FastPass+ and Split Reservations

[1WickedStepmother]

Hi,

Despite Disney's excellent customer service reputation, I've hit a snag. Hoping someone else has a tip that can help me out. Or, tell me I'm freaking out about nothing.

My parents bought the whole family (myself, hubby and 2 kids; my parents; my brother and his partner) a 6 night/5 day package including the 5 day park pass starting September 25. Later, hubs and I decided we wanted a couple extra days with just us and the kids before everyone else arrived. On the advice of the Disney travel agent over the phone, I booked two nights in a different hotel (we couldn't get the same room) and then just got the original park pass extended from a 5 to a 7 day pass. It was cheaper than just purchasing a 2 day pass for the extra 2 days.

I got the notice in the mail about FastPass+ booking this week. I was able to log on July 24th, and book my fast pass selections starting from September 25th, but not for the 24th (our first day in the parks). Reason being that our park tickets were linked to the September 25th reservation. I called Disney, and even though they acknowledged that I had a resort reservation, and that my theme park tickets would get me in on the 24th, there was nothing they could do. Now, not only am I missing the 60 day resort guess FastPass booking date, but the general 30 day booking date as well. I will have to wait until I enter Magic Kingdom on September 24th to book my FastPasses.

This is the first Disney trip for my daughters. I have planned our first day in the Magic Kingdom basically around New Fantasyland. It's disappointing that given all the work I put into planning this, I can't take advantage of all the perks of being a park guest. I also find it hard to believe that Disney has no "manual override" for the computer system, that allows senior cast members to look at the situation and say, "OK, common sense, this lady extended her vacation from 5 to 7 days, she should get to book her FastPasses."


Has anyone been through this before? Is there something I haven't done that I should try? Magic words to say to the cast members? Or, given that our trip is late September, am I freaking out over nothing? Will I be able to book reasonably-timed FastPasses on the day I enter the park?

 

[hiroMYhero]

This occurs because you booked a 'package' and the tickets are attached to the 2nd stay.

When you arrive at WDW, you'll need to activate your ticket portion as soon as possible and immediately book your FPs. You won't have a great choice of times but you'll be able to book 3 rides/attractions.

 

[Alesia]

It's just how packages work. The appeal of packages is that they're convenient, but there are some pretty major drawbacks, too.

 

[Rosebud123]

Why can't Disney remove the tix from the 2nd reservation and add them to the first?

I have a split stay coming up in August and, for reasons that are far too complicated and boring to explain, my tickets were attached to the 2nd reservation. They changed them to the first one and then all was well and I could book my FP's.

 

[hiroMYhero]

They changed them to the first one and then all was well and I could book my FP's.

Disney had to change your #2 reservation from a package > room-only.
They had to change #1 from room-only > package.
Either Disney initially made the error or you booked during a time when no promotions were tied to your reservation and rooms/packages were available at the same rate in order to do the re-booking.

 

[crazycatlady]

We have a FD package booked from Sept. 24th to October 3rd. I called and added a room-only at ASMu for the 23rd a month after I booked the package because of flight changes. The notice I got in the mail stated that I could set up my FP+s on the July 26th (today), but I was playing around on the system yesterday (25th) and it let me set up all 8 days of my tickets then. This was during the day and not at 11 pm CT. I was surprised since my tickets are part of the package that starts on the 24th and 60 days out from the 24th is today. I was a little scared that my FPs would have mysteriously disappeared today and I would have to rebook, but everything looks good today, as well.

 

[1WickedStepmother]

Happy News! I wrote a complaint email to Disney,and they got back to me today. It all had to do with the original tickets being booked as part of a package. Disney agreed that I did meet the requirements for 60 day FP booking (resort guest + valid theme park ticket), so we did it over the phone. I got everything I wanted, including Seven Dwarves Mine Train. So excited!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Happy News! I wrote a complaint email to Disney,and they got back to me today. It all had to do with the original tickets being booked as part of a package. Disney agreed that I did meet the requirements for 60 day FP booking (resort guest + valid theme park ticket), so we did it over the phone. I got everything I wanted, including Seven Dwarves Mine Train. So excited!

That's great it worked out for you!

Now, all package holders who are planning to arrive before their package check-in day also need to complain. Hopefully Disney will change their "package" rules for everyone!