which tickets to get About This Page:

[Autumnrain6412]

Ok I am new to all of this. I am planning my very first trip this July [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] , with kids this is the only time we can go. And I was wondering if getting the annual pass would save us in the long run, then getting the Ultimate park hopper. We will be there for twelve days, eleven nights. I have to admit trying to figure it out is starting to confuse me. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[chezp]

I just wanted to say hi and welcome to the boards! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help you. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Cheryl

[Colexis Mom]

I would suggest visiting Mary's site www.mousesavers.com and then go to the Walt Disney World section and click on tickets. Mary gives a great explanation of what your options are. I don't think you want a UPH for that long of a stay. You'd be better off getting an AP or looking at the other options.

[Autumnrain6412]

Thank you so much for your help. I have been to mousesavers, many times since we started planning this trip. I think that is part of my problem I am just confusing myself with so many what ifs. I know we won't be going to Pleasure Island. But we are going to a water park [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] , just not sure if we want to do both. That is also somthing that keeps me confused. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] Just not too sure besides the four parks what we will want to do once we get there.It is so hard to make those decisions this far in advance. But alas we have to come to some kind of decision. Are the discounts that you get with the Annual worth it?? Well I understand that the UPH is not the greatest int he way of savings. Oh and we are spending the whole time at Disney, so all our time will be spent there. I never knew it would be so hard to make a decision about vacition plans. [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

[pflamingo]

Welcome! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] This is the place to get questions answered! Okay, leave this one to the math teacher here.

According to the trusty Passporter, an AP costs $391, a PAP is $518, and a UPH for 12 days is $482 (prices are for adult tickets). A one-day water park or DisneyQuest admission is about $33/adult, $27/child.

Here's how I figure it. You could buy a regular AP and 3 days at other parks for $7 more than the cost of the UPH. So unless you plan on doing the water parks and/or Disney Quest on 3 or more days, the AP & separate admissions is a better deal. If you're not sure you'll spend that much time at those parks, I'd think about buying AP's and then the separate admissions when you get there. Set aside the money in your budget. If you need it, it's there, but, if you don't go to the other parks much, you've saved a bit. More $$ for Mickey bars!

I agonized over this when I planned our trip last June. We're not really water park people, and we live within a day's drive, so the AP's made sense for us. Now we've discovered we really like Pleasure Island, so if we renew our AP's we'll probably go for separate PI annual passes. More economical that the PAP, for the way we tour.

The AP discounts on hotels are usually a little bit better than the discount codes you read about here (like, $10/night at Deluxes). There are other perks -- some dining discounts, and -- hey, I just looked at my AP perks list, and you get a couple of $$ off the one-day DQ and water park admissions! Changes my previous calculations a bit. AP & 3 days would about equal the UPH.

And I love the idea that I can go back any time during the year, and my admission is paid. Though that has turned me into a bit of a Disney "junkie" -- always thinking of excuses to go back!

I hope this helps! I know how overwhelmed I felt -- I grew up in Orlando, but planning to go back and stay at a resort just intimidated me -- and my bank account. Once I worked out the budget, I felt much better! Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions!

[Autumnrain6412]

Pat thank you so much! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] looking at your figures sure helped. Even though I have been playing with the numbers myself, seeing someone else's kind of makes a litle more sense since I don't have all these different ways to do it running around my head. Plus knowing if the discounts for the AP were any good helps. My husband and I were going over it once again earlyer today [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] and kind of decided it would be better to get the AP in the long run. Just in case we don't want to do more then one water park. Or weather won't let us. I lived in Miami years ago so I know how the summer weather can be. And since we are splurgeing for the deluxe resort I think the AP will help with the money. Especially since my hubby said he is going ot be at the parks from dawn till closeing [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I don't think he realizes how old he is now. SO I will go off to my Disney store this week and get the tickets> I am so excited!!!! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Thanks again for all the help. I knew this was the place to come.

[pflamingo]

Glad to help! What resort are you staying at? We were trying to work our way through the deluxes, but we've fallen in love w/ the WL! The others were pretty awesome, too.

Have you booked yet? If not, PM me and I'll clue you in on how to save on that. If you have, and didn't use a discount code, PM me anyway and I'll tell you how you still might be able to save some $$.

[Autumnrain6412]

I tried to Pm you but I think you are not on anymore. Or I didnt' do it right. We are staying at the Polyanisian. And yes I booked it already. Was geting worried about getting a room. I couldn't find any discount codes for it for that time (July) If you know of any that would be great. At the time I asked if they had any discounts with the AP but was told no. Maybe I will actually catch you on the same time as me tomorrow. Or you can e mail me if you want. Thanks again [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[HiddenMickey]

You will certainly save money-wise if you purchase Annual Passes rather than the UPH for a 12 day stay. But it really depends on what you plan to do at WDW that should help you make your decision. Here's some things to take in to account--

Are you planning on going anywhere else besides WDW during your stay or taking a day or two off from park hopping? If yes, then don't get a UPH, you'll be wasting your money because you are paying for each day of your stay. A 7 day Park Hopper Plus (4 pluses) or a Annual Pass are better bets.

If you think you'll be in the parks at WDW everyday during your stay AND you plan to do the water parks and Pleasure Island or Disney Quest frequently....then the UPH is what you want.

Remember the the regular Annual Pass only gives admission to the four Main parks. If you want to do water parks, you'll need separate tickets for them....or Premium Annual Pass.

If I were there for 12 days in July, I personnally would buy the 7 day park hopper pluses and spend 7 days of the trip in the main parks and spend 3 of them in the water parks and have the extra plus for a night in Pleasure Island. The other days, I would resort hop, spend time at Downtown Disney shopping, and soak up the atmosphere of my resort.

Does this help at all? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Do you have more questions? -HiddenMickey

[pflamingo]

Still here -- just about to call it a night, though. My best strategy for rooms is to turn it over to Jean, the resident travel agent here -- or since she's in the middle of a move, contact her associates at Your Magical Journeys.

If a code is available, they'll get it for you. They also keep track of all the codes and if something comes out that will save you money, they'll automatically get it for you. Like, if you let them know you're going to get AP's and an AP code comes out, they'll get you that rate. They are wonderful! I've never used travel agents in the past, but now I won't go without consulting Jean and letting her handle it for me. She's the best!

From what I understand, people turn over previously made reservations to them all the time.

Never stayed at the Poly, but it looks awesome! I've heard wonderful things about it. It's on our list of must-stays, when we get a good code -- or better paying jobs!

Enjoy it!