Disney tricks and tips

[JackieD]

We have gone to DW 5 times. I used Tourguide Mike from the above post on the last trip. He has plans according to your dates, of what park to visit what day. Breaking up each day by what park to visit. It was broken up by morning and evenings. He has some really useful information and a forum like TUG with people helping with every aspect right down to what rides to ride and what order. The website is a little confusing at first but once you figure out how to navigate, it is very useful. It was well worth the subscription fee (it was under $20). We went on a very peak week--Spring break with Easter. We never waited more than 20 minutes. BUT we were at the parks when it opened, ate lunch at 11:30, left around 1:00-2:00 for pool & relaxation and came back in the evenings. It worked great even though it was just me and the girls (15, 12, 8). I know it sounds very structured but it was PACKED by 2:00 when we were leaving. We got so many rides done early in the morning.

Also, when you get your tickets, make sure you make a copy of the BACK of your tickets. If you lose a ticket, Disney will replace them. Never had to use this feature but I know someone who did.

Have fun!

 

[Big Matt]

JackieD,
you hit a key point. You've got to go early on days without morning magic hours.

Three more keys exist.

1) navigate the park in a way that starts you in a section where everything is open and moves you toward attractions that open later in the day. You have to know this ahead of time

2) get fast passes as early as possible and use all of them that you can, even if it only saves you 10-15 minutes per ride. Using 4-5 saves you over an hour of park time.

3) fill in with the less popular attractions (shows, interactive exhibits, etc.) after you've done the main rides. I often do this by reversing my direction and ending up in the same part of the park I started with.

We usually are totally done by 2 or 3 o'clock. At that point we either see a parade or go home.

If anyone wants a decent plan of attack for Magic Kingdom or Epcot, I'll provide via PM.

 

[Zac495]

I'm long back - I used www.tours.com (I think it's connected to Disney underground). I followed their advice and we never waited on a line until 1 pm in MK. It was really great.

 

[icydog]

I keep all the tickets with me and randomly hand them out as we pass through the turnstiles. We've never had an issue with the finger scan, so I am of the opinion, based on our experience, that it is entirely possible to do what you suggest.

Don't even try it. I'v seen people shown the door by the turnstile. Don't think of it. Disney is too smart to let this happen.

 

[Jerry in NJ]

Tourguide Mike is great! Used him twice at Christmas and last year also Easter and did everything we wanted plus!

Great investment for about 20 dollars.

Just do not wait to last minute, take time at home to print everything out you need from his site. I try to start planning at least two to three months out when visiting around the Holidays.

Jerry in NJ

 

[swift]

We also used TourGuideMike. His advice was great!!! Went during Christmas week, the busiest time of the year, and still never waited in line. His #1 advice Zig when everyone else Zags. Another words don't go to the parks with the early AM hours. Especially if you are staying off site. #2 Be there at rope drop and work your fast passes.

 

[Lisa P]

Can my daughter (19) and I share a ticket during the day - I use it in the am with the little ones - and then I take them back to the resort and she goes back with them in the pm?

No, you are not supposed to share a ticket between two people in the same day.

I keep all the tickets with me and randomly hand them out as we pass through the turnstiles. We've never had an issue with the finger scan, so I am of the opinion, based on our experience, that it is entirely possible to do what you suggest.

I've always read that this is because Disney links tickets in the system which have been purchased at the same time. If you bought all of the tickets for your family at the same time, then all fingerscans taken on those tickets at their first use have supposedly been linked. Any of those fingerscans will match against any of those tickets in that grouping.

I've wondered if the fingerscans even matter on the first scan of the day or only on subsequent scans , like when returning after leaving or when park-hopping.

I've also wondered how Disney handles the grouping of tickets for families when tickets are purchased through legitimate offsite outlets, like Maple Leaf, Undercover Tourist, AAA and all those offsite resort concierge counters. Now, doesn't that get complicated? Are those tickets only each linked to a single fingerscan? Or are they grouped according to all the tickets in that huge group (resort, AAA office, etc.)? Do the outside sellers report back to Disney on which tickets are sold in little groupings? I'd really doubt that but with the ability to scan these things by computers, it could be.

 

[rsackett]

...I've wondered if the fingerscans even matter on the first scan of the day or only on subsequent scans , like when returning after leaving or when park-hopping....

