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"Walt Disney World is offering politicians and other VIPs special passes that let them cut in line at popular rides." Some are concerned that Disney may be using these FastPasses as a way to court favors from politicians whom they lobby. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens don't offer these special passes. Since Universal charges for its Universal Express passes, they don't give them away to anyone.
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-fastpass1008apr10,0,6553939.story)

Credit card scam at Walt Disney World: "Detectives said the credit card scam could be the work of just one man who contacted people staying in Disney hotels and offered them deals that sounded too good to be true." Cast members never ask guests on property for their credit card info on the phone. Disney has worked out a deal with the credit card companies to refund the victims' $11,000. (http://www.wesh.com/news/15442259/detail.html)

Follow up story on credit card scam at WDW: "A former Disney World employee is accused of ripping off dozens of tourists by stealing their identities. The crime has sparked a new warning from fraud investigators - you need to be on the lookout even at the "Happiest Place on Earth."
(http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=18457&z=3)

Beth, our travel agent, writes about buying theme park tickets:

"I am frequently asked about purchasing theme park (and other) tickets at a discount. My advice is always the same: don't purchase until you're absolutely certain that a package deal isn't your better option.

Disney typically releases discounts about 8-10 weeks before the applicable period starts. In other words, if you want a January discount the applicable promotion will probably be announced in late October or early November. There are exceptions, of course, but if you're booking your January vacation in July then you probably haven't seen the best deal yet. That doesn't mean you should wait to book, but it does mean that the price is likely to drop so you'll need to watch carefully for the discounts and try to get your price changed if and when they are announced. (We save you the hassle and track reservations automatically, trying to get you those deals on the first day they are released, but we can only track reservations we make in the first place.)

These days, Disney shows a definite preference for discounting packages as opposed to room-only reservations, and ALL packages come with tickets. Also, given that you can normally only get the ever-popular dining plans with a package, even people that already have tickets will often shell out the extra cash ($64-$75 per person!) for 1-day base tickets in order to book a package with dining and/or the room discount. Annual pass discounts aren't what they used to be, so for the vast majority of people a package with room and tickets (and optional dining) is going to be the best way to go so you don't want to saddle yourself with nonrefundable park tickets until you know what the bottom line deal on a package is going to be.

Recently, though, we've seen a wave of people trying to book their vacations just weeks before they want to go. This is a bad idea for many reasons, as these folks are finding out, but sometimes it's unavoidable. If you find that the promotions have expired for your dates (or all the promotional space is gone) you could be facing the prospect of paying full rack rate on your resort room. If you can live without a dining plan it makes sense to look at non-Disney properties as well as the idea of purchasing the room and tickets separately.

Which brings us back to those discounted tickets… You cannot tell by looking at most theme park tickets how many days are left on them. Also, park tickets are not transferable; many Disney tickets even have names on them. If your finger scan doesn't match what's on the ticket you'll be asked to produce ID that matches the name on the ticket. (So no, you can't use the leftover days on your friend's ticket.) It is, therefore, critical that you purchase tickets from a reliable source. Affordable Disney's ticket agent has been around for a long time and they are great to work with. Their pricing is wonderful and I highly recommend them. (Affordable Disney members can log in and see the Walt Disney World Addendum for another tip for buying tickets at a discount from Beth.)

And when comparing prices, don't forget to compare apples to apples by ensuring tax and shipping are included in all the prices you're looking at. (That's the #1 mistake that people make when shopping around!)" 

Disneyland writes:

"Dear John,

Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort.

WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort single and multi-day tickets with remaining uses should be accepted at the DISNEYLAND® Resort. Please note that complimentary tickets or Annual Passes to the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort are not valid for admission. Regrettably, we are unable to guarantee the validity of tickets in advance by e-mail or telephone, as our Cast Members must physically see the tickets in question. Please present the tickets to a Cast Member at any Main Entrance turnstile for verification.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write. We hope you will have the opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and trust your visit will be pleasant in all regards.

Sincerely,

Linda Trump
DISNEYLAND® Resort
Guest Communications"

FYI

A partially used ticket purchased for a child who is now a teen - Disney will upgrade the remaining days on the ticket to adult status at no extra charge. Be sure to bring your child to Guest Relations when you upgrade.

A new unused ticket purchased for a child who is now a teen - Disney will subtract what you paid for the older ticket from the price of a new adult ticket and charge you the difference.

Visitors to Disney's parks may stay anywhere they like, on- or off-property. However, Disney has a rule that non-Disney resort guests must have Magic Your Way tickets with the Park Hopper or Water Parks & More options to use their bus transportation, although I can't imagine a bus driver asking you for proof, at least during the busy seasons!

Beth, our travel agent, sent us these comments on the use of tickets for Florida residents by non-Florida residents:

Seaworld and Universal Studios

The Flex Tickets are used at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild and Busch Gardens. We think they are an excellent value.

The 4-Park Orlando FlexTicket grants unlimited admission to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild for 14 days beginning with the first day of use. You may hop from park to park on the same day. You only pay for parking once at the first park you visit each day.

The 5-Park Orlando FlexTicket grants unlimited admission to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Wet ‘n Wild and Busch Gardens for 14 days beginning with the first day of use. You may hop from park to park on the same day. You only pay for parking once at the first park you visit each day. Passes are sold at the ticket booths of the participating parks.