CakeHenn 4 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 OK...yesterday with your help I was able to kind of come up with a plan to tackle this crazy long drive we will have to take in order to get to FW. I've noticed that when you go on the Disney site to book a campsite at FW they will offer up packages that don't seem to be customization. They offer a ticket to the a park for each night you are staying plus one. To me that's more than I think I would need.Here is my idea...come in on Sunday and leave on that Friday...so five nights. The way I see it the day you get in I'd just want to stay around FW...then of course that Friday we would probably hit the road after breakfast. So at most we would need 4 days worth of theme park tickets. Does that sound right? Considering FW has a lot to do on site I'm thinking we could even just have 3 days worth of theme park passes.On my last thread someone recommended the Undercover tourist site and I can see they have a few different types of passes. They have just regular tickets where you would go to one park per day...then they have park hoppers...then they also have added water park stuff. I feel like park hopping would be unnecessary for us as long as we could just get back into the same park the same day if we left to say go back for lunch/naps/etc.Thoughts and suggestions on booking campsite and theme park tickets?? Also how far in advance do you order? When you make reservations for FW I'm assuming you can't reserve a specific spot but you can ask? Can you get on the loop you want at least...with advance reservations? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Re: Park HoppingYou can add park hopping to your ticket at any point during your stay, so if you're not sure if you'll need it, it's fine to wait and see and not spend the money until you're sure you do. Even if you buy your tickets from UT, you can add on park hopping later.To add park hopping, take your ticket to any Guest Services window. It's a flat add-on fee for park hopping of about $50 no matter how many days your ticket is good for. So whether you have a 2 day ticket or a 10 day ticket, you only pay the park hopping fee once and it's good for as many days as your ticket is.We always book our campsite only, and deal with park tickets separately - but that's in large part because we buy annual passes.We book our campsite just as soon as we know when we're going, especially if it's during a busy time of year (holidays, school vacations...). If you're booking room (site) only, you only need to put down a deposit equal to one night's camping fee.You can't reserve a particular loop or site when you book, although you do book a particular LEVEL of site - partial, preferred, full, premium. More info on the differences here...http://www.fortfiends.net/_/accomodations/loop-information/site-classifications-r61You can put a request in for a particular loop or site, but it is not guaranteed. More details here...http://www.fortfiends.net/_/accomodations/loopsite-requests-r125 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 OK, park tickets. a four day or 3 day ticket would be good. However, once you look at pricing you'll notice that the more days you add, the less per day. So if you did have a 5-day ticket, and you got set up, maybe you could enjoy dinner in a park that first night and wander around just soaking a couple things in. The last morning, you might want to have a getaway breakfast at a park.(We often do that, get totally hitched up the night before, drive the camper to Hollywood Studios the next morning, have breakfast at 8am at Hollywood & Vine, then we are ready for the mad dash to Toy Story Mania, ride the attraction with no waite, then are out of the park and on the road by 9:30 am).If you do go 4 days or 3 days, then I would recommend park hoppers. That way if you find a park is way too crowded, or in the case of Animal Kingdom, closes early, you could go to a different park in the afternoon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 My thought is to get even less than the four days.If you spend so much time going to the parks you will miss out on what the Fort itself has to offer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Also, while not published yet, you might want to consider Extra Magic Hours. If you are early folks, you could go to Early Magic hours, then spend a couple more hours in the park afterwards, then back to the camper for lunch and nap, then back to the park in the evening or a different park.If you are late night folks, you could spend the morning/afternoon exploring the campground, then go to the late night park. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 As far as WHEN to buy the tickets, prices go up every year. If you can swing the ticket cost this year before the price increase that is sure to come this August, then you would save some money, cause until they are used, they are good forever. Even if you change them once you arrive, they instantly become worth current gate price once you put them in a turnstyle.Another strategy people sometimes use, is if you decide you want to come back in a few years, and you have only used 2 or 3 days on the tickets, pay to upgrade them to 10-day nonexpiring before you leave. That way the additional days will be less expensive for a future trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Last year they snuck the price increase in early - I think it was June or July (have to go back and look). There's usually at least a few days notice, and places like UT will sometimes hold their prices on "current" ticket stock for a little bit longer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Hey CakeHenn-Sounds complicated, doesn't it?Don't worry, you have plenty of time. It will make more sense eventually.Disney makes it complicated. Their objective is to extract as much money from your pocket as possible without you realizing it.Take it slow.It's your kids' first visit. You are doing the right thing by asking questions and planning. Don't feel like you need to plan every minute. Magic happens.It's going to be a blast.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 BUT whenever it is, there will be LOTS of traffic on here warning everyone of the ticket increase!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 BUT whenever it is, there will be LOTS of traffic on here warning everyone of the ticket increase!!!!Oh you betcha! I learned last year to sock away the ticket money as quickly as possible. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Hey CakeHenn - whatever Carol says regarind procuring your tickets is what you should do. She is an EXPERT on the Disney ticket system. And I agree with Yvonne's statement on making sure you build in some Fort time...which it appears you are doing. Either way you will have a blast! