Disneyland Reopening Speculation Superthread

[mlggator22]

Hi, I am new here and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or speculations on if and when they might open up reservations and new tickets for Disneyland. Or if you think they may just open up reservations for existing ticket holders? Legacy AP here and wishing I would have purchased tickets before they suspended sales... but who would have... we were passholders ... Any thoughts on how many tickets are out there or timeline predictions? Swirling with excitement!

Yes, me too. I am very anxious about when they are going to open up the reservations. I can't wait and I'm nervous they are going to give very little notice and I am going to miss out.

 

[brightlined]

Hi, I am new here and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or speculations on if and when they might open up reservations and new tickets for Disneyland. Or if you think they may just open up reservations for existing ticket holders? Legacy AP here and wishing I would have purchased tickets before they suspended sales... but who would have... we were passholders ... Any thoughts on how many tickets are out there or timeline predictions? Swirling with excitement!

Any answer we've got right now is pure speculation - they haven't really tipped their hand.

A few us are thinking they'll make an announcement about the ticketing/reservation process next week, then open it up the week after.

I would personally be surprised if they give any advantage to people who already have tickets. I would expect there to be a single queue for park reservations, and that the option to buy a new ticket versus using an existing one would be Step Two in that process.

Existing tickets are already a huge question mark. Indications so far are that Disney is only going to sell 1-, 2-, and 3-day non-parkhopper tickets at first. So what happens if someone has a 4- or 5-day parkhopper already? Do they refund those, do they allow people to use them (even if parkhopper tickets are more expensive)? (If I held a parkhopper ticket right now, I would just hold it for later in the year.)

 

[amyg1975]

They like to do things on Thursdays, so I think they will announce this Thursday and open reservations on the 8th.

 

[edhmom]

I would personally be surprised if they give any advantage to people who already have tickets. I would expect there to be a single queue for park reservations, and that the option to buy a new ticket versus using an existing one would be Step Two in that process.

I wouldn't be happy if they gave preference to people who already had tickets. I had a package booked for last year that included tickets. When they cancelled my reservation, they cancelled my tickets (at the pre-price increase). If they give preference to people with existing tickets, people will remember that and be less likely to buy a package as opposed to piecing things together on their own.

 

[Disneylandmamaof5]

Any answer we've got right now is pure speculation - they haven't really tipped their hand.

A few us are thinking they'll make an announcement about the ticketing/reservation process next week, then open it up the week after.

I would personally be surprised if they give any advantage to people who already have tickets. I would expect there to be a single queue for park reservations, and that the option to buy a new ticket versus using an existing one would be Step Two in that process.

Existing tickets are already a huge question mark. Indications so far are that Disney is only going to sell 1-, 2-, and 3-day non-parkhopper tickets at first. So what happens if someone has a 4- or 5-day parkhopper already? Do they refund those, do they allow people to use them (even if parkhopper tickets are more expensive)? (If I held a parkhopper ticket right now, I would just hold it for later in the year.)

Here's hoping! I am wondering too about GCH too... cause those reservations are going to be hard to get. Really wishing they would open up hotel reservations and give those first dips or give Legacy AP's a shot too

 

[Disneylandmamaof5]

I wouldn't be happy if they gave preference to people who already had tickets. I had a package booked for last year that included tickets. When they cancelled my reservation, they cancelled my tickets (at the pre-price increase). If they give preference to people with existing tickets, people will remember that and be less likely to buy a package as opposed to piecing things together on their own.

You are so right! I had reservations for 2 different trips last year that were cancelled. Granted I am an AP so I didn't have tickets, but I would think they remember refunding those packages..

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I wouldn't be happy if they gave preference to people who already had tickets. I had a package booked for last year that included tickets. When they cancelled my reservation, they cancelled my tickets (at the pre-price increase). If they give preference to people with existing tickets, people will remember that and be less likely to buy a package as opposed to piecing things together on their own.

I agree they shouldn’t be given preference, but I do hope they allow us to use them and for the length we already have. Expecting us to hold on to them for some unknown future date isn’t fair. Even with the current expiration extension, it isn’t far enough out to hold on to them. If they aren’t going to let us use them, they should have just refunded them all like they did the packages.

