A really unfair situation - any advice??

[NancyIL]

Forgive my ignorance, but can't you buy a ticket at the gate for the day(s) you want to go prior to getting your other tickets?

Sure she could, but she said it would cost $600 for 2-day tickets for 5 people!

I agree with those who said to rest from your long flight(s) and enjoy the WDW resort - outside the theme parks.

 

[SusanDK]

Could you use the 14-day ultimate tickets for this trip from the day you arrive, and save the 5-day tickets for another trip or sell them? As long as the 5-day tickets are totally unused, they won't expire until 14 days from first use. And as long as they are used by the same person for all 5 days (not passed between people), you should be able to give them to someone else.

Susan

 

[NancyIL]

Could you use the 14-day ultimate tickets for this trip from the day you arrive, and save the 5-day tickets for another trip or sell them? As long as the 5-day tickets are totally unused, they won't expire until 14 days from first use. And as long as they are used by the same person for all 5 days (not passed between people), you should be able to give them to someone else.

Susan

She arrives 3 days before she can start using the 14-day ticket, so would have to buy 2-day tickets for 5 people to go to the parks the first two full days. She isn't buying a 5-day ticket, as it is only $24 less/pp than the 14-day ticket.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

My only suggestion would be to speak to someone at Guest Services upon your arrival to see about getting the tickets early. If that doesn't work...just hang around the resort or maybe go to Seaworld or Universal.

 

[SusanDK]

She arrives 3 days before she can start using the 14-day ticket, so would have to buy 2-day tickets for 5 people to go to the parks the first two full days. She isn't buying a 5-day ticket, as it is only $24 less/pp than the 14-day ticket.

She arrives 3 days before she can start using whatever ticket is attached to her package. The requirement is that she have at least a 5-day ticket on her package. She wants to have a 14-day ticket from her day of arrival.

So I'm suggesting she get the 14-day ticket (not attached to the package but as a stand-alone purchase) and use it for the whole trip. The 5-day tickets which are her required minimum purchase with the package can be set aside for another trip or passed along to someone else (as long as they are unused).

Susan

 

[NancyIL]

She arrives 3 days before she can start using whatever ticket is attached to her package. The requirement is that she have at least a 5-day ticket on her package. She wants to have a 14-day ticket from her day of arrival.

So I'm suggesting she get the 14-day ticket (not attached to the package but as a stand-alone purchase) and use it for the whole trip. The 5-day tickets which are her required minimum purchase with the package can be set aside for another trip or passed along to someone else (as long as they are unused).

Susan

The 5-day tickets cost ~$300/pp times 5 people! I see no reason to buy two sets of tickets.

I would try nicely pleading with Guest Services at the Poly when you check-in to get the 14-day tickets early. If that fails, then have back-up plans.

 

[Chester's Mum]

Why not just buy a 1 day ticket at the gate. I know it is expensive but not as expensive as your 5 day option.

 

[nixieh]

Thanks for everyones responses, sorry not to have posted earlier.

Firstly, I do understand that I am getting a great deal with the free dining and I am not knocking that, it just seems unfair that even though I have already paid $1600 for tickets (for my family of 5) that covers every day of my entire onsite stay at Disney (14 days) I have to still buy extra tickets to use at the beginning of the stay, because I can't get my package tickets 3 days earlier. When free dining was offered to US residents you only had to buy 1 days tickets for the package, in the UK we have to buy a 5 day ticket which is only $18 cheaper than the 14 day ticket.

Yes, it is good advice to do other things the first few days and not visit the parks, the reason I wanted to visit the parks is that when coming from the UK we are 5 hours ahead of the time in Florida which means on the first few days we tend to wake up at about 4 or 5am (9-10am UK time) and last year we found it really useful as we could easily get to the parks for opening and then leave at lunchtime. I particularly wanted to do this as I know it will be sweltering in August so prefer to visit the parks early before it gets too hot, also part of the reason for the Poly stay was the monorail access to the parks for those first few days. We find that once our bodies adjust to the time difference after the first few days we find it harder to get the whole family up and out at at the parks for opening time!

