Question about this 4 day/3day free "deal?"

[RedFoxRunner]

Okay, so we're looking to use the buy 4, get 3 free deal in May.. however, I noticed this little paragraph.

"Prices based on 2 adults, 1 junior, and 1 child. The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on non-discounted price for a 7 night/7 day Magic Your Way Package. Tickets are for 1 Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use."

Is this stating you can only attend one park each day per ticket and not "hop" from park to park? If so, who would actually do this? This is a good savings, but not if you can't bounce around. I have a hard time believing that would be the case.

-Bryant

 

[Rob562]

Okay, so we're looking to use the buy 4, get 3 free deal in May.. however, I noticed this little paragraph.

"Prices based on 2 adults, 1 junior, and 1 child. The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on non-discounted price for a 7 night/7 day Magic Your Way Package. Tickets are for 1 Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use."

Is this stating you can only attend one park each day per ticket and not "hop" from park to park? If so, who would actually do this? This is a good savings, but not if you can't bounce around. I have a hard time believing that would be the case.

-Bryant

The tickets they use to come up with the "lead-in" prices are for Base MYW tickets. You can always add the Park Hopper feature onto the tickets for about $50 per person. The little disclaimer at the bottom is just informing you of how Disney came up with the number they give.

As for who doesn't park-hop, it depends on your touring style. Some people prefer to stick to one park per day, and don't see the Park Hopper option as being worth it (especially for $200 for a family of 4). Back in September, I had an Annual Pass, which includes park hopping, but my two friends just got base tickets. They wanted a relaxing trip, and were fine with not hopping to other parks.

-Rob

 

[gigimurphy]

Just to confirm via first hand experience, I recently booked the Buy 4, get 3 FREE promo for April, and I did upgrade my park tickets to Hopper for an additional charge. It is even an option if you purchase the package online.

I just compared this vacation package with the $500 Gift Card promo that came out via email (you have to have a pin to book it), and I was surprised to find out that the Buy 4, get 3 free promo is a MUCH better deal even when taking the gift card into consideration. For example, the Polynesian would have been $3017.30 for 5 nights/6 days (and I would have received a $500 gift card), but on the 4/3 free promo, it is $2482 for 7 nights/7 days - so it's cheaper AND it's a longer stay!

I'm glad I have the opportunity to go for 7 nights!

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

We upgraded our tickets to hoppers with no problem. The description you quoted is just the basics. You can upgrade it in a number of way. We toyed wih our two week trip (with the help of the wonder CMs at reservations) under this promo so that we are paying a couple of hundred less for two weeks than what we paid for 12 days/nights last year. The first week of our reservation is a 9 day hopper with DDP at the WL with a woods view room; our second week is a one day ticket with DDP at the WL with a woods view room.

 

[goodtimes5286]

I'm probably wrong, but isn't it $25 across the board for any and every ticket to make them a hopper (whether its 2 days or 10 days)?

And also (off topic), I saw somewhere that there was a 14 day ticket, is that really true (price, can you add hopper, expiration, added magic, etc)?

 

[fosse76]

I'm probably wrong, but isn't it $25 across the board for any and every ticket to make them a hopper (whether its 2 days or 10 days)?

Nope. It's $50. I personally think it's too high, since Disney get's your money no matter what park you're in.

And also (off topic), I saw somewhere that there was a 14 day ticket, is that really true (price, can you add hopper, expiration, added magic, etc)?

I think that's only if you live in the UK.

 

[Rob562]

I'm probably wrong, but isn't it $25 across the board for any and every ticket to make them a hopper (whether its 2 days or 10 days)?

Your profile doesn't say it, but you must be a Florida resident.
Florida Residents get a 50% discount on the Park Hopper option (thus $25 instead of $50)

-Rob

 

[RedFoxRunner]

I went through the booking process on the disney website. It says I would get a "Magic your way" tickets.. etc. It doesn't let me edit anything beyond that. I'd really hate to get there and find out I can only go to one park per day. Any way I can confirm/deny this?

 

[DryCreek]

You can upgrade - free (ish)

Use the $200 gift card you get at check-in. Upgrade at the concierge desk.
It's that simple.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Okay, so we're looking to use the buy 4, get 3 free deal in May.. however, I noticed this little paragraph.

