Has anyone had a problem using the Fun in the Sun pass?

[MateasMom]

We're planning on ordering these....soon! I read on Mousesavers that someone was 'hassled' last month...and now it looks like someone was hassled this month as well. These aren't 'first hand' accounts though, so I'm likely to not give them as much credit...and in the end both were able to use the tickets. I'm wondering if anyone here has had any problems using them.

 

[docsnort]

We just returned yesterday from 8 days at WDW and we used these passes. They were great! The main thing these passes gave us was flexability. We went to DQ several times and didn't have to worry about paying a separate admission each time. The same was true of the water parks. We could go for a couple hours and leave and not think twice about it. We even used them at KSC without any problem.

We had no problem redeeming the vouchers, we did it at Epcot guest services on our first day.

 

[MateasMom]

Originally posted by docsnort
The main thing these passes gave us was flexability. We went to DQ several times and didn't have to worry about paying a separate admission each time.

That's exactly why we're using the FITS pass. It gives us more days than we had originally planned, bur we're really just in it for the unlimited admissions to Disney Quest

Thank you so much for sharing your experiance. I wasn't really concerned...until I was showing the description from Mousesavers to someone and noticed she has another report of someone being 'hassled'. I have to wonder though....'hassled' to one person might be getting what they consider a dirty look....'hassle' to me means handcuffed and strip searched Anything less than that and it's worth the 'hassle'

 

[FoodLover]

To clarify what I mean by "hassled" -- both parties reported extensive and somewhat hostile questioning by the ticket booth Cast Member when they tried to exchange the FITS voucher. The vouchers were exchanged very grudgingly and in one case only after the situation was escalated to a supervisor.

Initially both parties were informed that they could not use their vouchers. The Cast Member was adamant that the FITS tickets are not supposed to be sold in the US and that Americans did not qualify to use them.

Both parties had a "cover story" ready. The person who reported the most recent problem said that when the Cast Member refused to honor the vouchers, they told him a family member had purchased the tickets in another country. Since the location of sale is coded on the tickets and they had actually purchased the FITS tickets from Paramount in Florida, I doubt this story was believed by the Cast Member.

I would call this a significant hassle!

To be fair, however, dozens of people have reported no problems at all in exchanging the vouchers. It's even possible that there is one particular Cast Member who has a bee in his bonnet about the FITS tickets... maybe both parties happened to get this same person.

All I can say is, at this point there is some risk of being questioned, so buy 'em at your own risk!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[mlj'smom]

We were "hassled" when we used these tickets at the end of August. It was at the Magic Kingdom, the ticket agent was very agitated when we tried to redeem them. He asked where we got them, I showed him the paperwork I had, he made a phone call, (we heard him telling whoever he was talking to that 'these people aren't German, and are trying to use German passes') and finally redeemed them, but was very rude about the whole process. He said we should have never been allowed to purchase these tickets, and that he did not have to honor them, but would as a one time courtesy. Set the mood for a poor start to our trip. I want to say his name was Steve, but really can't remember, because I wanted to put the sourpuss out of mind and get on with our trip.

After we finally got "approved," we never had another problem with the tickets the rest of the trip ~ the meal voucher worked fine, and we also used them at Kennedy Space Center.

 

[Local_Girl]

Yep, I've posted this before, but we were also given a hard time when we tried to redeem the vouchers at the Epcot Guest Relations. Fortunately, we also had our receipt/paperwork with us verifying the purchase from Paramount which seemed to help. I would DEFINITELY recommend that anyone using these passes bring that paperwork with you, just in case.

In my opinion, if Disney didn't want the resellers selling the tickets to people from "certain" countries (like the U.S.) they need to specify that to the resellers...and discontinue working with them if they break the rules. I don't think it's fair that Disney CMs give the customer a hard time at Guest Relations for a problem between them and their reseller. It also left a bad taste in our mouth and was not the start to our trip we had hoped for! We would like to use the FITS passes for our next trip because they are a great value and offer wonderful flexibility, but I'm really concerned about having trouble at GR again.

 

[Brian Noble]

Here's a random thought: can you "upgrade" unused FITS tickets into APs as if they were "regular" tickets? If so, one possible strategy is to buy FITS tickets, and if they absolutely cannot be used, upgrade them to APs. Not as flexible, and more expensive, but at least you aren't out the $300. And, if you are really plannign a trip long enough to make use of FITS passes (i.e. at least 7 or 8 days or so) then the standard AP isn't a horrible choice in terms of value.

 

[Dogslider]

We all have annual passes and were taking our 3 yr old grandson on this trip, so I bought him a FITS ticket. We used it with no problem or questions asked.

Pam

 

[Muziqal]

4 Canadians here used the adult tickets without much of a problem for 3 weeks in May. The only problem we had was exchanging one of the vouchers as Ticketmania sold us one that was valid for a period later than the date we were using them (the 2005 ticket rather than the 2004). It took a little while, but everything was sorted out by guest relations at MK (they seemed very informed about the existence of the passes and that North Americans use them as well) and the passes worked great. Even a few details about how the FITS passes are sold to distributors in Canada and that they were to be a 2 for 1 promotion!! How I would have loved to pay 2 for 1 and in CDN $!! Of course I never found out who distributes them up here...but I will...oh yes, I will. And then WDW will never get rid of me....mwahahaha.

