AP blockout questions

[Riniel]

Hi all,

I have a Deluxe AP, and am planning to be in the parks Dec 31-Jan 3. Since Dec 31 is a blockout day, I would need to buy a one-day one-park ticket for myself. I've heard rumours that there is a special ticket that APers can buy on such days, does anyone have more info? Also, would my AP still work for food & merch discounts even though its blocked?
Thanks!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Hi all,

I have a Deluxe AP, and am planning to be in the parks Dec 31-Jan 3. Since Dec 31 is a blockout day, I would need to buy a one-day one-park ticket for myself. I've heard rumours that there is a special ticket that APers can buy on such days, does anyone have more info? Also, would my AP still work for food & merch discounts even though its blocked?
Thanks!

Yes, you can by a blockout day ticket. It makes it so that you can go into the Park on a blockout day. I believe it is approximately $60 (haven't bought one in a while, price may not be quite right).

You should still get discounts.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[ArchOwl]

Yes, you can purchase a Blockout Day ticket at the ticket booths. It is currently $70. You still get discounts.

My only worry would be arriving early enough to get a blockout ticket. When I have visited the parks during that time, one of the first crowd control measures they use during NYE is to stop the sale of one day tickets. I have no idea if this includes AP blockout tickets or not.

 

[Riniel]

Thank you both!

My only worry would be arriving early enough to get a blockout ticket. When I have visited the parks during that time, one of the first crowd control measures they use during NYE is to stop the sale of one day tickets. I have no idea if this includes AP blockout tickets or not.

That was my concern too. Do you know if you HAVE to use the ticket the day you buy it? If I bought a blockout ticket on Dec 30, could I use it the following day? I don't want to risk not getting in the park on NYE, but the savings would be nice.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thank you both!

That was my concern too. Do you know if you HAVE to use the ticket the day you buy it? If I bought a blockout ticket on Dec 30, could I use it the following day? I don't want to risk not getting in the park on NYE, but the savings would be nice.

So... If they stop selling one day tickets, my thinking is that your blockout ticket would be considered a day ticket and not an AP. therefore, if they stop admitting day ticket holders, you would be blocked. Total guess here. To get a sure answer, I would call 714-781-4000. Your question is pretty specific.

- Dreams

 

[DianaSparrow]

Thank you both!


That was my concern too. Do you know if you HAVE to use the ticket the day you buy it? If I bought a blockout ticket on Dec 30, could I use it the following day? I don't want to risk not getting in the park on NYE, but the savings would be nice.

AP blockout tickets can only be used on the day you purchase it. They cannot be purchased in advance. This is probably to prevent someone from buying it and then selling it to someone for a profit?

 

[ArchOwl]

Thank you both!


That was my concern too. Do you know if you HAVE to use the ticket the day you buy it? If I bought a blockout ticket on Dec 30, could I use it the following day? I don't want to risk not getting in the park on NYE, but the savings would be nice.

AP blockout tickets can only be used on the day you purchase it. They cannot be purchased in advance. This is probably to prevent someone from buying it and then selling it to someone for a profit?

DianaSparrow is right, you can only buy on the day you are going to use it. Which means you also have to stand in line on NYE. I would plan on being there early to avoid the insane ticket booth lines on that day. I think I remember them stopping one day ticket sales somewhere around 10am last year. Of course, I am not positive about this and this NYE could be different than last years.

I don't know for sure, but my gut reaction is that the AP blockout tickets are treated the same as a one day park ticket. It serves the same purpose, preventing overcrowding on NYE.

 

[Riniel]

Thanks for the insight everyone, I think it may not be worth the stress & waiting in line, and I'll just buy a single day ticket online ahead of time. I plan on being there super early but I don't want to risk missing out (or stand in a crazy long line).

 

[kelmac284]

OMG well THAt is distressing to hear! I hate to say it but this whole thing really irritates me. They were pushing those AP's for so long and then when you get one it seems like more and more it isn't worth it and then with the price of reg tickets just so frustrating!

We live in Northern CA and usually try to go twice a year. Once in the summer and once during the holidays. Every other time we have gone during a NON blackout time but my daughter's birthday is ON NYE and for once we wanted to do it. I have always wanted to see the fireworks etc. But I must say it really annoys me that for people that happen to have AP's but aren't locals that you still take the chance of being SOL.

I mean we had hoped to get up and go to the park around 10 since we are going to be there a LONG time. We already figured on not being able to do much and just kind hang out all day till midnight. I have lunch and dinner ressies made and now to find out that we are going to have to probably get up at the crack of dawn just to get a blockout ticket when we ALREADY have paid a mint for 3 deluxe ap's.

