Disney Springs - EMH and 60 Day FP+ Now?

[Lauren Giddins]

I just got an e-mail from Mouse Savers saying that Disney Springs hotels now have EMH and 60 Day FP+. My question is: Can non-WDW resort hotels book their ADRs 180 days in adavance or only Disney Resort hotels? And, is it true that WDW Resort Hotels can actually book their ADRs 190 days in advance instead of 180 days? If true, will Disney Springs hotels be able to book 190 days in advance too? This is a HUGE consideration for our upcoming stay with this new change for Disney Springs hotels...

 

[Wubar]

You can book your ADRs 180 days out now - the hotel doesn't have anything to do with it, the general public can book those ADRs. As for the 190 days, I don't have an answer to that question...

 

[Lauren Giddins]

I read in the Unoffical Guide that WDW Resort hotels can book ADRs 190 days prior...

 

[Bree]

I read in the Unoffical Guide that WDW Resort hotels can book ADRs 190 days prior...

Anyone can book an ADR 180 days out. You don’t need a hotel reservation. The on-site guest can book their ADRs for their length of the hotel stay beginning 180 days prior to the check in date.

 

[Hopefully]

I read in the Unoffical Guide that WDW Resort hotels can book ADRs 190 days prior...

I believe you misread or they mis stated. NO ONE can book 190 days before checkin. The perk you are referring to currently is that guests of a Disney owned resort can book ADRs beginning 180 days prior to check in and for the NEXT 10 days. This is the 180 + 10. It is not 190 days in advance. Everyone can book at 180 days exactly.
The Disney quote I read never mentioned ADRs. I think there is confusion today

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I should know this, but Swan/Dolphin gets the 180+10 benefit, right? Or no?

 

[dansdad]

I should know this, but Swan/Dolphin get the 180+10 benefit, right? Or no?

As of today, just the 180. Not the +10.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ad of today, just the 180. Not the +10.

 

[Lauren Giddins]

I believe you misread or they mis stated. NO ONE can book 190 days before checkin. The perk you are referring to currently is that guests of a Disney owned resort can book ADRs beginning 180 days prior to check in and for the NEXT 10 days. This is the 180 + 10. It is not 190 days in advance. Everyone can book at 180 days exactly.
The Disney quote I read never mentioned ADRs. I think there is confusion today

The book is wrong then. Verbatim it says "Guests at Disney resorts except the Swan, the Dolphin, Shades of Green, and hotels of the Disney Springs Resort Area can also make dining reservations up to 190 days before their visit, or 10 days earlier than the general public." It's under the section of the book titled, "Benefits of Staying in the World." This is from the 2018 edition. Wow, thank you for advising me of the correct information. I definitely have to go back to the drawing board now, this makes a difference in my hotel decisions...

 

[siskaren]

The book is wrong then. Verbatim it says "Guests at Disney resorts except the Swan, the Dolphin, Shades of Green, and hotels of the Disney Springs Resort Area can also make dining reservations up to 190 days before their visit, or 10 days earlier than the general public." It's under the section of the book titled, "Benefits of Staying in the World." This is from the 2018 edition. Wow, thank you for advising me of the correct information. I definitely have to go back to the drawing board now, this makes a difference in my hotel decisions...

If that's what the book says, then it's wrong - it's never been 190 days. It's 180+10, as Hopefully said. I've seen a lot of posts here over the years from people who thought that 180+10 meant 190 days (if that was the case, why not just say 190 instead of 180+10?), but I'm really surprised to read that a guide book as well-known as the Unofficial Guide is also getting it wrong.

 

[sjmac42]

Don’t mean to be Mr Grumpy Pants but this means that the huge premium you pay to stay at a WDW owned Hotel is now just for the theming, Magical Express and room charge back. I guess you could also argue location when talking about the Monorail Resorts but the premium to stay in one of those is even larger.
Glad I’m renting DVC points as I would have been a bit annoyed had I paid the usual price for the AKL next year.
All the best

 

[sjmac42]

Just found out Magic Express is also included at the 7 Disney Springs Hotels as well.
So that’s just theming, chargeback and possibly location left for premium rates that the WDW owned resorts charge.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Just found out Magic Express is also included at the 7 Disney Springs Hotels as well.
So that’s just theming, chargeback and possibly location left for premium rates that the WDW owned resorts charge.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.

