No More Early Ticket Pickup?

[mom2rtk]

Same here. I added a day and the CM on the phone said I could put up the tickets early, but my kttw card won't include them.

That's a new one. Did that put you over 2 adults in the room? When is your trip?

 

[PrincessesX3]

Well I called tonight and the CM on the phone told me that it is strongly discouraged now. It is a new policy in effect and they will not guarantee getting your tickets in advance. When I added an extra day two weeks ago, no problem for picking it up early, now I may have three crying kids at the gate of magic kingdom that will be me on Thursday. I will be so mad!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Some of the posts on this thread might be of interest to you .... talks about picking up tickets early .... phone calls with CMs and even an email .... there's a lot of different info on this thread but the ones I'm talking about are the last few posts. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2774692&goto=newpost

 

[skier_pete]

To quote Woody from TS2: "OK, I'm officially freaked out now!"

I contacted Chesire Figment, who indicated while there's no official word that they are eliminating this as an option, there's a lot of rumors going around within guest services, and if they DO officially eliminate it, there's not much that can be done.

The word being put out is: "Well, just don't plan on being able to do it." That's great advice, except I've been working for a year to come out with the ideal plan for our family, have all the flights booked and paid for, and the FD package booked as I do. We arrive on 11/10, and don't start our package until 11/13. I can't come up with a way of NOT needing tickets those first two days or 11/11 and 11/12, and can't come up with a way to change things around that won't add $500 or more to our trip without really messing up our plans. (IE booking all new ADRs...etc.) UGH. If I cancel using the free dining, I have to downgrade to a value to be able to afford it...I still feel I can talk my way into the tickets, but do I take that chance?...I just don't know what to do here...

The one thing that has me hoping is that no-one has yet posted saying they have NOT been able to pick up the tickets early.

 

[mom2rtk]

To quote Woody from TS2: "OK, I'm officially freaked out now!"

I contacted Chesire Figment, who indicated while there's no official word that they are eliminating this as an option, there's a lot of rumors going around within guest services, and if they DO officially eliminate it, there's not much that can be done.

The word being put out is: "Well, just don't plan on being able to do it." That's great advice, except I've been working for a year to come out with the ideal plan for our family, have all the flights booked and paid for, and the FD package booked as I do. We arrive on 11/10, and don't start our package until 11/13. I can't come up with a way of NOT needing tickets those first two days or 11/11 and 11/12, and can't come up with a way to change things around that won't add $500 or more to our trip without really messing up our plans. (IE booking all new ADRs...etc.) UGH. If I cancel using the free dining, I have to downgrade to a value to be able to afford it...I still feel I can talk my way into the tickets, but do I take that chance?...I just don't know what to do here...

The one thing that has me hoping is that no-one has yet posted saying they have NOT been able to pick up the tickets early.

I really feel for you. At least for us it's just arrival night. We CAN work around it, but I'm really P.O.'d about it. For you with your first two full days at risk, I'd be freaking out about it too.

Maybe there will be some room only discounts on the way as an alternative?

FWIW......... This is really being handled VERY poorly by Disney.

 

[skier_pete]

FWIW......... This is really being handled VERY poorly by Disney.

That's what makes me wonder...it seems like a lot of stuff is coming out to discourage it, but no one seems to want to come out and say "It can't be done". I wonder if that's what it is, Disney wants to discourage people from doing it, but in the end will still allow it.

But I do agree, if they HAVE allowed it, and they WON'T in the future, they should just come out and say it...that's what they did with the recent ticket change on the adding days to a ticket in the 14-day window.

Room only discounts won't make enough of a difference when you have 3 adults in a room - we really need the free dining.

SkierPete

 

[basketlacey]

I feel bad for those of you having to make tough decisions right now but honestly, I wouldn't miss disappointing my kids for the first three days of vacation.

I guess I am somewhat baffled at those that bought plane tickets prior to FD dates being released? I understand that you are disappointed that the stars didn't line up how you hoped but I don't know that you can blame Disney for it.

I guess what I am saying is - you have been told not to count on getting your tickets early. If you risk it and it doesn't work, I am not sure you have a legitimate reason to be upset. You have the option now to change the way your package is booked or change your flights so that you don't start off your vacation with this fight on your hands.

I just really hate to see any of you have a bad vacation over this issue. My advice is to resolve it now. Even with a discount, WDW is an expensive vacation.

Good luck to all of you!