I read all of the posts on this board and spoke with my manager I used to work for in the CDN pavilion, that now works front gate epcot (and I imagine she's seen every kind of ticket fiasco there) and after her reply of 'If you buy real and unused WDW passes, we have to honor them' I went ahead and purchased them.

I have to admit, my g/f was pretty skeptikal (and of course it had to be her voucher that had the incorrect validity date) but after she got it she agreed with all of my planning after that - how rare is it that I get to run the show!?!

Really, they are the best passes to experience the world with without having to invest in AP's. I hope they continue offering them.

 

[jennwdw]

Used them myself in Sept and redeemed them at the back gate of Epcot (intl gateway) we had no problems other than the guy handling ours was a little new and hadn't seen them before. but the other guy working at the time was familiar with them and walked him through it...No problem at all......I have a friend here who jsut completed the college program and worked at epcot at the ticket windows she assured me that I wouldn't have a problem and that she had handled them previously....We were very happy with our experience and as long as legit ticket brokers have them I wouldn't hesitate in using them again!!

 

[fran99999]

I used my 5 FITS passes in September for 6 days. Redeemed them at MK. The Cast member did ask me where I purchased it. I stated Paramount and that was the end of it.

I went back in October they were still good and had no problem using them for an additional 5 days.

I have heard a rumor that Paramount may not be selling them anymore soon. HMMM I hope not I wanted to buy them for next year.

 

[MateasMom]

Originally posted by Local_Girl
In my opinion, if Disney didn't want the resellers selling the tickets to people from "certain" countries (like the U.S.) they need to specify that to the resellers...and discontinue working with them if they break the rules.

That's what I was thinking too, and exactly what I plan to say if I have a problem

Thank you everyone for sharing. We're going to go ahead and buy them and redeem at the international Epcot gate as that seems to be where there have been the least problems.

Thank you so much.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by fran99999


I have heard a rumor that Paramount may not be selling them anymore soon. HMMM I hope not I wanted to buy them for next year.

Paramount isn't selling ANY tickets anymore , but www.discountorlandovacation.com sells the FITS pass. Just make sure that the expiration date is after your trip.

Hope that this helps.

 

[even1]

Brian Noble,



We tried this and yes, you can upgrade but you only receive credit for the portion of the FITS that was applied to the parks. I can't remember how much the credit was but I think it was around $125. At that rate the annual would cost $550!!!

We loved the FITS pass because we were down for 3 weeks that summer and we had no problems with it but we were sorry we didn't buy the annuals to begin with since we did go back before the year was up.

We had been buying annuals for quite a few years and we actually thought we would buy the FITS (w/free breakfast) to use for a "farewell for a few years trip to Disney" I don't know who we thought we were kidding!!

 

[Carrie Ellis]

We used our FITS tickets this last Sept 18. I had 2 adults and 4 children. We did not have any problems exchanging them for tickets at MK. We did not have any problems using the breakfast vouchers. We were not even asked where we bought them!

My cousin bought two and they had no problems either.

 

[funhouse8]

I just wanted to let you know that no where on this pass does it state you can't be a citzen of the united states. These passes were the best thing I've ever used and hope they are around my next trip.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I asked about the FITS and was sent the following info, FYI. I think that I am not going to risk it. I am such a wimp!



"Subj: Re: Discount Orlando Vacation - Contact Message
Date: 10/28/2004 10:34:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: sales@discountorlandovacation.com

Sent from the Internet (Details)



These tickets are for visitors of foreign countries. We can not guarantee
what happens at the gate.


> The following information was just submitted via the Discount Orlando
> Vacation Contact Form.
>
>
>
> I am thinking of purchasing FITS for our trip in January. Wanted to
> verify that there is not a problem for U.S. citizens to use. Mousesavers
> has reported a couple of harassing CM's."
>
>

 

[DisOrBust]

I just bought these and now am having second thoughts. My parents who are German, but now US citizens, will be using these. I did buy them from Discountorlandovaction.. No where on the vouchers does it say its for International use only. It will ruin our vcation if my parents get grief. I am now thinking it wasn't worth it and we should have just got APs. We go in November and I will let you know what happens.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I surely hope it goes well! Just have your folks go up to the window speaking in German that they just moved here... Don't you just hate fretting about this stuff? I have agonized for a month now over which passes we need, and what we can do without! I am sorry to have stressed you more!

 

[BethR]

I don't know that it will make anyone feel "better" about buying FITS or any other pass, but I thought that you should know that you will never be out your money - as long as you have bought the pass from a licensed reseller (such as discountorlandotickets.)

In the very unlikely event that Disney ever questioned whether you qualified for a ticket - like the ones meant for international visitors or for convention goers - AND for whatever reason decided that you do not "qualify" - you would not lose your money. Disney would give you credit for the money spent on the original pass to be used for purchase another type of pass.

As I said, I don't know that it will make anyone feel better though...

(BTW, if we ever had the chance to go to Disney on an extended vacation and knew that we would not return within a year and the FITS pass was available to me, I would be buying the FITS pass. )