Customer Service at Parks - When do they open?

[shrinkydinky]

Our first day at the parks, May 8th, we're going to Epcot. But we need to go to a Customer Service window so two of us can activate Annual Passes and three of us can upgrade tickets to Annual Passes. i'm wondering when those windows open, and hoping they are open before the park opens. I was only able to make a Fast Pass for either Soarin' or Frozen Ever After, so chose Soarin'. But thought if we could run very quickly at rope drop to Norway, we might be able to avoid the 90 minute wait time i generally see on the wait time programs. Anyhow, long story just to ask when Customer Service windows open. We will be taking the boat in from Boardwalk so will arrive at that gate.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

When are you arriving? I'm going to Disney Springs the night before to activate my AP and get a TIW card.

The last time I activated my AP at GS at IG it took a long time. They only had one person there and the family in front of us didn't know what they wanted or who was going to pay. Yes, I'll lose a day on the AP but better than that sinking feeling of wasted time.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Our first day at the parks, May 8th, we're going to Epcot. But we need to go to a Customer Service window so two of us can activate Annual Passes and three of us can upgrade tickets to Annual Passes. i'm wondering when those windows open, and hoping they are open before the park opens. I was only able to make a Fast Pass for either Soarin' or Frozen Ever After, so chose Soarin'. But thought if we could run very quickly at rope drop to Norway, we might be able to avoid the 90 minute wait time i generally see on the wait time programs. Anyhow, long story just to ask when Customer Service windows open. We will be taking the boat in from Boardwalk so will arrive at that gate.

It is a very quick walk from the Boardwalk to the International Gateway, so if you don't see a boat when you get to the dock, then just walk. The boats start running one hour before park opening and the boat to Epcot wouldn't get to the dock right away.

But to answer your question, I would guess that the guest relations and ticket windows open an hour before the park opens.

 

[wilkeliza]

GR outside the park opens usually about an hour before opening but may be earlier depending on different factors.

 

[Robo]

Guest Relations opens 90 minutes before "regular" opening time.
(Or 30 minutes before AM EMH opening time.)

 

[shrinkydinky]

Thank you! 90 minutes should be plenty of time. Two of us have simple things. My husband and I will be bridging 7 day park hoppers to an AP. But we also have on file 10-day non-expiring tickets and I want to make sure those are preserved and they use the new 7 day hoppers toward APs.

 

[shrinkydinky]

When are you arriving? I'm going to Disney Springs the night before to activate my AP and get a TIW card.

The last time I activated my AP at GS at IG it took a long time. They only had one person there and the family in front of us didn't know what they wanted or who was going to pay. Yes, I'll lose a day on the AP but better than that sinking feeling of wasted time.

We get in the day before around 6pm. How late is the Guest Services open at Disney Springs? I wonder if that would be closer to Boardwalk than going over to Epcot the night before. I am a little worried about all our transactions taking a long time.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We get in the day before around 6pm. How late is the Guest Services open at Disney Springs? I wonder if that would be closer to Boardwalk than going over to Epcot the night before. I am a little worried about all our transactions taking a long time.

If you are staying at the Boardwalk then you can walk over to the International Gateway that evening. Guest Relations is open until at least 9 pm. The International Gateway would be a six minute walk from Boardwalk. Disney Springs would not be convenient at all.

 

[CarolynFH]

If you are staying at the Boardwalk then you can walk over to the International Gateway that evening. Guest Relations is open until at least 9 pm. The International Gateway would be a six minute walk from Boardwalk. Disney Springs would not be convenient at all.

I agree. Guest Relations at the IG will be the closest (you can walk or take the boat) and will be open late enough to give you plenty of time to conduct your business. They rarely have a line when we go past there, and we've activated APs and bought TIW cards there many times without any problems or long waits.

 

[Robo]

 

[shrinkydinky]

Thanks! Okay, I remember now how to walk over from Boardwalk. That will be convenient. Then we can go in and get some food to nosh on. After being on a plane all day it will be nice to stretch our legs.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We get in the day before around 6pm. How late is the Guest Services open at Disney Springs? I wonder if that would be closer to Boardwalk than going over to Epcot the night before. I am a little worried about all our transactions taking a long time.

Since it will be open at 6PM, going to the IG is a better idea. We won't be in until after 9PM. How late is Guest Services open at Disney Springs?