Getting park tickets before package starts?

[wishes114]

We arrive at the WL next Thursday for room only I purchased through Orbitz. We arrive after 5pm. Our package with park tix, dining plan and hotel starts Friday at the WL. 2 questions:

(1). Can they activate our park passes Thursday so we can go to MK Thursday night? No biggie if we can't but thought we'd surprise the kids as they love the park at night.

(2). Is it likely we will have move rooms Friday morning or can they usually get you in the same room for a room only and then a package stay?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[dansdad]

We arrive at the WL next Thursday for room only I purchased through Orbitz. We arrive after 5pm. Our package with park tix, dining plan and hotel starts Friday at the WL. 2 questions:

(1). Can they activate our park passes Thursday so we can go to MK Thursday night? No biggie if we can't but thought we'd surprise the kids as they love the park at night.!

Yes. This has to be done at one of the Guest Services windows. They are located outside each park and there's one at Downtown Disney.

Please see the below taken from the "Everything About WDW Tickets" Sticky:

I. Picking up Package Tickets Prior To Start Of Package

In cases where Walt Disney World Resort Guests would like to begin using their Package Tickets prior to the day of check-in (up to three days in advance), the Guests will be directed to visit any Theme Park or DTD Guest Relations location and request Early Ticket Pick-Up. (Note this cannot be done at a water park.)

It is only valid for people with packages at a Walt Disney World owned and operated Resort. You can be staying off-property at the time you pick up the tickets. Note that if you have a package which includes Dining, although you can pick up your tickets early you cannot get access to the Dining until you have actually checked in to your Resort.

Note that since August 2011 the Call Centers have been telling Guests this cannot be done. However it is still a valid procedure and can be done with no problem at Park Guest Relations Windows.

There is a possibility that if your package and the stay prior to the package are at the same Resort that you will be able to get the tickets at the Resort and not have to go to a Park Guest Relations Office.

And the tickets issued will be valid for the entire stay; they will not receive valid tickets when they actually check-in to their resort. There is a strong possibility that the tickets you have received prior to check-in cannot be added to your KTTW on or after check-in.

I would suggest you copy down the following information if you are planning to upgrade promotional tickets. If the person in the window is hesitant to upgrade these promotional tickets, ask them go go into The Hub >> WDW >> Work >> Ticketing >> Processes & Business Rules >> Early Ticket Pickup For Resort Packages where they will see the procedure.

(2). Is it likely we will have move rooms Friday morning or can they usually get you in the same room for a room only and then a package stay?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Your best chance of being able to stay in the same room is if the 2 reservations are linked together in the system, you note on your 2nd reservation that you would like to keep the same room and remind them upon check in that you would like to stay in the same room.

 

[wishes114]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help and assistance.

Quick question: I tried to see if I could make fastpass plus reservations for that first night but I can't. I can only start the first day of the package. Any way around that?

 

[dansdad]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help and assistance.

Quick question: I tried to see if I could make fastpass plus reservations for that first night but I can't. I can only start the first day of the package. Any way around that?

Unfortunately no. You'll have to make them at a kiosk in the park.

 

[purple figment]

If you booked the exact same room category for both reservations, let the CM at the check in counter know that you have a continuing reservation starting the next day and that you would like to remain in the same room. As much as possible they will try to do it. You will have to go back to the check in counter on Friday morning to check in for your package reservation and activate your dining plan credits.

 

[monica9]

Zombie post, I know but does this still apply for 2017? We originally booked for dec 1-7 at AKL and now staying at ASMu from nov 29-30 and want to add a park night at Epcot for nov 29. We will have our magic bands so will guest services at Epcot just activate the park portion of our package and then AKL will activate the dining portion on dec 1?

 

[dansdad]

Zombie post, I know but does this still apply for 2017? We originally booked for dec 1-7 at AKL and now staying at ASMu from nov 29-30 and want to add a park night at Epcot for nov 29. We will have our magic bands so will guest services at Epcot just activate the park portion of our package and then AKL will activate the dining portion on dec 1?

Yes.