Expiry dates for Disneyland 5 day parkhoppers (AIRMILES)

[Reepicheep]

(I have a vague memory that the following question was asked in this forum a month or so ago, but since I can't find the thread, I figure I'd re-ask the question)

We normally purchase annual passes for our trips to Disneyland, but sometimes it makes financial sense to let our passes expire, take a five day Christmas trip using 5 day passes, then repurchase annual passes the following summer at Disneyland. With the 25% off sale currently being offered for Canadians, this strategy makes more sense than usual for us.

The 5 day trip I am thinking about would run from January 1-5, 2018, so is over a year in the future.

The fine print on the Disneyland website indicates that the five day park hopper tickets I buy from them "expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018". This is compatible with how I wish to use the tickets.

If I instead purchase tickets using Airmiles (which currently offers a 25% discount on the number of miles needed to purchase a ticket), the fine print on the Airmiles website states: "valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017"

I am mildly concerned by the wording on the Airmiles website. Strictly speaking, based upon the fine print on the website, if I tried to have a first day of use of January 1, 2018, I would be told "sorry, your tickets expired yesterday". I assume the wording of the fine print on the Airmiles website is sloppy, and should contain wording similar to the wording on the Disneyland website???

I assume the tickets I buy using the Disneyland website and using the Airmiles website would be identical, so should have identical rules of use.

 

[Aladora]

(I have a vague memory that the following question was asked in this forum a month or so ago, but since I can't find the thread, I figure I'd re-ask the question)

We normally purchase annual passes for our trips to Disneyland, but sometimes it makes financial sense to let our passes expire, take a five day Christmas trip using 5 day passes, then repurchase annual passes the following summer at Disneyland. With the 25% off sale currently being offered for Canadians, this strategy makes more sense than usual for us.

The 5 day trip I am thinking about would run from January 1-5, 2018, so is over a year in the future.

The fine print on the Disneyland website indicates that the five day park hopper tickets I buy from them "expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018". This is compatible with how I wish to use the tickets.

If I instead purchase tickets using Airmiles (which currently offers a 25% discount on the number of miles needed to purchase a ticket), the fine print on the Airmiles website states: "valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017"

I am mildly concerned by the wording on the Airmiles website. Strictly speaking, based upon the fine print on the website, if I tried to have a first day of use of January 1, 2018, I would be told "sorry, your tickets expired yesterday". I assume the wording of the fine print on the Airmiles website is sloppy, and should contain wording similar to the wording on the Disneyland website???

I assume the tickets I buy using the Disneyland website and using the Airmiles website would be identical, so should have identical rules of use.

Bear with me, it's still pretty early here!

Both the statement "expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018" and "valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017" are true and not mutually exclusive.

Disneyland tickets are valid for a 14 day period so if you have a 5 day ticket and your first day you use them is January 1, then the last day you can use any of the 5 days is on January 14. This allows you to do a couple of days at Disney and then take a break or go to another attraction like Legoland, etc. The Airmiles tickets that are being sold right now are good for the first day of use being December 31, 2017 so the last day you can use them would be January 13, 2018.

As to the expiry date, AFAIK you will absolutely be allowed to have your first day of use on January 1, 2018 however, if there has been a price increase since you bought them, you would possibly have to pay the difference between the cost when you bought them and the cost as of January 1, 2018.

Clear as mud?

 

[Reepicheep]

Both the statement "expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018" and "valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017" are true and not mutually exclusive.

As to the expiry date, AFAIK you will absolutely be allowed to have your first day of use on January 1, 2018 however, if there has been a price increase since you bought them, you would possibly have to pay the difference between the cost when you bought them and the cost as of January 1, 2018.

Thanks for the explanation. For me, buying the 5 day passes at the 25% Canadian discount only makes financial sense if we can take advantage of the cheaper airfares and hotel rates during the first week of 2018. The airfare from Edmonton to LAX will almost certainly be substantially higher if we are forced to fly on (say) December 30 2017 rather than January 1 2018.

