Everest AP Preview Info from Disney

[boomhauer]

Happy New Years everybody!

Got a response email from Disney today. Sadly, it's not great news. I'm in a tough spot now myself, as only I have an AP, and a friend of mine will be with me the weekend of the preview. Anyways, here it is:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

We contacted Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park guest relations and were advised that the preview is
for the passholder exclusively.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

 

[agnes!]

This is the first I've heard that AP-holders are even going to *get* a Preview of Expedition Everest! I haven't gotten anything via e-mail or snail mail, so I need more details, please(dates/times/etc)...

Thanks & anxiously waiting!
agnes!
PS - We're going to be at WDW the last weekend this month, which is when the DVC Preview is scheduled, so I am hoping that the AP Preview will be at the same time ...

 

[KJET54]

Anyone Heard Of Soft Opening For Dvc Members? I Will Be On Property 2/5-2/10

 

[MareQ]

Anyone Heard Of Soft Opening For Dvc Members? I Will Be On Property 2/5-2/10

Soft opening is the same time as the AP preview for DVC members. We'll be there from 2/3 - 2/11 - we miss it too..

 

[tmt martins]

This is the first I've heard that AP-holders are even going to *get* a Preview of Expedition Everest! I haven't gotten anything via e-mail or snail mail, so I need more details, please(dates/times/etc)...

Thanks & anxiously waiting!
agnes!
PS - We're going to be at WDW the last weekend this month, which is when the DVC Preview is scheduled, so I am hoping that the AP Preview will be at the same time ...

I think Jan 26th-29th both DVC w/up to 3 guess & AP holder only

 

[pfishgirl]

How unfair is THAT ??? DVC Members can bring 3 or 4 guests but AP holders can't even bring 1 !!! what a joke... I am so mad that is so Totally unfair.. So even though we have APs, we don't "RATE" like DVC members.. I guess all the AP Holders are just not as important as DVC Members..

I got an email all about the Preview and we are going to be there for our 1st DCL Magic trip... This is twice now that we just happen to already have plans for the weekend to be in Disney and we get to preview a ride..

We will be in WDW on the 27th and maybe the morning of the 28th.. We leave for the cruise on the 28th as well...

Does anyone know exactly what the ride is like?? I missed most of the TV progam on it last week..

 

[MareQ]

How unfair is THAT ??? DVC Members can bring 3 or 4 guests but AP holders can't even bring 1 !!! what a joke... I am so mad that is so Totally unfair.. So even though we have APs, we don't "RATE" like DVC members.. I guess all the AP Holders are just not as important as DVC Members..

I don't see it as being unfair at all. DVC members usually consist of entire families yet they only get cards for the people on the deed. (IN our case that is just DH and I and not our three kids)To insure that all members of a DVC family get to ride they either have to allow for guests OR the family had to make sure all family members are on the deed. DVC members also pay thousands of dollars for the privledge to join DVC and pay dues every year. There's a huge difference between an AP and DVC member. If you want what DVC members get - join DVC.

 

[boomhauer]

I don't see it as being unfair at all. DVC members usually consist of entire families yet they only get cards for the people on the deed. (IN our case that is just DH and I and not our three kids)To insure that all members of a DVC family get to ride they either have to allow for guests OR the family had to make sure all family members are on the deed. DVC members also pay thousands of dollars for the privledge to join DVC and pay dues every year. There's a huge difference between an AP and DVC member. If you want what DVC members get - join DVC.

As an AP holder, but non-DVC member, I have to agree. An AP only costs about $400. That's a drop in the bucket in comparison to a DVC membership.

Now, I don't think it would KILL Disney to allow 1 guest with each AP holder. I mean, who wants to ride all by themself?

 

[Andrew Bichard]

...not great news. I'm in a tough spot now myself, as only I have an AP, and a friend of mine will be with me the weekend of the preview.

at the AP preview of Philharmagic, I just had to show my AP to get in. No proof of ID, no fingerprint scan, no fastpass machine check to see if AP had already been used that day...