"Prices based on 2 adults, 1 junior, and 1 child. The number of packages allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on non-discounted price for a 7 night/7 day Magic Your Way Package. Tickets are for 1 Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use."

Is this stating you can only attend one park each day per ticket and not "hop" from park to park? If so, who would actually do this? This is a good savings, but not if you can't bounce around. I have a hard time believing that would be the case.

-Bryant

No, that's not the case. I just returned from a 7 night stay (3 free because of this particular deal) and our park tickets included the park-hopper option and we came and went everywhere as we pleased. We didn't have to upgrade anything.......we just made sure the MYW tickets had that option as part of our package.

 

[BigB911]

Is this stating you can only attend one park each day per ticket and not "hop" from park to park? If so, who would actually do this? This is a good savings, but not if you can't bounce around. I have a hard time believing that would be the case.

-Bryant

I would in a heartbeat! Just because you like to "hop" doesn't mean everyone does. I personally don't understand how you can do it and manage to see/do everything you want in each park.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I went through the booking process on the disney website. It says I would get a "Magic your way" tickets.. etc. It doesn't let me edit anything beyond that. I'd really hate to get there and find out I can only go to one park per day. Any way I can confirm/deny this?

There is a little arrow next to the Park tickets - click it and the box will open allowing you to add the Park Hopping option or the Water Parks or No Expiration options - or to change the number of days.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

I would in a heartbeat! Just because you like to "hop" doesn't mean everyone does. I personally don't understand how you can do it and manage to see/do everything you want in each park.

Unless you happen to be literally crawling around the park on your hands and knees, or if you make it a point to stop and stare at each stone or blade of grass you see.......you can easily see/do everything you want in a park in just a matter of hours, and then hop over to another park and do the same. I've never understood people spending an entire day in just one park.

 

[gardener14]

Unless you happen to be literally crawling around the park on your hands and knees, or if you make it a point to stop and stare at each stone or blade of grass you see.......you can easily see/do everything you want in a park in just a matter of hours, and then hop over to another park and do the same. I've never understood people spending an entire day in just one park.

Wow, I can't imagine visiting the parks like you do. I know, "to each his own," but I prefer to spend all day at a park and not waste time hopping during park hours. I need at least two days to visit either MK or Epcot. $50.00 is hardly justifiable for the one or two times I might "hop" to revisit something I didn't have time for. That's what arrival and departure days are for to me. An extra day or two added to my MYW ticket is much more affordable than the hopper option, and arrival and departure days are perfect for those "extra days."

 

[nastee24]

With respect to No expiration on the buy 4 get 3 free....

When booking on the internet you can make the tickets no expiration for $53 per ticket (4 day price).

However if you try to do the same thing at the concierge desk once you check in they charge you $117 per ticket (7 day price).

So if you're in the buy 4, get 3 free plan I suggest you make the tickets no expiration before you get to WDW.

Unfortunately I learned this lesson the hard way.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Wow, I can't imagine visiting the parks like you do. I know, "to each his own," but I prefer to spend all day at a park and not waste time hopping during park hours. I need at least two days to visit either MK or Epcot. $50.00 is hardly justifiable for the one or two times I might "hop" to revisit something I didn't have time for. That's what arrival and departure days are for to me. An extra day or two added to my MYW ticket is much more affordable than the hopper option, and arrival and departure days are perfect for those "extra days."

I always hop b/t the parks--for one, if you want to maximize EMH use, you need to switch parks during the day; for two, now that Fantasmic! is shown 2-3 times/week, I think it is best to start out at a different park and then switch to the Studios in the evening b/c I find the best days to visit the Studios for the rides (queue length-wise) is the days when Fantasmic! is NOT showing. I also find parks are more crowded on their EMH days, so I would just assume start out at an early morning EMH park and then leave in the early afternoon and go elsewhere. The same can be said for parks with evening EMHs--I would argue by staying in a park with EMHs for an entire day, you waste a lot of time in queue lines since they are simply longer. The hour or so you lose by switching parks is more than made up for by shorter lines at a different park. Plus, I love all of the parks too much to only see one a day and have to go 3 days b/t seeing a given park (and I realize that is specific to me--I get bored with stagnation--someone who prefers to relax and enjoy a Dole Whip on a bench in Adventureland would surely feel differently). Just depends on your tourism tastes. And, I would point out that while adding extra days onto your ticket is cheaper than adding the park hopper, it's not cheaper when you factor in the extra nights at your resort and the days off from work.

