Totally Tickets Week – Dad’s Ramblings

Posted on February 17, 2012 by

“Lord I was born a ramblin’ maaannnn …”

Yep, Dad’s singing again. (Dad sings good, you should hear him sometime.) Today, I’m gonna do a little rambling about Walt Disney World Tickets.

New RFID Ticket Scanner at Epcot

Ticket Scanner currently in use at Epcot - Photo courtesy of Touringplans.com Blog

I got a note from a nice lady (I get notes all the time, sometimes I can even print them) who told me a story about getting some tickets through a Coca-Cola promotion several years ago. After 3 years, she wondered if they were still good. This week she found out that yes, they are still good. I could have told here that. (Just kidding.)

The truth is almost all Disney World tickets bought years ago still have some value. This is not true of tickets with an expiration date on them, but if you have old tickets that still have useable days, you can trade the in for current tickets. (You will get a credit based on the type and cost of the original ticket.)

I’ve also updated the Free Disney World tickets page, because the get a Disney Day promotion with a free day expired last month.

It’s also important to remember that Disney raises ticket prices every summer. Typically it’s the first Sunday in August, but last year, without warning, they raised prices in June. I do foresee a big price hike later this year, so if you are planning a trip later this year, keep your ears on and listen for rumors of new ticket prices. (Disney did give a weeks warning last year.)

Another thing to remember is Disney is about to start testing a whole new ticket system. Not a lot of details have been released, but it’s rumored to include injecting a microchip right under your skin. (I’m just kidding.) This new ticketing system is part of a billion dollar project that will include making reservations for ride times from home (like dining). Or at least that’s what’s being discussed.

See a story from the Touringplans.com blog about Disney’s RFID tickets

The first step is being tested around the parks (currently in Epcot). There are some ticket locations where you don’t run your ticket through the machine any more, you just hold it up to a reader and it reads the card. You still have to put your finger on the finger pad. It works with the same technology the new drink dispensers use that only allows you to refill your refillable mug so many times an hour.

Big changes are coming to Disney tickets over the next few years. Who knows, we may actually get that microchip inserted into our arms one day.

LIke I told you at the beginning, I’m gonna ramble a bit. If you have any comments or questions be sure to add them below.


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Totally Tickets Week – Disney World Tickets the whole story

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

Disney World Tickets can be a bit confusing. To Park Hopper or not? How many days do I really need? What’s this Water Park fun thingy and should I add it? Will my tickets be good next year if I don’t use all the days? What’s love got to do with this? (Sorry, the background music distracted me.)

So Dad tell me what tickets I need to buy for my Perfect Walt Disney World Vacation? 

Here you go -

Magic Your Way – The base Disney World ticket is called a Magic Your Way Ticket. It’s been around for years. It does come in a couple of shapes. You can buy it separately or combine it with your room key (Key to the World). There are options you can add to the base ticket. The options are -

  • Park Hopper – allows you to go to multiple parks on the same day. This option costs $55.00 per person (plus tax). For a family that can be a lot of money. If you Plan your trip, you can schedule your parks so you don’t have to park hop and save a lot of money.
  • Water Park and More – go to the water parks and Disney Quest (plus a few more) as many times as you want during your stay. (You have to go to more than one activity to make this pay.) The option also costs $55.00 plus tax.
  • Never Expire – the base ticket expires 14 days after first use. You can purchase an option that keeps the tickets from expiring. This option is very pricey and depends on the number of days left on the ticket. (It might be a good option if a trip gets interrupted.

There are some other ticket options (annual pass, Florida residents) but the Magic Your Way is used by over 90% of guests. It’s the one Dad uses. (How’s that for a recommendation.

You can find lots more information including some history at Dad’s Disney World Tickets page


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Disney Cruise Lines Expanding

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

Hi yall! I know Dad and Mrs. Mom are excited about their cruise, but I feel left out because this is the first time they are going with the Man-Child and me. I decided I was going to investigate the Disney Cruise line to plan a trip for Prince Charming and mine’s 5th anniversary.

The Disney Fantasy gets a bow

The last piece of the Fantasy is laid. Photo by the Disney Parks Blog

Many you of you are thinking hey they just got married, why is she planning now. Well Dad has been talking about budgeting and saving up along with other helpful tips. All the talk of WDW makes me want to go back and I thought why not just add a cruise!

I started by finding more information about  The Disney Cruise  Line. I was shocked to find out that there are lots of different destinations available. I was under the impression that the cruise boats only went from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas.

In my research I found out that you can take the cruise from Florida to the Caribbean and Bahamas.  Disney is also starting to offer a vast choice of other ports. You can travel just about anywhere you want, including Alaska (Dad I know you will want to do this one).

