The fifth and final part to the Walt Disney Vacation Planning series!
What kind of ticket and/or package to get? I'm going to try to sum this up in a nutshell!
So here's the scoop on the tickets:
You start with a Magic Your Way Base Ticket with a choice of ticket length from 1 to 10 days. The base ticket allows admission to one Theme Park per day – you are permitted to leave and go back to the same park. You cannot go to a different park, even if you bought a 7 day ticket for a 4 day stay – you will not be allowed to go to a different park with the same ticket. Ticket expires 14 days after the first use.
You can then add on the following for a fee (contact me for pricing!):
Park Hopper® Option - visit more than 1 Theme Park on the same day (or all 4 if you want!). This applies to all days on the Base ticket.
Tip: I recommend the Park Hopper® Option. I like the option of going to a different park if I choose. It can also buy you more hours in the parks if your visit is during value season when park hours are shorter.
Water Park Fun & More Option - includes a certain number of admissions into one of the following: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's Blizzard Beach, DisneyQuest®, Downtown Disney®, Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course or Disney's Wide World of Sports®. (Subject to seasonal or weather closures. Age restrictions may apply for access to certain facilities) The number of visits is based on the length of base ticket.
Tip: If you plan on going to a water park for just one day or go to DisneyQuest once, it is cheaper to buy the one day admission to either of them. Planning on more than one visit or going to both – get the Water Park Fun & More option.
No Expiration Option - unused Theme Park Days and unused Water Park Fun & More admissions never expire so they may be used on a return visit.
Tip: If you are staying for 11 days or more, or plan on returning within a year, purchasing an annual pass is a better option.
Now on to packages!
To get a package or not, that is the question! Packages can offer a good value – you can save money on dining. The base package starts with resort accommodations and a base ticket (plus some features). You can then add different packages with dining and recreational activities included.
Tip: Booking a package offers convenience, but is not always the most economical choice. I feel it's worth it to price things separately. Shameless plug: Part of my services as a travel agent are helping you choose the best options for you (package, ticket etc!). Discounts are sometimes offered by Disney, contact me for information on the latest ones!
Below is a summary of the packages. Park Hopper, Water Park Fun & More and No Expiration Options can be added.
Everyone in the room must be booked on the same package and ticket options. Packages and tickets plus their options or components are nontransferable. Theme Park tickets and options must be used within 14 days of first use unless the No Expiration Option is purchased. Visiting more than one Theme Park on the same day requires the Park Hopper option.
Magic Your Way Package – 2010 Starter package. Includes:
- Accommodations at a Disney Resort
- Magic Your Way Base Ticket - admission to one of the four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks
- Official luggage tag (1 per person)
- Arcade card valid for 100 points of game play at resort arcades (1 per room)
- Planet Hollywood meal & merchandise voucher
- One round Miniature Golf (one per room)
- Niki Bryan Spa Discount – 15% off most 50 minute or greater services at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa or Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. (Hand and foot treatments are excluded. Age restrictions apply).
- ENHANCED! Walt Disney World® Marina Discounts – 15% off the regular price of any boat rental at participating Walt Disney World marina locations.
- Guided Fishing Excursions Discount – 15% off the regular price of Guided Bass Fishing Excursions and Bass Nitro Fishing Excursions at select Walt Disney World marinas. Excursions include fishing equipment, rod, reel, shiners, artificial bait, non-alcoholic beverages and a 1 year membership to B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society).
- Sammy Duvall's Watersports Discount – 10% off the regular price of all activities including parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing trips at Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre located at Disney's Contemporary Resort. (Subject to availability; restrictions apply).
2011 packages include the above plus:- Children Activity Centers – 15% off the regular hourly rates at the Children Activity Center located at select Disney Resort Hotels. Minimum charge of two (2) hours per child. Services available for children age 3-12.
The following packages have a fee per person per day (in addition to the cost of the starter Magic Your Way Package) and must be purchased for entire reservation with at least a 1 day theme park ticket. Contact me for information on pricing!
Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick Service Dining
Includes features from the Magic Your Way Package plus -
For each night of your package, each person (age 3+) receives:
- includes: entree or Combo Meal and dessert (lunch or dinner only) or juice (breakfast only) plus non-alcoholic beverage.
Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children's Menu (if one is available). Gratuity is not included. Tax included.
