Need expert help with resort/ticket booking

[t_catt11]

First off, let me apologize for the wall of text. I don't think that this will be the typical question.

A little prelude: I'm the guy that people usually come to with questions for planning their WDW trips. This will be my sixth trip to WDW. I know my way around the parks, around the various schedules, around the resorts, I understand tickets, dining plans, etc, etc.

Or so I thought.

My travel party consists of myself, DW, DS18, DS8, DS6, DS5, DD2, DD1 - eight total people. We are staying at Pop (first time for value for us). We love to take the kids when they are two years old (it seems extra magical then), and we usually got to Disney every 2-3 years. Since the youngest will be two next year, we are strongly considering annual passes, with a return trip in September next year. We usually stay 10-11 days; this year, we had decided to go for two full weeks. This is another big reason, of course, to consider annual passes; who wants to buy a 10 day ticket and a 4 day ticket?

We typically do the standard dining plan, as we like the convenience of having the meals prepaid.

Originally, we had planned to go in mid November of this year. We had a trip booked, but I was surprised to discover that I had to split us into two parties - even though we were booking two rooms, we now had three adults on the reservation, and Disney would only allow me to book two on the same trip. I found this to be annoying (c'mon, they are all my kids), but livable. Reservation #1 was myself, DS8, DS6, DS5. Reservation #2 was DW, DS18, DD2, DD1. Okay, whatever.

Well, we realized that Thunder Mountain was due to reopen on the last day of our trip, and DS5 is really looking forward to being able to ride it (and the other 40 inch rides) for the first time. The fact that DS18 will be taking university final exams the week of December 5th-9th sealed the deal for us; we moved the trip to arrive December 3rd, depart December 18th. DS18 will join us on December 10th.

I did wait around for a bit to see when the offer codes would come out before I changed our date. When they did (and free dining was offered), I pulled the trigger. This is when things got crazy.

Free Dining was only offered from December 10th on. For us to take advantage, we'd have to split our stay; I now had **4** reservations for a single family's vacation.

Of course, free dining only covers the counter service plan at a value, but I paid to upgrade. No problem.

Only... you have to have a ticket, thus making it a package, to qualify for free dining. So I put ten day tickets on, with the assurance that sure, we'd be able to upgrade those to annual passes. But the more I think about it, the worse I feel about this.

Right now, I have two room only reservations from December 3rd-December 10th, and a package from December 11th-December 18th with Free Dining and 10 day hopper tickets.

I'm pretty certain that this won't work. Unless I'm mistaken, I won't be able to pick my tickets up when we first check in on the 3rd, will I? And I was unable to upgrade my tickets to annual passes on the phone - when I do so, it removes free dining.

I'm now thinking that my only real solution is going to be to cancel the second set of reservations, lose free dining, then add days to my original set. Take the 20% off the rooms (the best I think I can do), pay for annual passes, pay for the dining plan out of pocket (or pay for meals, period).

Tell me that I'm wrong, that there is some other way, that I can consolidate things somehow. I'd love to hear from someone better at this than me!

 

[hiroMYhero]

First off, let me apologize for the wall of text. I don't think that this will be the typical question.

A little prelude: I'm the guy that people usually come to with questions for planning their WDW trips. This will be my sixth trip to WDW. I know my way around the parks, around the various schedules, around the resorts, I understand tickets, dining plans, etc, etc.

Or so I thought.

My travel party consists of myself, DW, DS18, DS8, DS6, DS5, DD2, DD1 - eight total people. We are staying at Pop (first time for value for us). We love to take the kids when they are two years old (it seems extra magical then), and we usually got to Disney every 2-3 years. Since the youngest will be two next year, we are strongly considering annual passes, with a return trip in September next year. We usually stay 10-11 days; this year, we had decided to go for two full weeks. This is another big reason, of course, to consider annual passes; who wants to buy a 10 day ticket and a 4 day ticket?

We typically do the standard dining plan, as we like the convenience of having the meals prepaid.

Originally, we had planned to go in mid November of this year. We had a trip booked, but I was surprised to discover that I had to split us into two parties - even though we were booking two rooms, we now had three adults on the reservation, and Disney would only allow me to book two on the same trip. I found this to be annoying (c'mon, they are all my kids), but livable. Reservation #1 was myself, DS8, DS6, DS5. Reservation #2 was DW, DS18, DD2, DD1. Okay, whatever.

Well, we realized that Thunder Mountain was due to reopen on the last day of our trip, and DS5 is really looking forward to being able to ride it (and the other 40 inch rides) for the first time. The fact that DS18 will be taking university final exams the week of December 5th-9th sealed the deal for us; we moved the trip to arrive December 3rd, depart December 18th. DS18 will join us on December 10th.

I did wait around for a bit to see when the offer codes would come out before I changed our date. When they did (and free dining was offered), I pulled the trigger. This is when things got crazy.

Free Dining was only offered from December 10th on. For us to take advantage, we'd have to split our stay; I now had **4** reservations for a single family's vacation.

