Archive for July, 2009

Thursday’s Tip

Author: Affording the Mouse

Jul 30

Perhaps it’s because of the upcoming ticket price increase (OK, “rumored” ticket price increase), but I seem to be thinking quite a bit about tickets lately–when to buy, where to buy, what type to buy…

So, today’s tip is: DO THE MATH when it comes to tickets. As I mentioned, if tradition holds true Disney ticket prices will increase this Sunday, August 2. But did you know that you can purchase tickets for WDW years in advance? Even without the No Expiration feature, tickets only begin to expire 14 days after the first use (not after purchase). That means you can buy tickets today for a trip two years from now! (FYI, this is not the case for Disneyland, and those tickets have a pre-printed expiration date.)
So, what exactly do I mean by “do the math”? First, to figure out your needs, answer questions such as:

  • How many days will we visit the parks?

  • Do we want to park-hop?

  • Will we visit the water parks or DisneyQuest?

  • Will we be returning to WDW for another trip in the future?

With Magic Your Way tickets, you can add the Park Hopper or Water Parks & More features even after purchase for a flat fee. You can also add the No Expiration feature after purchase, but this feature gets exponentially higher the more days that are on the ticket (and even if you’ve used all by one day on the ticket, you’ll still pay the full upgrade fee).

So…if you’re fairly certain you’ll be returning to the World in the next few years, you might consider a multi-day ticket (twice the length of your intended stay for the current trip) with No Expiration added. Ticket prices tend to increase every year, so this is almost always the best deal for return visitors. (And it’s always a bonus on your next visit when you already have that expense covered!) But, if you think you’ll be returning to WDW within the same calendar year, an Annual Pass might actually be a cheaper ticket for you. Same goes if you’re planning to stay more than, say, 10 days. (In addition, there are many “perks” for Annual Passholders.)

You can check out all the WDW ticket options here, and you can find discounts on many of these options here. Be sure to do your research–and the math!–before you purchase tickets.

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  • Filed under: Price Increase, Savings, Tickets, Tips

    • Centralized FastPass Distribution?

    Author: Affording the Mouse

    Jul 27

    Last week, Disney tested the idea of putting FastPass machines for all attractions within a park at one central location. The test park was Animal Kingdom, the location was near the iconic Tree of Life (more specifically at the FastPass machines formerly used for “It’s Tough to Be a Bug,” and passes were available for Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Dinosaur.
    No word yet on how the testing worked out or if Disney will eventually implement this system. Certainly, there are pros and cons. Guess we’ll have to wait and see!
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  • Filed under: FastPass

    • Thursday’s Tip

    Author: Affording the Mouse

    Jul 23

    Spent my morning out getting freebies and bargains (so many of those to be had, from groceries to cosmetics to school supplies!), so today’s tip is coming a little late in the day. This one might cause some controversy–not everyone will immediately see its benefit–but my family are firm believers in it: buy a clear plastic backpack to take into the park. Why? you ask. First, it makes getting through the security check a breeze! While others are unzipping every pocket or compartment, you are quickly waved through with a glance and a smile. (Seriously, we have had several security guards comment on how much they appreciate our clear backpacks.)
    Another great reason is that it makes it easier to find whatever you’re searching for. Here’s where the controversy comes in: some say it’s also easier for thieves to spot desirable items. While this is true, we never carry cash in ours, and the only big ticket items are our cameras–which are heavy enough that I’m pretty sure we’d feel if someone lifted them from the backpack. It’s a calculated risk we’re willing to take–especially after it rained every day of our last WDW trip. While others were scrounging through their bags for rain ponchos, we simply glanced in, pulled them out, and were covered within 30 seconds!
    Finally, the plastic backpack keeps items dry (or at least dryer than a cloth one!) in the rain and on water rides. For extra assurance, we put our cameras in zipper bags before putting them in the backpack.
    Trust me on this one: a clear backpack is a worthy pre-vacation purchase that won’t disappoint!
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  • Filed under: Packing, Tips

    • Jungle Cruise Featured in Weird Al Video

    Author: Affording the Mouse

    Jul 20

    Just for your Monday morning grins…


    Skipper Dan

    Weird Al Yankovic | MySpace Music Videos

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  • Filed under: Attractions, Just for Fun

    • Thursday’s Tip

    Author: Affording the Mouse

    Jul 16

    One thing I’ve noticed over and over on our trips to Walt Disney World is that there are wonders around every corner! Sometimes we get so caught up in seeing everything that we forget to capture that memory on film (or, as is now the case, digitally). Today’s tip is: take pictures! OK, so this is a no-brainer. But, more specifically, take pictures with people in them at those iconic spots around the park.
    So often, we get home from a Disney vacation to discover that most of our pictures are of things rather than people. But my favorite pictures are always those of the whole family together at a classic WDW location. Here are a few of my favorite posed picture locations in the Magic Kingdom:
    • by the flower beds at the opening gate, with the train station behind you
    • in front of Cinderella’s Castle (nothing more classic than this)
    • next to the “Partners” statue of Walt and Mickey at the castle hub
    • on board Dumbo (this one requires some planning)
    • at Cinderella’s Wishing Well (near the castle)
    • on the observation deck at Splash Mountain (preferably as the “splash” occurs)

    And here are a few for the rest of the World:

    • at Epcot’s entrance, with Spaceship Earth in the background
    • by the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom
    • in front of the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
    • inside the red phone booth at the Great Britain pavilion (Epcot)
    • riding Tower of Terror–again, this takes planning! (DHS)
    • digging in the Bone Yard (AK)
    • by the entrance sign to your family’s favorite ride/attraction

    These are just a few of our favorites. What are yours?

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  • Filed under: Hidden Gems, Tips

    • Keeping Track of the Kids Just Got Easier

    Author: Affording the Mouse

    Jul 15

    I LOVE this idea! We all have them in our cars now, so why not put one on your kid to keep track of him/her at a theme park? I’m talking about a GPS, of course, and now you can rent one for your Walt Disney World vacation. The cost is just $7.50 per day ($6.75 if you rent 2 or more), and they’re only active for the days you rent them–meaning you won’t be charged for the days in transit.

    Here’s a staggering statistic for you: 27% of kids under the age of 8 will get separated from their parents at a theme park! If your kid is prone to being that one in four, you’ll want to check out Big Leap GPS here.

    Update: Since I saw this product YESTERDAY, the price has gone down to $4.00/day! What a deal! Reserve yours today.

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  • Filed under: Kids, Products
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