Annual Pass Voucher question

[dcfromva]

I realize this might be an outlier type question because my vouchers are so old.

I purchased the vouchers in 2008 at which time there were no block out dates. On my last trip to WDW in Nov, I had the exchange certificates added to My Disney Experience. They were coded in as "Annual Pass DVC Exchange".

I stopped by guest services and asked that they make a note on my file that these passes were purchased in 2008 and had no block out dates on them (which they did).

Anyway, I was recently making some park reservations for an upcoming visit and I noticed that my current (Sorcerer Renewal) pass has the option of making 5 of 5 reservations (if not staying at a Disney resort).

The not yet activated vouchers say 3 of 3 reservations available (if not staying at a Disney resort).

I am wondering if it is normal for vouchers not yet activated to have fewer park reservations available? (I'm not even sure which pass the 3 reservations would equate to?)

 

[Sandisw]

I realize this might be an outlier type question because my vouchers are so old.

I purchased the vouchers in 2008 at which time there were no block out dates. On my last trip to WDW in Nov, I had the exchange certificates added to My Disney Experience. They were coded in as "Annual Pass DVC Exchange".

I stopped by guest services and asked that they make a note on my file that these passes were purchased in 2008 and had no block out dates on them (which they did).

Anyway, I was recently making some park reservations for an upcoming visit and I noticed that my current (Sorcerer Renewal) pass has the option of making 5 of 5 reservations (if not staying at a Disney resort).

The not yet activated vouchers say 3 of 3 reservations available (if not staying at a Disney resort).

I am wondering if it is normal for vouchers not yet activated to have fewer park reservations available? (I'm not even sure which pass the 3 reservations would equate to?)

All APs have a limit on the number of park passes that can be booked at any one time. That is not the same as block dates.

The only time you can hold more than what is allowed is to have your passes tied to a hotel reservation on site.

For example, I can book the 5 out of 5 outside of my DVC trips, and how ever many days match my resort stays.

 

[dcfromva]

All APs have a limit on the number of park passes that can be booked at any one time. That is not the same as block dates.

The only time you can hold more than what is allowed is to have your passes tied to a hotel reservation on site.

For example, I can book the 5 out of 5 outside of my DVC trips, and how ever many days match my resort stays.

Is it normal for DVC vouchers to only have 3 out of 3 reservations available? I was expecting them to be 5 out of 5 (for reservations that are not associated with a Disney resort stay).

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Just a question to clarify. You say you have a voucher from 2008, but you refer to it as a Sorcerer pass? I might be overthinking this, but you renewal might still be considered a Gold pass and only valid for 3 park reservations (it's hard to tell since they didn't have park reservations in 2008!). It will become a Sorcerer pass when activated at Guest Services.

But if you have a Disney resort reservation, the only restrictions on park passes should be the length of your stay plus one (checkout day also included). Remember when you activate your Sorcerer Pass eventually. Not only should you be grandfathered for one year around the blackout dates, you should also get a free year of the photo pass.

 

[kes601]

The only time you can hold more than what is allowed is to have your passes tied to a hotel reservation on site.

Quick clarification. You can also hold more than 5 when bonus reservations are available — as they were most days Dec 12-23.

This also became an issue for us. It there are bonus passes at all parks on the days that you hold your resort reservation park passes (as an AP) then you can’t modify your park. You have to cancel and re-book (like it used to work). This became an issue for us one day as we cancelled and couldn’t get either park we wanted. Luckily I stalked the reservation site and got what we wanted but it took more effort than it should have.

 

[dcfromva]

Just a question to clarify. You say you have a voucher from 2008, but you refer to it as a Sorcerer pass? I might be overthinking this, but you renewal might still be considered a Gold pass and only valid for 3 park reservations (it's hard to tell since they didn't have park reservations in 2008!). It will become a Sorcerer pass when activated at Guest Services.