Alternatively, if we make January 2 or 3 2018 our first day of use, then I can imagine being told at the gate that, since the tickets are "expired", we must pay back the 25% discount we received when we bought the tickets.

We are going to be at Disneyland during the first week of January 2017, so while I'm there I'll try to get a definitive answer at a ticket booth (although, based upon past experience, we can't necessarily trust what the ticket booth employees tell us).

Thanks again for the explanation.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

Thanks for the explanation. For me, buying the 5 day passes at the 25% Canadian discount only makes financial sense if we can take advantage of the cheaper airfares and hotel rates during the first week of 2018. The airfare from Edmonton to LAX will almost certainly be substantially higher if we are forced to fly on (say) December 30 2017 rather than January 1 2018.

Alternatively, if we make January 2 or 3 2018 our first day of use, then I can imagine being told at the gate that, since the tickets are "expired", we must pay back the 25% discount we received when we bought the tickets.

We are going to be at Disneyland during the first week of January 2017, so while I'm there I'll try to get a definitive answer at a ticket booth (although, based upon past experience, we can't necessarily trust what the ticket booth employees tell us).

Thanks again for the explanation.

Hello! I already posted the following info on a different thread (xref: where to buy 25% discounted Disneyland tickets for Canadians).
I hope you find the following info useful. The following info is from Disneyland's website and it clearly states that:

The first day of use of multi-day tickets must be on or before December 31, 2017. Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018, whichever occurs first.

Therefore, I agree with the other poster.

If you use the 25% discounted ticket within the above noted time frame, you will be able to keep your 25% discount.

However, should you decided to use your 25% discounted tickets AFTER the above noted time frame, I "think" Disneyland will allow you to apply the cost of your 25% discounted tickets towards the cost of an "unexpired" (ie. current) 5 Day pass.

Also, please note that the 25% discounted tickets are NOT available for purchase at the main gate. Tickets will be at full price at the main gate (whatever that may be in January 2018). Repeat: The 25% discounted tickets are NOT being offered at the main gate.

Therefore, in the above noted case, I'm "guessing" this:
Difference Payable = Current Gate Cost for 5 Day pass - Cost of 25% discounted tix

NOTE: Again ... I am strictly "guessing" that Disney will allow you to apply the cost of your "expired" 5 Day pass towards the cost of a "non-expired" 5 Day pass. I have NO personal experience using "expired" passes. I am strictly "guessing" what would happen.

Anyway ... below is a pretty clear explanation of important notes re: the 25% Discounted Tickets as per Disneyland's website:


Book Through
February 28, 2017

Important Details

· Savings compared to the price of the same ticket sold at the Disneyland Resort Main Entrance ticket booths.

· Offer only for Canadian residents, and valid Canadian passport must be presented with ticket for theme park admission.

· Residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens must bring valid passport and valid proof of Canadian residency.

· Tickets must be purchased between September 16, 2016 and February 28, 2017 and prior to travel to the Disneyland Resort (includes Will Call and mail delivery options).

· Offer is not available at the Disneyland Resort Main Entrance ticket windows.

· Tickets must first be used by December 31, 2017. Tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018, whichever occurs first.

· Each day of use constitutes one full day of use.

· Tickets may not be sold or transferred for commercial use and exclude activities/events separately priced.

· Offer may not be combined with other ticket discounts or promotions.

· Subject to capacity, restrictions and change without notice.

· Magic Morning admission allows admission into selected attractions at Disneyland Park before the park opens to the general public on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Each Guest must have valid, eligible theme park admission. To enhance the Magic Morning experience, it is strongly recommended that Guests arrive at least one hour and 15 minutes prior to regular park opening. Magic Morning admission is based on availability and capacity. Applicable theme park, days and times of operation and all other elements including, but not limited to, operation of attractions, entertainment, stores and restaurants and appearances of characters may vary and are subject to change without notice. Subject to restrictions and cancellation.


* All tickets are nontransferable and exclude activities/events separately priced. One-day tickets are valid now through December 31, 2017. The first day of use of multi-day tickets must be on or before December 31, 2017. Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018, whichever occurs first. Tickets may not be resold.