I think I have basically got the choice now of not visiting the parks the first couple of day or spending the extra $300-$600 for 1 or 2 day base tickets.
I did consider getting a second set of 14 day tickets to use from the beginning of the holiday and then saving the 14 day tickets associated with the package for another trip, but that means I have to find another $1500 before the holiday (even though it will save me buying tickets on the next trip).

Thanks again for all the advice, it is good to know I can get my package tickets at the Poly from the 12th rather than having to go to POR early in the day. At the end of the day I am still happy to be going.

Nicola

 

[seashoreCM]

If you do decide to save the package tickets for a future trip, you will want to double check and make sure the package tickets are standard, that is, without hard expiration dates.

Your situation is a great incentive to do non-Disney things, such as Universal or Sea World, on the first few days.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Chester's Mum]

Why not just buy a 1 day ticket at the gate. I know it is expensive but not as expensive as your 5 day option.

Sorry, did not read the whole post (duh!) and did not realize how expensive the one day would be for the entire family. I hope you find an acceptable resolution. It is a tough problem. I know that my family could not wait 3 days to go to the parks after checking in. Good luck.

 

[DisOrBust]

I really think I would do a water park or,gasp, SeaWorld! The 9th will be a hard enough day. The 10th a good recovery day, see the Resorts, do a character meal, hit a water park. The 11th I would hit Seaworld, its IMHO, a great 1-2 day park. Then be geared up to do wdw.

I don't think you'll have any luck trying to cvhange things from across the pond, you may have more luck in person.

 

[MEK]

Nicola -

You are a good sport, because some of the replies to this post were a little "snooty" (for lack of a better world). I certainly understand why your family wants to get into the parks ASAP. I would be frustrated too. Staying at the Poly and not being able to get into the MK - bummer!

I really wish I had a suggestion for you. I can't think of anything that hasn't already been mentioned. If you family is "itching" to get inside a park, I would go to Universal or Seaworld. The tickets there are much more reasonable then a 2 day Disney ticket. The other option is a water park. You can make a day of the WP and then head to DTD for dinner and shopping.

Good luck with your decision. At least you have plenty of time to ponder it over.

 

[canwegosoon]

Did you try to do a room only reservation and getting tickets for the first 3 days through an outside source like www.undercovertourist.com You could always have tickets mailed...

I am a little confused about the 14 day tickets, and the 5 day...I mean I understand you as a UK resident can have the 14 day, and I understand the 5 day ticket needed for the free dining, but is there any way to break your ressie into another grouping that would allow you to take advantage?

It's just me I am a little dense at the moment...did you ask about upgrading tickets or did you price out an AP(with poss AP discount) and getting a DDE...? I am sorry if I am no help, I am not fully aware of all the limitations for UK, but just trying to give some suggestions.

If you can not make it work...go to the Salvadore Dali Museum....
Good Luck...and I appoligize in advance for my rambling.

 

[Pootle]

Nicola -

You are a good sport, because some of the replies to this post were a little "snooty" (for lack of a better world). I certainly understand why your family wants to get into the parks ASAP. I would be frustrated too. Staying at the Poly and not being able to get into the MK - bummer!

I totally agree with this and just can't understand why some people need to be so abrasive about a query such as yours

I think that most posters gave you good advice however. I've done more trips to Florida than I would care to admit and I've enjoyed visits where I've not set foot in the parks (granted not when my son was young though).

Obviously I understand your point about being it being easy to get up early the first few days, but those times can also be 'magical' in just watching the resorts come alive and realising you are just at the start of your holiday. My personal favourites for this are Boardwalk and Wilderness Lodge so I'm sure just being around Bay Lake would be special - although I can see that for children, the parks are going to be tantalisingly close

Good luck with it

 

[JPN4265]

Good Luck