Disneyworld theme park tickets costs and deals

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

The various Walt Disney World theme parks and types of tickets and passes can appear confusing and daunting especially when trying to purchase the best deal. With a few simple decisions and a bit of planning you can cut through the discount offers, purchase your tickets in advance, and get the best multi-park or multi-day deals and more. You can get a lot of value out of your tickets if you know the inside track. This guide can assist.

First spend some time developing an itinerary for your Disney theme park trip prior to purchasing tickets. Utilize books, friends, and the Internet for Disneys up-to-date information on what rides and events make up each park as well as operating hours. Disney theme parks include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, the Animal Kingdom Park, and the water parks Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. In addition, admission is charged for Disney Quest and Pleasure Island, both are part of Downtown Disney. Some people will want to spend a day in each park, others will hop between parks, teenagers may prefer thrill rides, while consideration must be given to much younger children or the young-at-heart. With the days available to dedicate to the parks, and the participates, make a list of the things that you just cant miss, the things you really want to do, and those things youve done before and will do again if time permits. Of course a general budget for ticket expenditure will make a difference as well, try to stay within your means.

In general a one or two day ticket for one specific park will yield the best deal when you purchase that day at the gate. There are no advance purchase discounts directly from Disney and purchasing in advance through a broker will only incorporate a mailing fee. You can, however, purchase in advance and pick up the tickets at the gate if carrying a large amount of cash is a problem. Three to ten day tickets will yield the best deal through an online ticket broker, directly from Disney or through AAA. Eleven day trips or repeat visits in one year may yield the best deal through an annual pass which can only be purchased directly through Disney.

The new Magic Your Way Tickets, introduced in January 2005, allow you to personalize the type of ticket needed for each person. The basic Magic Your Way Ticket is purchased for the number of days youd like to visit Walt Disney World and gives you access to one theme park each day. You then have three additional options to add; the Park Hopper Option, The Magic Plus Pack, and the No Expiration Option. The Park Hopper Option lets you hop from theme park to theme park within the length of stay. This option will assist those people who want to visit various rides at different parks but can only visit Disney for a few days or for those that can stay longer but want to see different shows at each park. The Magic Plus Pack includes a set number (two-five) admissions to your choice of Disneys Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, Pleasure Island or Disneys Wide World of Sports Complex. The No Expiration Option allows the tickets to be used at any time rather than the usual fourteen days after first use.

Basic at-the-gate costs, excluding tax, for an adult (age ten plus) Magic Your Way Ticket follows: $59.75 for one day, $119 for two days, $171 for three days, $185 for four days, $193 for five days, $196.02 for six days, $199.01 for seven days and $208 for a ten day pass. The advantage in price is to stay and visit the parks longer.

Each option will add an additional charge to the basic cost. The Park Hopper Option adds a flat rate of $35 and the Magic Plus Pack Option adds a flat rate of $45. The No Expiration Option charge is based on the number of days youve purchased your tickets for; $10 for two and three day tickets, $15 for four day tickets, $35 for five day tickets, $45 for six day tickets, $55 for seven day tickets and $100 for ten day tickets.

Extra savings can be obtained when you purchase in advance for Magic Your Way Tickets of five days in length or more, with the Park Hopper and/or the Magic Plus Pack Option. Contact Disney.com, Disney via phone, selected Disney stores or purchase through a Disney Travel Agent and save enough for lunches and snacks.

If purchasing tickets in advance, take a few seconds to make a photocopy of the magnetic stripe side when you receive them. Have someone keep the photocopies separate from the tickets. Should the tickets get misplaced, your photocopies will save the day C it is the only hope of getting replacements without difficulty or extra charges.

An annual pass may save you money if visiting frequently. $420.68 a year provides unlimited admission to the four major parks plus free parking and resort/meal discounts. A premium annual pass can also be purchased to include the water parks and Downtown Disney. Review the cost carefully, however, as a ten day Magic Your Way Ticket with options will price less than an annual pass. If you only visit ten times or less, the annual pass may not work for you.

Be certain to check all options and inquire with Disney cast members before purchasing any tickets either at the gate or in advance. Florida residents, military personnel, AAA discounts and some corporate discounts may make your vacation less restricting on your wallet.

Any way you purchase, the theme parks, adventures and shows will result in enough fun to match the expense.