Confused with DDP Package! Little Help?

[auggie2337]

OK professionals-got one for ya:

Our family is headin' down Jan. 20-28th, POR with free DDP-however free DDP doesn't begin until the 21st. We had to have 2 separate ressies, one for the 20th-room only-and the second from 21st-28th.

I called WDW this morning to confirm everything. I thought we had 8 day hoppers-we only have 7 day as part of our package which starts on the
21st! I asked if I could purchase 8 day hoppers (only like $5 more) so we could go to the parks on the 20th-she said I couldn't because our "package" starts on the 21st.

Do we have to purchase separate 1 day tickets to go on the 20th? Can't be this complicated. Can it???

 

[minnie mum]

This is a frequently asked question. I believe that you can use the search function to check out 'picking up tickets early'. The short answer is that you can pick up your tickets early. Then you can have them add a day. But I think you may have to pick them up at a guest relations window, not at the hotel desk. (Not sure about this last part, but I'm sure CF or one of the other experts will be along shortly to flesh out the details.)

 

[wdw4rfam]

Yes- we ran into the exact problem last year. I was so upset that they wouldn't help me at all. They wanted me to buy 5 one day tix- and there was no way- since we were going to be there 8 more days once we checked in on our free dining reservation. So.... I cancelled our room only and we stayed offsite, and went to Universal for a day- actually saved money because the room was cheaper. Plus got to see WWOHP.

 

[wdw4rfam]

This is a frequently asked question. I believe that you can use the search function to check out 'picking up tickets early'. The short answer is that you can pick up your tickets early. Then you can have them add a day. But I think you may have to pick them up at a guest relations window, not at the hotel desk. (Not sure about this last part, but I'm sure CF or one of the other experts will be along shortly to flesh out the details.)

Good to know- CM I spoke with told me, Sorry- nothing you can do.

 

[Sue M]

I have heard you can pick up your tickets early from the Customer service at DTD. Haven't tried this myself, but have seen posts of people who've done it.

 

[brucerob62]

i guess if it was me,,I would skip going on my arrival date..relax get something to eat ..check out the resort..or go to DTD..and look around,,then check in early the next morning..pick up tix and go to a park..dont think not going to a park each day you are there will kill the trip..i cant do that anymore getting to old i guess..need a day or to relax..have fun either way

 

[bas71873]

i guess if it was me,,I would skip going on my arrival date..relax get something to eat ..check out the resort..or go to DTD..and look around,,then check in early the next morning..pick up tix and go to a park..dont think not going to a park each day you are there will kill the trip..i cant do that anymore getting to old i guess..need a day or to relax..have fun either way

this is what we do on arrival day, even the days we've gotten flights that get us to Orlando mid morning. We like to take our time, get settled at the resort, go to DTD, grab a bite to eat, hang at the pool (although January might now allow for that ) or resort hop some, maybe have a nice dinner at a resort. then we hit the ground running early the next morning

 

[StuckInKS]

We did a split stay earlier this year and had no problem picking up our tickets 3 days early at the Guest Relations widow outside MK. However, they could have changed the rules since May. I don't see why you couldn't purchase 8-day tickets with your FD package (I have booked a 5-night package with 7-day tickets online before), the problem might be picking them up. Like I said, we had no problem in May, but I think people were talking about possible rule changes a few months back...

 

[DebbieB]

You can pick them up early. See this thread. Cheshire Figment is a cm. Apparently the phone cm's are not aware of this.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2819244

Any of the Theme Park Guest Relations windows outside of the parks. This includes the TTC, DTD and the Epcot International Gateway but does not include the water parks or Resorts.

 

[Missytara]

I have also done this the last couple of years, since my package always starts the Sunday after Thanksgiving; that Saturday has always been blacked out due to the holiday.

As Debbie said, Cheshire Figment did an entire sticky on the theme parks and strategies boards and I learned from that sticky you could pick up your tickets early.

I have done it for the last three years; it works great. I am at POR, so I go to DTD to do it, because it is always the least crowded; grab some lunch, then I head over to SSR to pick up a parks bus.

 

[sharadoc]

Someone recently posted they did this, within the last month. I tried to find it - if I can dig it up I'll post a link.

You absolutely can, as long as your package is paid for. Make sure you bring your confirmation / receipt to show.

 

[mickeynut1]

We picked up our tickets early last December at AK Guest Relations without any trouble. All I had to do was show a photo ID, but I would have your package confirmation with you just in case .

 

[nkereina]

I don't see why you couldn't purchase 8-day tickets with your FD package (I have booked a 5-night package with 7-day tickets online before), the problem might be picking them up.

This is what I was going to ask, why can't they just change their package to an 8 day ticket instead of a 7 day ticket? If they are able to pick up their tickets early, then what's the difference? What am I missing?

 

[Missytara]

This is what I was going to ask, why can't they just change their package to an 8 day ticket instead of a 7 day ticket? If they are able to pick up their tickets early, then what's the difference? What am I missing?

Read the OP post again; she was trying to get an 8 day ticket; the CM told her she could only get tickets for the length of her stay. She was given false information.

The good thing is that she got the correct information here. And if she couldn't find another CM at CRO to upgrade her ticket to an 8 day ticket, she could always do it at guest relations when she got there. Either way, she wins!

 

[momof2chipmunks]

YES!!! You can still pick up your tickets early. We just did this. We had a room only reservation from 11/24-27. Our package with free dining started 11/27. I went to guest relations at Animal Kingdom on the 24th and picked up my tickets with NO problem. The CM knew exactly what to do. Then when I checked in on the 27th my tickets were transferred to my KTTW card and my dining plan began. So simple! Have fun

 

[mousefan1972]

You know, I really feel bad for all of the people who are given bad info by the Disney phone CMs, and then don't know about sites like the Dis where they can come get the correct info. I wonder how many people wasted money on a separate 1 or 2 day park ticket b/c the phone CM told them they couldn't pick up their package tickets early....

Thankfully the OP got the correct info from PPs here.

 

[maggie blossom]

I was told this same information from Disney booking agent.
We check in "room only" onJan 7. our package begins Jan 8. I was told we could buy park passes for Jan 7 but they would be one day only; it would not be less expensive as it typically is when you add more days of passes on to an existing reservation.
So this is incorrect? I can add one day for not a lot of money? That would be really great!
Love DIS boards

 

[carrie1626]

Do not fret

Exact scenario happened to me before:

we checked in at AK in the a.m., got our passes, got on a bus to MK, went straight to guest relations and added one day to our tickets ( which was minimal$). We just paid OOP for our dining that day/night. The next day we went to the resort check-in desk, got all new park/room key cards for the DDP for the remainder of thr stay.

When you check in at your resort the first night, tell them about your split reservation so you're in the same rm# for both reservations.

*** guest relations at MK did call AK to verify our ressie, so checking in at the resort first is probably key