Of course, free dining only covers the counter service plan at a value, but I paid to upgrade. No problem.

Only... you have to have a ticket, thus making it a package, to qualify for free dining. So I put ten day tickets on, with the assurance that sure, we'd be able to upgrade those to annual passes. But the more I think about it, the worse I feel about this.

Right now, I have two room only reservations from December 3rd-December 10th, and a package from December 11th-December 18th with Free Dining and 10 day hopper tickets.

I'm pretty certain that this won't work. Unless I'm mistaken, I won't be able to pick my tickets up when we first check in on the 3rd, will I? And I was unable to upgrade my tickets to annual passes on the phone - when I do so, it removes free dining.

I'm now thinking that my only real solution is going to be to cancel the second set of reservations, lose free dining, then add days to my original set. Take the 20% off the rooms (the best I think I can do), pay for annual passes, pay for the dining plan out of pocket (or pay for meals, period).

Tell me that I'm wrong, that there is some other way, that I can consolidate things somehow. I'd love to hear from someone better at this than me!

- Yes, you'll be able to activate the ticket portion when you arrive on the 3rd. Tickets can now be activated up to 10 days in advance,

- AP-wise: if you don't need APs, you can ask at Guest Relations to add 4 ticket entitlements to your 10-day tickets at a cost of approximately $40 total per ticket. This offer is only available to onsite guests and you have to specifically request it. You can request this when you activate your tickets early.

 

[supersnoop]

Right now, I have two room only reservations from December 3rd-December 10th, and a package from December 11th-December 18th with Free Dining and 10 day hopper tickets.

I'm pretty certain that this won't work.

It will work, but will cause problems with FP+ reservations. You'll only be able to make FP+ for the second part of the trip.

However, when you arrive, you can have your tickets from the later package activated up to 10 days early. And you can upgrade those tickets to annual passes.

Reservation #1 was myself, DS8, DS6, DS5.

Personally, I'd upgrade this reservation to the Deluxe plan and skip the dining plan on the other.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

There is another option. Get your AP's now and book your resort at a discount when the AP discounts come out. You will get 10% off most dining and you are able to get a TIW card for 20% off if you choose. Unless free dining is a deal breaker for your trip. I would do the math to see which is better for your family, free dining or room discount.

 

[t_catt11]

- Yes, you'll be able to activate the ticket portion when you arrive on the 3rd. Tickets can now be activated up to 10 days in advance

That's awesome. I was unaware of that change, I thought it was still 3 days.

- AP-wise: if you don't need APs, you can ask at Guest Relations to add 4 ticket entitlements to your 10-day tickets. This offer is only available to onsite guests and you have to specifically request it. You can request this when you activate your tickets early.

But I'll still be paying basically for a 4 day ticket, right? By the time I add the price of a ten day and a four day ticket together, and considering that we'd like to go next year, it seems like APs make much more sense.

There is another option. Get your AP's now and book your resort at a discount when the AP discounts come out. You will get 10% off most dining and you are able to get a TIW card for 20% off if you choose. Unless free dining is a deal breaker for your trip. I would do the math to see which is better for your family, free dining or room discount.

Hmm. But I'm at my 180 day mark right now, I'd hate to lose the reservation. Then again, I could just keep the room only reservation I have now, I have a 20% off PIN.

How far in advance do the AP discounts typically come out?

 

[hiroMYhero]

But I'll still be paying basically for a 4 day ticket, right? By the time I add the price of a ten day and a four day ticket together, and considering that we'd like to go next year, it seems like APs make much more sense.

No each additional entitlement is $10 and change. 4 days worth of entitlements added onto 1 person will be $40ish.

 

[Mike&AllisMom]

That's awesome. I was unaware of that change, I thought it was still 3 days.



But I'll still be paying basically for a 4 day ticket, right? By the time I add the price of a ten day and a four day ticket together, and considering that we'd like to go next year, it seems like APs make much more sense.




Hmm. But I'm at my 180 day mark right now, I'd hate to lose the reservation. Then again, I could just keep the room only reservation I have now, I have a 20% off PIN.

How far in advance do the AP discounts typically come out?

I'm waiting for November AP discounts. Last year they came out on 8/5. I booked a room at full price and booked my dining already. I'm hoping to apply the AP discount when it comes out. If you do this and have to rebook you will not lose your dining reservations.

 

[t_catt11]

Okay, that does make it interesting, Hiro...

Thanks for the tip, Mom.!

 

[Lynzer4]

I would do some number crunching with your pin and AP discount (for value through July its 25% off so I would use 25% to calculate).

Is free dinning with so many children the better discount? You can always book the dining package with your room reservation. Having been to Disney only you know if the value of the dinning package its a savings for your family (ie you get snacks everyday, eat dessert etc).

If you plan to visit again with AP's know that a free dining package won't be the most cost effective if you already have AP's to get you into the park. AP would would be cheaper then a 14 day ticket (10+additional 4 days added on) plus additional 3 day ticket. Your "break" even point in purchasing a 14 day ticket would be a second 3 day ticket on your next trip (does that make sense???)

