, but this topic needs to be addressed seperately from the guide ASAP. I saw a few members mentioning methods to acquire tickets at a discounted price. Promise me that you DO NOT consider purchasing tickets from ANY third-party sellers (like on eBay) or from ANY of the so-called "Ticket Info" stands that are located on International Drive (and other shady places).

In addition to that, please be aware that Disney requires a bone structure scan on your fingers for those entering with Florida Resident Passes or Annual/Seasonal Passes (I'm sure Universal and Sea World have other similar operations in place). Inside is a little triangle of sensors and you have to put you fingers in a "peace sign" and press them together and push up against the sensors. Sometimes they just ask you for proof of residence or a drivers licence. DO NOT borrow or purchase those passes from third parties or you will not be able to enter the parks.

It's an all too common site to see park guests purchasing Walt Disney World tickets from online auction sites, show up to the turnstile gate, and find their family out 500 bucks with bad tickets. Spend the extra money with a travel agent, purchase the tickets on the official site, or purchase the tickets when you arrive at the park.

BTW, these are official sites for local Orlando Theme Parks: Disney.com, UniversalOrlando.com, SeaWorld.com, BuschGardens.com (Tampa).
-Phil

[Chewie]

Phil,
AAA is also a vendor for theme park tickets, and they are legit tickets.

[GymLeaderPhil]

Originally Posted by Chewie

Phil,
AAA is also a vendor for theme park tickets, and they are legit tickets.

Aren't they a travel agency? I consider them one anyways (I guess I use their TripTik too much) :D
-Phil

[Chewie]

Phil, AAA has all sorts of things. maps (they will hightlight the route you should take) tickets to theme parks
they are the american automobile assoc. not sure if the AAA travel agency is a part of them or not.

[Adv1sor]

Last time I visited Disney World I bought the tickets at a local Disney store. I believe they were a little less that way and they gave me actual tickets so I didn't have to wait in line again at the gate.

[mewsmom]

Originally Posted by Adv1sor

Last time I visited Disney World I bought the tickets at a local Disney store. I believe they were a little less that way and they gave me actual tickets so I didn't have to wait in line again at the gate.

You still can purchase advance tickets from a Local Disney Store. You can save upto $26.00 off each day but the hard part is finding a Disney Store near you. Anyone not sure if there is one local can search for a store at www.disneystore.com

[Team Cook]

Originally Posted by mewsmom

You still can purchase advance tickets from a Local Disney Store. You can save upto $26.00 off each day but the hard part is finding a Disney Store near you. Anyone not sure if there is one local can search for a store at www.disneystore.com

I can't find the prices on the day tickets anywhere online. I was hoping to find a listing of all the Disney Parks in the area, with the corresponding costs. We've reserved Fri-Sun for Pokemon, but we'll have another 4 or 5 days there to do Disney. I am trying to figure out if daily admission to each park is a better buy than the multiple day hopper passes.

Does anyone know if there is a website that lists ALL the options?

Thanks!

[mewsmom]

Originally Posted by Team Cook

I can't find the prices on the day tickets anywhere online. I was hoping to find a listing of all the Disney Parks in the area, with the corresponding costs. We've reserved Fri-Sun for Pokemon, but we'll have another 4 or 5 days there to do Disney. I am trying to figure out if daily admission to each park is a better buy than the multiple day hopper passes.

Does anyone know if there is a website that lists ALL the options?

Thanks!

Visit Disney Worlds site http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index?bhcp=1
Look for the buy tickets option, there it will break down the prices that best suit your travel plans. But honestly TRUST me (I've worked for Disney since 2002) your advanced tickets are the best option. A 4 day hopper for an adult is 215 in advanced, kids are only to the age of 9, so you need all adult tickets. I exhausted every option and the advanced are your best prices. The only place I never tried was AAA, so try them and see how they compare to the Disney Store. Are you guys staying on property after worlds? We are staying at All Star Movies. Pm if I can help you, working for Disney Store for 2years, you learn alot about the park (plus it's my job). LOL

Found my Birnbaums' guide( Disney's official guide to Disney World)- 1 day pass to any park is 55 but that was before the increase in Feb so it's probably 60 now. A four day hopper at the gate was 221 before the increase. So the price I quoted you from the Disney Store or Disney World online is cheapier.

