The Ujest family will be going to Disney next summer.
I need to find the best place to get the four day park hopper passes (adult and kids-ages 4 and 6, then) at a discount.
Anyone have any connections or old passes I could buy 
I don’t know, but always beware of used passes because there is no way to know how much (if any) time is left on them. The only way to know is test the ticket at the gate or at a customer service desk right by the gate.
Call the hotel you are staying and see if they are selling them. Often the hotels are selling them at a discount. And also they sometimes offer free shuttle to and from.
Today Disney opens their newest attraction “Mission To Mars” It is said to cost a 100 million to open it and all the newspaper reviews are saying it is the best ride.
Disney is one of those places that does not offer discount passes. If you’re getting some discount it is because the person selling the passes to you is eating the difference.
Btw, Mission to Mars has been open for few weeks, in “pre-open” mode, and it is awesome, you’ll find it at Epcot.
Try this link
They will recommend several discount ticket brokers. And yes, there are reputable discount ticket brokers. Paramount was selling tickets that were a little cheaper off gate and included a character breakfast (a $20 per person deal).
You can also buy from Disney’s web site in advance and save a little off gate, the brokers will save a little more.
Or try the budget board at this site www.disboards.com
Do not buy used passes on e-bay - technically the passes are non-transferable and you can’t tell how many days are unused on them - so if you get scammed you have no recourse.
In general, tickets are not heavily discounted, but you can find some less expensive tickets. If its too good to be true, it is.
I’m going to Disney World tommrow for a week (8th time). I’ve heard the best thing about Mission Space and will report back with impressions.
I’m going to Disney World tomrrow for a week (8th time). I’ve heard the best things about Mission Space and will report back with impressions.
Cool, let us know how it is. I’m dying to go on it - about 3 more weeks and I’ll be there for a day or so!
While in Orlando/Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee watch out for the “Discount Disney Tickets” booths in the touristy areas.
The catch to these is that you can get discounted tickets but you have to attend a high-pressure time-share sales pitch seminar.
Don’t waste your time on any of these, the guys are rutheless.
As for visiting during the summer, unless you plan on hanging out at the pool or frequenting the water parks, I wouldn’t recommend it. Large crowds and high humidity just aren’t any fun. I’d recommend the first or second week of November. Sparse crowds and great weather. I know the kids are in school but it’s worth pulling them out.
Shirley–if I may offer some advice…if the kids get a ‘winter break’ in late Jan or early Feb, that is really a good time to go. It’s not hot (sometimes it’s actually chilly. Go figure!) and it’s not crowded, which makes it way better than fighting the crowds in summer. Another plus to smaller crowds is more interaction with the characters, which I know is always a big plus with little ones. 
IDBB
Shirley–I would also suggest reading “Walt Disney World for Kids” (I’m pretty sure that’s the title). It’s really helpful. Email me for more info, esp if this is your first time with little ones.
IDBB
“The Ujest family will be going to Disney next summer.”
Umm, Disneyland or World? Might be some on Ebay. Also try staying at one of Disney’s hotels.
I second staying at a Disney Hotel, at least for Disney World, it’s less crucial at Disneyland.
I was in Mcdonalds at the corner of 192 and I-95 North this weekend (in Florida). They were selling Disney tickets and other attraction tickets for $20 less then you would pay at the gate.
It is not my idea to go to Orlando next summer to visit this place.
[rant]I use to live for two summers in the general area ( Cocoa Beach) and a) hate hot, hot, hot weather b) dislike Disney and the big one, C) it is my SIL and her husband (and their four perfect children - ages 5, 2.3 , 2.3, and 8 months old) doing their biannual pilgrammage to Mouseville and staying at their condo. did I mention my inlaws are a part of this package plan as well? 4) I think my kids, at 6 and 4.5 next summer, are still a bit young to do all the rides. I was planning when they are something at least 7 or 8.
I don’t want to go for the two reasons above, but it is #3 that makes my blood pressure go up. Did I mention that my SIL can do no wrong and could shit on the Pope’s hat and everyone would go , " Ohhhh, that’s beautiful…". I’m not bitter.
So, since we are not paying for accomodations and our only expenses will be food and park passes, I want to really do this cheap, soas to make my enjoyment so much more.
Thanks for all the input.