This is based on adult prices:
14 - Day: $469 + 40 (for 4 additional days) = 509
3 day ticket (next visit) = 290
Cost of tickets for both trips - $799
Season pass - $749
Also you can factor in that you will get a 10% discount on all QS food and all shopping and photopass.

I had to figure this out myself last year. I ended up getting an AP. I also had an AP so figured I better use it as much as possible and went three more times (leave in 2 days and have an August trip planned)

 

[mistysue]

When did adding days over 10 become an option?
Are you guys 100% certain this is real? So if I am staying onsite in August, I can do this? Do the tickets have to be part of a package, or if I just have rooms and tickets can I do this? I know two years ago when I was on site I was told there was no way to get more than 10 days without an AP.

 

[hiroMYhero]

When did adding days over 10 become an option?
Are you guys 100% certain this is real? So if I am staying onsite in August, I can do this? Do the tickets have to be part of a package, or if I just have rooms and tickets can I do this? I know two years ago when I was on site I was told there was no way to get more than 10 days without an AP.

It apparently has always been an option but the guest must be staying at an onsite resort AND must request it at Guest Relations. It is never just offered up by a CM.

This was confirmed recently on the Boards by a DISer and a ticketing CM.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Here is the Post/Thread:

I meant to post about this back in March when we returned from our latest trip and forgot. If you need more days added to 10 day tickets and are staying at a Disney resort, as a courtesy to resort guests, Guest Services will add days on for a nominal fee. I don't remember exactly what it was but we added 2 days to our 10 day tickets for much less than it would have cost to purchase additional tickets. Many, many CM's will tell you it cannot be done but it can. I first learned about it from a senior CM at the concierge desk in the Beach Club lobby. I had previously inquired here, via phone to Disney, the Itinerary Planning Office and the CM's on the club level at BC. None of these had this info. Guest Services will do it for you when you are there. We did it at the location at the front of Animal Kingdom and it was a very pleasant surprise. In the past, we always purchased additional tickets-what a waste when this option was available!

 

[mistysue]

It apparently has always been an option but the guest must be staying at an onsite resort AND must request it at Guest Relations. It is never just offered up by a CM.

This was confirmed recently on the Boards by a DISer and a ticketing CM.

Not gonna lie, that makes me mad because I stood there asking and was told no- we've always stayed onsite. We've had non park days specifically because I didn't want to pay for a two day ticket. Where has it worked?

 

[IrishNYC]

Hmm. But I'm at my 180 day mark right now, I'd hate to lose the reservation. Then again, I could just keep the room only reservation I have now, I have a 20% off PIN.

ADRs aren't connected to your room reservation, except to give you the +10 access. Once you make them, you won't lose them for changing your reservation.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Not gonna lie, that makes me mad because I stood there asking and was told no- we've always stayed onsite. We've had non park days specifically because I didn't want to pay for a two day ticket. Where has it worked?

Misty ~ best to ask at Guest Relations and state you are an onsite guest AND want to add on additional days to your park tickets.

Here's the complete thread:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/regarding-adding-days-to-10-day-tickets.3510740/

 

[t_catt11]

Thanks for all of the help, folks! Time to do some math on AP (and any possible discounts) vs the addon ticket idea.

 

[dres40]

I would price out the hotel on Cheaptickets or Orbitz, make sure to use their discount code. Check that you have free cancel if you think you may have to cancel the trip. Also only put 2 people per room on this reservation when booking or you may get charged extra over 2 people. You can call later and have the extra kids added to the reservation.

Buy tickets from Undercover tourist and get one's that will give you the most value for the upgrade to AP. Make sure to use the ticket once before upgrading them so you get the full current face value for the upgrade ( not the discount price you paid UT---this is called "price bridging" the ticket)
Pay for the meals out of pocket.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Buy tickets from Undercover tourist and get one's that will give you the most value for the upgrade to AP. Make sure to use the ticket once before upgrading them so you get the full current face value for the upgrade ( not the discount price you paid UT---this is called "price bridging" the ticket)

This continues to not be true. Price bridging is dependent on the cast member doing it knowing what they're doing, not on ticket usage. The procedure is literally exactly the same whether the ticket has been used or not.


Also, while I'm in this thread, let me re-state what I said in the thread that got linked about the upgrading-to-more-than-10-days thing - it's considered guest recovery. Don't count on it being offered or available for request. It's at the discretion of the cast member you speak with as to whether or not it's an appropriate thing to do.

 

[dres40]

This continues to not be true. Price bridging is dependent on the cast member doing it knowing what they're doing, not on ticket usage. The procedure is literally exactly the same whether the ticket has been used or not.

Wow, I always read here that you had to use the ticket at least one time to get the full face value. I'm curious about the current state of price bridging, any recent posts?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Wow, I always read here that you had to use the ticket at least one time to get the full face value. I'm curious about the current state of price bridging, any recent posts?

@ravenclawtrekkie is a current WDW ticketing cm