Disney Y.E.S. Program

[artemis4]

Here's my experience with accompanying my nephew last week.
My sister and bro-in-law purchased YES tickets for them and their grandson, but they all wanted me, (AP holder) to accompany him to his class.

I called Dave to ask if I could, and he told me that since we would be entering the turnstyles technically before Epcot opened, the AP would not work.

My three bigger kids took a YES class at Epcot. The pre class stuff outside the gates to long enough that my younger son and I entered the park (along with other, regular guests) before the YES class. I was watching for a while because I has planned to get tickets back from the big kids and DH after they went through, but I gave up waiting because the little guy wanted to net done characters already. No YES class that meet that day entered prior to the turnstiles bring opened for the public.

YMMV. This was my experience.

 

[disny_luvr]

We just got back and DD did the YES class at DHS (Animation Magic) and really enjoyed it. We are looking at returning to WDW in June 2014. Just wondering what the June dates usually are for YES. Anyone know?

And have the prices gone up substantially? I was looking on the YES site and it says classes range from $68-$198 for Disneyland classes. We just paid $28 or $29 for the class DD just took plus the cost of park tickets.

Classes start in mid-June. This year my sons took a class on June 18th. I think the first classes in June were offered the week before that.

 

[3angelsmom]

It's the last day of October and still no prices posted

 

[Granny square]

Lol, the day is just starting! Don't give up hope.

 

[kristenrice]

Classes start in mid-June. This year my sons took a class on June 18th. I think the first classes in June were offered the week before that.

Thanks for this info! We are planning another multi-generational trip in 2016 (yeah, I know..things can definitely change before then) and we are looking at going the third week of June. The kids will range in age from 4-14 so most of them will be able to participate in a YES class and thereby reduce the overall ticket expense for everyone else.

Questions...how does the ticket purchase work? For instance, my kids (who will be 11 and 13) will probably take 2 classes. Can DH and I accompany them to one class and then grandpa and grandma take them to another? Would that allow grandma and grandpa to buy the discounted tickets too? Also, the youngest niece will be only 4 so she won't be able to take a class, but is she eligible to get a discounted ticket too? I would assume not, but I thought I'd ask.

 

[doxxie]

It's the last day of October and still no prices posted

Ha ha, I am thinking the same. Combine that with wanting to eat at bog and I think it may be full, this may be a depressing day!

I am going to call yes in a bit.

 

[blessedby3]

Classes start in mid-June. This year my sons took a class on June 18th. I think the first classes in June were offered the week before that.

Thanks so much!

 

[HayGan]

Here's my experience with accompanying my nephew last week.
My sister and bro-in-law purchased YES tickets for them and their grandson, but they all wanted me, (AP holder) to accompany him to his class.

I called Dave to ask if I could, and he told me that since we would be entering the turnstyles technically before Epcot opened, the AP would not work.

I had to buy a one-day YES ticket, for about $82, in order to chaperone. It seemed like an unnecessary expense since I have an AP, but it was important for me to be able to accompany my nephew, so we shelled out the extra $$.

Dave is great with the info about the program but this is one case where I think the story he has to give isn't the whole truth. Yes, most of the YES classes enter a park before it opens to the general public (timing delays may sometimes make that statement not as true.) However, you would still have been able to enter the park with the AP. There are plenty of people entering the park for early ADRs as well as the YES classes. The turnstiles don't magically know what is going on with each individual ticket holder. If it is a valid ticket, it will allow you entry. You have to buy a ticket for a chaparone for the YES program (historically) but that doesn't mean that that particular ticket has to be used to enter the parks for the YES class. Any valid ticket would have worked for entry into the park.

 

[TKH]

I called the YES program phone number just now. I was told that they're now looking at next week for the opening of registration, and she said it will likely be late in the week. I was also told that only the students actually participating in the class will get the significant ticket discount, that other members of the party (parents and children not enrolled in a class) will have a minimal discount. She said it will be very close to gate price for the immediate family. So, the wait continues!

 

[doxxie]

I called the YES program phone number just now. I was told that they're now looking at next week for the opening of registration, and she said it will likely be late in the week. I was also told that only the students actually participating in the class will get the significant ticket discount, that other members of the party (parents and children not enrolled in a class) will have a minimal discount. She said it will be very close to gate price for the immediate family. So, the wait continues!

That is a bummer, I wonder why they would change that. We would gladly do two students except one is too young.

I just called (before I saw this) and they said that the earliest it would have been was today but it's not up yet so they are still hoping it will come "this week".

We'll see!

 

[Granny square]

It makes it hard to plan for tickets. I wont get the kids the premium plus if I have to pay the regular price for them. They will live but it was fun going to the water parks. Oh well, we'll deal.

 

[jcemom]

Without the terrific ticket discounts, I think we will most likely opt for free dining in the future rather than the YES program. (if it's offered, of course)

 

[GaDisneyFreak]

Its a shame that Disney is eliminating one by one some of the ways to make the trips more affordable to families. I was seriously considering doing this program next year, but now not so much. I think it may just have an effect on the bookings of these classes.

 

[Granny square]

Or it will stop the people lying to get cheap tickets.

 

[3angelsmom]

It makes it hard to plan for tickets.

That is my issue. This is the last major part of our January trip that I need to finalize. I hate not having a final budget. And no, for a Type A person like me an estimate will not do.

Thanks doxxie and TKH for sharing your call info.

 

[nan1217]

Or it will stop the people lying to get cheap tickets.

 

[Granny square]

3angels, I get it. I am using my southwest card to pay for the tickets which then will give me the points to fly my son back early. And that all takes time!

 

[3angelsmom]

Ug! I know how annoying it is to wait for points to post Granny!

If it makes you feel any better, in my experience SW seems to post points quicker than other cards. I don't think I had to wait full billing cycles when I did the 50,000 points promotion, or the RR dining (or whatever it's called)

 

[Granny square]

Thank you! I will attempt not to be freaky about this!

 

[jcemom]

Its a shame that Disney is eliminating one by one some of the ways to make the trips more affordable to families. I was seriously considering doing this program next year, but now not so much. I think it may just have an effect on the bookings of these classes.

Or it will stop the people lying to get cheap tickets.

I'd say both. People won't be able to cheat the system so much, but it's also going to cut down on the number of honest bookings as well.