Blockout passes

[DizFan13]

Hello, DISers.

I am hoping someone can clarify the process for obtaining the one-day blockout passes for AP holders. DS15 has a DP, and we plan to be in the parks during two Saturdays, so we will need to buy two of them. If I am understanding Disney's website correctly, they will be $70 each. I am hoping to confirm that, and also to learn where exactly I will need to go to purchase them. Also, do they need to be purchased on the day-of-entry, or can I buy both of them on the first day we need one?

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you already have a Premium pass? If not, is there even a remote possibility that you would go more than those two days this year, or even that you would benefit from the free parking and the extra 5% off on food and 10% off on merchandise that a Premium offers over a Deluxe (15% and 20% off respectively)? I ask because the cost to upgrade from a Deluxe to a Premium is $180, so if two blockout tickets is $140, you're really in "might as well upgrade" territory!

You can buy them at the ticket booths, and according to the website, you must buy it on the same day you plan to use it.

 

[cmwade77]

Yes, it would be $70 each day and is only valid on the day it is purchased.

You may want to inquire about upgrading to the premium, as it could be as low as another $40 on top of the $140 that you will spend to do so. Even if you bought at the old prices, it never hurts to ask how much the upgrade would be. If the pass is valid for long enough, it could be worthwhile to do so.

As to where you buy the tickets, you do so at any ticket booth (Note: The ticket carts in the Toy Story lot cannot do this)

You cannot buy blockout day tickets for July 4th or December 31st. Also, it has been tradition that if the day is expected to be extra busy that they will raise the price for the day and once either park closes due to capacity that they stop selling blockout day tickets for that day.

 

[DizFan13]

I don't think upgrading his pass to a PP is a valid option, since we purchased it prior to the price increase, and unless something has changed, they will only credit us what we paid originally. Based on that, the upgrade would be $280, and this is likely to be his last trip before it expires. It is only DS15 that has this issue; DH and I have Premier Passports and we will be buying DS17 a PP when we arrive.

 

[Malcon10t]

You cannot buy blockout day tickets for July 4th or December 31st.

Actually not true... Here is Disneyland's FAQ on this.

"What is a Blockout Day ticket and where can I purchase it?

Blockout Day tickets are available for purchase and are valid on a day that your Annual Passport is blocked out but you wish to visit Disneyland Resort. Blockout Day tickets are Park Hopper tickets and are $70 each (prices subject to change without notice).

These tickets are only available at the Main Entrance Ticket Booths on the day you visit.

Annual Passholders must present their valid Annual Passport and valid Blockout Day ticket to be admitted into Disneyland Resort on a Blockout Day. If you have purchased the parking benefit, it is valid on Blockout Days.

The parking benefit is valid on all days except July 4 and December 31. Prices are subject to change without notice. There are no refunds and pro-rated discounts."

 

[cmwade77]

Actually not true... Here is Disneyland's FAQ on this.

"What is a Blockout Day ticket and where can I purchase it?

Blockout Day tickets are available for purchase and are valid on a day that your Annual Passport is blocked out but you wish to visit Disneyland Resort. Blockout Day tickets are Park Hopper tickets and are $70 each (prices subject to change without notice).

These tickets are only available at the Main Entrance Ticket Booths on the day you visit.

Annual Passholders must present their valid Annual Passport and valid Blockout Day ticket to be admitted into Disneyland Resort on a Blockout Day. If you have purchased the parking benefit, it is valid on Blockout Days.

The parking benefit is valid on all days except July 4 and December 31. Prices are subject to change without notice. There are no refunds and pro-rated discounts."

Sorry, while it is not posted there, they have not sold blackout day tickets on those dates for a while now, there is no reason to expect this to change in the future.

 

[Malcon10t]

Sorry, while it is not posted there, they have not sold blackout day tickets on those dates for a while now, there is no reason to expect this to change in the future.

I had friends buy them on New Years Eve last year, and I bought my nieces block outs last 4th of July.