So they wouldn't have known if I had given my AP to someone else.

Also, the day after the published AP preview days, they opened up previews for everyone!!

Andrew

 

[ougrad86]

Is it still scheduled to open for all in April or have they moved it up? I had been hoping they might be opening it early so it'll be there when we show up. However, we are just plain old guests , no AP or DVC!

 

[tjmw2727]

Must admit I am a bit dissapointed as well -the AP preview won't work for me. I was thinking of doing a solo trip for the weekend and found a good rate on SWA along with my credits. Unfortuantely with no room only discounts and the announcement outside of the BRP timeframe it dosen't make sense for me. Then I though of having my sil join me as she lives an hour away - she could share her fl res discount on room and I would take her on the preview but I guess that won't work either since I can't even bring a guest

Funny thing is our Florida family dosen't have the AP's but we here in Delaware do.

Not really complaining because I do get my $$ worth from the AP but it would have been nice and I am sure I would have spent a bit. A weekend alone would have been nice, oh well.

TJ

 

[TDC Nala]

Now, I don't think it would KILL Disney to allow 1 guest with each AP holder. I mean, who wants to ride all by themself?

I agree, that would be best for the solo traveler/AP holder. Disney, as it generally does and not without justification, is assuming that most of its customers are families and that it is most likely that all members of a family will hold APs.

And I can and do often ride by myself. I'll most likely ride Everest by myself, without complaint, but I won't be leaving someone behind at the gate.

I'm lucky to be able to make this preview without being affected by the lack of last minute AP room discounts. In other circumstances that would have certainly kept me away.

 

[pfishgirl]

I don't see it as being unfair at all. DVC members usually consist of entire families yet they only get cards for the people on the deed. (IN our case that is just DH and I and not our three kids)To insure that all members of a DVC family get to ride they either have to allow for guests OR the family had to make sure all family members are on the deed. DVC members also pay thousands of dollars for the privledge to join DVC and pay dues every year. There's a huge difference between an AP and DVC member. If you want what DVC members get - join DVC.

So just because I pay $400 for an AP instead of thousands for DVC I should not be able to bring even 1 guest ?? What about the cost of my family getting there, plane, hotel, food, APs, etc etc.. It's not like we take 1 trip a year to Disney either. We took 8 trips to WDW 1 year, that is why we got AP's. I'm sorry if we don't have around $15,000 to spend in one lump sum on a DVC membership like you did.. but I still don't see the fairness.. WDW make more then enough $ in a day on us and all other APs and guests to be able to allow a guest with an AP.. in my opinion..

 

[pfishgirl]

Is it still scheduled to open for all in April or have they moved it up? I had been hoping they might be opening it early so it'll be there when we show up. However, we are just plain old guests , no AP or DVC!

Yes, the last I heard was tentative April opening for Public..

 

[curiouser]

Is it still scheduled to open for all in April or have they moved it up? I had been hoping they might be opening it early so it'll be there when we show up. However, we are just plain old guests , no AP or DVC!

I was speaking with two CMs working EE and answering questions for guests a few days ago. Both were rather hesitant to offer up any exact opening dates due to the previous Test Track snafu on Disney's end. One of the CM's did state that he felt that our thoughts for a May trip was a "positive idea".

 

[MareQ]

So just because I pay $400 for an AP instead of thousands for DVC I should not be able to bring even 1 guest ??

According to Disney right now - YES. They have the right to decide who deserves what - not you. You can cry about it all you want but it's ridiculous to compare an AP holder to a DVC member.


What about the cost of my family getting there, plane, hotel, food, APs, etc etc..


Most other guests pay for this as well. We still have food, airfare and tickets to pay for.


I'm sorry if we don't have around $15,000 to spend in one lump sum on a DVC membership like you did.. but I still don't see the fairness.. WDW make more then enough $ in a day on us and all other APs and guests to be able to allow a guest with an AP.. in my opinion..