Last time we (family of 4) were at WDW we had our tickets on our room keys, and made sure we only used our own tickets. On about the third day of going to the parks I failed the finger scan at DHS about three times. The cast member even asked me "is that your ticket?". This was on the first entery of the day. The fourth try was the charm and I passed.

Ray

 

[swift]

1 More tip is that you can bring your own food into WDW parks. The picture of me and my family below was taken at Epcot. It shows me wearing a backpack cooler that we used to carry in frozen water bottles and snacks. We made our reservations in advance for lunch at the park, since most of the time the menu is pretty much the same for lunch and dinner only cheaper with smaller portions, and we packed food to eat for dinner. This saved quite a bit.

 

[JackieD]

I've also wondered how Disney handles the grouping of tickets for families when tickets are purchased through legitimate offsite outlets, like Maple Leaf, Undercover Tourist, AAA and all those offsite resort concierge counters. Now, doesn't that get complicated? Are those tickets only each linked to a single fingerscan? Or are they grouped according to all the tickets in that huge group (resort, AAA office, etc.)? Do the outside sellers report back to Disney on which tickets are sold in little groupings? I'd really doubt that but with the ability to scan these things by computers, it could be.

I've always bought my tickets via Undercover Tourist or Mapleleaf. The ticket is the same as the ones you buy at the ticket window. The first time you use it, then you scan your finger. I bring a Sharpie and we label each ticket so we know who's is who's.

 

[icydog]

I tell anyone going to WDW to buy their tickets when they get there. The tickets are on their room key and if they lose the key they can stop anyone else from using it and they will reissue you another key. Saves any anxiety in my opinion. Well worth the extra $5 or $10 (for a five day park hopper ticket) you will save.

 

[1st Class]

No, you are not supposed to share a ticket between two people in the same day.



I've always read that this is because Disney links tickets in the system which have been purchased at the same time. If you bought all of the tickets for your family at the same time, then all fingerscans taken on those tickets at their first use have supposedly been linked. Any of those fingerscans will match against any of those tickets in that grouping.

I've wondered if the fingerscans even matter on the first scan of the day or only on subsequent scans , like when returning after leaving or when park-hopping.

I've also wondered how Disney handles the grouping of tickets for families when tickets are purchased through legitimate offsite outlets, like Maple Leaf, Undercover Tourist, AAA and all those offsite resort concierge counters. Now, doesn't that get complicated? Are those tickets only each linked to a single fingerscan? Or are they grouped according to all the tickets in that huge group (resort, AAA office, etc.)? Do the outside sellers report back to Disney on which tickets are sold in little groupings? I'd really doubt that but with the ability to scan these things by computers, it could be.

My family has been to Disneyworld about 15 times in the last 20 years or so. I've purchased tickets from Disney, AAA and Undercover Tourist and I stand by my opinion that, in our case, the tickets all were interchangeable. I was simply stating my personal experience of never being denied entry. When traveling with a group as large as ours (up to 10 people) I had no intention of trying to keep track of whose ticket belonged to whom (unless, of course, Disney required it, which they did not). I'm not looking to make work for myself, and certainly not on vacation. Evidently, others have tried this, but I would never try to use half a day per person. In fact, maybe I'm just too naive, but I had no idea that this was even an issue.

 

[ralphd]

Can my daughter (19) and I share a ticket during the day - I use it in the am with the little ones - and then I take them back to the resort and she goes back with them in the pm?

Read your ticket, I think it says nontransferable, if you are caught they will deny admission and confiscate the ticket.

 

[rsackett]

I tell anyone going to WDW to buy their tickets when they get there. The tickets are on their room key and if they lose the key they can stop anyone else from using it and they will reissue you another key. Saves any anxiety in my opinion. Well worth the extra $5 or $10 (for a five day park hopper ticket) you will save.

You can buy on line and have your UNUSED tickest added to your room keys. Then the benifits of having the tickest on your room key are just about the same.

Ray

 

[pgnewarkboy]

Park Hopper

Any advice on getting Park Hopper? It seems that you could easily spend a day at any of the 4 parks we are interested in - but might be interested in having dinner in a different park then the one we started in. We will be a party of 6, two grand kids 5 and 8, going over easter. I can't decide if the potential flexibility is worth the extra money. For getting park hopper - "the best laid plans of mice and men". Against getting park hopper - unlikely to go to more then one park in a day.

 

[rsackett]

Any advice on getting Park Hopper? ....I can't decide if the potential flexibility is worth the extra money. ...QUOTE]


In the past I always got Park-Hopper. Over time I relized that I hardly ever used the feature. If you are not going to the parks every day it will cost less to get an extra day added and go the park an extra day of your trip ( you can not use two of your tickets on the same day).