[Team Cook]

Originally Posted by mewsmom

Visit Disney Worlds site http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index?bhcp=1
Look for the buy tickets option, there it will break down the prices that best suit your travel plans. But honestly TRUST me (I've worked for Disney since 2002) your advanced tickets are the best option. A 4 day hopper for an adult is 215 in advanced, kids are only to the age of 9, so you need all adult tickets. I exhausted every option and the advanced are your best prices. The only place I never tried was AAA, so try them and see how they compare to the Disney Store. Are you guys staying on property after worlds? We are staying at All Star Movies. Pm if I can help you, working for Disney Store for 2years, you learn alot about the park (plus it's my job). LOL

Found my Birnbaums' guide( Disney's official guide to Disney World)- 1 day pass to any park is 55 but that was before the increase in Feb so it's probably 60 now. A four day hopper at the gate was 221 before the increase. So the price I quoted you from the Disney Store or Disney World online is cheapier.

Yeah, for the sake of convenience, we thought we'd just stay at the Wyndham.... I do have some questions for you, though... I'll just PM ya! Thanks! :)

[GymLeaderPhil]

Team Cook: There are four Walt Disney World theme parks, two water parks, one indoor theme park/arcade, nightlife/shopping district, golfing, minigolf, hotels, and resturants.

At Universal Orlando there are two theme parks, nightlife/shopping district, hotels, and resturants.

Then there is Sea World. Busch Gardens, another theme park, is located in Tampa.

So, this is what we have for theme parks:

Walt Disney World
-Magic Kingdom
-Epcot
-Disney MGM Studios
-Animal Kingdom

Universal Orlando
-Universal Studios Orlando
-Islands of Adventure

Sea World
-Sea World

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
-Busch Gardens Tampa Bay


These are the prices for Walt Disney World Tickets:

Walt Disney World 1 day, 1 park
One day's admission to one of the theme parks Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom or Disney MGM Studio. Visitors can purchase an additional one day ticket at $5.00 off the first ticket and a third one day pass at $10.00 off. Add-on tickets MUST BE USED within 4-6 days of their purchase. Second and Third Day Bonus options MUST be bought at the time of purchase of the first day or before the end of the business day of the date of the first day's purchase. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
Age 10+ $58.31
Age 3-9 $46.60
Under 3 Free

Walt Disney World 4 day Park only Hopper Pass
Four days of unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom™ Theme Park. Freedom to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day. Use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches. Unused days never expire. The days you visit the parks do not have to be consecutive. Saves you money when compared to the purchase of single-day tickets.
Age 10+: $233.23
Age 3-9: $187.44
Advanced Age 10 +: $215.13
Advanced Age 3-9: $172.53
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World 5 day Park only Hopper Pass
Five days of unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom™ Theme Park. Freedom to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day. Use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches. Unused days never expire. The days you visit the parks do not have to be consecutive. Saves you money when compared to the purchase of single-day tickets.
Age 10+: $265.18
Age 3-9: $213.00
Advanced Age 10+: $244.95
Advanced Age 3-9: $195.96
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World 5 Day Park Hopper & 2 Plus Options
Unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom™ Theme Park. The ticket also includes PLUS OPTIONS of Pleasure Island; Disney's water Parks: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and River Country; plus Disney's Wide World of Sports™. Use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches is also included. Unused days and PLUS OPTIONS never expire. Saves you money when compared to the purchase of single-day tickets. What this new system means: If you go to Blizzard beach in the morning and Typhoon lagoon in the afternoon, you will have used TWO OPTIONS on your plus pass. However, say you check in at 5PM and go to Pleasure Island that night without using up one of your theme park days (of course, you will have used up one PLUS OPTION). Note that you may park hop to your hearts content among the theme parks but not through PLUS OPTION attractions without using up said OPTIONS.
Age 10+: $300.33
Age 3-9: $240.69
Advanced Age 10+: $275.83
Advanced Age 3-9: $221.52
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World 6 Day Park Hopper & 3 Plus Options
Unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom™ Theme Park. The ticket also includes PLUS OPTIONS of Pleasure Island; Disney's water Parks: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and River Country; plus Disney's Wide World of Sports™. Use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches is also included. Unused days and PLUS OPTIONS never expire. Saves you money when compared to the purchase of single-day tickets. What this new system means: If you go to Blizzard beach in the morning and Typhoon lagoon in the afternoon, you will have used TWO OPTIONS on your plus pass. However, say you check in at 5PM and go to Pleasure Island that night without using up one of your theme park days (of course, you will have used up one PLUS OPTION). Note that you may park hop to your hearts content among the theme parks but not through PLUS OPTION attractions without using up said OPTIONS.
Age 10+: $332.28
Age 3-9: $266.25
Advanced Age 10+: $306.72
Advanced Age 3-9: $246.01
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World 7 Day Park Hopper & 4 Plus Options
Unlimited admission to the Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom™ Theme Park. The ticket also includes PLUS OPTIONS of Pleasure Island; Disney's water Parks: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and River Country; plus Disney's Wide World of Sports™. Use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches is also included. Unused days and PLUS OPTIONS never expire. Saves you money when compared to the purchase of single-day tickets. What this new system means: If you go to Blizzard beach in the morning and Typhoon lagoon in the afternoon, you will have used TWO OPTIONS on your plus pass. However, say you check in at 5PM and go to Pleasure Island that night without using up one of your theme park days (of course, you will have used up one PLUS OPTION). Note that you may park hop to your hearts content among the theme parks but not through PLUS OPTION attractions without using up said OPTIONS.
Age 10+: $364.23
Age 3-9: $291.81
Advanced Age 10+: $336.54
Advanced Age 3-9: $269.44
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World Ultimate Park Hopper Pass
The Ultimate Park Hopper Pass may be purchased by Walt Disney World Resort guests for the duration of their stay. The pass offers “ultimate” access to the most magic from the moment of check in until the end of the day on checkout. The Ultimate Park Hopper Pass includes admission to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Pleasure Island, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon; plus Disney's Wide World of Sports and Disney Quest. You may visit all these Parks and places on the same day. It also Includes the use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches.


