Blackout dates

[nicki.momof3]

So I have read some of the vochures and they all say the same blackout dates on park admission. Does this mean you can still use the vochure for a fastpass on blackout dates.

I read on a different board that you could but I wanted to verify it with DIS experts (we are going March 31-April 8).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have checked with two different Guest Services Managers at the Park where I work. These people are responsible for turnstiles, ticket sales and the Guest Relations Offices.

Both of them indpendently stated that during the blockout dates not only are the tickets but the alternates blocked out. So you will be unable to redeem the vouchers for anything during that time.

However, I have also heard the opposite from some of the ticket people.

However, since the ticket people work for the GSMs, I would think that the GSMs are more correct.

Just don't count on being able to do anything with the vouchers during the blockout periods.

 

[Anal Annie]

I called twice (sitting on hold FOREVER) and then also emailed GAD support with a couple of questions, this being one of them and eventually received an email in response. Even though I was told over the phone 2x that the blackout period only applies to getting a free ticket I still wanted it in writing too because Cheshire Figment keeps saying GAD support is giving wrong information...so that's why I emailed too. I plan to print out my email to bring with me "just in case". We are there for 2 days before the blackout period starts so I hope to confirm at the Will Call window on that first day. But until then...

I will copy the part of the reply that pertains to redeeming during the blackout period:

...Regarding the block-out periods, there are two alternate options available.


The first option is a FASTPASS exchange card. The number of FASTPASS

exchange cards issued per day is limited and may not be available after 11am.

The number of attractions the exchange card is valid for may change

based on a number of factors and therefore is unspecified. Details can

be give upon arrival. The FASTPASS benefit is for the volunteer and up

to 5 members of his/her party.


The second option is an Ear Hat figurine. The Ear Hat figurine is not Vinylmation.

It is a figurine shaped like Mickey Mouse's ears and has a round patch on the

front stating "Honorary Volunteer" on it. In addition, it has six unique Disney

Character trading pins attached to it....

To sign-up for e-mail updates or for more information including a list

of frequently asked questions, you may visit www.disneyparks.com and

click the link to the "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day." program.


Thank you for celebrating volunteerism with us.


Sincerely,


Andrew Shepard

“Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.” Support Team


Must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunity at disneyparks.com. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply. See disneyparks.com for details.

I guess nobody has the right answer at this point but I wish they would just post this on the GAD website with the blackout period dates. You can certainly call and or email yourself to see what kind of answer you get. Or maybe Cheshire Figment should call GAD support and set them straight??

 

[erinkpoole]

"Dear Ms. X,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the "Give A Day. Get A Disney
Day." program.

If you are using a multi-day ticket or Annual or Seasonal Pass, you may
redeem your voucher for an alternate option. As you know, one such
option is a FASTPASS exchange card. The number of FASTPASS
exchangecards issued per day is limited and may not be available after
11am. The number of attractions the exchange card is valid for may
change based on a number of factors and therefore is unspecified.
Details can be given upon arrival. The FASTPASS benefit is for the
volunteer and up to 5 members of his/her party.

The Ear Hat figurine is shaped like Mickey Mouse's ears and has a round
patch on the front stating "Honorary
Volunteer" on it. In addition, it has six unique Disney Character
trading pins attached to it.

Alternative options are available during the block out periods.

To sign-up for e-mail updates or for more information including a list
of frequently asked questions, you may visit www.disneyparks.com and
click the link to the "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day." program.

Thank you for your interest in our "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day."
Program.

Sincerely,

Brad Carson
“Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.” Support Team"

I hope this helps someone. It does bring up another question. Are the Give a Day Team members communicating this with the Guest Relations Managers and Ticket CMs? If not, it will be an interesting converstion at the Will Call window.

 

[Meteora]

It does bring up another question. Are the Give a Day Team members communicating this with the Guest Relations Managers and Ticket CMs? If not, it will be an interesting converstion at the Will Call window.

So far, the answer seems to be no. But since three of us have received the same information, I'm thinking many people who have asked similar questions will be told the same thing. And they might have to revise their policies at the actual windows on the fly if they are hit with the volume of people expecting to be able to use their vouchers that I think they might be. One email would be easy to overlook. But three emails?

Still, I'm not counting my chickens.

 

[Anal Annie]

I emailed AGAIN a couple days ago thinking it wouldn't hurt to have TWO emails to bring with me saying yes we could use the FP option! In my second email I said that I'd read on a forum board that they were giving incorrect info. - according to the Guest Relations CM's at the Will Call windows. I said said that these CM's said they had the final say in it (according to what's being reported). I specifically wanted to address the lack of consistency at the windows and wanted them to be aware that there is conflicting information being given out. So we'll see if they glaze over that aspect in their reply. I expect it will be a few days before I hear back...