Ray

 

[dmarcin]

We usually buy 10 day tickets in advance with the never expire option and we have never had a problem with the finger scan. Lord knows I dont keep up with who's ticket goes with who? Going there next week to use 3 ticket days we purchased 4 years ago. We might have a problem this time but last year was not a problem. Even from day to day we mixed tickets with out a problem.

 

[tug15]

Disney Dining Plans...MAKE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS, ADR'S

Many folks who purchase any of the Disney Dining Plans don't know how busy the more popular restaurants on the plan are! They get there and realize that many have made ADR's 180 days in advance!

If you are a planner and want one of Disney Signature Restaurants like California Grille atop the Contemporary, make an advance reservation.
You were able to make an advance reservation 180 days in advance...maybe its now changed, but take advantage of advance planning!

There's nothing like being 14 stories atop the Contemporary and viewing Magic Kingdoms' Wishes Fireworks! Awesome!

 

[elaine]

I would not get PH until you need it

IF you have multiple days to visit,, I don't think you need it. If you have only a few days, then maybe so, but, if you have an unused ticket, you can add anything you want to it for 14 days after 1st use (water parks, more days, PH, no expire)---so wait on PH and see if you need it. If so, just go to guest services near the exit on your way out of the 1st park and have then add it prior to going over to the 2nd park that day.

 

[PigsDad]

IF you have multiple days to visit,, I don't think you need it. If you have only a few days, then maybe so, but, if you have an unused ticket, you can add anything you want to it for 14 days after 1st use (water parks, more days, PH, no expire)---so wait on PH and see if you need it. If so, just go to guest services near the exit on your way out of the 1st park and have then add it prior to going over to the 2nd park that day.

Personally, we have always made good use of the Park Hopper option. We would usually arrive at one of the parks when it first opened and stay until through the afternoon. Then we would usually head over to Epcot for the evening and eat dinner, or go to a different park for a parade, fireworks, special show, etc. Sometimes we would head back to the room for a break in the afternoon, as we didn't want to kill ourselves trying to spend every waking hour in the park.

Everyone is different, so just go with what works for you. Per Elaine's excellent advice, it would be a good idea to wait to put the Park Hopper option on your tickets until after you are there and decide how you want to spend your days.

Kurt

 

[falmouth3]

I will be attending a 2 day seminar in November at Disney but I will not be staying in WDW. Is there some kind of reduced ticket price to go in after 5 pm? And if so, is it worthwhile that time of year? How about some of the other parks in the area?

Thanks,
Sue

 

[bnoble]

There are conference Disney tickets that are evening-only, but have to be arranged by the conference, they are not generally available to the public.

 

[dmarcin]

Just returned from WDW after attending the park 4 days. On tickets, I never used the finger print slot and had no problem getting in on any of the 4 days. also we had 2 ten day tickets that we bought a couple of years ago and I made it a point to swap tickets between us to see if it would work and had no problems. A couple of times in the bag checking lines I saw collapsible coolers brought in with sandwiches, drinks, and other food items. I also noticed people using the locker rental at the park entrances to store these coolers. Super idea for families that would rather not pay the Disney food price.
Another thing we noticed this year was the absence of cast members cleaning the park. In the past there were sweepers everywhere. Is Disney cutting people also?

 

[RahRah]

Many folks who purchase any of the Disney Dining Plans don't know how busy the more popular restaurants on the plan are! They get there and realize that many have made ADR's 180 days in advance!

If you are a planner and want one of Disney Signature Restaurants like California Grille atop the Contemporary, make an advance reservation.
You were able to make an advance reservation 180 days in advance...maybe its now changed, but take advantage of advance planning!

There's nothing like being 14 stories atop the Contemporary and viewing Magic Kingdoms' Wishes Fireworks! Awesome!

Loved, loved, loved the fireworks from Contemporary's roof last month!

Tip: You don't have to have the late reservation to enjoy the fireworks - if you eat dinner at any time, you're invited back for the fireworks later that evening and just head up on the elevator about 10 minutes before they start and are escorted to the rooftop area!

 

[DarkLord]

No, you are not supposed to share a ticket between two people in the same day.

Can you share a ticket with different people on different day? Can I buy a ten day pass, use it for five days and let other people use it for the other five days?


Thanks.