Sorry ... a lot of info but I hope this helps! Have a fun trip!

EDITED TO ADD:

The first day of use of multi-day tickets must be on or before December 31, 2017.

Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018, whichever occurs first.

I "think" the correct way to interpret the above noted statements is as follows:

a) 1st Day of use = ON or BEFORE December 31, 2017.

Tix must be used (ie. 1st day) NO LATER than on December 31, 2017.

b) Expiration of Tix = 13 days AFTER 1st Day of use OR January 13, 2018 WHICHEVER occurs first

Disney allows you a period of 14 days to use up your "multi-day" tix.

Therefore, you are NOT forced to go 5 days consecutively (ie. in a row).

Instead, you are allowed to "space" out your visits with "non-Disney" days so long as you use up your "multi-day" tix within the 14 day time period.

Example 1 for "5 Day" Pass:

December 31, 2017 = 1st Day of use (ie. this is the LAST Day that you can make your "1st Day of Use")

Day 2: Jan. 1, 2018
Day 3: Jan. 2, 2018
Day 4: Jan. 5, 2018
Day 5: Jan. 7, 2018

Your 1st Day of use was Dec. 31, 2017 so your expiration date would be Jan. 13, 2018. In this example, 5 Day pass used up by Jan. 7, 2018 "within" the 14 day period.


Example 2 for "5 Day" Pass:

December 31, 2017 = 1st Day of use (ie. this is the LAST Day that you can make your "1st Day of Use")

Day 2: Jan. 3, 2018
Day 3: Jan. 6, 2018
Day 4: Jan. 11, 2018
Day 5: Jan. 13, 2018

Your 1st Day of use was Dec. 31, 2017 so your expiration date would be Jan. 13, 2018. In this example, 5 Day pass used up on Jan. 13, 2018 "last day" of the 14 day period which ALSO coincides with the EXPIRATION date of these 25% discounted tickets (ie. the 25% discounted tickets can NOT be used on Jan. 14, 2018 onwards since last day of use is Jan. 13, 2018).


Example 3 for "5 Day" Pass:

December 3, 2017 = 1st Day of use

Day 2: Dec. 5, 2017
Day 3: Dec. 7, 2017
Day 4: Dec. 10, 2017
Day 5: Dec. 16, 2017

Your 1st Day of use was Dec. 3, 2017 so your expiration date would be Dec. 16, 2017. In this example, 5 Day pass used up on Dec. 16, 2017 "last day" of the 14 day period.


If I am wrong in my interpretation, I welcome corrections. Again ... a lot of info but hopefully I didn't make it more confusing for you! Happy Travels!

 

[disneymum58]

I have a ticket in my hand right now that I bought with the 25% off savings with airmiles.
It says "Ticket expires 13 days after visit or 01/13/2018 or whichever comes first."

No where on the ticket does it say first day of use must be Dec.31 or earlier.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

I have a ticket in my hand right now that I bought with the 25% off savings with airmiles.
It says "Ticket expires 13 days after visit or 01/13/2018 or whichever comes first."

No where on the ticket does it say first day of use must be Dec.31 or earlier.

Thanks for sharing your info. Appreciate posters taking the time to help especially when they have current info!

I also plan to redeem Airmiles points for tix. Would you pls be able to answer a couple more questions?

a) Have you used your tix in the parks yet? My understanding is that Canadians need to prove their Canadian status before being allowed entry to the parks when using the 25% discounted tix. Did you only have to show your passport once (1st day only)?

Another poster on another thread mentioned that Disney takes your photo the 1st day and then connects your photo to your tix so no further proof of Canadian status (ie. showing of passports) was necessary for future entries to the parks. Note: however another poster recommended having your passport should you wish to buy alcoholic drinks in DCA because they always ID and they only take passports as a valid form of ID (Canadian Driver's License = not an acceptable form of ID). Just wondering what your experience was. Thanks.

b) When you redeemed Airmiles points for your tix did they send you an "actual" tix OR a voucher/certificate which needed to be exchanged at the main gates for an actual tix? Airmiles website mentioned that guests needed to exchange the certificate for a valid tix when they're at the parks.

