Conference koolit::disney

    
    that is correct...the 4 day pass is only for the three main parks.
    
    The 5 day Super Duper Pass adds admissions to all the other
    'minor' (but no less fun!) parks.
    
    If you plan on going to any of the minor parks more than Once
    during your stay the 5 day pass is the best deal.  If you aren't
    going to use all five days on the pass you can use any remaining days
    (at ONLY the 3 main parks) on your next visit.  The admission to
    the minor parks is good for 7 days from the date of the first
    stamp.
    
    --Bert (51 days and counting!)

    People usually gauge as to how many days they would visit Typhoon
    Lagoon or Pleasure Island when determining if they are to get a 
    Super Duper Pass.
    
    Figure on two visits to justify the pass.
    
    Mike_who_has_an_AP_burning_a_hole_in_his_wallet_for_3_more_months_(sigh)

    RE:                <<< Note 96.68 by WREATH::SCOPA >>>
                             -< Latest Price list >-
>    .
>    .
>    .
>    Recommendations:
>    
>        Visiting for 1 day  ====> 1 day passces do not include tax and are 
>                     2 days ====> 5 day SD (no expiration date)
>                     3 days ====> 5 day SD
>                     4 days ====> 4 day or 5 day SD
>                     5 days ====> 5 day SD   MKC Members
>                     6 days ====> 5 day SD plus 1 day or 
>                                  4 day, use 1 day, then upgrade to 5 day SD
>                     7 days ====> AP (without adders)
>           more than 7 days ====> AP (with selected adders)

    I was wondering why the recommendation for the 5 day SD for short stays
    like 2 days?  It seems to me that on a short stay people would probably
    spend time in the three major parks and not the minor parks.  It seems
    like the 5 day SD costs about $11.50 extra for the SD portion (using MKC
    prices and extrapolating from the 4 day non-SD).  If you never go to the
    minors, you lose the $11.50.

    The idea was that you may want to either hop from park to park and/or
    go to TL or PI. Also with no expiration date you can use the other 3
    days sometime in the future....with the 4-day I believe there is an
    expiration date.
    
    Again, different strokes for different folks.
    
    Mike

>    The idea was that you may want to either hop from park to park and/or
>    go to TL or PI. Also with no expiration date you can use the other 3
>    days sometime in the future....with the 4-day I believe there is an
>    expiration date.

    Certainly you can go between the three majors, and they are good
    forever.  I know this because last year I bought my 4 day passes well in
    advance, and then left them home.  We used last year's passes this year
    (trip report coming soon).

    But I agree that if you choose to go anyplace other than the three
    majors (except Discovery Island), buy the Super-Duper passes even for as
    few as two days.

    

If I purchase a 5days Super-Duper Pass, does it mean that I i don't go EVERY
day in one of the WDW parks (for a break at Sea World for example), I won't
be able to enter one of the 'minor' parks anymore ? If I have a break before
ending the 5 days to major parks, do I need to spent it in a minor one ?

Patrick

    I'm not quite sure what you asked.
    
    Your 5-day SD pass does not require you to make use of it in 5
    consecutive days.
    
    To answer your last question the answer is no you can go to DI, PI,
    TL, and RC for seven days after your first visit to one of the three
    main theme parks.
    
    Mike

I beleive to gave me the answer. I was just confused by this 'consecutive'. This
in fact means the it does not mean that you can enter the secondary parks for
seven days whenever you want. Thanks.

Other question: since we have EuroDisney here in France, we can get rates from
our work council (personnel legal association, not union). So we cannot get
anything for WDW. Does anyone know if there is any possibility to get advantages
from DEC/USA ?

	\Patrick

    Patrick,
    
    Your best bet is to become a Magic Kingdom Club Member when looking for
    the best WDW rates.
    
    Mike

    
    note: with the 5-day passes, you still get free admission for the week
    following the first day you use it for Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island,
    River Country and Discovery Island...
    
    					Jim ( leaving Fri 3/11 for Disney )
    

    are the four and five day park "hopping" passes designed for
    four (or five) consecutive days from the time you first use them, 
    or are they for any day desired?
    
    thanks
    todd///

    
    RE -.1 ( Todd )
    
    	They're good for any 4-5 days ( the passes don't expire, ever ) -
    although you certainly *could* use then 4-5 consecutive days ( I'm sure
    lots of folks do )
    
    	But you could use one tomorrow, one next week, and the remainder in
    1997 if you were so inclined . . .
    