In order to handle all of the locations and eager passenger, Disney has vastly expanded their number of available cabins. The 2 brand new ships (the Fantasy will sail later this year) have almost twice as many cabins as the original ships. So when both ships are sailing Disney will almost have quadrupled it’s capacity.

The Disney Cruise Line plans to use the older ships on some new routes. The Disney Magic, the original vessel will spend the first five month of 2013 cruising from Galveston,TX to the Caribbean. For the second half of the year the Magic will be sailing around Europe. These cruises will begin in Barcelona, Spain and sail to many exciting foreign ports. Stops include Barcelona and Rome. So get your passport ready to be stamped at all of these fascinating destinations.

The Disney Wonder cruise ship will be traveling to many exciting North American ports throughout 2012. You can choose anywhere from a 5 night cruise to a 14 night cruise. Destinations include Hawaii,Panama, the Bahamas, the Caribbean,Alaska,Vancouver, the Mexican Rivera, and thePacificCoast.

With so many new options I started to get a little overwhelmed. Looks like I will have to ask Dad to help me plan and budget for our trip. Maybe he will have some good stories after him and Mrs. Mom get back in October.


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Woo Your Lover with a Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekend at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

Whether you have been dating your sweetheart for five months or have been married for over 50 years, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time of year to show that special person in your life just how much you care and value them. If you want to make this Valentine’s Day one that you will truly remember, whisk your lover away for a weekend of romance and fun at the wonderful Waldorf Astoria Orlando hotel in Orlando, Florida.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando is truly a world unto its own. It is nestled in the heart of over 482 pristine acres along the tranquil Bonnet Creek. This crown jewel of a hotel boasts elegant and refined suites that are perfect for a couple seeking to relight the flame in their relationship.

Not only will you receive second-to-none service from the Waldorf Astoria’s committed staff, but you will also be living in the lap of luxury. The hotel offers complimentary private shuttle service to Disney World, so you will be able to have all of the fun of the world’s number one theme park right at your fingertips. You can also receive pampering services at the Waldorf Astoria spa. Book a relaxing and intimate couple’s massage and let the stress melt away.

The Waldorf Astoria Orland is the best of the best of Disney Orlando hotels. Your partner and you won’t even want to leave the hotel grounds and will spend your time curled up in each other’s arms. Order room service of wine and delicious food right to your hotel door and spend the entire vacation inside, wooing your lover on this very romantic day. You can even get Universal Studios Orlando packages so that you can save a lot of money and spend it all on your partner.

This Valentine’s Day, make it a truly romantic occasion and bring the love of your life to the spectacular Waldorf Astoria. You’ll be able to experience a truly splendid get away in Florida. This hotel will be like your own personal paradise and you will be able to have the time of your life with the one that you love. Explore Disney World and Universal Studios, get a couple’s massage, and enjoy the down time that you have with your partner. The Waldorf Astoria is the best place to go for V-Day.


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Make Your Valentine’s Day Perfect with Discovery Cove

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show that special person in your life just how much you care. You should definitely take the time to whisk your sweetie right off of their feet by doting on their every need. If you want to make this V-Day one to truly remember, then you should take your hubby on a romantic getaway to the paradise setting of Florida.

Aptly known as the “Sunshine State,” Florida offers the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s Day retreat. The endless summer sun and moderate weather create an oasis year round that draws people from all over the world. There are also tons of fun activities to do in Florida, including visiting their famous theme parks and taking a day trip to Discovery Cove.

Discovery Cove is a theme park in Orlando, Florida where you will have the opportunity to come face to face with a large selection of aquatic marine life, including bottle-nose dolphins. A day trip to Discovery Cove creates the perfect romantic opportunity for you and your date. You’ll be able to be surrounded by plenty of exotic creatures including colorful birds, land mammals, tropical fish and even stingrays.

The best part about Discovery Cove is that you will be able to interact and play with the dolphins. With the assistance of a dolphin guide, you will be able to get into the water and actually swim with the dolphins. This will make for a fun and exciting day that you’ll remember forever.

After you spend a fun-filled day swimming with real live dolphins, you can retire to the comfort of a Disney hotel in Orlando. Try finding a high quality and intimate room that will make your Valentine’s Day as special as it possibly can be. If you also get a hold of Sea World vacation packages you’ll be able to save tons of money on your trip and put the cash to something worthwhile, such as a candlelit dinner for two or a dozen red roses for your sweetheart.

A trip to Discovery Cove is just what the doctor ordered for a romantic and memorable Valentine’s Day. You and your partner will have the time of your lives and you will also have a load of fun. Florida is your ideal vacation destination for a romantic time away with your lover on V-Day!


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