I get why they do it but personally it seems like they should block the locals that can go anytime they want before people that can only go once or twice a year or even less. This is our ONE and only chance to go and we have made all the prep, paid for rooms etc and if we end up not getting in esp after we are paying ANOTHER 200 bucks for blockout tickets on TOP of our AP's I will NOT be happy. I mean I already ordered a birthday cake for my daughter. GRRRRR

 

[ArchOwl]

Thanks for the insight everyone, I think it may not be worth the stress & waiting in line, and I'll just buy a single day ticket online ahead of time. I plan on being there super early but I don't want to risk missing out (or stand in a crazy long line).

Gosh, I hate for you to spend the extra money for a regular one day ticket. If you are there early, I think you could get a block out ticket. Just didn't want you to arrive too late.

 

[kerickson]

KELMAC284
Did you already purchase and use your Deluxe APs? If this was your first trip using the passes you could have done what we are doing, buy a 4 or 5 day pass, then upgrade to APs on the last day so we don't get blocked out during the holidays. Our trip is 12/24-28

 

[kelmac284]

Yeah we bought them this summer. I am thinking more and more we may skip it. This was going to be a one time thing for my daughter's 13th birthday. WE have ressies at Blue Bayou and I ordered a cake but I don't want to risk not getting in.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Okay, hold on here. Deeeeeep breath.

...I hate to say it but this whole thing really irritates me. They were pushing those AP's for so long and then when you get one it seems like more and more it isn't worth it and then with the price of reg tickets just so frustrating!....

What's not worth it? Have you not gotten the value you paid out of it? If not, im sorry. If its due to NYE, on the day you bought your APs you knew what dates they were and were not valid. Disney has not changed that. How is it worth less now that it was when you bought it? Confused.

...but my daughter's birthday is ON NYE and for once we wanted to do it. I have always wanted to see the fireworks etc....

That would be very cool! I say do it! Just know that it will be EXTREMELY crowded! As in INCREDIBLY so.

...now to find out that we are going to have to probably get up at the crack of dawn just to get a blockout ticket when we ALREADY have paid a mint for 3 deluxe ap's.

Did someone tell you something different previously? Deluxe APs have never been valid on NYE (amongst other days). I understand you feel like you have paid a "mint" X 3, but the premium and premier passholders have paid for a non-restricted pass which gives them access on days that a Deluxe does not. If NYE is a crucial date for using your APs, a Deluxe does not assist you with that at all.

...I get why they do it but personally it seems like they should block the locals that can go anytime they want before people that can only go once or twice a year or even less.

Okay, here's where you completely lose me. Are you saying that they should stop Premier and Premium Annual passholders who have paid for an unlimited pass if they live within X miles of Disneyland (whatever is considered local)?!?!

Premium and premier AP holders purchased a pass that allows them access every day. Whether they live in Anaheim, Hollywood, Arizona, or New York, if they have that pass, they have purchased the right to access the Park any day (prior to it reaching capacity). Why should they not get that usage that they purchased?

...This is our ONE and only chance to go and we have made all the prep, paid for rooms etc and if we end up not getting in esp after we are paying ANOTHER 200 bucks for blockout tickets on TOP of our AP's I will NOT be happy. I mean I already ordered a birthday cake for my daughter. GRRRRR

But... if you get there early enough, you have no issue. Are you staying at a DLR hotel? If so, those guests DO have higher "level" than "regular" guests should blockout procedures begin.

I'm not sure why you are targeting fear of not getting in at local Premium and Premiere AP holders. Why shouldn't they get to use the pass they purchased?

- Dreams

 

[kelmac284]

I NEVER said premium AP's. The whole POINT of buying a blockout is for people who do NOT have a Premium pass. Obviously I know the premiums get in whenever they want and that was not was I was talking about.

The reason my family decided to buy AP's last year is so that we could get in a few times during the year. I KNOW you don't get in during NYE or anytime during xmas week but my point is there are people that may by an AP and live in the area and can go every month if they want. But we all know that there are those of us who live hundreds of miles away that only buy an AP because we know that it is cheaper to buy an AP if you are going to go on at least two trips a year vs the ridiculous prices they are now charging. When I first bought an AP back in 06 it WAS a good deal. Now with all the price increases I don't know that even THAT is a good deal anymore. A Deluxe which was around 200 when I first started buying them are now close to 400. And the ONLY reason that is a deal is because the prices of hoppers have gone up so much.

It is a known complaint of many people how ridiculous the prices are getting and that for people like me who go to Disney a couple times of year was the ONLY vacation we could afford now are looking at no vacation at all because they are pricing us out of that as well.

No I am not staying on Disney property can't afford it. We bought the Ap's on the payment plan cuz if we had to have bought them outright there was NO way we could have afforded them and we will NOT be renewing them.

My point is they always say they are raising prices to keep the locals down. The ones I were referring to were the one's with the So cal passes that can go every day if they wanted to. I realize that their passes are restricted as well but they are BECAUSE they live close enough that they CAN go pretty much whenever. And they DO have the option of buying a blockout pass.

