Anyone doing a split stay with the free DDP

[nixieh]

We are travelling out on Aug 9th so we have 3 days before the free dining starts. We are going to be staying at POR from 12th (when the free dining starts) for a fortnight. We want to stay at the Poly for the first 3 days but apparently I can't get my 21 day ultimate tickets until the 12th as they will be associated with the package with the free dining(still with me!). We wanted to visit the parks in the first couple of days to take advantage of waking up early and being on the monorail but if I have to buy extra tickets just for the first three days it might not be worth it. Has anyone else done a split stay with the free dining and found a way around this tricky problem???

Thanks in advance

Nicola

 

[wayneg]

We are Going 2nd-27th (if I can get the flights). Considering 18 nights offsite then the last 7 nights at POFQ, 14 day tickets and DDP.
I always book everything myself but on Wednesday called in local TA. She rang me with a quote for 3 of us it would be £4,700 but could not do free DDP because our trip started before the 12th Aug. In this price there was £630 for 14 day tickets, they are only £540 to buy direct from Disney.co.uk
So yet again looks like doing it all separate and getting exactly what I want. I could even drive to Glasgow and travel business class for £4,100. £600 Cheaper than economy and free DDP.

I had not looked at the ticket start dates, If you book direct with Disney.co.uk for say a 7 night stay you have the option of buying 7, 14,or 21 day tickets so they are not only valid while you stay in the hotel.

 

[wayneg]

I have just found the info on Disneys site. Yes you were correct you cant get the park tickets until you check in to the hotel. So that has made my mind up for me cant do what I wanted with the split stay. My trip will now be 25 nights offsite and no dining onsite.
Silly really as they were going to get £1,300 out of me for hotel and tickets, Now I will stay offsite and maybe spend around £300 on tickets and use our AP's more for Seaworld, Universal and IOA.
I can't understand their rule on this one. What difference does it make if you use a pass before your stay or after?

"Disney's Hotel and Ticket package includes Theme Park Tickets which are issued on check in at your Disney Resort Hotel. If you wish to use your Disney Theme Park Tickets prior to arrival at your Hotel, you need to book Hotel Accomodation only booking and a separate Ticket only booking."

 

[paulh]

we will be doing it split a few days dvc, then pop when it kicks in then dvc ssr to recover at the end
Paulh

 

[nixieh]

It just seems so crazy, if we can get our tickets before then we will stay at the Poly Concierge for the first 3 days and if not then we will probably stay offsite as well so Disney will have lost out on the extra £700 from us too! I am so annoyed about it, they have started the package on the 12th which is fair enough as that is when US kids go back to school but it seems like people with kids who have to be back by the end of Aug and want 3 weeks onsite are really penalised. We are going on a Disney cruise on the 26th so have to do our extra days a the beginning!!

Thanks for your comments guys, if anyone finds a way around this please let me know, I have emailed Disney but I am not expecting much in the way of a response!!

Nicola

 

[wayneg]

Hi Nicola
I will also send an email this weekend (not now, I have an hangover and must do some work) I just cant understand there ruling on this.
Wayne

 

[nixieh]

Just thought I would update you...I got an email back from Disney yesterday which was basically a standard email explaining all the packages available. Looks like they either misunderstood my original query or just don't have a decent answer. I have booked our Port Orleans stay now anyway but am yet to decide on whether we will do the first few days at the Poly before the free dining starts or not. I might try emailing yet again as I had no joy on the phone!

Nicola

 

[SammieG]

i would ring them again and ask to speak to a supervisor.

You are staying at the Poly so I would expect your tickets to be included for that stay - Its the kind of thing that it might even be worth speaking to them at the time and sorting it out.
Are you using all 21 days of the pass? I dont think you are from your post - in which case I cant see why you couldnt have them early.

I suspect you need to change your original booking so that the extra three days are attached to your free dining booking.

There has to be a way around this.. its crazy if not.

We are staying onsite for the first time in years next August (if you cant beat them, join them!) we would much prefer to stay offsite first and then onsite, but its silly to lose the use of the tickets for the first week so we are staying onsite for 10 days and off for a week.

But your situation is different. you are staying onsite all the time!

Hope you get it sorted. Dont take no for an answer. Its just crazy...

 

[Amyrlin]

How about staying at Universal for the first 3 days, FOTL is great.