 

[Meteora]

Annie, I wrote the same information in my email--specifically citing the information that the guest services managers said the blackout was for all options and that this was contrary to information people had gotten through calling/emailing the support team--and they didn't address that at all in the reply, just said that the alternate options are available during the blackout dates. It'll be interesting to see if they respond differently to your email.

 

[doconeill]

We are still a month away from the first blackout date. They will likely communicate definitive information to the front lines a lot closer to the first date.

The GSMs could have been going based on interpretation of the information available at the time.

Did anyone ask them to clarify the blackout on the FAQ itself?

Edit: I just re-read the FAQ. And although it isn't explicit, I think they did change the wording from the last time I studied it...someone may have mentioned this before, but I think the wording has changed a couple times...

The theme park tickets distributed under this Program will not be valid for use on the following dates:

...

Vouchers must be redeemed for tickets or Passholder and multi-day ticket holder options, as applicable, by December 15, 2010. Theme park ticket must be used on the same day as redemption.

So it seems they are trying to clarify. Why they can't just explicitly say it I have no idea.

 

[Anal Annie]

We are still a month away from the first blackout date. They will likely communicate definitive information to the front lines a lot closer to the first date.

The GSMs could have been going based on interpretation of the information available at the time.

Did anyone ask them to clarify the blackout on the FAQ itself?

Edit: I just re-read the FAQ. And although it isn't explicit, I think they did change the wording from the last time I studied it...someone may have mentioned this before, but I think the wording has changed a couple times...



So it seems they are trying to clarify. Why they can't just explicitly say it I have no idea.

I mentioned it in my emails that it was unclear on the FAQ...

 

[Anal Annie]

I just printed out our vouchers... And all they say regarding the blackout dates is this:

"Ticket is not valid for admission on March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010"

It clearly does not reference the other options so I interpret that to mean they are not included in the blackout dates.

 

[doconeill]

I just printed out our vouchers... And all they say regarding the blackout dates is this:

"Ticket is not valid for admission on March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010"

It clearly does not reference the other options so I interpret that to mean they are not included in the blackout dates.

That is similar to how they changed the FAQ, but obviously it would be clearer if they actually stated plainly that the other options would be available.

By this wording, you could still turn in the voucher for the ticket, but you couldn't use it...which means you couldn't upgrade it either (the must-use clause), and it expires at the end of the day, making the whole transaction silly...

 

[Meteora]

That seems to be the problem--the FAQ and voucher don't state you can't use the voucher for alternate options during the blackout, but also definitely don't clearly state that you CAN. It's murky. The voucher does clearly say not for ADMISSION on the blackout dates, but the entire first section of the voucher is written with the implication that you will be using the ticket for admission. Only underneath, in smaller letters, does it note the alternate options.

 

[Anal Annie]

Just got my 2nd email reply and thought I'd copy and post the response. I am going with this information people!!


Dear Ms. White,

Thank you for contacting us regarding the "Give A Day. Get A Disney
Day." program.

The information posted on www.disneyparks.com about alternative options
during the block out dates is correct. During the block out dates you
will be unable to redeem a ticket with the voucher, but the alternate
options are still available. While the forums and other sites might
have useful information, these sites are not sanctioned, monitored or
controlled by The Walt Disney Company.

Thank you for your interest in our "Give A Day. Get A Disney Day."
Program.

Sincerely,

Betsy Kent
“Give A Day. Get A Disney Day.” Support Team

 

[Meteora]

Awesome. Thanks, Annie. Let's just hope the relevant people are informed of this by March 29th so that it goes easily for everyone.

 

[Anal Annie]

Awesome. Thanks, Annie. Let's just hope the relevant people are informed of this by March 29th so that it goes easily for everyone.

Well, and I think it is worth noting that each response we have collectively received seems to have actually been written by the Guest Services CM that sent them. They are all different to some degree and are not a canned response but they all say basically the same thing.

 

[doconeill]

FYI, I checked the FAQ again, which is ever-changing. I think they reorganized it a bit.

The relevant section now reads:

When is my free Disney theme park ticket valid for use? Are there any dates I can't use my ticket?
Your voucher for a free ticket to enter one of the Disney Theme Parks may be redeemed through December 15, 2010, and must be redeemed and used on the same day. Please note, however, that on the following days, you will not be allowed to redeem your voucher for a free ticket:

• Walt Disney World® Resort: March 29 - April 8 and July 4, 2010
• The Disneyland® Resort: February 13-14, March 21, June 21-22, July 4, November 21, December 11-12, 2010.

They still don't explicitly state it (come on Disney, how hard would it be to put the words "But you will still be able to get one of the other options if you have a multi-day ticket..." in there?), they are being more explicit about not being able to redeem the voucher for the free ticket.

 

[doconeill]

Reposting this thread CF posted for those reading this one...looks like this is all set now:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413918