Thanks for any help you're able to provide.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

I have a ticket in my hand right now that I bought with the 25% off savings with airmiles.
It says "Ticket expires 13 days after visit or 01/13/2018 or whichever comes first."

No where on the ticket does it say first day of use must be Dec.31 or earlier.

Hello! Me again!

Your comment above got me curious and I checked out Airmiles website again.

Below, is info taken from the Airmiles website:


Disneyland CA - Adult 5-Day Park Hopper Ticket (Oct 1st, 2016 to Dec 31st, 2017)


Experience the magic with this special ticket offer for Canadian Residents!

Canadian Residents, save 25% on a 3-Day or longer DisneylandResort Theme Park Tickets! Use our miles through February 28, 2017 to take advantage of this great offer!



Terms & Conditions:


Ticket entitlement subject to change. A Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket entitles the holder to multiple admissions including same-day re-entry and unlimited admission to Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park up to the maximum number of days specified on the ticket. Each day of use of such ticket constitutes one full day of use.

Child: 3-9 years old
Children under 3 are free.
Adult: 10 years and older.

Offer valid for Canadian Residents only.

All Guests must present a valid Canadian passport to exchange the certificate for a valid ticket at the theme park ticket window or Guest Relations prior to first use.

Residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens must bring valid passport and valid proof of Canadian residency.

All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable and exclude activities/events separately priced. Water parks subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.

Valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017.

As to Disney artwork, logos and properties: © Disney


AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY

Our Customer Care specialists cannot place orders for this item or any item in the catalogue.


My Observations:

1) Based on the terms & conditions of "both" Disneyland and Airmiles website, I'm fairly certain (based strictly on reading the terms & conditions and not having actual experience) that the 25% discounted tix must have "1st Day of Use" being earlier than OR on December 31, 2017.

Why do I think this?

a) Disneyland's website lists the following info re: 1st Day of use:

* All tickets are nontransferable and exclude activities/events separately priced. One-day tickets are valid now through December 31, 2017. The first day of use of multi-day tickets must be on or before December 31, 2017. Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018, whichever occurs first. Tickets may not be resold.


b) Airmiles website lists the following info (this info corresponds to the info found on the Disneyland website re: 1st day of use):

* Valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017
(I read this to mean valid for arrivals prior to OR on December 31, 2017)

Also, on the Airmiles website, when you look up Disneyland tickets, the category title is shown as:

* Disneyland CA - Adult 5-Day Park Hopper Ticket (Oct 1st, 2016 to Dec 31st, 2017)
(I read this to mean that the 25% discounted tix are valid only within Oct. 1, 2016 - Dec. 31, 2017 time period = 1st day of use must be within this period with Dec. 31, 2017 being the LAST day that can be "1st Day of Use").

Anyway ... for whatever it's worth the above noted is strictly my "observation" based on my readings and not actual experience. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

 

[disneymum58]

Thanks for sharing your info. Appreciate posters taking the time to help especially when they have current info!

I also plan to redeem Airmiles points for tix. Would you pls be able to answer a couple more questions?

a) Have you used your tix in the parks yet? My understanding is that Canadians need to prove their Canadian status before being allowed entry to the parks when using the 25% discounted tix. Did you only have to show your passport once (1st day only)?

Another poster on another thread mentioned that Disney takes your photo the 1st day and then connects your photo to your tix so no further proof of Canadian status (ie. showing of passports) was necessary for future entries to the parks. Note: however another poster recommended having your passport should you wish to buy alcoholic drinks in DCA because they always ID and they only take passports as a valid form of ID (Canadian Driver's License = not an acceptable form of ID). Just wondering what your experience was. Thanks.

b) When you redeemed Airmiles points for your tix did they send you an "actual" tix OR a voucher/certificate which needed to be exchanged at the main gates for an actual tix? Airmiles website mentioned that guests needed to exchange the certificate for a valid tix when they're at the parks.

