At WDW Now - Used GAD Fastpass for Epcot & DHS

[jkstewart1800]

No one knows the criteria Disney selects. It is printed on the brochures they give with the cards, so they DO know in advance, but they don't publicize it. It appears that the brochures are printed up for around a week at a time, so if it is 3 one day that week, and the brochure is good for a day later in that week, it will probably still be 3.

So far, no one has reported anything other than 3 for the GAD FPs. Disney may have figured out that is a good number in general after futzing with it most of last year.

Thanks for the info.... good to know that I will hopefully be able to know right before we go.... I'll keep tuned in here to see what people report back.

 

[doconeill]

On one day though, we are park hopping. I's a little extra running, but I will be stopping at DHS to pick up our FP cards for there, then going to AK and getting the FP cards and doing our morning there...

I wanted to call this out...First, only the person who's name is on the voucher can redeem it, so they need to be the one at the will call window and have photo ID (copy of birth certificate OK for children). Second, in order to get the FPXCs for more than the person redeeming the voucher, EVERYONE IN THE GROUP (up the the max 6, but you can try and likely get more if needed) must also be present, and have their park tickets with them for verification.

It sounds as if you were going to be a "runner" alone to DHS to get the FPXCs there...which wouldn't work (unless you wanted only one card...)

 

[Befferk]

I wanted to call this out...First, only the person who's name is on the voucher can redeem it, so they need to be the one at the will call window and have photo ID (copy of birth certificate OK for children). Second, in order to get the FPXCs for more than the person redeeming the voucher, EVERYONE IN THE GROUP (up the the max 6, but you can try and likely get more if needed) must also be present, and have their park tickets with them for verification.

It sounds as if you were going to be a "runner" alone to DHS to get the FPXCs there...which wouldn't work (unless you wanted only one card...)

Oh, sorry, I knew that I can't get them all myself, I should have pointed that out for others. We're all going to get our FP cards before heading over to AK. I'm dragging all their butts over there.

 

[g-dad66]

We have three days that we are planning to arrive at a theme park in the late afternoon (our arrival day, our Typhoon Lagoon day, and our Disney Quest day), and I am tentatively planning on trying to get the Fast Pass Exchange Cards then.

This would allow us to spend those evenings in the Fast Lane...

But if we discover that we can't get the Cards at about 4:00 pm on arrival day (March 12), then we'll have to go with "Plan B" (get the Exchange Cards on our Rope Drop mornings instead).

 

[curemyreed]

I have read here that with the GAD/birthday FP you can have anywhere from 2 to 4 FP per category (donald or daisy)....


my question is... how far in adavance can you find out? Is it determined in advance (like based on season) or day by day park attendence? Or does some one just wake up one morning and say "Today I will grant thee 3 FP..... but lo, tomorrow it will only be 2!"


I still have quite a while before our trip, but when it comes time to set up a touring plan knowing whether or not I have 3FP for SM or only 2 will make a difference.

Thanks!

And I thought I was an UberPlanner.....

 

[golf]

If I am exchanging my GAD voucher for a fastpass, will my 5 year old daughter get one, even though she was not old enough to participate in the GAD activity? (she does have a valid multi-day ticket). Also, I assume my 2 year old couldn't get a fastpass, right?

 

[BradyBz12]

If I am exchanging my GAD voucher for a fastpass, will my 5 year old daughter get one, even though she was not old enough to participate in the GAD activity? (she does have a valid multi-day ticket). Also, I assume my 2 year old couldn't get a fastpass, right?

Your GAD voucher will entitle you to FP for you and up to 5 more members of your party. Just make sure they're all present with you when you exchange it.

Your 2 yo actually won't need a FP since she's young enough not to require a park ticket.

Info from the Ticket Stickey...

If you have a currently valid annual or multi-day pass in your possession to have three alternate choices instead of the one-day, one-park pass. This pass cannot be any sort of complimentary ticket.

1. Fastpass Exchange Cards for you and up to five members of your party. All members of your party must be present at the time of redemption of the certificate to get the Exchange Cards. The Exchange Cards are valid that day only and at that Park only. Fastpass Exchange Cards may not be available after 11:00am.

