New Annual Passes

[erionm]

Interesting. We have gold passes that expire in July. We planned a last minute 2 night birthday trip for my wife in April and just realized the blackout dates start on our arrival date. Is there a chance these dates could change? I am also not sure how much we will get charged to upgrade to platinum (I know, for 2 days that kinda sux) since we bought them before the price increase.

The April blockout dates are the week before and after Easter, so it's unlikely they will change.

If you were to upgrade to the Platinum Pass, you would pay the difference between what you paid when you purchased the Gold Pass and the current price of the Platinum Pass. The expiration date of the pass will be unchanged.

 

[Geomom]

Interesting. We have gold passes that expire in July. We planned a last minute 2 night birthday trip for my wife in April and just realized the blackout dates start on our arrival date. Is there a chance these dates could change? I am also not sure how much we will get charged to upgrade to platinum (I know, for 2 days that kinda sux) since we bought them before the price increase.

Which blackout dates are you looking at? The April 2017 blackout dates are April 8-April 21

 

[huskies90]

2017. We arrive April 8.

 

[Judique]

Some Gold Pass DATA - again, not listed on the official WDW Website....

Result of an inquiry to Member services:

"Thank you for your loyalty to the Walt Disney World Resort.

We appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns regarding the availability of block out dates for the Disney Gold Pass. In our continued efforts to deliver a world-class experience, we are constantly evaluating our offerings to ensure our Guests have more choices when it comes to selecting an Annual Pass that best meets their needs.

Should you choose the Disney Gold Pass for your renewal, block out dates for the year 2018 currently include:

- January 1 - 2
- March 24 - 31
- April 1 - 6

Please know that block out dates are subject to change. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

At this time, we are currently updating the appropriate channels with the most up-to-date information, including Annual Pass block out dates, to ensure our Annual Passholders are prepared to fully enjoy the benefits of their Annual Passes. In addition, you may be assured that your feedback has been forwarded to the appropriate Leadership.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns, you may reply directly to this email or call the number below. I am available Monday and Tuesday between 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. EST, as well as Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST.

Thank you again,()for your feedback. I hope your next visit is filled with endless magic.

Sincerely,

Jose Colomba
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort
407-934-7678 "

So here is the REAL DATA on Gold Pass Blockout dates. First and foremost: "Please know that block out dates are subject to change". Ehhhhh - that means that published Gold Pass blockout dates are bogus. WDW may change them as they see fit. Beyond this? The dates offered are NOT listed on the WDW website. Those dates end 2-2018.

Sooooo - wife and I are reconsidering Gold Passes. They may be blocked, unilaterally, at any time.

Block out on the gold pass refer to holiday periods that can change each year such as Easter - I think that is what the reference is in 'subject to change'. Also, as previously stated the next level down already blocks out summer, so I doubt if summer will be blocked out on a gold pass. If summer were blocked on gold, it would be almost identical to silver.

 

[Judique]

2017. We arrive April 8.

Those are not likely to change as the blackout dates are the week before and after Easter.

Can you move your trip?

Otherwise your probable cheapest option would be to upgrade your ticket.

 

[huskies90]

Those are not likely to change as the blackout dates are the week before and after Easter

Thanks. I figured. But I saw the blackout dates subject to change and had a slimmer of hope. Oh well. Upgrading is still cheaper than buying a 2 day hopper.

Can you move your trip?

We planned it before realizing it was blacked out. 4/8 is my wife's birthday and we are traveling on 4/6-4/8 to my daughter's national collegiate gymnastics meet anyway. So it just worked out perfectly to do a quick 2 night trip after the event. It is hard to undo a trip once you start to get excited about it. Especially a birthday trip.

 

[Dean Marino]

Block out on the gold pass refer to holiday periods that can change each year such as Easter - I think that is what the reference is in 'subject to change'. Also, as previously stated the next level down already blocks out summer, so I doubt if summer will be blocked out on a gold pass. If summer were blocked on gold, it would be almost identical to silver.

Actually - no... You see, I received a follow up phone call from Disney. They were being dead honest on Gold Pass rules.... the Blockout Dates MAY change at any time. Even AFTER your yearly Gold Pass has been purchased. "Will they or won't they", "what has happened before" is immaterial. They have the legal right to do so.

We talked - we became aware of how this happened. The Gold Pass is offered to BOTH DVC Members, and Florida Residents.
For a Florida Resident.... a change in Blockout Dates is not that serious. It might move a drive in vacation by a week.
For a DVC Member, booking 11 months in advance? This Pass could indeed be POISON. Based on the legal stuff behind the current Gold Pass Offering.... one could book a trip 11 months ahead - then be denied Park Admission. I got agreement on that statement. Consider: Airfare has been booked.... this could result in a SERIOUS financial loss.

What WE will do - stick with the Gold Pass, The SECOND this sort of Blockout Date movement occurs? IMMEDIATELY upgrade to Platinum - and never look back.

What I suggested: there is, perhaps, a departmental disconnect between ticketing, and DVC. Consider getting the departments to TALK to each other, and rectify this potential "pull the rug out" problem. For a DVC Member - those blockout dates should be unalterable - life of pass+60 days, in order to align with other existing WDW DVC policies.


All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong. Data offered - you may make of it what you wish.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Actually - no... You see, I received a follow up phone call from Disney. They were being dead honest on Gold Pass rules.... the Blockout Dates MAY change at any time. Even AFTER your yearly Gold Pass has been purchased. "Will they or won't they", "what has happened before" is immaterial. They have the legal right to do so.

We talked - we became aware of how this happened. The Gold Pass is offered to BOTH DVC Members, and Florida Residents.
For a Florida Resident.... a change in Blockout Dates is not that serious. It might move a drive in vacation by a week.
For a DVC Member, booking 11 months in advance? This Pass could indeed be POISON. Based on the legal stuff behind the current Gold Pass Offering.... one could book a trip 11 months ahead - then be denied Park Admission. I got agreement on that statement. Consider: Airfare has been booked.... this could result in a SERIOUS financial loss.

What WE will do - stick with the Gold Pass, The SECOND this sort of Blockout Date movement occurs? IMMEDIATELY upgrade to Platinum - and never look back.

What I suggested: there is, perhaps, a departmental disconnect between ticketing, and DVC. Consider getting the departments to TALK to each other, and rectify this potential "pull the rug out" problem. For a DVC Member - those blockout dates should be unalterable - life of pass+60 days, in order to align with other existing WDW DVC policies.


All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong. Data offered - you may make of it what you wish.

Just my opinion, but I think you are worrying waaaaaaaay too much about this. I'm betting once published they have never changed, and am willing to speculate they never will.
But as you said, it's a simple fix if they ever do. Upgrade.

MG

 

[Judique]

Just my opinion, but I think you are worrying waaaaaaaay too much about this. I'm betting once published they have never changed, and am willing to speculate they never will.
But as you said, it's a simple fix if they ever do. Upgrade.

MG

I like how you stated this. It's pretty simple.

And, we all know you can ask Disney questions all day long but you'll rarely get a definitive answer.