But if you have a Disney resort reservation, the only restrictions on park passes should be the length of your stay plus one (checkout day also included). Remember when you activate your Sorcerer Pass eventually. Not only should you be grandfathered for one year around the blackout dates, you should also get a free year of the photo pass.

My current pass is a Sorcerer renewal--that is the one that is giving me the opportunity to reserve 5 of 5 reservations (if it is not associated with a Disney Resort reservation).

But, the DVC vouchers that have not yet been activated have only 3 of 3 reservations available (if it is not associated with a Disney Resort Reservation). Did the Gold pass only have 3 park reservations available (assuming it is not associated with a Disney Resort Reservation and excluding any bonus opportunities)?

I "thought" the Gold pass always had block out dates, though, didn't they? I thought Gold passes initially had block out dates between Christmas and NY and also Spring Break? I thought my vouchers would be more like premium annual passes? ( I am not sure I am remembering the proper name of the pass, though). I don't think I get the photo pass because I don't think that was part of the pass back then. (I wish I had printed a description of the pass from back then. )

 

[thanxfornoticin]

OK, I misunderstood. And yes, Gold had blackout dates, but they changed slightly when Sorcerer passes came to be. They changed the blackouts around Thanksgiving and Easter, I think. One thing is for sure - when you finally activate that old AP, it'll be the best deal going for park admission!! Much cheaper per day than today!

 

[dcfromva]

Quick clarification. You can also hold more than 5 when bonus reservations are available — as they were most days Dec 12-23.

This also became an issue for us. It there are bonus passes at all parks on the days that you hold your resort reservation park passes (as an AP) then you can’t modify your park. You have to cancel and re-book (like it used to work). This became an issue for us one day as we cancelled and couldn’t get either park we wanted. Luckily I stalked the reservation site and got what we wanted but it took more effort than it should have.

Interesting. However, my vouchers are only 3 out of 3 (for reservations not associated with a Disney resort stay). Good to know about the cancel and re-book/stalking technique for making adjustments.

 

[Sandisw]

Interesting. However, my vouchers are only 3 out of 3 (for reservations not associated with a Disney resort stay). Good to know about the cancel and re-book/stalking technique for making adjustments.

Prior to the change to current passes that went on sale in Aug 2021, the Gold and others, had the 3 park pass limitation,

So, the change to 5 came with Sorcerer and Incredi Pass. Since those vouchers are old, they fall under the original rules for park reservations which is why limited to 3.

Once you activate into an actual Sorcerer or Incredipass, it will then be eligible for the 5.

 

[dcfromva]

Prior to the change to current passes that went on sale in Aug 2021, the Gold and others, had the 3 park pass limitation,

So, the change to 5 came with Sorcerer and Incredi Pass. Since those vouchers are old, they fall under the original rules for park reservations which is why limited to 3.

Once you activate into an actual Sorcerer or Incredipass, it will then be eligible for the 5.

Thanks, that makes sense--I didn't remember that the annual passes started out with only 3 reservations not associated with a resort stay. (I'm always staying at DVC when I go to WDW anyway, so it didn't stick in my memory).

I checked to see if I could reserve something with the one of the vouchers during sorcerer block out dates (ex Christmas Day 2023) and I found that I could, so it looks like I am in good shape.

 

[kes601]

Interesting. However, my vouchers are only 3 out of 3 (for reservations not associated with a Disney resort stay). Good to know about the cancel and re-book/stalking technique for making adjustments.

Most of the time this won’t be an issue. It’s because they made all 4 parks bonus reservations during those dates. I don’t think the system understood how to handle it.

 

[dcfromva]

Most of the time this won’t be an issue. It’s because they made all 4 parks bonus reservations during those dates. I don’t think the system understood how to handle it.

Technical question regarding the bonus days you mentioned above ( Dec 12-23?). Did you find the parks less crowded than normal on your bonus days?

 

[kes601]

Technical question regarding the bonus days you mentioned above ( Dec 12-23?). Did you find the parks less crowded than normal on your bonus days?

It was less busy than Thanksgiving week was but busier than I was expecting given they had the bonus passes.