    				- Jim
    

Do you have to have the photos taken at Disney or can you take along 
some of your own. If so how big are they.

Robin (Warrington UK)

    The photos on the annual passports are oval, approx. 1 1/8" x 1". 
    I would expect them to use the same equipment for the other photo 
    passes. 
    
    Linda

    I was listening to a disney employee[yes demoted by me from cast to
    employuee after listening to him] explain the new tickets.  People were
    not happy with the change.  He said it was needed as the bad people who
    bought mulitday passes were reselling them to others.
    excusses me, mr disney!  I know that disney says they are
    non-transferable.  BUT, if mr disney sold me a 3 day superdupper or let
    me buy a four day super duper, I would not have any days left to sell!
    furthermore, in my mind, if I buy four days of admission, I should be
    able to use those days any way I want.  It does not cost mr disney any
    more money if uncle Joe uses one day of *MY* pass.
    Of course there are loss of income as uncle Joe isn't forced into
    buying a new ticket.
    We're not talking about counterfit tickets.  If we were, the new ones
    could be made as easy as the old.  mr disney is in love with floating
    money.  this is just one more way to achomplish it.
    
    and in the whole process, disney found a while new way to make money:
    charge for park hoping.  create a demand, then charge for it.
    they do sell coke, don't they.
    
    sorry, if I talked negatively here, but its been bothering me for a
    while and last night just sent me over the edge.
    ed
    

    
    re .101
    
    Mr. Disney has assumed room temperature.  It's Mr. Eisner now...
    
    -Rick

    I agree with Ed, other than the Mr. Disney part that is.  I don't
    see how they're losing any money through reselling.  In fact, they
    may be making more money.  Here's the scenario.  I buy a 5-day super
    duper pass but only use 4 days.  I don't plan to go to WDW again so
    will never use the remaining day.  Disney is gaining nothing at this
    point.  Someone I know will be visiting Orlando but doesn't plan on going
    to WDW.  I sell my ticket to this person for a few dollars, making it
    more economical for them to go while recovering some of my cost.  That
    person visits WDW and spends money.
    
    A relative of mine did this.  She couldn't afford to buy a Christmas
    gift for her sister.  Meanwhile her sister decided to spend her
    Christmas vacation with friends in Orlando but had no plans to visit
    WDW (couldn't afford it) so she gave her sister an old 3-day pass with
    1 remaining day.  The pass got used and I'm sure money was spent.  In
    addition, the sister didn't go alone so it's pretty safe to assume the
    people she was visiting spent money too - perhaps on passes.
    
    Okay, the Disney enterprise is in business to make money and I'm sure
    it really yanks their chains to see ticket resellers making money too
    but going to restricted passes and photos is taking things too far in
    my opinion.  So what's the first impression a Disney visitor will have
    now?  Either they'll have a restricted ticket or they'll have to stand
    in line to get their picture taken.  Either way it looks like a major
    hassle to me - think of how long the lines are at the turnstiles, now
    change that into long lines at the turnstiles plus long lines for
    photos.
    
    If reselling tickets is such a big problem then I think Disney should
    put the resellers out of business by offering to buy back unused days at
    a reduced rate.  Disney might lose a few dollars this way but they'd be
    rid of the resellers and would make a lot of visitors happy.
    
    Ruth
    
    PS - I hope they offer an upgrade from the restricted passes to the photo
         passes.  Otherwise they run the risk of losing much of their
         repeat business.
    
    Ruth

    I agree with both Ed and Ruth.
    
    If someone purchases a multi-day pass and uses only a portion of the
    admission and does not return then Disney receives revenue only from
    the purchase of the pass.
    
    However if that person or any other person uses the pass to enter a
    park that person will bring more revenue to the park from purchasing
    food, souvenirs, etc. 
    
    that was the whole idea behind dumping the A,B,C,D,E ticket policy.
    Once those D and E tickets were gone everyone said, "We're outta here"
    and the park lost revenue.
    
    If they are trying to sway guests into visiting one park (EPCOT) more 
    than the others maybe they should use the bait of a cheaper pass if you
    visit EPCOT first on at least 50% of the admission.
    
