Booking a FP before resort check in date?

[labdogs42]

I have friends who booked a four day WDW package with tickets, but they want to go to the parks two days before they check in to the hotel (they are staying with friends that day). I know they can use their tickets at that point, but they don't seem to be able to make Fastpass reservations for that day (even now at 30 days out). I knew they wouldn't be able to make FPs at 60 days, but I thought at 30 they might be able to. Any thoughts on this? Are they just out of luck? Can they somehow separate their ticket from their room in order to book fastpasses? Thoughts?

 

[hiroMYhero]

I have friends who booked a four day WDW package with tickets, but they want to go to the parks two days before they check in to the hotel (they are staying with friends that day). I know they can use their tickets at that point, but they don't seem to be able to make Fastpass reservations for that day (even now at 30 days out). I knew they wouldn't be able to make FPs at 60 days, but I thought at 30 they might be able to. Any thoughts on this? Are they just out of luck? Can they somehow separate their ticket from their room in order to book fastpasses? Thoughts?

They can’t pre-book FPs for those park days. Their “packaged tickets” are not valid and active until their check-in date.

When they activate their tickets when they reach WDW, that’s when they can book FPs for those pre-package days. This is the main drawback of package tickets and the FP booking is explained in the Split Stay section of the FP FAQ.

 

[Robo]

I have friends who booked a four day WDW package with tickets, but they want to go to the parks two days before they check in to the hotel (they are staying with friends that day).
1. I know they can use their tickets at that point,
2. but they don't seem to be able to make Fastpass reservations for that day (even now at 30 days out).
I knew they wouldn't be able to make FPs at 60 days, but
3. I thought at 30 they might be able to. Any thoughts on this? Are they just out of luck?
4. Can they somehow separate their ticket from their room in order to book fastpasses? Thoughts?

1. Yes.
2. Correct.
3. Not with tickets bought as part of a WDW resort package.
4. Not if they have some kind of deal that "requires" tickets (like Free Dining?")
Otherwise, yes.
But, there may be a monetary penalty for changing the resort details this close to the trip.

A note for those reading along:
Unless your resort package "requires" adding tickets,
it is unwise to buy park tickets along with a WDW resort room.

 

[labdogs42]

1. Yes.
2. Correct.
3. Not with tickets bought as part of a WDW resort package.
4. Not if they have some kind of deal that "requires" tickets (like Free Dining?")
Otherwise, yes.
But, there may be a monetary penalty for changing the resort details this close to the trip.

A note for those reading along:
Unless your resort package "requires" adding tickets,
it is unwise to buy park tickets along with a WDW resort room.

Thanks! I never really thought of it this way. Their packages wasn't discounted, so I'm thinking they may be able to separate them without penalty. I'll check and report back!

 

[winthropf]

Since they have a four day ticket as part of the package, they will only be able to book four total days of FP+ even if they separate the tickets from the package. They won't be able to do the four days of the package plus 2 days before with only 4 day tickets.

 

[Robo]

Since they have a four day ticket as part of the package, they will only be able to book four total days of FP+ even if they separate the tickets from the package. They won't be able to do the four days of the package plus 2 days before with only 4 day tickets.

Yes, as-is.
But, they could choose to upgrade in advance by adding two days to their tickets.

 

[labdogs42]

Yes, as-is.
But, they could choose to upgrade in advance by adding two days to their tickets.

They are only visiting the parks for four total days, just one of them isn't a day when they have a resort ressie. They want to go to a park Sunday, do other stuff monday and Tuesday, check in and do parks Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. It is weird. I have no idea why they want to do it this way.

 

[Robo]

They are only visiting the parks for four total days, just one of them isn't a day when they have a resort ressie. They want to go to a park Sunday, do other stuff monday and Tuesday, check in and do parks Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. It is weird. I have no idea why they want to do it this way.

I know the trip is happening in less than 30 days, but they COULD, anytime now, direct-buy NEW 4-Day tickets and link them to their MDX account.
THEN, call and cancel their tickets on their resort package.
They can book/re-book any days they want for FP+.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I know the trip is happening in less than 30 days, but they COULD, anytime now, direct-buy NEW 4-Day tickets and link them to their MDX account.
THEN, call and cancel their tickets on their resort package.
They can book/re-book any days they want for FP+.

Yes, this. However, if they are within 30 days of checking in, they risk being charged a change fee. What park are they going to? Which rides are they hoping to book for that day?

 

[labdogs42]

Yes, this. However, if they are within 30 days of checking in, they risk being charged a change fee. What park are they going to? Which rides are they hoping to book for that day?

They are going to Epcot, so I don't think they really need to worry. They have three boys, so Frozen isn't a must-do for them. I'm trying to explain that to them, so they don't stress.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

They are going to Epcot, so I don't think they really need to worry. They have three boys, so Frozen isn't a must-do for them. I'm trying to explain that to them, so they don't stress.

Yes, totally agree. They should be able to pick up a same day FP+ for Soarin' or TT and 2 FP+ for tier 2's. I've been able to pick up Soarin' as a 4th FP+ as well.