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Oh, and as far as booking, contact a Disney specialist travel agent. I like [email protected], with Travel On a Dream, and there is also a great TA that advertises here. Fiesty's Fun Time Travel Her info is on the front page. Just keep refreshing until it shows up.In either case, just email them your dates (like I said wait until August when 2014 rates are released). They will book your site, and AUTOMATICALLY look for any discounts available and keep looking for future discounts as they are released and apply them to your reservation.You will not have to fight with the complexities of the Disney web site, will not have to wait endless hours on hold with Disney reservations, etc., etc. Just simple emails.Rhonda will also make those dining reservations for you at exactly 180 days out, so you don't have to be on the phone or website at 6 am trying to get that princess breakfast in the castle or Be Our Guest in New Fantasyland. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CakeHenn 4 Posted January 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 What's the extra magic hours? Is that just an option to go in earlier than normal or stay later? Kind of a beat the crowds option? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yes it is. Good for Disney resort guests only. (The campground IS a Disney resort). Each day one of the parks will have an extra hours morning OR an extra hours evening. The extra hours morning is an hour earlier, the extra hours evening is 2 hours after park close.So regular day guests can not get in, in the morning, and in the night time hours, you have to show a room key to continue to ride attractions after regular park closing time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 ...Just keep refreshing until it shows up.Even easier, you can find her info on our Sponsors page :)http://www.fortfiends.net/_/misc/support-our-site-sponsors-r259 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 31, 2013 Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Even easier, you can find her info on our Sponsors page :)http://www.fortfiend...e-sponsors-r259Thanks Mo! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrincessNana 15 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 OK, park tickets. a four day or 3 day ticket would be good. However, once you look at pricing you'll notice that the more days you add, the less per day. So if you did have a 5-day ticket, and you got set up, maybe you could enjoy dinner in a park that first night and wander around just soaking a couple things in. The last morning, you might want to have a getaway breakfast at a park.(We often do that, get totally hitched up the night before, drive the camper to Hollywood Studios the next morning, have breakfast at 8am at Hollywood & Vine, then we are ready for the mad dash to Toy Story Mania, ride the attraction with no waite, then are out of the park and on the road by 9:30 am).If you do go 4 days or 3 days, then I would recommend park hoppers. That way if you find a park is way too crowded, or in the case of Animal Kingdom, closes early, you could go to a different park in the afternoon.I agree with Carol that a five day ticket would be a good option for your family. Since this will be your first trip, you will want to see everything and your girls will want more than one day at Magic Kingdom. Plus, by staying at Fort Wilderness you can go to the parks for a few hours, return to your campsite to rest or swim and go back to the park in the evening to catch the night parades and fireworks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
h2odivers...Ray 952 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 I just wanted to say hello and welcome! As you can tell if you ask a question you'll get lots of help for this loveable bunch of fiends. And to me planning is half the fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 What's the extra magic hours? Is that just an option to go in earlier than normal or stay later? Kind of a beat the crowds option?EMH's are supposed to be a perk for resort guests to allegedly beat crowds.But, depending on when you visit and what park we're talking about, EMH's sometimes result in bigger crowds than during normal operating hours. So, it's not always that great of a perk. In my opinion, the morning ones are good, if you go right at the beginning- but that also means you have to get up early. The evening ones aren't always so great- especially at Epcot- the wait times for the big attractions are still very long, so not very much extra magic there at all.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 We're fans of the really late EMH (midnight, 1, 2, 3am). Probably the only time we ever ride Peter Pan is after midnight when the wait times tend to drop way off. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 My evening park routine is to go to whatever park is open the latest that does NOT have EMH. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 We're fans of the really late EMH (midnight, 1, 2, 3am). Probably the only time we ever ride Peter Pan is after midnight when the wait times tend to drop way off.Us too.But, it's usually only the MK that stays open that late.And I am afraid that the 3 am EMH's are gone. My evening park routine is to go to whatever park is open the latest that does NOT have EMH.That isn't a bad strategy.And, some people say the same thing about AM EMH's. Go to a park that doesn't have them that day. That is why I said the AM ones are good if you go at the beginning. The park will be more crowded than normal as the morning progresses.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CakeHenn 4 Posted February 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 DO you guys follow the Undercover tourist crowd calendar in order to go to the parks with the least traffic each day? Do you find it accurate? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 I'll have to defer on that one to someone who spends time in the park and worries about crowds.My spouse and I have been so much that we only go into the parks for a couple of hours to have a meal and do some wandering/drinking or experience specific things. If it's too crowded, we bail to somewhere else or back to the camper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted February 1, 2013 Report Share Posted February 1, 2013 I am the same way (as what Carol said in the post right above)- I never look at Underground Tourist or any of the similar sites. My strategy is to go early, do what we can, and if the park is too busy, go do something else.For what it's worth, lately there are very few times when the parks are not crowded.TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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