I’m going to join in with my Hmmmmm too . I also got that email from Mousesavers. For our family that needs two hotel rooms, the Disney Springs area hotels might very well be worth looking into; especially if we can get most of the perks of staying onsite and get nice hotel rooms with rates lower than two value resort rooms. We spent time at Disney Springs during our trip this past March after not visiting there in several years (due to the construction) and really enjoyed it. This may be a welcome twist in our surprise summer trip plans .

 

[HopperFan]

Just found out Magic Express is also included at the 7 Disney Springs Hotels as well.
So that’s just theming, chargeback and possibly location left for premium rates that the WDW owned resorts charge.
Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Where did you get that info?

Right now this appears to be the official info sent to TA and there is no mention of Magical Express for Disney Springs. The first paragraph where ME is mentioned they are talking only about Disney World Owned Resorts, not Disney Springs. It is also are not clear yet on if folks with just a room reservation can get FP+ at 60 days since there is references to needing a package, which is being repeated by numerous TA. Hopefully a clearer statement will come from Disney to general public.


“Guests staying at any of the Disney Resort hotels will continue to experience special features offered at a Disney Resort hotel, including legendary Guest service and unique theming, along with benefits like the Extra Magic Hours benefit, the ability to make FastPass+ selections up to 60-days prior to arrival, (both of these benefits require valid theme park admission), the convenience of MagicBands, complimentary transportation (motor coach, buses and ferry boats) around the Walt Disney World® Resort and standard parking at Disney theme parks, Disney’s Magical Express service and the ability to purchase Disney dining plan packages. Those Guests staying in select Disney Resort hotels can also receive other services such as personalized vacation planning, merchandise delivery to their rooms, and easy access to Minnie Van service.


For 2018, we are also extending some benefits that are currently available to Disney Resort hotel Guests and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Guests. Each Guest, with a valid theme park admission, staying at one of the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels, which are designated Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels will be extended these benefits. The Disney Spring Resort Area hotels include: B Resort & Spa; Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort; DoubleTree Guest Suites by Hilton Orlando; Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Palace; Hilton Orlando Resort Lake Buena Vista; Holiday Inn Orlando; Wyndham Lake Buena Vista; and Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista.


Beginning Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018, Guests at any of these Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels, with a valid theme park ticket, can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours benefit as each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens early or extends later for Guests to enjoy select attractions.


Scheduled to begin Jan. 10, 2018, Walt Disney Travel Company packages are available for online bookings for the Disney Springs® Resort Area hotels. Also, scheduled to begin Jan. 10, 2018, Guests at these Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels, who have booked a package reservation for the hotel through a Walt Disney Travel Company package, will be able to link their hotel reservation on My Disney Experience, and with a linked, valid theme park ticket, these Guests can utilize a 60-day booking window for FastPass+ selections. These are benefits that are already available to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Guests.”

 

[sjmac42]

Where did you get that info?

From the wdwinfo.com website and the Dis daily fix, however, they have since issued a correction. Apparently, Magic Bands, Parking and ability to add the dining plan are not included, just 60 day Fastpass selection and EMH. The original article still says ME is included but that may be subject to a further correction.
So at least there are still some benefits for the premium you pay at the WDW owned resorts. Makes you wonder if a Magic band and parking are worth the premium though.
All the best.

 

[Lauren Giddins]

I’m a Florida resident so ME is not a deciding factor for my trip. I crunched the numbers for my upcoming trip at the end of August, my numbers include the wishful thinking of qualifying for the Free Dining Plan for our trip (also hoping that we don’t need a Park Hopper added onto our package too). If those stars aligned then the price difference between staying at WDW resort in the Value Family Suites would be $41 less than staying at a Disney Springs resort (Hilton Palace- we get a discount since my DD works for Hilton) that we are considering. However if the stars did not align and in order to get the Free Dining Promotion we would have to get the Park Hopper than the WDW resort stay would be $82 more than staying at Disney Springs. And if the stars were completely off and Free Dining is not offered during our stay, well, I would have to immediately cancel my WDW resort Family Suite and get the two rooms at Hilton Palace, the difference would save me $440. My DD likes the two room Hilton Palace option a lot because we are all adults and then none of us would have to sleep on a pullout couch... Definitely a game changer...