 

[chickie]

i just printed out my vouchers! We have 3 vouchers, but are travelling with 5 of us (our dd's friend and her mom are joining us). I've been giving serious consideration to using the Fastpass option instead of the ticket since we'll be going in mid-March (spring break) and know it will be busier than usual. I'm beginning to think the time savings with the Fastpasses outweighs the cash savings! We'll only be heading to a park on 3 of our days and won't have park hoppers, so this option could be great for us. Now, if I could only get my 10 year old to ride the roller coasters...

 

[Anal Annie]

I read on a previous post somewhere that the vouchers would not be accepted AT ALL for ANY OPTION during the black out dates. BUT I was just re-reading the FAQ's today on the GAD website and all it says is:

*The theme park tickets distributed under this Program will not be valid for use on the following dates:
For Walt Disney World® Resort: March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010
For the Disneyland® Resort: February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, and December 11-12, 2010.

I had another question too about our GAD date getting postponed due to the blizzard so I called and spent about 30 min. on hold before getting through to a castmember. After I asked my first question I quoted this sentence to her and asked if that meant it also could not be used for the pin figurine thing or for the fast passes on those dates and she said that they CAN be used for any of the other options. Just NOT for the free ticket. She said the Guest Relations Will Call window CM's WILL KNOW this when we go. She had a paper with the terms or whatever on it that she read to me with this information on it. She said it's not on the website but it's been given in writing to the Guest Relations CM's who are working the phones. So I guess we shall see come March 29...

 

[doconeill]

I read on a previous post somewhere that the vouchers would not be accepted AT ALL for ANY OPTION during the black out dates. BUT I was just re-reading the FAQ's today on the GAD website and all it says is:

*The theme park tickets distributed under this Program will not be valid for use on the following dates:
For Walt Disney World® Resort: March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010
For the Disneyland® Resort: February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, and December 11-12, 2010.

I had another question too about our GAD date getting postponed due to the blizzard so I called and spent about 30 min. on hold before getting through to a castmember. After I asked my first question I quoted this sentence to her and asked if that meant it also could not be used for the pin figurine thing or for the fast passes on those dates and she said that they CAN be used for any of the other options. Just NOT for the free ticket. She said the Guest Relations Will Call window CM's WILL KNOW this when we go. She had a paper with the terms or whatever on it that she read to me with this information on it. She said it's not on the website but it's been given in writing to the Guest Relations CM's who are working the phones. So I guess we shall see come March 29...

You can always ask...as a famous podcaster once said, "They can't hit ya!"

However, Cheshire Figment spoke with two separate Guest Service Managers. They are the ones who are in charge of all the ticket windows and Guest Relations. They are the ultimate arbiters of what you are and are not allowed to do. They both said no, you cannot redeem the vouchers on blackout days.

If that has changed, CF should be able to confirm. By "in writing" I'm guessing it would be on the Hub.

 

[Anal Annie]

You can always ask...as a famous podcaster once said, "They can't hit ya!"

However, Cheshire Figment spoke with two separate Guest Service Managers. They are the ones who are in charge of all the ticket windows and Guest Relations. They are the ultimate arbiters of what you are and are not allowed to do. They both said no, you cannot redeem the vouchers on blackout days.

If that has changed, CF should be able to confirm. By "in writing" I'm guessing it would be on the Hub.

The CM actually said if there was any problems to have the Will Call CM call the GAD Guest Relations CM's. So I guess I will print out the FAQ's and the 407-whatever it is phone number and if they give me a hard time I will call again and let them duke it out over the phone!! She said there was no question that the vouchers were only restricted for use on the free tickets.

 

[kathmzh]

I posted this in the main GAD forum, but you guys are experts at the fastpass option...I keep seeing references to needing a MULTI-DAY ticket in hand in order to get the Fastpass Exchange Card...will a single-day ticket work? And here's a new angle...a single-day Convention ticket?


Thanks for this thread, so informative!

 

[doconeill]

I posted this in the main GAD forum, but you guys are experts at the fastpass option...I keep seeing references to needing a MULTI-DAY ticket in hand in order to get the Fastpass Exchange Card...will a single-day ticket work? And here's a new angle...a single-day Convention ticket?


Thanks for this thread, so informative!

Well, a single day ticket is not a multi day ticket...so....

No, a single day ticket, regardless of type does not qualify for any of the options. The logic is that a single day ticket, if unused, never expires and therefore you would not lose its value if you used the free ticket instead.

I know a convention ticket does expire, bu they are heavily discounted and often don't qualify for a lot of things regular tickets do.