 

[cmwade77]

I don't think upgrading his pass to a PP is a valid option, since we purchased it prior to the price increase, and unless something has changed, they will only credit us what we paid originally. Based on that, the upgrade would be $280, and this is likely to be his last trip before it expires. It is only DS15 that has this issue; DH and I have Premier Passports and we will be buying DS17 a PP when we arrive.

For DS17, you may be able to save some money if you go to your local market in the next few days, there are a few (very few) left that are still selling at the old prices.

For DS15, since his pass is close to expiring, they may have a different upgrade procedure, as I said, it never hurts to ask, but if it would cost more than the two blackout day tickets, it wouldn't be worth it in this case. I figure, you can always ask and the worst they can tell you is that it would be cheaper to buy the blockout day tickets.

 

[cmwade77]

I had friends buy them on New Years Eve last year, and I bought my nieces block outs last 4th of July.

Strange, I knew many people were turned away on both dates. Perhaps they only sell so many on those dates?

I can't speak from personal experience,as we always get the Premium passes.

Also, I find it amazing that a blockout day ticket is so close in price to a full price ticket now, I remember when they were about 1/2 the one day price.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Sorry, while it is not posted there, they have not sold blackout day tickets on those dates for a while now, there is no reason to expect this to change in the future.

I had friends buy them on New Years Eve last year, and I bought my nieces block outs last 4th of July.

Strange, I knew many people were turned away on both dates. Perhaps they only sell so many on those dates?

I can't speak from personal experience,as we always get the Premium passes.

Also, I find it amazing that a blockout day ticket is so close in price to a full price ticket now, I remember when they were about 1/2 the one day price.

If they have stopped selling tickets for the day (any day) due to capacity, they will not sell a blockout ticket.

- Dreams

 

[DizFan13]

For DS17, you may be able to save some money if you go to your local market in the next few days, there are a few (very few) left that are still selling at the old prices.

For DS15, since his pass is close to expiring, they may have a different upgrade procedure, as I said, it never hurts to ask, but if it would cost more than the two blackout day tickets, it wouldn't be worth it in this case. I figure, you can always ask and the worst they can tell you is that it would be cheaper to buy the blockout day tickets.

As far as DS17, that would be a good suggestion except for the fact that we already have a six-day PH that we will be upgrading to the PP. For DS15, however, this is a great point; when we arrive, I will definitely have a CM check how much the upgrade would be. If it is within a decent range, it would be worth it just to avoid the concern that DisneyDreams points out; it would be awful to not be able to get DS15 into the park because of capacity.

 

[starry_solo]

As far as DS17, that would be a good suggestion except for the fact that we already have a six-day PH that we will be upgrading to the PP. For DS15, however, this is a great point; when we arrive, I will definitely have a CM check how much the upgrade would be. If it is within a decent range, it would be worth it just to avoid the concern that DisneyDreams points out; it would be awful to not be able to get DS15 into the park because of capacity.

When does his expire? Is it worth it for you to renew his pass at the new price (since you can renew within 40 days of expiration [sometimes more])? You *might* be able to renew his at the old rate (and upgrade it to the premium).

 

[DizFan13]

When does his expire? Is it worth it for you to renew his pass at the new price (since you can renew within 40 days of expiration [sometimes more])? You *might* be able to renew his at the old rate (and upgrade it to the premium).

DS15's DP expires toward the end of November, and it is very unlikely that we will be renewing for him. The coming year is a major transitional period for our family as DS17 moves away to school and I begin grad school, and DS15 is taking rigorous classes as well. While it makes sense for DS17 to have an AP (he will be attending UCI), the rest of us may have to take a "wait and see" approach; there is a possibility that 2012-2013 will be our first year, in many years, without any family trips to a Disney park. Fortunately, we have this upcoming trip to celebrate, which is why I want to make sure DS15 is able to enter the park for each of the eight days that we will be there.