My "interesting" fast pass +/reservation experience

garywitt

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
32
I just wanted to share my experience so someone else might learn from it, and to see if anyone has any opinions...

I had originally booked a MYW package through Disney, rack rates, back in March, for beach club villa 1-bedroom, 10/21 through 10/26, with a 5 day park hopper. No problem.

Booked my fast passes at the 60 day mark, no problem.

Got an email from David's DVC rentals a few days ago about a few last minute reservations. One of those was AKL kidani 1-bedroom Savannah view, 10/21-10/25, for a great price! Really wanted to take advantage but never had rented points before, so did a fair bit of research. Found that Disney still had AKL 1 bedroom Savannah view available for one night on 10/25, so figured I could do a split stay, first 4 nights on rented points and last night through Disney.

Called both Disney and David's to make sure our FP + would not be screwed up, they both assured me it wouldn't.

Went ahead and pulled the trigger. Booked the DVC rental, and changed my original 5 night Disney BCV reservation to a one night AKV reservation on 10/25. So happy!

Then got an email this morning at 4:05 am saying that I no longer had valid tickets and my FP for 10/21 thru 10/24 would be cancelled tomorrow, if I didn't buy tickets! Checked my reservations online and sure enough, 5 day tickets were still on there.

Called Disney today and was a very interesting phone call. Transferred 3 times, and total of 85 minutes. Multiple people didn't know how to fix this. Finally came to conclusion that the tickets purchased through a package are not really tickets until your check in date, and so I couldn't book FP for any days before 10/25, the check in date for my package that I had changed! After multiple discussions and long holds, they made the recommendation that I cancel the tickets through my package, refund my credit card, and then purchase new tickets through the web site, outside of the package, that would allow me to keep my FP.

Fine with me, but one more wrinkle: the ticket price had increased since my booking. So they wanted about 60 bucks more to keep the same tickets I already had! After a bit of discussion guest services agreed to drop my package price by the same amount so no more cost. First tickets refunded, new tickets purchased.

Whew! All said and done everything looks right online. Question is, will my FP still be there tomorrow? I sure hope so...

I now have 2 magic band orders, one for each reservation. Not sure what we are going to do with 2 magic bands each, but whatever. Then I get an email tonight saying last day to customize my magic band order is 10/10! That would be 11 days before my trip??? When I check online my two magic band orders say last day to customize is 9/20 and 9/24, which makes more sense...

What are my odds of this going off without a hitch? All this hassle to be able to schedule FP 60 days in advance!
 
Finally came to conclusion that the tickets purchased through a package are not really tickets until your check in date, and so I couldn't book FP for any days before 10/25, the check in date for my package that I had changed!

Yes.
That's how it works.
If you are not making a resort reservation that REQUIRES tickets (like "Free Dining")
then it makes sense to buy your tickets separately from the room reservation.
Leaves more options open.
 
I had originally booked a MYW package through Disney, rack rates, back in March, for beach club villa 1-bedroom, 10/21 through 10/26, with a 5 day park hopper.

(made new reservation)

but one more wrinkle: the ticket price had increased since my booking. So they wanted about 60 bucks more to keep the same tickets I already had!

That one doesn't make sense on the face of it.
Ticket prices have not gone up since March. (Last increase was in Feb. 2015.)
Did your previous tickets have a (for instance) "Buy 4 days, Get 1 day Free" deal?
 
You're right! I was thinking we booked in March but the email says it was 1/21/15...

Definitely learning point for me about buying tickets separately. I was a bit annoyed that the Disney folks assured me it wouldn't be a problem before I changed my reservation. They said repeatedly, as long as I kept the tickets on my reservation then it wouldn't be a problem. That being said, they did right by keeping the overall price the same and it was much appreciated...

I found it interesting how several cast members seemed to indicate they had never dealt with a situation such as mine before...
 

You're right!

1. I was thinking we booked in March but the email says it was 1/21/15...

Definitely learning point for me about buying tickets separately. I was a bit annoyed that the Disney folks assured me it wouldn't be a problem before I changed my reservation. They said repeatedly, as long as I kept the tickets on my reservation then it wouldn't be a problem. That being said, they did right by keeping the overall price the same and it was much appreciated...

2. I found it interesting how several cast members seemed to indicate they had never dealt with a situation such as mine before...

1. That explains it.
2. I think that might say more about the inexperience of the CMs than your situation. ;)

So glad that you got it worked out!

(We're considering doing the "DVC points" thing at AKL in 2016.)
 
I will have to wait until we are checked in to pass judgement, but will say the renting points process was particularly painless and saved $280/night from rack rate - pretty awesome pricing
 
Not a renter... But owner at Kidani...
You will love it! And heard nothing but great things about Davids from renters and owners, that part will be fine...

But your FP/MDE stuff keep your fingers crossed... We have never had an issue, and even joy having several bands to switch out...
 


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