 

[HopperFan]

Where did you get that info?

From the wdwinfo.com website and the Dis daily fix, however, they have since issued a correction. Apparently, Magic Bands, Parking and ability to add the dining plan are not included, just 60 day Fastpass selection and EMH. The original article still says ME is included but that may be subject to a further correction.
So at least there are still some benefits for the premium you pay at the WDW owned resorts. Makes you wonder if a Magic band and parking are worth the premium though.
All the best.

I just looked at that. Well, they took the Disney release to TA and substantially shortened it changing the context of the release. What I posted above in blue is the release that has been posted verbatim ... and the only place ME is mentioned is what is available for those staying at actual Disney resorts, not Disney Springs.

They really should scrap that whole article and re-read what Disney sent out.

 

[Hopefully]

I just looked at that. Well, they took the Disney release to TA and substantially shortened it changing the context of the release. What I posted above in blue is the release that has been posted verbatim ... and the only place ME is mentioned is what is available for those staying at actual Disney resorts, not Disney Springs.

They really should scrap that whole article and re-read what Disney sent out.

Not only that but Pete stated on the Daily Fix that ME, 180+10 and Dining Plan were also included on the Daily Fix. He also never stated that the 60 day FP required a package. They need to address those errors in that forum as well.

 

[HopperFan]

Not only that but Pete stated on the Daily Fix that ME, 180+10 and Dining Plan were also included on the Daily Fix. He also never stated that the 60 day FP required a package. They need to address those errors in that forum as well.

At worse, the Disney release has too much information therefore they created confusion. At best they tried to explain what was offered at each level ... but all they did was muddy the water.

I read it over several times, and I still have the same opinion BUT it may be that it is written wrong. I did look at several other TA sites and they have it explained how I interpreted it. They actually made it simple and to the point.

I just hope this isn't another example of Disney rushing something out without thinking it through, with clear guidelines and parameters ... like the seem to do a lot lately.

The ONLY reason Disney would do this is CASH, so we have to look at how Disney will increase revenue by doing this at no detriment to themselves. EMH, a lesser perk since there are so few and many don't use or only use one (we only do night) ......

But FP+ at 60 ...... HUGE selling point for Disney hotels especially for SWL and TSL (plus Pandora). WHY give away a sure bet to book on property? That's why the Package requirement makes sense. It commits those guests to WDW. AND if that package includes the Dining Plan ... well they are making sure all these restaurants are full. We really like staying at those hotels when we are doing Disney and Universal because we can shoot straight up to US on Palm Parkway but are close to DS and Disney parks. We have stayed at Disney Springs and not even done Disney, we just like the area and walking to Disney Springs (I am not a fan of City Walk).

MAYBE it's all temporary to make up for the large number of rooms out of service and/or once SWL opens it will go away or it will be back for onsite only or at least SWL will. Who knows?

But I agree ....... before anyone publishes something they need to read the release a few times to hear what they are really saying.

 

[Lauren Giddins]

Beginning Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2018, Guests at any of these Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels, with a valid theme park ticket, can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours benefit as each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks opens early or extends later for Guests to enjoy select attractions.


Scheduled to begin Jan. 10, 2018, Walt Disney Travel Company packages are available for online bookings for the Disney Springs® Resort Area hotels. Also, scheduled to begin Jan. 10, 2018, Guests at these Official WALT DISNEY WORLD hotels, who have booked a package reservation for the hotel through a Walt Disney Travel Company package, will be able to link their hotel reservation on My Disney Experience, and with a linked, valid theme park ticket, these Guests can utilize a 60-day booking window for FastPass+ selections. These are benefits that are already available to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Guests.”

So it sounds like Disney Springs resort guests with a valid theme park ticket will be able to participate in EMH, whether they book directly through Disney or not.

And, Disney Springs resort guests who book a package (hotel + theme park tickets) directly through Disney will also have the added perk of FP+ at 60 days prior.

However, Disney Springs resort guests who do not book a package (hotel + theme park ticket) directly through Disney, will not have FP+ at 60 days prior. They will only have EMH.

The wording is complicated, and at first glance without dissecting it, the statement can create confusion. So, that's what I garner from this statement. Does this sound about right???