I agree that they could allow a guest BUT to piss and moan and complain that it's unfair that you don't get a guest when DVC members do is just plain old silly. What about all the other people that are there for once in a lifetime vacations and have no reason to buy DVC or an AP - they get NOTHING and you ARE getting a perk - it's just not good enough of a perk for you.

As I already stated - there's a HUGE difference between somebody that paid $400 for an AP and somebody that paid thousands of dollars to be a DVC member. We generate quite a bit of money for DIsney as well don't forget.......Different groups of people are going to get different perks. Just be happy for what you ARE getting instead of getting mad at what you're not getting @@

 

[shellybaxter]

So just because I pay $400 for an AP instead of thousands for DVC I should not be able to bring even 1 guest ?? What about the cost of my family getting there, plane, hotel, food, APs, etc etc.. It's not like we take 1 trip a year to Disney either. We took 8 trips to WDW 1 year, that is why we got AP's. I'm sorry if we don't have around $15,000 to spend in one lump sum on a DVC membership like you did.. but I still don't see the fairness.. WDW make more then enough $ in a day on us and all other APs and guests to be able to allow a guest with an AP.. in my opinion..

I'm not sure the "we pay more than you so should get better perks" argument is the best. However, the point that family members don't have DVC membership cards makes since to me as to why DVC get to bring guests. In the end its not a "fair" thing its a Disney thing. They know about how many people they would like to "test" the ride with and then decide who they will allow to attend the preview.

 

[pfishgirl]

ATTRACTION PREVIEW UPDATES

Annual Passholders preview Expedition Everest! - As one of our most valued Passholders, you're invited to a special preview of our thrilling new Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain™ attraction happening January 26 through 29...before the grand opening—and you'll also receive a free gift! All you have to do to enjoy this behind-the-scenes event is present your valid Passholder I.D. In addition to enjoying the adventure, you will receive a complimentary Expedition Everest lanyard and pin at the attraction as a memento.* This special Passholder preview event is limited to current Passholders only. Limit of one pin and one lanyard per Passholder for the entire four-day event. Passholder must be present at the preview between Jan. 26-29 to receive pin and lanyard.

DVC Members preview Expedition Everest! Members are invited to take a sneak "peak" at Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain™ Jan. 26-29, 2006, at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. The new thrill attraction, opening officially in April, sends Guests on a high-speed train adventure into the Himalayas for a face-to-muzzle encounter with the legendary Yeti. Each Member who presents his/her Disney Vacation Club Member ID during the sneak "peak" event may enjoy this preview with as many as three Guests. As an added bonus, you and your Guests will each receive a complimentary Expedition Everest lanyard and pin (limit one set per person during the four-day event). Disney's FASTPASS® service will be also be available during the preview.

All signs point to a spring 2006 opening. Cast Members for the opening team have been selected. They report in early January to Expedition Everest. The trains have been running with tracks for testing.

 

[pfishgirl]

I agree that they could allow a guest BUT to piss and moan and complain that it's unfair that you don't get a guest when DVC members do is just plain old silly. What about all the other people that are there for once in a lifetime vacations and have no reason to buy DVC or an AP - they get NOTHING and you ARE getting a perk - it's just not good enough of a perk for you.

As I already stated - there's a HUGE difference between somebody that paid $400 for an AP and somebody that paid thousands of dollars to be a DVC member. We generate quite a bit of money for DIsney as well don't forget.......Different groups of people are going to get different perks. Just be happy for what you ARE getting instead of getting mad at what you're not getting @@

OK SO I guess I will take the "Adult High Road" now and simple say... I don't agree with you but, I know you are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine.. Let's please just leave it at that because we could probably go all day with baby nonsense back and forth and I for one am too mature to go down that Road.. Thank You..

 

[sallybrealey]

Is this for all passholders including seasonal florida resident AP?

Thanks