What I was talking about was the fact that the one and only other time we bought a blockout ticket was when it was 30 something bucks and now it is 70!! We already have spent over a 1,000 worth of tickets for 1 trip so far and now have to spend even more. I KNEW we had to buy the pass to go that day but I DIDN'T know it had gotten so outrageous. And as I said in the meantime since we bought our tickets the prices have gone up EVEN more. So that is what I mean by we are spending a ton of money and had only ever planned on going twice. We KNEW we had to buy the blockout but didn't know it had gotten THAT expensive. We had heard 50 and now find it is 20/per person. That puts a major dent in our plans. Plus the fact that we now have to get up at 7 a.m. stand in a long line and may not even get in?? And my point is because there ARE so many locals that go to this event. I don't think anyone can dispute that but when people like me and others come for a once in a lifetime and then can't get in then YES it is irritating. My point was people who are from out of town should have priority over people who are so cal ap's buying blockouts. I NEVER said premium or premiers. Obviously they won't do that but it just seems like they should make sure that the people who are coming from out of town who may only get a few trips can actually get what they are paying a LOT of money for.

 

[Malcon10t]

But... if you get there early enough, you have no issue. Are you staying at a DLR hotel? If so, those guests DO have higher "level" than "regular" guests should blockout procedures begin.

ACTUALLY, they don't. The turnstiles have no way of knowing how many guests in the park are guests of the hotels. Based on this, Disney would have to reduce capacity by 12000 (2400 rooms times 5 people per room...) in both DCA and DL to guarantee the park didn't exceed the Fire Marshal's capacity and still allow only hotel guests in. This represents approx 20% of the DL capacity and 33% of DCA capacity. I wouldn't be upset if they did this, we'd have more room to move around, but the number crunchers wouldn't like losing the sales.

They contemplated something like this back in 2005 for the 50th, and decided it wasn't a viable option....

ETA - I see in another post where you were referring to one day tix and block outs. That is right. Many tend to think if they stay in the hotel, they will automatically get entrance regardless of capacity.

 

[sonnyjane]

I NEVER said premium AP's. The whole POINT of buying a blockout is for people who do NOT have a Premium pass. Obviously I know the premiums get in whenever they want and that was not was I was talking about.

The reason my family decided to buy AP's last year is so that we could get in a few times during the year. I KNOW you don't get in during NYE or anytime during xmas week but my point is there are people that may by an AP and live in the area and can go every month if they want. But we all know that there are those of us who live hundreds of miles away that only buy an AP because we know that it is cheaper to buy an AP if you are going to go on at least two trips a year vs the ridiculous prices they are now charging. When I first bought an AP back in 06 it WAS a good deal. Now with all the price increases I don't know that even THAT is a good deal anymore. A Deluxe which was around 200 when I first started buying them are now close to 400. And the ONLY reason that is a deal is because the prices of hoppers have gone up so much.

It is a known complaint of many people how ridiculous the prices are getting and that for people like me who go to Disney a couple times of year was the ONLY vacation we could afford now are looking at no vacation at all because they are pricing us out of that as well.

No I am not staying on Disney property can't afford it. We bought the Ap's on the payment plan cuz if we had to have bought them outright there was NO way we could have afforded them and we will NOT be renewing them.

My point is they always say they are raising prices to keep the locals down. The ones I were referring to were the one's with the So cal passes that can go every day if they wanted to. I realize that their passes are restricted as well but they are BECAUSE they live close enough that they CAN go pretty much whenever. And they DO have the option of buying a blockout pass.

What I was talking about was the fact that the one and only other time we bought a blockout ticket was when it was 30 something bucks and now it is 70!! We already have spent over a 1,000 worth of tickets for 1 trip so far and now have to spend even more. I KNEW we had to buy the pass to go that day but I DIDN'T know it had gotten so outrageous. And as I said in the meantime since we bought our tickets the prices have gone up EVEN more. So that is what I mean by we are spending a ton of money and had only ever planned on going twice. We KNEW we had to buy the blockout but didn't know it had gotten THAT expensive. We had heard 50 and now find it is 20/per person. That puts a major dent in our plans. Plus the fact that we now have to get up at 7 a.m. stand in a long line and may not even get in?? And my point is because there ARE so many locals that go to this event. I don't think anyone can dispute that but when people like me and others come for a once in a lifetime and then can't get in then YES it is irritating. My point was people who are from out of town should have priority over people who are so cal ap's buying blockouts. I NEVER said premium or premiers. Obviously they won't do that but it just seems like they should make sure that the people who are coming from out of town who may only get a few trips can actually get what they are paying a LOT of money for.

