At WDW Now - Used GAD Fastpass for Epcot & DHS

[Anal Annie]

And...it continues. Here is the relevant section of the email I just received from the "Give a day support team"



And...I STILL don't know what to do!

"It may interest you to know that although the complimentary ticket may not be redeemed during the block out dates listed above, the alternate options are still available without block out dates"


Well, personally, it sounds to ME like the email was actually composed & written by whoever sent it to you as the wording is a bit different than the one I received...but I think the GIST of it is still saying that while the vouchers are not allowed to be redeemed for TICKETS during the blackout period there is nothing stopping them from use for the other options... To me, it sounds not quite like a typo but just not a completed thought. Like when you think faster than you can type & leave out a word or something.

HOPEFULLY, someone on the GAD end will realize there's enough confusion about it with all the inquiries & maybe they will edit the website to reflect it properly before spring break gets here?! That would certainly eliminate a lot of the confusion.

 

[erinkpoole]

This thread is awesome. We are traveling during the blackout dates listed on the GAD website. Now I know that we can use our vouchers for fastpasses since we have APs. That will help a tremendous amount during that really busy time.

Thanks to the DIS!

Erin

PS I know that I may need to be pleasantly persistent at the Will Call window because of the blackout date confusion.

 

[Meteora]

I feel like I've moved into this thread. It feels like home here.

So I'm trying to decide...we're doing three park days. My ideal scenario would be to go ahead with out initial plan for our first day, the 28th, which was DHS in the morning, then Illuminations at night followed by MK EMH, and then use my voucher for FPs at Epcot Wednesday morning. But...clearly, the whole FPs during blackout week is still unclear, and I'd hate to run the risk of not being able to use the voucher at all.

In looking at doconeill's excellent breakdown of what rides the FPs can be used for, Epcot or the MK seem like the best choices for this family--in both DHS and AK, we'd end up with only one ride the whole family was interested in. But...Epcot is having EMH that morning of the 28th, so I'm sure it will be crazy that day, and I'm not sure that getting the FPs for MK and then going to EMH that night at the same park would be terribly productive either. What do you guys think? Any ideas would be very, very welcome.

 

[Anal Annie]

I feel like I've moved into this thread. It feels like home here.

So I'm trying to decide...we're doing three park days. My ideal scenario would be to go ahead with out initial plan for our first day, the 28th, which was DHS in the morning, then Illuminations at night followed by MK EMH, and then use my voucher for FPs at Epcot Wednesday morning. But...clearly, the whole FPs during blackout week is still unclear, and I'd hate to run the risk of not being able to use the voucher at all.

In looking at doconeill's excellent breakdown of what rides the FPs can be used for, Epcot or the MK seem like the best choices for this family--in both DHS and AK, we'd end up with only one ride the whole family was interested in. But...Epcot is having EMH that morning of the 28th, so I'm sure it will be crazy that day, and I'm not sure that getting the FPs for MK and then going to EMH that night at the same park would be terribly productive either. What do you guys think? Any ideas would be very, very welcome.

Why is it still unclear about the fast pass redemption?? We have 1 castmember saying they won't be allowed 'cuz the guest service managers they asked said so. Meanwhile, you and I BOTH received emails from GAD Support that said while the vouchers could not be used for free park entrance they COULD be used in 1 of the other 2 options? I don't consider that to be unclear at all. I think simply put, this is a different promotion from the birthday thing last year and it works differently to some degree. They apparently changed the rule to mean only no free tix during the blackout period but did not cancel the other options. I have my email and I will be bringing it to use as back-up. But I fully expect to be able to use our vouchers any day that week for either fast passes or figurines. I have called twice and I have the email. I am satisfied with getting the same answer 3 times from 3 different GAD representatives...

We will be there 2 days before the blackout period starts so I will clarify at the Will Call window on Saturday the 27th what will happen starting on Monday. But SHOULD they decide to make up different rules between now & then I will simply plan to use our 3rd voucher for the figurine on the 28th. Ideally I would like to save a couple of the fast pass days for that very busy week though.