    Mike

    >If they are trying to sway guests into visiting one park (EPCOT) more 
    >than the others maybe they should use the bait of a cheaper pass if you
    >visit EPCOT first on at least 50% of the admission.
    
    If you're correct about getting guests into EPCOT then some sort of
    incentive should work.  Here are a few ideas I came up with without too
    much work:
    1. Open earlier and/or close later than the other parks.
    2. Price one-day tickets differently for each park making EPCOT the
       cheapest by a couple of dollars.
    3. Give away free buttons, balloons or something very inexpensive at
       the gate.
    4. Do something like the MK 20th anniversary surprise promotion where
       people are randomly chosen to receive a gift while visiting the
       park.
    5. Make the park more enjoyable for families with small children.
       - Build a children's play area like in Mickey's Starland so that small
         children have a place to go unwind without getting in other people's
         way.  Put some of those fountains with the jumping water there.  In
         fact, build two or three play areas - one in the Future World area
         and one or two in the World Showcase area.
       - Provide a babysitting service (like the Neverland Club) in the World
         Showcase area so parents can enjoy the World Showcase.
    
    Ruth

    I feel better about entering my reply, I know it bordered on blastfony
    [sp].
    I lot of good ideas are coming out, perhaps Mike's new club could
    exchange data with Disney.  I know they read all my letters and do not
    send form responces, but nice measured responces.
    
    If the could only come clean with the real reason!
    Is it really EPCOT attendance?  That's my favorite park as it has my
    favorite attraction.
    I like the 'babysitting service'.
    
    one other way to look at those unused days is that when you put them in
    the drawer when you get home, your putting days of happyness in the
    closet. ;-(
    ed
    

    Doug,
    
    Those prices look okay. You can purchase as many tickets as you
    want using your MKC card.
    
    As far as Sea World goes you're best bet is the Orlando Magiccard
    (unless you have friends who work for A-Busch who can get you an even
    better deal).
    
    Mike

The best way to get accurate prices for particular rooms at particular times
is to call CRO.  But, I just happen to have the latest Birnbaum Guide in front
of me :-), and here's what it has to say...

First, mid to late February is considered to be in-season.  The in-season dates
they list for near then are 2/12/95 - 4/22/95.  For the Polynesian Village,
they list prices of $215-$295 per night for standard rooms, and $325-$370 per
night for the concierge rooms.

Just for comparision sake, here are the standard room prices for in-season
for a bunch of the resorts:

Contemporary		$210-$240
Polynesian		$215-$295
Caribbean Beach		$ 94-$124
Grand Floridian		$275-$355
Yacht and Beach Clubs	$230-$295
Port Orleans		$ 94-$124
Dixie Landings		$ 94-$124
Wilderness Lodge	$169-$205
All-Star Sports/Music	$ 69-$ 79
Swan			$275-$305
Dolphin			$255-$335

Not that you asked for my opinion or anything, but if you're going to spend
the $ for the Poly, did you consider the Beach Club?  I fell in love with it
when we stayed there last and would pick it over the Poly any day.

						Tracy

   Gee... Now wonder I am not a SNOB and stay off property.  A week's stay
at one of those places will pay for the whole vacation cause in early Feb
I have found clean places for $20. not $200

I keep hearing *wonderful* things about the Beach Club from you all, but
in speaking with one of our party it came down to a lower choice for us.
She lives in San Diego and has the beach all of the time.  :-)

Quite honestly, I also was looking closely through a brochure and though
the room size and the many other pluses mentioned here are great, I'm not
very fond of "nautical" motif.

   Carol

BTW, what *are* concierge rooms?

Are they larger, or do they offer more service, or both?

    Carol

>   Gee... Now wonder I am not a SNOB and stay off property.  A week's stay
>at one of those places will pay for the whole vacation cause in early Feb
>I have found clean places for $20. not $200


I'm considered by most to be cheap...I consider it thrifty.  But 
having stayed both on and off property I'd much rather keep in tune 
with the deals going on and pay more to stay on property.  But yet 
again, maybe that is why the 50% off AP specials are not going on 
right now as they usually are.  

I'd rather do my shopping and be a thrifty snob than stay at the Days 
suites...