I have to say that I respectfully disagree with absolutely everything you've written, other than the fact that Disneyland prices have indeed increased. You don't have, nor should you expect, any priority over any other paying customer just because it is a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, or because it is your daughter's birthday, or because you're from out of town, or because you've "paid a mint". Those that get there early enough will get into the park, those that don't will not. I wouldn't go to a movie that was sold out but expect them to let me in because I was on a special date that night. I would blame myself for not showing up earlier to the movie. The great news is that Disneyland allows far more guests than a movie theater. Get there early and you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have to say that I respectfully disagree with absolutely everything you've written, other than the fact that Disneyland prices have indeed increased. You don't have, nor should you expect, any priority over any other paying customer just because it is a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, or because it is your daughter's birthday, or because you're from out of town, or because you've "paid a mint". Those that get there early enough will get into the park, those that don't will not. I wouldn't go to a movie that was sold out but expect them to let me in because I was on a special date that night. I would blame myself for not showing up earlier to the movie. The great news is that Disneyland allows far more guests than a movie theater. Get there early and you shouldn't have a problem.

Well said...

 

[Disney Dreams]

But... if you get there early enough, you have no issue. Are you staying at a DLR hotel? If so, those guests DO have higher "level" than "regular" guests should blockout procedures begin.

ACTUALLY, they don't. The turnstiles have no way of knowing how many guests in the park are guests of the hotels. Based on this, Disney would have to reduce capacity by 12000 (2400 rooms times 5 people per room...) in both DCA and DL to guarantee the park didn't exceed the Fire Marshal's capacity and still allow only hotel guests in. This represents approx 20% of the DL capacity and 33% of DCA capacity. I wouldn't be upset if they did this, we'd have more room to move around, but the number crunchers wouldn't like losing the sales.

They contemplated something like this back in 2005 for the 50th, and decided it wasn't a viable option....

ETA - I see in another post where you were referring to one day tix and block outs. That is right. Many tend to think if they stay in the hotel, they will automatically get entrance regardless of capacity.

ACTUALLY, they do.

Not in the giant math problem way that you presented, though. That's not what I was saying at all.

Let's say they begin to close the Park due to capacity and are at level 2. Someone who has a 3 day park hopper (for example) and is staying off property AND someone who has a 3 day park hopper (for example) and is staying at an on-site Disney hotel both show up. The guest who is staying on-site will be admitted. The guest who is not, will not be.

- Dreams

 

[frank808]

I have to say that I respectfully disagree with absolutely everything you've written, other than the fact that Disneyland prices have indeed increased. You don't have, nor should you expect, any priority over any other paying customer just because it is a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, or because it is your daughter's birthday, or because you're from out of town, or because you've "paid a mint". Those that get there early enough will get into the park, those that don't will not. I wouldn't go to a movie that was sold out but expect them to let me in because I was on a special date that night. I would blame myself for not showing up earlier to the movie. The great news is that Disneyland allows far more guests than a movie theater. Get there early and you shouldn't have a problem.

I totally agree. You knew the usage rules regarding the annual passes. Why would a local living closer than you not be entitled to a blackout ticket just because you live farther away? Would you be ok with it if they held the blackout ticket for deluxe passholders that live in Hawaii? People from Hawaii should be given preference like your example. It's because they live farther away than you do.

Also the blackout ticket prices were published before you bought your annual pass. You should have researched how much a blackout ticket costs.

My family and I bought the premium pass with no blackout dates because we ran into the SAME situation as you. Made more sense to spend $180 more for each ticket than to pay $140 more for two days worth of blackout tickets on one trip alone. Will be able to go on a couple of more blocked off days before the passes have expired.

 

[kelmac284]

Because you are not getting my point at ALL. I am NOT talking about locals that have a deluxe or a premium. I am talking about SO CAL ap's which make up the majority of local AP holders. They pay a LOT less for a so cal ap then people who have to buy a deluxe. They can also go to the parks a lot more. If they don't go this year they can go next year or whatever. My point is that people who are coming from a distance and paying airfare, hotel, etc and then can't get in. I DO plan on going early but had hoped to not have to get there at 7 a.m. if I am going to be there till midnight!

Now it seems we have to get there at the crack of dawn and sit there. We did not plan on getting to do much anyway but really didn't want to have to be there from opening to closing just to see the fireworks.

I KNEW it was going to be crazy and that is why we had hoped to go at 10 ore even noon if it was possible.

But because we DO have to buy the blackout we have to get there super early to avoid them selling out.

Yes I think everyone is entitled to go to the parks as many times as they want but when the locals who can go pretty much anytime they want crowd the place up so much that the out of towners can't go to me then yes it is dissapointing.

At this point we may not even do it. I have planned well in advance but NO I didn't know that the price of the blockout tickets went up. Last I heard they were 50 not 70!

It is really irrelevent because at these prices they are going to eliminate alot of out of towners.