 

[Meteora]

Why is it still unclear about the fast pass redemption?? We have 1 castmember saying they won't be allowed 'cuz the guest service managers they asked said so. Meanwhile, you and I BOTH received emails from GAD Support that said while the vouchers could not be used for free park entrance they COULD be used in 1 of the other 2 options? I don't consider that to be unclear at all.

It's entirely possible that I'm just being paranoid. However, it seems like at least one CM and at least one person who emailed have received contrary information to what you and I received, and I guess I don't entirely trust central guest services--after all, they're not the ones in the park who will ultimately make the decision. According to Cheshire Figment, the people who DO get to make those decisions are operating under a different set of rules.

At any rate, if you have email/PM access when you're on your trip, I would greatly appreciate you passing along any information you receive from guest services on the 27th! The 28th will be decision day for us in terms of whether to use the voucher or save it. I definitely agree that I would rather have FPs during the busy week, but don't want to end up not able to use it at all.

 

[BDCLF]

Would love if someone could confirm that a COPY of a birth certificate is ok, and not a certified copy.
Also, how early do the vouchers need to be redeemed each day to insure that you can get a fast pass?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Would love if someone could confirm that a COPY of a birth certificate is ok, and not a certified copy.
Also, how early do the vouchers need to be redeemed each day to insure that you can get a fast pass?

A copy is fine. You can see the voucher here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2388434

Disney says that Fastpass Exchange cards may not be available after 11 am, but I haven't seen anyone report that they were not able to get them after 11.

 

[Belleandtinker]

I know this question was probably already answered and I missed it

I can take my voucher, my driver's license and my 10 day pass to the will call window on my first day and upgrade my 10 day pass to a hopper or water park/more (and pay any difference).

 

[Befferk]

I know this question was probably already answered and I missed it

I can take my voucher, my driver's license and my 10 day pass to the will call window on my first day and upgrade my 10 day pass to a hopper or water park/more (and pay any difference).

Not sure what you're trying to ask for sure, but if you already have your ticket (the 10 day pass) you can upgrade it if you want, but not with your GAD voucher. The GAD voucher can't be used to upgrade an existing ticket. You would have to turn in the voucher for the one day ticket, then upgrade that. Or just use the GAD for the Fastpasses.

 

[Petraman]

Not sure what you're trying to ask for sure, but if you already have your ticket (the 10 day pass) you can upgrade it if you want, but not with your GAD voucher. The GAD voucher can't be used to upgrade an existing ticket. You would have to turn in the voucher for the one day ticket, then upgrade that. Or just use the GAD for the Fastpasses.

Well said.

You can use the GAD pass as value towards a new purchase but not as value towards any existing ticket.

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

doconeill, as someone who benefited from your explanation several days ago, I want to thank you and recognize you for your patience and thoroughness in answering all these questions. I actually think that last post was the clearest yet. You are very kind to help out people again and again. Thanks for all you do on the boards!

YES! thank you.. I have sat here and read this for whole thread for over an hour! lol and I think I have it all squared away.. but I do have a few quesitons.

Let me see if I can break this down a bit more.

YOU have ONE GAD voucher, in your name. You have 4 people total in your group.

You ALL go to the will-call window, with your tickets.

YOU must have a valid photo ID and a valid multi-day ticket with at least 1 day remaining on it. All others must have any valid ticket with at least 1 day remaining on it.

You ask for the Fastpass option.

ALL FOUR of you receive ONE Fastpass Exchange Card EACH (a total of 4 cards).

EACH card can be used up to X total times on attractions in the Donald list, and X total times on attractions in the Daisy list, where X can be any number, but has always been either 2, 3, or 4, with 3 being the most common (and the only number reported since Jan. 1st). So the card is good for X times 2 (i.e. 4, 6 or 8, commonly 6) total uses.

So, with 4 cards, you will likely get a total of 24 uses between the four of you. They are not actually tied to a person. You could give the cards all to one person, and that person could ride all day and never see a standby line.

When the card is placed into a FP kiosk, the kiosk will issue out a single Fastpass, good for one person, with an instant return time - so in essence you get to use the Fastpass line immediately.

