First time Disney travelers might be intrigued by the street vendors around Lake Buena Vista and Kissimmee selling used Disney World tickets. The attraction is obvious, save 50% or more off the price of your park tickets by purchasing someone’s “leftovers”.
For example, let’s say a family purchased a 7-day Magic Your Way ticket and only visited the park 5 days during their stay. Now technically there are 2 unused days still left on the pass. Even if they did not purchase the No Expiration option, the tickets are still valid up to 14 days after their first use.
Sounds like a great way to take advantage of unused tickets – right?
Well it might sound like a good idea when pitched by a fast-talking street salesman, but the truth is that all used Disney tickets are a scam. The only thing you’ll get from buying them is a big fat hole in your wallet.
Here is what you need to know…
– For starters, the practice of selling used DW tickets in Florida is illegal, but the market is still very much alive thanks to scammers who try to exploit innocent tourists.
– Disney World tickets work like credit cards. They have a magnetic strip that identifies the purchaser and proper ID must be provided in order to redeem them. If your ID does not match the ticket’s information then you will not gain entry to the park.
From the Disney World website:
“Please note that all Magic Your Way Tickets are nontransferable and must be used by the same person on any and all days. The person who uses the ticket for the very first time must use the ticket for its entirety. Any tickets that are transferred are in violation of this restriction and are invalid for admission.”
– Only Disney ticket computers can tell whether or not is valid, and how many days are left on the pass.
– The majority of discounted tickets sold on eBay and Craigslist are actually used passes. There is no legitimate way for anyone to offer significant savings on tickets without losing money on the deal. Thus, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.
So in short, steer clear of anyone selling used tickets. The absolute safest place to buy your park tickets is directly from Disney World. It simply is not worth risking your vacation to save a few bucks, especially when there are so many other ways to save at Disney World.
What is illegal is the fact that Disney because of their clout, had it pushed through the legislature and put on the books (in two weeks, which usually takes years) to make it illegal to resell attractions tickets.
Because they were in good with George Stewart who was one of the big wigs in Tallahassee and by the way…owned George Stewart printing who by the way…did all the Disney Brochures and paper work (you can imagine how much money was made from this).
Well, by having a law on the books, Disney can arrest people forever, for selling a partially used ticket. They’ve been arresting people since 1988 but have NEVER prosecuted. Do you want to know why? Well, if they prosecute and it goes to trial, it will be thrown out because it’s UNCONSTITUTIONAL. Who or what company do you know that sells you something and then tells you that you can’t resell it. Can you imagine if Ford or Toyota sold you a car with the stipulation that you can’t sell it? What if they told you that you could give it away, but you couldn’t sell it. You can put it in your garage and it’s good for the rest of your life. Yeah! That’s what they do with the Disney Ticket that you’ve paid $150.00 to $250.00 dollars for. They tell you to keep it or give it away, but you can’t sell it. That my friends is why Disney arrests but doesn’t follow through, as it would be thrown out and wiped off the books, as it should be. But as long as it’s on the books, they can keep arresting and making this big sting and show and put it on TV and in the newspapers. You see, I’ve been here in Orlando for too long and I have a long memory. Glad I had the chance to vent and share this with you! THE MOUSE WANTS ALL THE CHEESE!