Can I downgrade park-hoppers to non-hoppers?

[minoh]

This is our first time heading to WDW and I purchased the park-hopper option for 8 of us over 5 days in March. That was before our schedule had been fully decided and I figured that it would be good to have that park-hopper option. Now that our schedule is made, with ADRs and FPs booked, I realise that we will probably not do any park-hopping given how jam-packed each day already is.

So my question is, are we stuck with the park-hoppers or can we downgrade to regular tickets? We're traveling from Canada so the savings would be significant. I really hope there's some way to do this!

 

[Canooknic]

I'd call and ask, they can only say yes or no!

 

[minoh]

True enough. I'm really kicking myself for not waiting to buy those tickets before having a draft schedule. It was just overwhelming with all the reservations that depended on having the the tickets purchased that I didn't think it through enough before.

 

[minoh]

Hmmm, well the cast member on the phone said we do that when we get to the park at the ticket window. That sounds a little too easy, will they really just let us change the tickets there?

 

[jmartinez1895]

I think it may depend on how you purchased the tickets. I did a package through Disney and I called and added and then called and took off and then called and added hopper back. Each time they just adjusted the price, my package was not fully paid for at the time of the changes so that cod have something to do with it.

 

[supersnoop]

Hmmm, well the cast member on the phone said we do that when we get to the park at the ticket window. That sounds a little too easy, will they really just let us change the tickets there?

They'll let you change the tickets, but they won't give you any money back.

Where did you buy the tickets? Were they part of a package? Did you buy them from Disney or a third party?

 

[Marionnette]

This is our first time heading to WDW and I purchased the park-hopper option for 8 of us over 5 days in March. That was before our schedule had been fully decided and I figured that it would be good to have that park-hopper option. Now that our schedule is made, with ADRs and FPs booked, I realise that we will probably not do any park-hopping given how jam-packed each day already is.

So my question is, are we stuck with the park-hoppers or can we downgrade to regular tickets? We're traveling from Canada so the savings would be significant. I really hope there's some way to do this!

How did you purchase the tickets? From one of the online vendors? If so, you can return the tickets and exchange them for base tickets if you have not linked them in MDE yet. From Disney as a part of a package? You can called and alter your ticket media but there's a penalty if you are inside the 30-day window (which it appears you are not). Directly from Disney but not a part of a package? Kind of a sticky area. Theoretically, tickets are non-refundable and you are asking to "return" the tickets you have and then use the funds to purchase base tickets. You might get a CM who has the authority to do this. I would not take anything that a phone CM tells me as gospel truth.

 

[minoh]

I think it may depend on how you purchased the tickets. I did a package through Disney and I called and added and then called and took off and then called and added hopper back. Each time they just adjusted the price, my package was not fully paid for at the time of the changes so that cod have something to do with it.

Who did you call? The standard WDW number just got me to a CM who didn't offer any options other than going to the ticket window once we get there.

I bought the tickets through Disney when on MDE. They're not part a package with the resort, as the resort was booked as part of a conference one of us is attending. I bought them using the discount for Canadian tickets that's currently on.

 

[wilkeliza]

Who did you call? The standard WDW number just got me to a CM who didn't offer any options other than going to the ticket window once we get there.

I bought the tickets through Disney when on MDE. They're not part a package with the resort, as the resort was booked as part of a conference one of us is attending. I bought them using the discount for Canadian tickets that's currently on.

You can call the ticketing phone number and not just the standard WDW number.

Existing Tickets (407) 939-7523
0800 16 90 730 (UK)
1800 812 676 (IE)

Again it is quite possible that you can not downgrade the tickets since tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable but you can try since they haven't been used. However what the previous poster did you won't be able to do because your tickets are not package tickets which can be changed very easily up to 45 days before the trip until the cost and changes are locked down for packages. Since you booked separately not as a package the rules are different.

 

[minoh]

You can call the ticketing phone number and not just the standard WDW number.

