We are flying in on Sunday (15th), arrive at Hilton on property near midnight. Will be totaled by flight, but should we get one more day ticket (5th) for the $8.50 more and spend another 1/2 day at AK?????

Plan 2 days Epcot (been before long time ago, really enjoyed), 1 day MGM (been at opening and to Universal before), and 1 day AK (never been). We live in Escondido and move here to be near the Wild Animal Park.

Again the question is should be buy a 5 day ticket (vs 4) and do a 1/2 "check it out" visit to AK or do something else? We will not have a car, nor do we want to go awayyyys off site. Would it be better to see some of the other nonpark stuff at the Disney property. OH, no interest in Disney World. Not much of a thrill rider. Young seniors.

We have checked out a lot of sites suggested on FT and the Disney site. Discount ticket (too late now) seemed to offer little. We will check out AAA before we go. Currently plan to get tickets at Hilton (if available at par) or gate. We are bummed by the absence of a clear way to save on all the meals.

Any input would be appreciated.

If you are coming all that way, I would definitely spend $8.50 for the extra day, even if you don't use it. One option I wanted to mention though: if you love animals, you could just go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge (the hotel, not the park) to see their animals/savannas, that is free. It's really gorgeous.

Now that I think of it, I would suggest you do that. You could eat there, they have a food court area called Mara that is reasonable, if you are looking to save on food, or just go to see their animals.

We get annual passes for Disney (what can I say, we have a kid, we visit WDW a couple times a year) and that also offers us a deal for 20% off all food and drink card called the Disney Dining Experience. Doesn't sound like that will work for you, but it saves us a lot of money, especially because it includes alcohol. Nice discount for an expensive bottle of wine each night with dinner, lol. Basically pays the tip each night, can't beat that.

Have you looked into their dining plan? I have never used it, but some people like it. I think the best way to save money on food is to eat less of it, basically. Pack some snacks for your room, breakfast items, etc. I think folks save money doing that. We usually get a club level room and that includes a lot of food/drinks, so that sort of saves us $ even though it costs more for the room of course.

For more info or opinions check out http://www.disboards.com

Thank you.

It appears that the Dining Plan and the discount tickets available thru Disney require hotel room package purchase. This turns out to be true of the AAA too. No hotel, not dining or ticket package (at least at the AAA here at home)

I think there is a special going on right now. Buy a 3 day expiring park hopper and get 2 or 3 days for free. You can then make up your mind if you want to spend the extra money.

www.ticketmania.com

I've used them before and they are quite reliable. They may deliver to your hotel for a small fee. I usually have them mailed to my home.

For $8.50, it seems well worth it just to have the option of going back to the Animal Kingdom (or another park) for half a day.

If you don't, there is certainly plenty else to do on Disney property. I assume you're staying at the Hilton at Downtown Disney? Downtown Disney itself is a wonderful place to walk around, eat, shop, and people-watch.

If you do go to Animal Kingdom, I would recommend visiting that park first one morning. Upon the park opening, immediately go to the back of the park for the Safari ride/experience. It tends to form a long line throughout the day even though it is well worth the wait.

Thanks.

The 1/2 day is the first day, not at the end.

We have not bought our tickets yet. Plan to at Hotel (if that can be done). The issue was spend 1/2 day move at the front checking out AK and doing some items to minimize what is left for our scheduled full day or do something else on the Disney Property. We are at the Hilton on property. The $8.50 is not the issue and would have been best not typed by me. The issue is the best use of time. Is there something else we should be doing on site.

We are going to try to get to the AK Lodge to see the views and maybe have a dinner.

Thank you, the safari ride is high on our list. First stop in the morning. Ride or Fast Pass.

I have gone to the 10 or so "Disney" related site to get the scoop. One site give you a tour order at each park. They ask a payment to gear each exampe your party, but the data was useful.

The discounts offered on tickets are really minimal!!!!! Once you buy a 4 day pass, incremental days are really cheap. The discounters save you less than$10, unless you buy four days and intend to stay 7, then you save slightly more ln the free day add on program. A bit of bait and switch goes on too between expiring and nonexpiring tickets. No time for them now anyway.

We know little about the ground outside the park and what there is to do, given we will only have the 1/2day, first day, evening and one additional evening. Everything else during our stay is tied to the parks.