-Jay

    I also don't think its 'snob' to stay on property.
    on property is a Disney vacation,
    off property is a florida vacation that includes a visit to disney.
    
    	two different vacation.  the first one, Mickey has his hand deeper
    into your pocket, but he returns a lot of extra value that someone who
    has never stayed on property can never imagine.
    
    compare universal to mgm.  universal may appear bigger.  but the
    quality is less.  universal is like looking for a plot in an x-rated
    movie.
    ed
    

Decent rates are still available through MKC and other discount plans,
but availability at the most popular and newest hotels is filling up fast.
I just finished inquiring and got one of the last discount rooms at
Wilderness Lodge for late January.  Only the more expensive view (Courtyard)
is available now.

Bill A.

After just having spoken to another cast member, I learned a juicy tidbit
about prices.

If you start your stay on a Friday or Saturday night, they charge higher
prices than on any other night.  This higher charge extends to the entire
length of your stay.

The moral of the story?  If the price difference means something to you,
then make separate reservations: one for the weekend, and the rest for
the rest of your stay, starting on Sunday night.  They will keep you in the
same room, the cast member said, because it's too much trouble to move you.
(she didn't say whether it was too much for them or they were being considerate
to you...but I would guess the former.  :-)  )  This also means if you get a
special that says you get a fair room, but you start under a plan with a nicer
room, you will likely stay in the nicer room.

      Carol

    Mike,
    
    Please note the Disneyland Premium Annual Pass includes 10% discount on
    most merchandise in the park (min $5 purchase; One-of-a-kind watches
    not included), and the parking is for "Preferred Parking" (where you
    park up front near the entrance).  Standard Annual Passes can get a
    non-preferred parking add-on for $25.
    
    tom

    Right Tom.
    
    Not to mention 10% discount at buffeteria and table-service locations,
    15% discount at Aladdin's Oasis and Blue Bayou restaurants, 10%
    discount on rooms, food and most merchandise at the DisneyLand Hotel,
    plus a one year subscription to The Disney Magazine.
    
    Unlike the WDW AP there is no renewal AP.
    
    Mike

    
    
      Has Digital stopped giving out the Disney Discount cards?  I haven't
     seen any literature on this lately.
    
    Thanks,
    
    -Dean

>      Has Digital stopped giving out the Disney Discount cards?  I haven't
>     seen any literature on this lately.

You mean the Magic Kingdom Club cards?  They're still available from some
sites.  See recent replies to note 2 (the MKC - Magic Kingdom Club - note).

-- Nina
    

    
    Thanks Nina,
    
      I sent mail off to Donna JEAN.
    
    -Dean

    How much is it including taxes for a five-day world hopper pass 
    and a four day park hopper pass for the club members.  In other 
    words how much is the tax?

    
                                        Adult      Child 
                                                   (3-9)
    
     1-Day/1-Park Pass                $ 38.50     $ 31.00
    
     4-Day  Value Pass                $129.00     $103.00
     
     4-Day  Park Hopper Pass          $144.00     $115.00
     
     5-Day World-Hopper Pass          $196.00     $157.00
    
     Annual Passport*                 $236.00     $205.00
    
     Premium Annual Passport**        $329.00     $289.00
    
     Length of Stay Pass      (4 day)     $160.00
      (my estimates),         (5 day)     $200.00
                              (6 day)     $240.00
    
    *Annual Passports are a good deal if:
    
              - You are staying for at least 6 days and...
              - You don't intend on doing the water parks that much.
    
    **Premium Annual Passports are a good deal if:
    
              - You are staying at least 8 days and...
              - You intend on doing the water parks and Pleasure Island
                at least two or three times during your stay.
    
    Note that these prices are neither Magic Kingdom Club prices nor do
    they include taxes. Also, note that in the past the Length of Stay Pass
    could not be purchased in advance. 
    
    Mike                               
                             

    *** I'm looking for input on admission choices ***
    
    I called the MKC and the Disney Store last night for price quotes
    on Annual Passes.  I was contemplating going with the annual pass
    over the Length of Stay Admission if the price was right.
    