Existing Tickets (407) 939-7523
0800 16 90 730 (UK)
1800 812 676 (IE)

Again it is quite possible that you can not downgrade the tickets since tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable but you can try since they haven't been used. However what the previous poster did you won't be able to do because your tickets are not package tickets which can be changed very easily up to 45 days before the trip until the cost and changes are locked down for packages. Since you booked separately not as a package the rules are different.

Thanks so much for these numbers! I'm really hopeful they can help us out, I'm such a newbie with all this WDW planning!

 

[minoh]

The CM that I was transferred to was super kind and said that they'll add a note to our file so we can decide when we pick up the tickets in the park whether we'd like to downgrade or not. They'd refund us the difference if we decide not to keep the park-hopped option. Such great customer service!

 

[Marionnette]

The CM that I was transferred to was super kind and said that they'll add a note to our file so we can decide when we pick up the tickets in the park whether we'd like to downgrade or not. They'd refund us the difference if we decide not to keep the park-hopped option. Such great customer service!

Well, that sounds promising. I hope that it works out for you. Please come back and update us after your trip if you remember. Have a great time!

 

[Marionnette]

Sorry. Duplicate post.

 

[supersnoop]

The CM that I was transferred to was super kind and said that they'll add a note to our file so we can decide when we pick up the tickets in the park whether we'd like to downgrade or not. They'd refund us the difference if we decide not to keep the park-hopped option. Such great customer service!

You're going to be disappointed. I don't think they'll be able to do that for you at the park. What you need to do (and this requires some "pixie dust" because it's against policy) is ask them to refund your current tickets and sell you new ones without the park hopper option. All tickets are "non-refundable," but when you buy directly from Disney, they can make exceptions.

 

[minoh]

You're going to be disappointed. I don't think they'll be able to do that for you at the park. What you need to do (and this requires some "pixie dust" because it's against policy) is ask them to refund your current tickets and sell you new ones without the park hopper option. All tickets are "non-refundable," but when you buy directly from Disney, they can make exceptions.

Oh no, really? The CM sent the below confirmation email with a "magic number" to present at the ticket window. Should I call to confirm that it's going work?

We discussed refunding and issuing new ones but because I've already booked fast passes for every day the CM was concerned that they'd be lost if new tickets were issued right now.

.....

Thank you for contacting Walt Disney World Ticketing.

As we discussed, we would like to provide you with a refund for your unused Park Hopper Option on your tickets. Upon your next arrival, please visit any one of our Guest Relations locations at our Theme Parks or Disney Springs, present valid government-issued ID and Magic number- **** to have your tickets issued.

We hope your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort is filled with magical memories.

Sincerely,
****
Ticketing Guest Services​

Walt Disney World Resort

 

[disneychrista]

I've always been under the impression you can UPGRADE to a more expensive pass but not DOWNGROUND & get a refund.

 

[jmartinez1895]

Print that email and bring it with it. It sounds like they gave you some pixie dust.

 

[supersnoop]

Oh no, really? The CM sent the below confirmation email with a "magic number" to present at the ticket window. Should I call to confirm that it's going work?

We discussed refunding and issuing new ones but because I've already booked fast passes for every day the CM was concerned that they'd be lost if new tickets were issued right now.

.....

Thank you for contacting Walt Disney World Ticketing.

As we discussed, we would like to provide you with a refund for your unused Park Hopper Option on your tickets. Upon your next arrival, please visit any one of our Guest Relations locations at our Theme Parks or Disney Springs, present valid government-issued ID and Magic number- **** to have your tickets issued.

We hope your next visit to the Walt Disney World Resort is filled with magical memories.

Sincerely,
****
Ticketing Guest Services​

Walt Disney World Resort

@ravenclawtrekkie works in a ticket booth. Would you be able to do anything with this "magic number?"

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

If the "Magic number" starts with "M00" (M zero zero) then Guest Relations can do stuff with it. People in my role don't have access to the Magic system. Our coordinators do, but they usually have us send those files to GR unless the coordinators aren't busy.

Magic files document when and why (and for whom) exceptions are made.

 

[ldo]

as WDW guest services has confirmed in writing that you can get a refund for the PH, you should be fine. just be sure to print and bring the email with you.