 

[fosse76]

I always hop b/t the parks--for one, if you want to maximize EMH use, you need to switch parks during the day; for two, now that Fantasmic! is shown 2-3 times/week, I think it is best to start out at a different park and then switch to the Studios in the evening b/c I find the best days to visit the Studios for the rides (queue length-wise) is the days when Fantasmic! is NOT showing. I also find parks are more crowded on their EMH days, so I would just assume start out at an early morning EMH park and then leave in the early afternoon and go elsewhere. The same can be said for parks with evening EMHs--I would argue by staying in a park with EMHs for an entire day, you waste a lot of time in queue lines since they are simply longer. The hour or so you lose by switching parks is more than made up for by shorter lines at a different park. Plus, I love all of the parks too much to only see one a day and have to go 3 days b/t seeing a given park (and I realize that is specific to me--I get bored with stagnation--someone who prefers to relax and enjoy a Dole Whip on a bench in Adventureland would surely feel differently). Just depends on your tourism tastes. And, I would point out that while adding extra days onto your ticket is cheaper than adding the park hopper, it's not cheaper when you factor in the extra nights at your resort and the days off from work.

I somewhat agree. Personally, I feel I get more bang for my buck when I visit at least one other park the same day. It's not as if I'm only going to visit that one park that one time during my trip. I only go for four or five days when I visit, and I usually visit each park twice. I travel alone, so I take advantage of single-rider lines, which frees up time for other attractions. I make the most of FP, so I can get a lot done even when the park is crowded. I never rush. Depending on crowd levels, I may not get everything done, but I know I can always go back. Particularly on a day where I am at the Animal Kingdom. That park always closes at 5pm...I can easily head over to another park after it closes. Without the park hopper, my day would be over. I'm not one for swimming...and there's nothing at Downtown Disney I can't do at home.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Wow, I can't imagine visiting the parks like you do. I know, "to each his own," but I prefer to spend all day at a park and not waste time hopping during park hours. I need at least two days to visit either MK or Epcot. $50.00 is hardly justifiable for the one or two times I might "hop" to revisit something I didn't have time for. That's what arrival and departure days are for to me. An extra day or two added to my MYW ticket is much more affordable than the hopper option, and arrival and departure days are perfect for those "extra days."

I feel the wasted time is spent walking around and passing up the things that hold no interest to me when I could instead just go to another park and do all the things that DO interest me. I certainly wouldn't feel like I'm getting my money's worth if I stayed the entire day in just one park. I may even start to get tired of some of my favorites rides after a while.....and I wouldn't want that. This last time, we didn't go to the parks the day we arrived, we instead used a day on our departure day to hit the parks one more time and then drive home. I kind of liked that.

 

[scarpiapiano]

I for one don't like to "park hop" just to see the E attractions. I really like to see everything in the park at least once. I do however "park hop" to avoid crowds. I love getting to a park first thing in the morning on an early entry day. However, by midday, the early entry park will be swamped with everyone who took advantage of EMH plus all the other tourists. That's when I head for a less crowded park and use the park hopper. I think it's important to take into consideration the fact that it takes about an hour out of your touring time to commute from one park to another.

 

[RedFoxRunner]

I agree that park hopping is the best! Often we'll get up and go to Typhoon Lagoon for the morning/afternoon and then head to another park for the night time. We'll often visit 2 to 3 parks in a day. To go from Epcot to DHS doesn't always take an hour.. you can get lucky and walk up to a bus stop as it's pulling up - it happens.

We would often start the day at Epcot or AK, maybe hit DHS at night, and then when they close at 9 or 10, go to MK from 10ish until 2 or 3.. however long they're open. We're not really just rushing around on E tickets, but taking advantage of all the time we can get from each park. Makes it more fun that way. Plus, if it rains all day (like my last trip), you can move accordingly. AK sucks on a stormy/rainy day.. lemme tell ya. I see how time can be wasted "hopping" around, but prefer it.