Thanks for any help you're able to provide.

They sent actual park tickets!

We will be going to Disneyland again at the end of January, so I will let you know whether we needed to show our passport at the gates the first time. I don't drink but I believe my son used his Drivers License to buy alcohol. But I will check on that as well.

 

[disneymum58]

Terms & Conditions:

Offer valid for Canadian Residents only.

All Guests must present a valid Canadian passport to exchange the certificate for a valid ticket at the theme park ticket window or Guest Relations prior to first use.

Residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens must bring valid passport and valid proof of Canadian residency.

All tickets and options are nontransferable and nonrefundable and exclude activities/events separately priced. Water parks subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.

Valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017.

As to Disney artwork, logos and properties: © Disney


AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY

Our Customer Care specialists cannot place orders for this item or any item in the catalogue.


My Observations:

1) Based on the terms & conditions of "both" Disneyland and Airmiles website, I'm fairly certain (based strictly on reading the terms & conditions and not having actual experience) that the 25% discounted tix must have "1st Day of Use" being earlier than OR on December 31, 2017.

Why do I think this?

a) Disneyland's website lists the following info re: 1st Day of use:

* All tickets are nontransferable and exclude activities/events separately priced. One-day tickets are valid now through December 31, 2017. The first day of use of multi-day tickets must be on or before December 31, 2017. Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use or on January 13, 2018, whichever occurs first. Tickets may not be resold.


b) Airmiles website lists the following info (this info corresponds to the info found on the Disneyland website re: 1st day of use):

* Valid for arrivals through December 31, 2017
(I read this to mean valid for arrivals prior to OR on December 31, 2017)

Also, on the Airmiles website, when you look up Disneyland tickets, the category title is shown as:

* Disneyland CA - Adult 5-Day Park Hopper Ticket (Oct 1st, 2016 to Dec 31st, 2017)
(I read this to mean that the 25% discounted tix are valid only within Oct. 1, 2016 - Dec. 31, 2017 time period = 1st day of use must be within this period with Dec. 31, 2017 being the LAST day that can be "1st Day of Use").

Anyway ... for whatever it's worth the above noted is strictly my "observation" based on my readings and not actual experience. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

I did receive actual tickets in the mail, not a certificate that needs to be exchanged, so if you order through Airmiles you do receive the actual credit card size ticket. Likely if you order online you receive a certificate that would need to be used by Dec. 31/2017.

I think Airmails just copied that information on to their site, because no certificate was sent and the rules on the ticket are exactly as I said.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

I did receive actual tickets in the mail, not a certificate that needs to be exchanged, so if you order through Airmiles you do receive the actual credit card size ticket. Likely if you order online you receive a certificate that would need to be used by Dec. 31/2017.

I think Airmails just copied that information on to their site, because no certificate was sent and the rules on the ticket are exactly as I said.

THANKS SO MUCH for your 2 postings of answers! Appreciate your help! This is very interesting info! Thanks for offering to get back to us after your January trip! Please I could TROUBLE YOU FURTHER to also find out the following info?

I am (as well as probably a lot of other posters) very interested in finding out the following since you're going in January AND using Airmiles 25% Discounted Canadian Tix could you also please find out:

a) What "value" does Disney assign to the Airmiles 25% Discounted Canadian tickets? (ie. what dollar amount)

b) Can we apply the above noted value (ie. dollar amount) to purchasing Annual passes?

Thanks again for your all your help. I appreciate your kind offer to report back to us after your January trip. Bon Voyage and have tons of fun!!