    My thought was to use the annual pass then purchase individual
    admission to the water park(s).  With (4) Adults and (1) Child purchase
    we would spend $1300 on annual passes.  I have two TL admission
    available from a previous visit.  We would at least visit TL with
    additional admission cost of $67 (2 Adults/1 Child).  Our Length of
    Stay is 9 days $1400 
    
    With the MKC discount I was quoted:
    
    					ADULT	CHILD
    					-----	-----
    Annual Pass				$ 268	$ 228
    Annual Premium Pass			$ 357	$ 303
    Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach**	$  24	$  19
    Discovery Island**			$  11	$   6
    
    ** Single day admission
    
    My question is:
    
    What variables am I missing in my analysis of Admission cost ??  
    Has anybody calculate a break-even point using AP vs. Multi-Day passes
    or LOS admission.
    
    I realize that AP give you a chance to return within the year but only
    allows access to MK/EC/MGM (Non-Premium pass).  LOS admission allows 
    access to all 8 parks, only for your Length of Stay. 
                          

>    What variables am I missing in my analysis of Admission cost ??  
>    Has anybody calculate a break-even point using AP vs. Multi-Day passes
>    or LOS admission.

I think you've got it pretty much figured out.  

As for break-even point, it really depends on how often (if at all) you want 
to visit the "minor" parks (i.e. the 3 water parks, Pleasure Island, and/or
Discovery Island).
    

    
    Do they still have AP "riders" for the water parks?  They
    were pretty cheap last time I added them to the AP for our
    9 day visit.
    
    - Sean

    The other variable is depending on when you go.....AP holders can get
    significant discounts on rooms at Disney resorts (40% off). They are
    not comunicated very well and announced close to the actual dates
    available, but they do occur. My family is going down March 1-10 and
    I've been told no AP discounts are available except at the Boardwalk
    Inn and other Villa style accommodations so I backed off of AP's
    for LOS passes.
    
    

    Bill,
    
    Try to break it down on a per day basis. That is, figure out exactly
    how many days you will need admission and to what parks. If you plan 
    on going to the water parks several times during your stay (and
    Discovery Island....oops, isn't that closed?...and Pleasure Island then
    maybe the length of stay pass is your best bet.
    
    On the Annual Passport....will you return in a year? Also on the AP,
    when renewal time comes around you can lock in your price....I did this
    and, unless the policy changes, in '97 I'll be using AP's at '95
    prices.
    
    Mike

    Looks like multi-day passes may get an increase real soon. A cast
    member in the rec.arts.disney newsgroup is indicating that all the
    signs are there for an increase next week.
    
    If you plan to go this year and you have yet to purchase your multi-day
    passes you may want to consider doing so ASAP.
    
    Mike

>    Looks like multi-day passes may get an increase real soon. A cast
>    member in the rec.arts.disney newsgroup is indicating that all the
>    signs are there for an increase next week.

Hmmm, looks like I'd better buy my passes soon.  Does anyone know which 
is cheaper - the MKC discounted price or the AAA discounted price?  (I
am buying the 5 day World Hopper passes).

Thanks,

- Lori

    And in a similar vein, is there an advantage to a LOS pass for five
    days over a 5-day world hopper pass?
    Thanks,
    Sue

    
    re: .141
    
    depends.  see 166.329 for the technical differences in the passes.
    
    I break it down like this
    
    The LOS is for people who stay at WDW all week, and dont venture
    outside for much more than maybe a meal or shopping after a day
    at the parks, and stay at an onsite resort.
    
    
    The Park Hopper pass is for people who want 5 major park days and
    7 minor park days, but may be staying outside of WDW and/or taking
    'breaks from Disney' during a 9 day or longer trip to see other Orlando 
    attractions.  the Park hopper requires a slight more planning to make
    full use of it over a longer stay.
    
    
                                      

    We intend to stay five days, and since it is our first visit, we
    probably won't venture out of the park much. However, since we're going
    in December, I'm not really counting on being able to use the water
    parks much. On the other hand, I've only been able to get reservations
    for three of the four nights I wanted, so if it takes till after next
    week to get that last night, I'd probably have to take the price
    increase on the LOS. Sounds like I'll stop by the mall tomorrow for
    some passes.
    Thanks for the help,
    Sue

    Remember that Length of Stay Passes are active from the time you check
    in to Midnight of the day you check out. Thus you get the most for your
    money if you arrive on an early flight and leave Orlando on a late
    evening flight. If you drive to WDW the Length of Stay passes will work
    in your favor. You can time your drive to arrive early and leave late
    or extend your stay a lot easier than if dealing with an airline.
    
    Also...EVERYONE should stay away from multi-day passes in the Winter.
    Why pay for waterparks when they are CLOSED???? If you can justify an
    AP then go for it.
    
    Mike

    The 5-day world hopper passes are cheaper by about $3.00 each using
    your MKC discount and getting them at a Disney store. The AAA price is
    $199/adult vs $196.xx (Fla. tax included) at a Disney store. I'm going to
    the Pheasant Lane Mall tonight and get mine (heading down to WDW in
    April).

re: -1

Yep, you're right.  I just double checked.  For 5-day World Hopper passes:

AAA   Adult, $199
      Child, $160

MKC   Adult, $197.38
      Child, $158.10

Every little bit helps. :)  Plus, by buying them at the Disney Store, I can
put them on my credit card and not have to pay for them for at least a month.
(AAA only accepts cash or checks.)

- Lori

    Lori,
    
    Your mentioning of AAA prompts me to point out to everyone that a few
    years back the guys at DCU told me the best deal for Traveler Cheques
    was AAA...but that is now reversed. Anyone needing TC's for their trip
    should think about getting them at DCU.
    
    Mike

    Also, keep in mind that although AAA will let you buy your passes with
    your American Express card, you can *not* use that card to purchase 
    American Express Traveler's checks. Mastercard/Visa/Discover were fine,
    but not Amex...Strange!
    

Gee, AAA told me they'd only accept cash or a personal check for Traveler's
Cheques (or AAA's own charge card).  I had to drive home and get my check
book.  They also won't accept Mastercard/Visa/Discover when you buy park
passes.

When you think about it, it makes sense...if you charged your Traveler's 
Cheques, AAA has to pay a fee to Visa/Mastercard for allowing you to charge,
so they'd be losing money on the deal, right?

- Lori

>When you think about it, it makes sense...if you charged your Traveler's 
>Cheques, AAA has to pay a fee to Visa/Mastercard for allowing you to charge,
>so they'd be losing money on the deal, right?
    
    One of the evening TV newsmagazines once did a story about a man who
    would charge thousand's of dollars of AAA traveler's checks on his
    airline visa or MC which resulted in zillions of frequent flyer miles.
    There were no rules against that at the time. However, once it was made
    public, my understanding is that AAA changed its rules so this couldn't
    happen any more.
     

    It's Official...WDW Admission Media has jumped effective 2-Mar-1997.
    
    I don't think the web page with the prices has been updated yet. Here's
    some changes. Note that these are NOT MKC prices and DO NOT include tax:
    
                             Was           Now
    
       1-Day Adult           $38.50        $39.75
       1-Day Child           $31.00        $32.00
    
       4-Day Park Hopper (A) $144.00       $150.00
           "  "    "     (C) $115.00       $120.00
    
       5-Day World Hopper(A) $196.00       $205.00
          "   "    "     (C) $157.00       $164.00    
    
    Don't know if Length of Stay Passes will take a hit. Annual Passports
    go up in the Fall.
    
    Mike

    I purchased my 4-day park hopper tickets last Friday because Mike was
    kind enough to tell us the price was going up in March.  We'll be using
    them the last week of October.

I, too, bought my passes (5-day) 1.5 weeks ago after reading in here the
price was about to go up.  I bought them at the Disney store, and the
cast members told me they had sold a bunch in the past few days because 
everyone read on the Internet that there was going to be a price increase.

Ain't technology grand?  :)

- Lori

    Another reminder.
    
    If anyone is thinking about purchasing APs for trips beginning after
    Oct. 1 you may want to purchase them before the Summer is out. I don't
    know exactly when the AP prices go up but I do know that it will happen
    this Fall.
    
    Mike

    I bought my tickets two weeks ago also after I read about the price
    increase.  Every little bit helps.  We're going June 4th, the day the
    kids get out of school.
    
    Betsy

One benefit of getting your passes at AAA is that you get a card to put in your
winshield that enables you to park in "diamond parking" for the standard
parking fee (of course if you're staying on site, this isn't something to
consider).  We found this to be wonderful, diamond parking is in the
handicap area and a short walk to the gate!  The trams are convenient, but 
not as convenient as this!

Laura