Walt Disney World Theme Park Annual Pass
This pass features unlimited admission to Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom™ Theme Park for a year. It may be used to hop from park to park on the same day and includes use of Walt Disney World transportation -- monorails, ferryboats, and motor coaches. Passholders are eligible for many additional discounts (Mailing List, Free Parking, Special Resort Rates, Ticket Discounts, Dining Discounts, Shopping Discounts, Tour Discounts, Sport Discounts, and Rental Car Discounts).
Age 10+: $403.63
Age 3-9: $342.94
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World Theme Park Annual Pass -Renewal
Age 10+: $350.38
Age 3-9: $298.20
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World Theme Park Annual Pass - Charter
Age 10+: $314.17
Age 3-9: $267.32
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass
Includes all the features of the Theme Park Annual Pass plus unlimited admission to Pleasure Island; Disney's water Parks: Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and River Country; plus Disney's Wide World of Sports™ complex & Disney Quest. Passholders are eligible for many additional discounts. (Mailing List, Free Parking, Special Resort Rates, Ticket Discounts, Dining Discounts, Shopping Discounts, Tour Discounts, Sport Discounts, and Rental Car Discounts).
Age 10+:$531.43
Age 3-9: $451.56
Under 3: Free

Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass - Renewal
Age 10+: $467.53
Age 3-9: $397.25
Under 3: Free


Busch Gardens and Sea World Tickets:
Single Day Ticket
Adult: $49.95 - Child (Ages 3 - 9): $40.95 - Age 2 and under are free.


These are tickets for Universal Orlando:
One Day, One Park
Adult - $48.00 - Children - $39.00

2-Day Ticket - Admission to both - Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks
Adults - $85.95 - Children - $72.95

3-Day Ticket - Admission to both - Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks
Adults - $99.95 - Children - $86.95

2-Park Annual Pass Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios
All ages price: $159.95 + $5 handling fee


These are Flex Tickets (for Universal Orlando, Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Wet N Wild):

4-Park Orlando Flex Ticket
Admission for 14 consecutive days to Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Sea World Orlando, and Wet ‘n Wild Orlando.
Adults - $159.95 - Children - $127.95

5-Park Orlando Flex Ticket
Admission for 14 consecutive days to Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Sea World Orlando, and Wet ‘n Wild Orlando.
Adults - $196.95 - Children - $157.95

Prices do include 6% Florida Tax


AAA members are eligible for discounts at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, ranging from 10%-20%. However this often depends on the Season.
-Phil

[Ice'Cold]

I went there last year, and for all of those who are planning on spending time at the parks, plan on getting up early. VERY early, or you will endup standing two hours in a line to go on one 3 minute ride. Also set aside a good solid day(from when they open to at least late afternoon) for every park. The park with the least amount of rides is Epcot but they have lots of funs artsy crafty things for kids to do. And at night they have a cool light show and sometimes a parade. If you want a good park for rides, universal was awesome with jurassic park and other cool water rides, but those are separate form disney.

[GymLeaderPhil]

Originally Posted by Ice'Cold

I went there last year, and for all of those who are planning on spending time at the parks, plan on getting up early. VERY early, or you will endup standing two hours in a line to go on one 3 minute ride. Also set aside a good solid day(from when they open to at least late afternoon) for every park. The park with the least amount of rides is Epcot but they have lots of funs artsy crafty things for kids to do. And at night they have a cool light show and sometimes a parade. If you want a good park for rides, universal was awesome with jurassic park and other cool water rides, but those are separate form disney.

The key is to hit the big attractions early. Then in the afternoon, look for the indoor, airconditioned, seated rides/shows. Hit these "E-Ticket" attractions first:

Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain
Epcot: Mission Space, Test Track
Disney Studios: Tower of Tower, Rockin Roller Coaster
Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur
Universal Studios: Mummy
Islands of Adventure: Hulk, Spiderman, Duling Dragons
Sea World: Kraken, Atlantis ride

Busch Gardens rarely has a line whenever I've gone, mostly because of all the different coasters.
-Phil

[mewsmom]

There's also the advance purchase of tickets through the Convention Tickets for the Pokemon World Championship if you don't have a Disney Store near you,but these need to be purchased before Aug 17th.

They have passess arranging from 2 day hopper to 5 day hopper with options for Pleasure Island or Disney Quest, however these passes expire 10 days after use unlike the hopper passes from Disney World or the Disney Store which never expire.

The rates are only a few dollars cheapier than Advanced Hopper Passes from Disney.

Pm if you want full rates for all these hopper passes and the order number
Example -
4 day Hopper is $206

[Team Cook]

Wow, GymLeaderPhil, that's a lot of information! Thank you!

I wish we had more days to spend there. But, there's that school issue, you know.


Mewsmom, thanks to you too, for all the PMs back and forth.

You've both been a big help with the Disney info.


Now, on to other things..... Still undecided about the car rental.

[GymLeaderPhil]

Heads up to those locals wishing to spend some time at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks during Worlds!

Disney's Play 4 Days is back!
Walt Disney World Resort treats Florida residents to unlimited park-hopping at all four Disney theme parks on any four days of their choosing between July 30 and Nov. 21, 2004 -- all for only $119* per person, plus tax. Compared to buying four one-day one-park tickets at $54.75 plus tax per day, the savings add up to $100 per resident for four unforgettable days of Disney park-hopping magic.

• Play 4 Days passes are good for Walt Disney World theme park visits July 30 through Nov. 21, 2004 (no blockout dates).
• Exclusive to Florida residents; proof of residency for each guest required.
• Provides unlimited park-hopping privileges. That means multi-park visits in one day -- if the guest wishes -- and three more days to do the same thing.
• Purchase at Walt Disney World theme parks and other locations, such as Florida AAA offices and Florida Disney Stores.
• Cost of the Play 4 Days pass may be applied to a resident Annual or Seasonal pass.

Floridians can pair up their Play 4 Day savings on park admission with great deals on Disney accommodations. For Florida residents, Walt Disney World's famous resorts are posting great late summer and fall savings on room-only rates. Go to disneyworld.com and click on Florida Residents to find out more. For more information on Play 4 Days, guests can visit disneyworld.com/play4days or call 407/WDW-4DAYS.

*With tax: $126.74
-Phil

[CaptainCupcakes]

I'm coming down the Tuesday before,

whats the best way to get from Windham to the park?

[Chewie]

Originally Posted by CaptainCupcakes

I'm coming down the Tuesday before,

whats the best way to get from Windham to the park?

The wyndham hotel should have shuttles that take you to the park.

[SomethingElse]

Disney Studios: Tower of Tower, Rockin Roller Coaster

glp, what's the tower of tower? ;x

[Venom]

It's actually called tower of terror and it's the ride where you ride and eleavtor to the top of this fake horror hotel then they drop you 100 stories, and just to think I've never been to Florida in my life.

[GymLeaderPhil]

I've done a little bit of more digging and I just need to confirm with someone who recieved a Travel Award about the information included on the Ticket Order Form.

Is their a group code or name listed on that order form? Could someone scan this in? Thanks!
-Phil