 

[disneymum58]

What "value" does Disney assign to the Airmiles 25% Discounted Canadian tickets? (ie. what dollar amount)

I was planning on upgrading my 5 day park hopper to the Cheapest Annual Pass, so I am also interested to know what they will credit me for this Airmiles ticket.
In the past, I have been able to upgrade the Airmiles ticket, but it has always had a $ value printed on the ticket. These tickets do not.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

What "value" does Disney assign to the Airmiles 25% Discounted Canadian tickets? (ie. what dollar amount)

I was planning on upgrading my 5 day park hopper to the Cheapest Annual Pass, so I am also interested to know what they will credit me for this Airmiles ticket.
In the past, I have been able to upgrade the Airmiles ticket, but it has always had a $ value printed on the ticket. These tickets do not.

Hi DisneyMum58:

I trust you're having a blast in Disneyland right about now ... you mentioned previously that you were travelling end of January and it's end of January!

Hopefully upon your return, you'll be able to help me out.

If possible, please advise the following:

a) Understand that you have 5 day Parkhopper and plan to upgrade to Annual Pass.

WHAT VALUE did Disney give you for your Airmiles 25% Discounted Canadian ticket? I'm assuming that you were allowed to use this "value" towards your purchase of an Annual Pass.


b) There's some discussion on the other Disneyland Forum about whether or not Canadian discounted tickets could be upgraded.

Specifically could 3 day tickets be upgraded to 5 days tickets. One poster was advised by a CM that the Canadian discounted tickets could not be upgraded.

My question: Does Disney allow the "value" of the Canadian discounted ticket to be used towards the purchase of a "full price" (not Canadian discounted) multi-day ticket purchased from the on site ticket booths?

Scenario: 3 day Parkhopper (Canadian discounted ticket). Can we apply the "value" of this (3 day Parkhopper Canadian Discounted ticket) towards the purchase of a 5 day Parkhopper (Full price, non-discounted ticket) once we are at the Park ticket booths?

I'm assuming that we can not upgrade 3 day ticket (@ Canadian discount) to a 5 day ticket (@ Canadian discount)
BUT can we upgrade 3 day ticket (@ Canadian discount) to a 5 day ticket (Full price whatever is being charged at the on site ticket booth)?

I hope I phrased my question well enough that I didn't confuse you with my "novel" of a question! Thanks for any info that you may be able to provide! Hope you had a fantastic trip!

 

[disneymum58]

We just returned home and had a fantastic time! It seemed like people were out in droves due to the warm weather and lack of rain, but we got there early each day and that really helped.
I asked at the ticket booth what value they would give to upgrade my 5 day Canada discounted AirMile ticket and they quoted 251 US$ value towards an Annual pass. The 3 Day discounted Park Hopper had a value of 221 US$. I decide not to upgrade either. I assume that the $221 is the value they would have given towards a 5 day ParkHopper, but I didn't ask specifically.
We were mailed the actual ticket by AirMiles so we went straight to the gate. At the gate we were asked to show our passports. My 2 adult kids had forgotten to bring their passports with them, but I convinced the ticket person to let them show their driver's license. They took our pics and this was the only time we were required to show our passports.

I can also confirm that you cannot buy an alcoholic beverage in DCA using a Drivers License for ID. You must show your passport.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

We just returned home and had a fantastic time! It seemed like people were out in droves due to the warm weather and lack of rain, but we got there early each day and that really helped.
I asked at the ticket booth what value they would give to upgrade my 5 day Canada discounted AirMile ticket and they quoted 251 US$ value towards an Annual pass. The 3 Day discounted Park Hopper had a value of 221 US$. I decide not to upgrade either. I assume that the $221 is the value they would have given towards a 5 day ParkHopper, but I didn't ask specifically.
We were mailed the actual ticket by AirMiles so we went straight to the gate. At the gate we were asked to show our passports. My 2 adult kids had forgotten to bring their passports with them, but I convinced the ticket person to let them show their driver's license. They took our pics and this was the only time we were required to show our passports.

I can also confirm that you cannot buy an alcoholic beverage in DCA using a Drivers License for ID. You must show your passport.

DISNEYMUM58:

Welcome back! Glad to hear you had a fantastic time. Lucky that you got some nice warm weather ... heard that it was pretty wet recently!

THANKS so much for getting back to us with your update. I'm certain many people will find your help very useful.

Appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences!