Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

Mikepcon

Last time we stayed we went to Universal for the first time. We really enjoyed it and found that arriving early made a massive difference.

We were going to visit again this year and was wondering what peoples experiences of the Express Pass system were?
We will be going mid August. 2 adults (1 of which is 80) and 2 kids.
How much would we expect to pay and is it worth it?

Also, I think I may have read somewhere that they are only available an hour after the park opens?
Where do you get them? At the ticket booths?
We will already have out tickets so wouldnt want to be standing in the big ticket lines.

disney_cjd

triggerrabbit wrote: »

Hi can anyone recommend a website that i can get cheaper tickets for the theme parks from? My party will have 2 adults and an 11 and 2 year old. Thanks for helping

I always suggest you use the least expensive ticket checker over at https://www.touringplans.com which is on the left hand side at the bottom. Enter what you are after (and it helps with options) and away you go

Cheers
Craig

disney_cjd

If you want expensive, head over to DLP I was blown away at the cost hence my on air ratns

disney_cjd

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/cvg/dispatch/prego/calendar;jsessionid=B890D27C9937C4956A5C94420669788D

Put your dates and places in the thing above and it will give you the best days/airlines/prices for the month.

clever site shame its in dollars

hairy_g

jimihat wrote: »

Here’s a tip for you which I don’t think is highlighted well enough in any other guide book that I’ve read:-

BUY YOUR THEME PARK TICKETS FROM A RELIABLE UK VENDOR BEFORE YOU TRAVEL!

In Orlando you will see roadside shops and stands selling tickets, often disguised as “Tourist Information” sites, even people selling Disney World / Universal tickets at the entrance to a restaurant or even in your motel lobby. The people there will usually start to quiz you about tickets you already have and offer you others in exchange, i.e. 1 day Disney pass for a 7 day universal pass or something. LEAVE WELL ALONE, they have been known to be selling old tickets with no free days left on them or even stolen tickets which won’t work when you get to the park. The other thing you’ll see is a single day admission for Disney World etc for $25 (the ticket price at the gate is about $65), this will almost always be tied in to you going on a hard-sell timeshare trip, again LEAVE WELL ALONE unless you like high pressure sales tactics.
Last year during my 2 visits to Orlando the news channels were full of stories of ticket dealers being arrested or people paying a few hundred dollars for they’re family’s tickets only to find that those tickets actually don’t work.

If you have a voucher rather than actual tickets you then to queue up for your tickets once you get to Disney, Sea World, or Universal. These queues can be VERY long at peak times; not ideal when you have excited children (or adults!) with you. Do you really want to start off the day with a 20 minute queue????

I personally recommend you have a look at *************.co.uk ; there some good advice on there and links to good reliable cheap ticket vendors.

Still promoting your own website then?

jeanniebeanie_2

Ok, Express Passes Mikepcon

There are 2- a two park one day pass or a one park one. Personaly I would never buy a two park one with an 80 year old in tow-it's a long walk between parks when you've been round one park already.

There are 3 price bands for them - on days when they don't expect large crowds i.e. when you would't need one, they are cheapest and vice versa-Currently the dearest (two park) is $55.99 and cheapest(one park) $19.99 plus tax.
ON TOP of your entry fee and i'm pretty sure there are no concessions for children.

You can purchase them on line, but you would be tying yourself to a specific date. What I do is look for the prices online then choose the cheapest days to visit and buy them in the parks- weekends tend to be dearer.

https://secure.universalstudios.com/webstore/shop/ViewItems.aspx?Merchant=UOMain&CategoryGroupExternalID=UO&CategoryExternalID=UOUEP

On the day, you can't buy them in the first hour the park is open and on busy days the numbers are restricted or the 'fast queues' wouldn't be!
Have to say the last twice we went many of the attractions and rides were not open the first hour anyway-it was a waste of time getting up to go! (not high season though)

You don't need to queue to buy them - many of the shops sell them, the locations are shown on the park maps.

I had a broken ankle when we went last year and was very pleased to buy them.

The 80 year old may feel the same!

Edit. You do know that you can only use them once on each ride?

An alternative is to stay in an on-site hotel- your room key card is an Express Pass that you can use as often as you like and a one night stay can give you 2 days of passes- they don't take it from you when you check out.

Mikepcon

Thanks jeannie.

That link is a massive help - only $19.99 each if we pick the right days.

Mikepcon

Having said that, does that mean it will no be busy in the last week of August?

Would we be wasting our money?

jeanniebeanie_2

Mikepcon wrote: »

Having said that, does that mean it will no be busy in the last week of August?


Would we be wasting our money?

Keep an eye out- those prices can change especialy once Harry Potter opens, but generaly, yes- they musn't expect large crowds!

Don't know how fit your 80 year old is, but I bought $19.99 ones when I broke my ankle - many of the Express Plus queues take a different route, ror instance you queue on the outside of the Simpsons building so you aren't even walking the distance around the queueing ropes. Downside is you can miss some great theming in those areas.

That price chart is useful even if you don't want passes because it gives a guide to the predicted quieter days.

scrappee

Hi, does anyone know if you can visit the big Disney hotels without staying there - if so can you recommend any to have a little browse around and buy a little something to eat or drink? Also how did you get there - monorail or car. Thanks