2 Snacks – such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn; single piece of whole fruit or a medium fountain soft drink
1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per Person
Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining
Includes features from the Magic Your Way Package plus -
For each night of your package, each person (age 3+) receives:
One table service or buffet meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast or buffet, entree, dessert, or buffet, plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch or dinner.
One quick service meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast, entree or Combo Meal and dessert plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch & dinner
Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children's Menu (if one is available). Gratuity is not included. Tax included.
1 Snack - such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn; single piece of whole fruit or a medium fountain soft drink
Magic Your Way Package Plus Deluxe
Includes features from the Magic Your Way Package plus -
For each night of your package, each person (age 3+) receives:
Three table service or quick service meals –
Table service or buffet meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast or buffet, entree, dessert, or buffet, plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch or dinner.
Quick service meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast, entree or Combo Meal and dessert plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch & dinner
Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children's Menu (if one is available). Gratuity is not included. Tax included.
2 Snacks – such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn; single piece of whole fruit or a medium fountain soft drink
1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per Person
Magic Your Way Premium Package
Includes features from the Magic Your Way Package plus -
For each night of your package, each person (age 3+) receives:
Three table service or quick service meals (any combination of) –
Table service or buffet meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast or buffet, entree, dessert, or buffet, plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch or dinner.
Quick service meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast, entree or Combo Meal and dessert plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch & dinner
Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children's Menu (if one is available). Gratuity is not included. Tax included.
2 Snacks – such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn; single piece of whole fruit or a medium fountain soft drink
1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per Person
Unlimited selected recreation - includes: Golf (lessons, greens fees, rental clubs, cart, balls & shoes included), Miniature Golf, Water Sports, Archery, Tennis, Guided Fishing Excursions, Cane Pole Fishing, Horseback Trail Rides, Pony Rides, Carriage Rides, Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, Bike Rental and Watercraft Rental. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations may be required.
One admission per person to Cirque du Soliel La Nouba
Unlimited use of Disney Children's Activity Centers (potty trained kids ages 4 -12)
Unlimited admission to selected theme park tours
Preferred fireworks viewing areas for Wishes at Magic Kingdom and Illuminations at Epcot. (One viewing per Theme Park. Advance reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance and voucher is required.)
PhotoPass Portrait Session
Magic Your Way Platinum Package
Includes features from the Magic Your Way Package plus:
Accommodations at a Deluxe Disney resort or select Deluxe Villa resorts (Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas or Villas at Wilderness Lodge)
For each night of your package, each person (age 3+) receives:
Three table service or quick service meals (any combination of)–
Table service or buffet meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast or buffet, entree, dessert, or buffet, plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch or dinner.
Quick service meal – includes entree and non-alcoholic beverage at breakfast, entree or Combo Meal and dessert plus non-alcoholic beverage at lunch & dinner
Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children's Menu (if one is available). Gratuity is not included. Tax included.
2 Snacks – such as frozen ice-cream novelty, box of popcorn; single piece of whole fruit or a medium fountain soft drink
1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per Person
Unlimited selected recreation - includes: Golf (lessons, greens fees, rental clubs, cart, balls & shoes included), Miniature Golf, Water Sports, Archery, Tennis, Guided Fishing Excursions, Cane Pole Fishing, Horseback Trail Rides, Pony Rides, Carriage Rides, Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, Bike Rental and Watercraft Rental. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations may be required.
One admission per person to Cirque du Soliel La Nouba
Unlimited use of Disney Children's Activity Centers (potty trained kids ages 4 -12)
Private in-room child care (4 hour minimum, 6 hour maximum, gratuity not included)
Unlimited admission to selected theme park tours
Fireworks viewing areas for Wishes at Magic Kingdom and Illuminations at Epcot. (One viewing per Theme Park. Advance reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance and voucher is required.)
1 Resort Refillable Drink Mug per Person
PhotoPass Portrait Session
One selected spa treatment per person
Richard Petty Ride Along Experience
Fireworks cruise to either Wishes or Illuminations (one per reservation)
Reserved seating at Fantasmic! (one per person)
Nightly turn-down service
Personalized pre-arrival itinerary planning
I don't think I succeeded in summing this up in a nutshell! I tried!