Now, if it was a multi-day convention ticket, I believe you could still qualify - but if there are restrictions on time (some convention tickets are only after 2pm, etc.), then you might not be able to get the FP option anyways.

 

[Meteora]

The CM actually said if there was any problems to have the Will Call CM call the GAD Guest Relations CM's. So I guess I will print out the FAQ's and the 407-whatever it is phone number and if they give me a hard time I will call again and let them duke it out over the phone!! She said there was no question that the vouchers were only restricted for use on the free tickets.

Hmm. My sister and her boyfriend have said they would be happy to volunteer for the program, but I had told them it didn't make sense to do so since we wouldn't be able to use their vouchers, and to just volunteer wherever they wanted not associated with the program. If the blackout dates don't apply to FPs, we WOULD be able to use those vouchers and I would tell them to go sign up. Cheshire Figment, if you could get further clarification on this it would be enormously helpful.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hmm. My sister and her boyfriend have said they would be happy to volunteer for the program, but I had told them it didn't make sense to do so since we wouldn't be able to use their vouchers, and to just volunteer wherever they wanted not associated with the program. If the blackout dates don't apply to FPs, we WOULD be able to use those vouchers and I would tell them to go sign up. Cheshire Figment, if you could get further clarification on this it would be enormously helpful.

Contact info. copied from the GAD / GAD website:
please email the Guest Call Center at giveadaysupport@disneyparks.twdc.com or call (407) 827-5990 for assistance (Operating hours are 9 am - 8 pm EST Mon. - Fri., 9 am - 6 pm EST Sat. and Sun.)
Perhaps someone else (Cheshire Figment or doconeill ) should also call and ask about the voucher use for fast passes during the blackout dates? Let's see if anyone else gets a different response. These CM's at the GAD program cannot keep giving out incorrect information if the CM's in charge at the parks are allowed to make up their own rules.

 

[kathmzh]

Well, a single day ticket is not a multi day ticket...so....

No, a single day ticket, regardless of type does not qualify for any of the options. The logic is that a single day ticket, if unused, never expires and therefore you would not lose its value if you used the free ticket instead.

I know a convention ticket does expire, bu they are heavily discounted and often don't qualify for a lot of things regular tickets do.

Now, if it was a multi-day convention ticket, I believe you could still qualify - but if there are restrictions on time (some convention tickets are only after 2pm, etc.), then you might not be able to get the FP option anyways.

I know a single day is not a multi day, that's why I asked, it was the reason behind the qualification that I did not know. Thank you very much for the clarification.

 

[Meteora]

Perhaps someone else (Cheshire Figment or doconeill ) should also call and ask about the voucher use for fast passes during the blackout dates? Let's see if anyone else gets a different response. These CM's at the GAD program cannot keep giving out incorrect information if the CM's in charge at the parks are allowed to make up their own rules.

I agree; it's very confusing, and whether or not you can use FPs on those days would make a huge difference to us. And, obviously, if you can, my sister and her boyfriend will want to get signed up ASAP.

I don't know what we'd do if we didn't have people like Cheshire Figment and doconeill helping us out with all this. We're lucky duckies!

 

[BradyBz12]

Hmm. My sister and her boyfriend have said they would be happy to volunteer for the program, but I had told them it didn't make sense to do so since we wouldn't be able to use their vouchers, and to just volunteer wherever they wanted not associated with the program. If the blackout dates don't apply to FPs, we WOULD be able to use those vouchers and I would tell them to go sign up.

Not sure if I'm reading this right, so forgive me if I'm not, but if your sister and her BF volunteer, only they can use the vouchers, as they're not transferable. Each voucher has the name of the individual who volunteered on it and you have to produce valid ID which matches to exchange it for any of the options.

 

[Meteora]

BradyBz12, thanks for trying to look out for us. I didn't make it clear that sister and boyfriend (22 and 21 years old) are traveling WITH us; the whole family is going on vacation together. And we would be using the vouchers for fast passes for our party of five--My mom, my dad, me, sister, and sister's boyfriend. We are going to the parks on the 28th, before the blackout days, which is when I was planning to use my voucher. I've been assuming no other vouchers would be useful, since the 29th starts the blackout dates. But if you can get fast passes then, just not park tickets, then that changes things.

 

[BradyBz12]

Ah got it! That works, then.