I know you’re not saying anything about this, just adding my own inner commentary

 

[brightlined]

Here's hoping! I am wondering too about GCH too... cause those reservations are going to be hard to get. Really wishing they would open up hotel reservations and give those first dips or give Legacy AP's a shot too

I'm wondering if they might make park reservations available before they open hotel reservations, if only to avoid the potential chaos of people booking hotel reservations and not being able to get into the parks. (Also to knock down the potential hotel reservation chaos on day one, since so many people are going to try to book right away.)

 

[Disneylandmamaof5]

I'm wondering if they might make park reservations available before they open hotel reservations, if only to avoid the potential chaos of people booking hotel reservations and not being able to get into the parks. (Also to knock down the potential hotel reservation chaos on day one, since so many people are going to try to book right away.)

You have a point there. People may book GCH thinking they will have an advantage at park tickets and then when they don't get in, they cancel...? But its possible they could give an advantage like they did for Galaxy's edge?

 

[brightlined]

You have a point there. People may book GCH thinking they will have an advantage at park tickets and then when they don't get in, they cancel...? But its possible they could give an advantage like they did for Galaxy's edge?

A lot of my predictions have been the thought that they might do things differently at first than they do later on.

It seems likely that they'll give some kind of advantage eventually to hotel guests. My original thought was that it would be something like WDW where they keep a separate park reservation bucket for resort guests. Someone else suggested the possibility that they could eventually let resort guests book park reservations further in advance than the general public (maybe 45 days versus 30 days).

But there was a line in a D23 article about the reopening that made me wonder:

"Guests with valid theme park admission who are planning a stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel will need to also book theme park reservations in advance, as a hotel stay does not guarantee a park reservation. Hotel capacity will be limited."

None of the pages (that I could find) on Disneyland's website say anything about that, so it seemed odd to place it specifically in an article about the reopening. (I think there had been indication from CMs and/or TAs that that would be the case, so it wasn't entirely a surprise.)

That's why I'm wondering if they might release the first month or so of park reservations, then open hotel reservations. After that, it'd be easier to give the resort guests some kind of priority.

But it does feel more like reading tea leaves than anything else.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Probably cross posting this on a few posts. Take it with a grain of salt for now, since CMs aren’t known for always being accurate.

Email response asking if they’ll be honoring already purchased tickets.

 

[ycsteves]

Probably cross posting this on a few posts. Take it with a grain of salt for now, since CMs aren’t known for always being accurate.

Email response asking if they’ll be honoring already purchased tickets.

View attachment 565885

I hope I'm reading this right: so basically if you have a 2 day ticket (hypothetically) you can use that when you go to make a reservation and don't have to worry about purchasing new ones?

 

[brightlined]

Probably cross posting this on a few posts. Take it with a grain of salt for now, since CMs aren’t known for always being accurate.

It reads like CM speak. They're answering the question they can answer, not necessarily the one you're asking.

They've already made it clear that they're going to accept existing tickets in some fashion, at some point. (Which is the link they sent in the email.)

It doesn't sound like they have the answer to what we're asking: will they take them on day one, and are they going to offer refunds if existing tickets go above and beyond the new offering. I'm assuming they won't have that answer until after it's officially announced (hopefully in the next week or so).

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I hope I'm reading this right: so basically if you have a 2 day ticket (hypothetically) you can use that when you go to make a reservation and don't have to worry about purchasing new ones?

That’s the way I’m reading it. I also specifically said in my email that we have 5 day hoppers with MaxPass. Since she didn’t say anything about us having unused days left, I’m assuming I’ll be able to book all 5 days. Fingers crossed anyway!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

It reads like CM speak. They're answering the question they can answer, not the one you're asking.

They've already made it clear that they're going to accept existing tickets in some fashion, at some point. (Which is the link they sent you.)

It doesn't sound like they have the answer to what we're asking: will they take them on day one, and are they going to offer refunds if existing tickets go above and beyond the new offering. I'm assuming they won't have that answer until after it's officially announced.

No, she does answer that. She says my existing tickets will work.