Here is my situation. We are going down for a short 2 day trip in June for my son's 7th b-day. Its a surprise, he has no clue. It will be
Me, Dh, DS(7), DS (3), Aunt and cousin.
We have 3 GAD vouchers.. (my aunt and cousin live in florida so they will get their own tickets).
Okay.. here is my questions.. I have seen on here that you need a multi day ticket in order to get the fast pass.. NOW, is a multi day just anything other than a one day??? So we need a 2 day ticket in order to use the GAD FP option?

and, does the person who is redeeming the GAD vouchers for the FP only need to have the multi day ticket? Here would be my senario

I would buy a 2 day pass for me, hubby and DS (3), Buy a 1 day ticket for DS(7),

Use 1 GAD voucher for a day ticket for DS (7) (we will be there for 2 days)

Use 1 GAD voucher for the FP option (either mine or dh's since we will have the multi tickets) for one day at MK for all 6 of us.

Use the last GAD voucher for the FP option for the second day for all 6 of us.

Can DS (7) get the FP's if he doesn't have the mutli day ticket?? just a single ticket? and Which do we get first? redeem for a ticket, then go and redeem the other GAD voucher for the FP's?

I hope this makes sense.. and thank you!

 

[doconeill]

Here is my situation. We are going down for a short 2 day trip in June for my son's 7th b-day. Its a surprise, he has no clue. It will be
Me, Dh, DS(7), DS (3), Aunt and cousin.
We have 3 GAD vouchers.. (my aunt and cousin live in florida so they will get their own tickets).
Okay.. here is my questions.. I have seen on here that you need a multi day ticket in order to get the fast pass.. NOW, is a multi day just anything other than a one day??? So we need a 2 day ticket in order to use the GAD FP option?

Yes, anything with more than one day on it, or a seasonal or annual pass, will qualify. The exception is "complimentary" tickets (which would say "complimentary" or "comp" on them).

and, does the person who is redeeming the GAD vouchers for the FP only need to have the multi day ticket?

Yes. Everyone else needs just to have a valid ticket (to show that they are going to enter the park that day)

Here would be my senario

I would buy a 2 day pass for me, hubby and DS (3), Buy a 1 day ticket for DS(7),

Use 1 GAD voucher for a day ticket for DS (7) (we will be there for 2 days)

Better - DON'T get a ticket for DS(7) yet. Use the GAD voucher (I assume one of the vouchers is in his name) to get the 1-day ticket and UPGRADE it to 2 days. It will save you $3 (costs $65+tax, vs. $68+tax for another 1-day ticket).

Use 1 GAD voucher for the FP option (either mine or dh's since we will have the multi tickets) for one day at MK for all 6 of us.

Use the last GAD voucher for the FP option for the second day for all 6 of us.

Works...

Can DS (7) get the FP's if he doesn't have the mutli day ticket?? just a single ticket? and Which do we get first? redeem for a ticket, then go and redeem the other GAD voucher for the FP's?

As mentioned before, only the person redeeming the voucher needs to have the multi-day ticket - everyone else just needs a valid ticket. If you do as I mentioned above, redeem for his ticket FIRST, then redeem for the FP.

I hope this makes sense.. and thank you!

Not a problem

 

[DisneyBoundinDec]

SWEET! you rock! this is a short trip, we have another 8 day trip planned in November when its less crowded and I thought the FP option would be better for this short trip, especially in June! its worth the cost of the tickets!

Yes, anything with more than one day on it, or a seasonal or annual pass, will qualify. The exception is "complimentary" tickets (which would say "complimentary" or "comp" on them).



Yes. Everyone else needs just to have a valid ticket (to show that they are going to enter the park that day)



Better - DON'T get a ticket for DS(7) yet. Use the GAD voucher (I assume one of the vouchers is in his name) to get the 1-day ticket and UPGRADE it to 2 days. It will save you $3 (costs $65+tax, vs. $68+tax for another 1-day ticket).



Works...



As mentioned before, only the person redeeming the voucher needs to have the multi-day ticket - everyone else just needs a valid ticket. If you do as I mentioned above, redeem for his ticket FIRST, then redeem for the FP.




Not a problem

 

[DisneyNeophite]

Would love if someone could confirm that a COPY of a birth certificate is ok, and not a certified copy.
Also, how early do the vouchers need to be redeemed each day to insure that you can get a fast pass?

I used a copy this week with no problems at all

 

[lark]

This is really great information. Just trying to plan how to coordinate GAD fastpasses and regular fastpasses.

If I'm understanding right, there really would never be any reason to get a special GAD fastpass before you're actually planning on riding. Unlike ordinary ticket fastpass collection, where sometimes you get them or detour from touring to get one, since the GAD fastpass always can be used immediately and even after fastpasses are "sold out" for the day, you remain most flexible if you wait until you want to ride to get one. Maybe the standby line will be short and you won't need one. Maybe you'll have another fastpass already, etc.

Anything I'm missing?

 

[doconeill]

This is really great information. Just trying to plan how to coordinate GAD fastpasses and regular fastpasses.

If I'm understanding right, there really would never be any reason to get a special GAD fastpass before you're actually planning on riding. Unlike ordinary ticket fastpass collection, where sometimes you get them or detour from touring to get one, since the GAD fastpass always can be used immediately and even after fastpasses are "sold out" for the day, you remain most flexible if you wait until you want to ride to get one. Maybe the standby line will be short and you won't need one. Maybe you'll have another fastpass already, etc.

Anything I'm missing?

Nope. There is no need to get one in advance at all.

 

[Atotty]

Two Quick Questions--Which would you do?

Going at Thanksgiving. Don't have tickets yet. Four of us. Four GAD vouchers.

A--Buy tickets from ticketmania and use one GAD at each park to get FPs so we don't have to worry if we are going to be able to ride our favorite attractions during busy time.

B--Use all 4 GAD vouchers for tickets and upgrade. Save us $300+

C--Use 3 GAD vouchers for tickets and 1 GAD voucher at DS for FPs because that's the park we think we'll have FP problems in. We love TSM and want to ride more than once. Saves us $240ish on tickets and gets us FPs for hard to get ride.

And second, I know that according to Disney over 600,000 people have already signed up. We don't go til Nov. Is Disney going to stop letting people sign up once 1,000,000 vouchers have been *given* or *redeemed*? If *redeemed* we are probably out of luck anyway.

 

[doconeill]

Two Quick Questions--Which would you do?

Going at Thanksgiving. Don't have tickets yet. Four of us. Four GAD vouchers.

A--Buy tickets from ticketmania and use one GAD at each park to get FPs so we don't have to worry if we are going to be able to ride our favorite attractions during busy time.

B--Use all 4 GAD vouchers for tickets and upgrade. Save us $300+

C--Use 3 GAD vouchers for tickets and 1 GAD voucher at DS for FPs because that's the park we think we'll have FP problems in. We love TSM and want to ride more than once. Saves us $240ish on tickets and gets us FPs for hard to get ride.

And second, I know that according to Disney over 600,000 people have already signed up. We don't go til Nov. Is Disney going to stop letting people sign up once 1,000,000 vouchers have been *given* or *redeemed*? If *redeemed* we are probably out of luck anyway.

1) The choice is up to you. You'll be going during a busy time, so this does raise the value of the GAD FP significantly, but unless you want to do it on more than one day, you only need to "spend" one voucher on it for everyone.

We're going beginning of December. There will be 6 of us - three will definitely have vouchers. Although it is not necessarily the busiest of times (except for MK that first weekend for the parade taping), we are still thinking of using two vouchers for tickets, and one for FPs. My in-laws may or may not have vouchers, but I'll probably have them use them for their tickets.

2) If you've already signed up for a particular opportunity, or completed it and gotten your voucher, you are safe. According to recent info, Disney is counting the number of people who have properly registered and signed up for an opportunity. How they handle it when they reach 1 million is unknown.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Using these instant fastpasses totally changes how someone plans a trip. We will hopefully be doing this in June, and I am totally blown away about the idea that we will have instant fastpasses to get on TSM, TOT, and RnRC.

And since their are four of us, and we are each volunteering, we get fastpasses one day at each park.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Using these instant fastpasses totally changes how someone plans a trip. We will hopefully be doing this in June, and I am totally blown away about the idea that we will have instant fastpasses to get on TSM, TOT, and RnRC.

And since their are four of us, and we are each volunteering, we get fastpasses one day at each park.

US too!! So excited!! We made our first blanket last night. I think it looks great if I do say so myself.