Guest In Room Wants Less Days In The Park Than The Rest Of the Party

[Penguins9192091617]

Hi All!

First time caller, long time listener…

I am starting to plan a stay for later this year. It will be 5 people total, and one member of the party is looking to spend time at the resort pool/Disney Springs then go to the parks everyday.

What I am attempting to do and have been unsuccessful thus far is to:
Book a room & 5 day ticket package for 4 members of the party, and purchase 3 day tickets for the remaining member of the party.

Is what I’m attempting to do possible? If yes, how do I accomplish it?

 

[CarolynFH]

AFAIK, the only way to do it is to book a room-only reservation or an “ticketless package” (they have different deposit and cancellation rules) and then buy park tickets separately, either direct from Disney or from an authorized reseller. When booking a regular package, everyone must have the same tickets (and dining plan, if that’s added).

 

[fla4fun]

Hi All!

First time caller, long time listener…

I am starting to plan a stay for later this year. It will be 5 people total, and one member of the party is looking to spend time at the resort pool/Disney Springs then go to the parks everyday.

What I am attempting to do and have been unsuccessful thus far is to:
Book a room & 5 day ticket package for 4 members of the party, and purchase 3 day tickets for the remaining member of the party.

Is what I’m attempting to do possible? If yes, how do I accomplish it?

The only way to book it as a package would be to get three day tickets for everyone and then upgrade three of them to five days upon arrival. This would limit your ability to pre book LL for the other two days if you were planning to do so. Otherwise, the info the PP listed regarding purchasing the tickets separately from the room would work.

 

[gottalovepluto]

There is really no reason to be dedicated to a package. You can get slightly discounted Disney tickets if you don’t insist on buying direct from Disney (just make sure it’s a legit outfit). UndercoverTourist even offers refunds for a 5% penalty.

 

[skier_pete]

The solution is don't get the package. The problem of course is if you are getting a deep discount for the room due to the package, but there's usually comparable room discounts available without a package. If you are not used to booking with Disney yourself might consider getting a TA involved as they could get you the best deal in this scenario.

 

[georgina]

Can the OP book a package for all those except the one guest, and just buy their ticket separately and add them to the room at check-in? They won't have the early LL bookings, but perhaps that doesn't matter to them.

 

[Penguins9192091617]

Can the OP book a package for all those except the one guest, and just buy their ticket separately and add them to the room at check-in? They won't have the early LL bookings, but perhaps that doesn't matter to them.

This is what I was thinking was possible, but I wasn’t too well versed in adding a 5th person at check-in.

I appreciate all the responses thus far. I was thinking a package would be better logistically in case/when a discount offer is announced later in the year. I’m planning the trip in October so any offers aren’t available yet.

 

[gottalovepluto]

... I was thinking a package would be better logistically in case/when a discount offer is announced later in the year. I’m planning the trip in October so any offers aren’t available yet.

Nope, a package will be of no help in that. To get a room discount the room needs to be available for booking and Disney has to have put it in the discounted inventory. This means you can't just apply the discount to your already booked room. The proper way to go about booking when you hope a discount will come out is book what you are willing to spend rack rate on, modify (or book new and cancel the old one) if something else is available when discounts come out.

I agree with PP that in this case you should use a TA who will rebook you if a discount comes out. People report receiving their discounted room offers (TAs can put a room on hold briefly without a deposit in order to offer it to clients) in their morning email from experienced Disney TAs. And availability is definitely limited so you don't want to be like "oh but I have to work, I'll check tonight" the room you want at the discounted rate can go that fast. And you're traveling at a busy time so that isn't going to help availability.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

What you're trying to do is not possible.
Either book a room and tickets separately or book the package for 3 day park tickets and then add more days when you get there.
Room and tickets separately would be less of a hassle in this situation.
Personally though I always go with a package but that's just me.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

one member of the party is looking to spend time at the resort pool/Disney Springs then go to the parks everyday.

purchase 3 day tickets for the remaining member of the party.

3 day tickets don't equate to 'everyday' as posted.

If the 5th party is going daily at a different time than the other 4.......their schedule doesn't matter but length of ticket does.

Otherwise, yes, room only and purchase 3rd party tickets and add.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

3 day tickets don't equate to 'everyday' as posted.

If the 5th party is going daily at a different time than the other 4.......their schedule doesn't matter but length of ticket does.

Otherwise, yes, room only and purchase 3rd party tickets and add.

I think the OP meant to add the word rather in there.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

You have two choices....

1. Book a 5 person room only and buy tickets separately based on how many park days each person wants. This way if you buy LLMP OR LLSP at 7 days out they would be the same for everyone. You can then call and I believe you can ask to make it a ticketless package and add on the DDP for everyone if that is something you want.

2. Book a 5 person room with tickets package for only the 4 people with same tickets. Buy a 3 day ticket for person #5 separately.
At check-in add person #5 to your room so he/she will have a room key, access to pool, early entry to parks. If you choose to buy
the above mentioned LL's person #5 can only buy at 3 days out (considered off site guest even if linked in your MDE) so it will be more difficult if not impossible to get the same time for LL rides. Also, if you are planning on the DDP person #5 will not be able to get it and sharing DDP credits is no longer allowed.

 

[Kerr84]

You can book the package/hotel for the people who want the same amount of tickets. Do not add the person who wants less tickets. She needs to buy her tickets separately not as part of the package. Then after they have checked into the hotel, they can add her to the hotel reservation.

 

[mmouse50]

I would just book the room at rack rate and if a discount comes out then jump on it and cancel the other room. If Bouncebacks are any indication of a discount coming available I wouldn't hold my breath for anything to be available from 10/1 thru 1/25. Bouncebacks are cut off from the middle of September until the 25th of October. But I am just speculating.