My questions were specifically asking when they reopen. I was clear I’m a CA resident with existing 5 day hoppers. And what happens with the hopper & Maxpass options that are on my tickets.

The first part of her reply is general information about tickets and the link. The last part is specific to the questions I asked.

 

[ycsteves]

It reads like CM speak. They're answering the question they can answer, not necessarily the one you're asking.

They've already made it clear that they're going to accept existing tickets in some fashion, at some point. (Which is the link they sent in the email.)

It doesn't sound like they have the answer to what we're asking: will they take them on day one, and are they going to offer refunds if existing tickets go above and beyond the new offering. I'm assuming they won't have that answer until after it's officially announced (hopefully in the next week or so).

I see that, but I don't see why they wouldn't be accepted day one, it still doesn't guarantee anyone a reservation just because you have existing tickets. Existing ticket holders are still going to have to work quickly to hopefully snag their preferred days.

 

[brightlined]

No, she does answer that. She says my existing tickets will work.

I see what you mean, and I don't entirely disagree - but her answer (at least what's in your screenshot) is a version of legalese.

Your tickets are still valid, you will be able to use them, you will also be able to trade them for another ticket if you can't use them in that time. There's nothing in her answer that says that they won't require a different ticket to go on opening day.

They could have answered that question as:

Q: "Can I use my existing tickets on day one?"
A: "Yes, just book a park reservation when they come available and you're good to go."

I still think it's possible (and likely) that they'll take old tickets on day one. I've just dealt with enough CMs (and lawyers) to feel like that answer isn't complete.

I think the MaxPass answer just confirms that they don't have the details yet.

 

[brightlined]

I see that, but I don't see why they wouldn't be accepted day one, it still doesn't guarantee anyone a reservation just because you have existing tickets. Existing ticket holders are still going to have to work quickly to hopefully snag their preferred days.

The problem with day one is, for example: what do they do with 5-day parkhopper tickets if they can't offer parkhopping.

The original multi-day tickets also expire after 13 days of first use - what happens if someone can't get five park reservations over a two-week period?

That's why I'm still trying to be patient and wait for them to explain what they're doing. Even the text of the reopening announcement explicitly says:

"We reserve the right to cancel any reservations, admission media or purchases and provide applicable refunds."

There's nothing yet to stop them from outright cancelling any existing parkhopper ticket and/or any 4-day or 5-day ticket and offering a refund.

 

[ycsteves]

The problem with day one is, for example: what do they do with 5-day parkhopper tickets if they can't offer parkhopping.

The original multi-day tickets also expire after 13 days of first use - what happens if someone can't get five park reservations over a two-week period?

That's why I'm still trying to be patient and wait for them to explain what they're doing. Even the text of the reopening announcement explicitly says:

"We reserve the right to cancel any reservations, admission media or purchases and provide applicable refunds."

There's nothing yet to stop them from outright cancelling any existing parkhopper ticket and/or any 4-day or 5-day ticket and offering a refund.

That is very true! I completely overlooked that. The more I think about it, I genuinely think it will be one of those situations where Disney says you can reserve x amount of days for x amount of party members and no park hopping, and it will be up to the customer to decide if they are willing to use their multi-day park hopping be tickets right away or wait until its reinstated later this year.

EtA: basically a customer will choose to use their preexisting tickets for a diminished experience (no parking, can't use all days), or to buy the tickets during reservation and a save the pre purchased ones for later.

 

[brightlined]

That is very true! I completely overlooked that. The more I think about it, I genuinely think it will be one of those situations where Disney says you can reserve x amount of days for x amount of party members and no park hopping, and it will be up to the customer to decide if they are willing to use their multi-day park hopping be tickets right away or wait until its reinstated later this year.

And that's basically what WDW did when they first reopened and didn't have parkhopping available. I think they gave people the option of calling and getting a refund for the parkhopping privileges, but it sounded like most people were happy enough to be back in the park that they didn't bother to ask.

To me - that's where their language has been the most frequent so far - kick the can down the road on existing tickets.

But I'm on board with what you're describing here: offering new 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day 1-park passes, and giving people the option to either buy a new ticket, use an existing one under the current restrictions, or "upgrade" to another ticket via online CM or ticket booth.