 

[skier_pete]

I feel bad for those of you having to make tough decisions right now but honestly, I wouldn't miss disappointing my kids for the first three days of vacation.

I guess I am somewhat baffled at those that bought plane tickets prior to FD dates being released? I understand that you are disappointed that the stars didn't line up how you hoped but I don't know that you can blame Disney for it.

I guess what I am saying is - you have been told not to count on getting your tickets early. If you risk it and it doesn't work, I am not sure you have a legitimate reason to be upset. You have the option now to change the way your package is booked or change your flights so that you don't start off your vacation with this fight on your hands.

I just really hate to see any of you have a bad vacation over this issue. My advice is to resolve it now. Even with a discount, WDW is an expensive vacation.

Good luck to all of you!

But that's the thing...I was told it would be no problem at all picking my tickets up early. I DID buy my tickets in anticipation of free dining, but also anticipating that it would start a few days after my trip, but having been told it wouldn't be a problem. Then I booked the free dining on the first day and still was told "no problem" by a CM. NOW that I've done all that, I'm hearing these things that you CAN'T do it anymore (maybe). IF I was told right from the beginning I couldn't do it, than I got no issue with that, but being told all along it was not an issue until AFTER everything was bought and paid for...that's not MY fault, is it?

And I admit, NOW that I am being told I can't do it, maybe I have less reason to be upset at the gate. But that's only because I have been on the boards, what about all the people that were told it's OK and DON'T hang out on this (or other) message boards? They're in for a real rude awakening.

But that's why I suspect they WILL in the end still allow it. They'll tell people that for this time they'll make an exception but not to do it again. This way, they can eliminate an "unwritten rule" without angering customers.

However, I now have to come up with a "Plan B" (actually, I think I'm on "Plan D") in case I can't get the tickets.

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

Some of the posts on this thread might be of interest to you .... talks about picking up tickets early .... phone calls with CMs and even an email .... there's a lot of different info on this thread but the ones I'm talking about are the last few posts. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2774692&goto=newpost

Grumpy Grandma,
Im the one I believe you're referring to in the link. Yes, I have live chatted more than once, I have called CRO, I have even called a phone number provided by Cheshire Figment that was a line to Guest Relations in the parks that I was under the impression was supposed to connect me to someone that would know that this could be done, that person told me it most certainly COULD NOT be done and I have be "misinformed" that it is possible to pick up tickets prior to check in. Nobody at Disney have ever told me that it's possible. The only place I've been told it's possible is here on DIS. Hopefully for everbody's sake that's going to try it, it is. We aren't,a room discount will do us more good than free dining, so we're hoping for something better than the AAA discount we've already got.

Here is the email the I received from Disney:
Dear Joanna,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Although we appreciate your interest, please know, Magic Your Way
tickets purchased in conjunction with a vacation package reservation are
not available or provided prior to the check in date of the vacation
package reservation.

We hope this information is helpful.

Joanna, we look forward to your visit to the Walt Disney World Resort
and hope that your time with us is magical.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Sincerely,

Ronda Kendall
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.






I think the "PLEASE NOTE" at the end of the email is interesting- even if they'd said I could pick them up, by the time January rolls around(the date of our visit) they could change their mousey minds and having permission in writing wouldn't do us a bit of good.
I just wish they would have the policy on their website, regardless of whether it's allowed or not!

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

I feel bad for those of you having to make tough decisions right now but honestly, I wouldn't miss disappointing my kids for the first three days of vacation.

I guess I am somewhat baffled at those that bought plane tickets prior to FD dates being released? I understand that you are disappointed that the stars didn't line up how you hoped but I don't know that you can blame Disney for it.

I guess what I am saying is - you have been told not to count on getting your tickets early. If you risk it and it doesn't work, I am not sure you have a legitimate reason to be upset. You have the option now to change the way your package is booked or change your flights so that you don't start off your vacation with this fight on your hands.

I just really hate to see any of you have a bad vacation over this issue. My advice is to resolve it now. Even with a discount, WDW is an expensive vacation.

Good luck to all of you!

Same here, there is no way that we are going to go without tickets for the first 3 days of our Disney trip! We have 6 full days of park time, I'm not missing out on 3 of them. We did buy plane tickets before Free Dining was released and to us, free dining isn't a make it or break it scenario. Would it be nice, yeah. But you're exactly right. WDW is flippin expensive.
And free dining isn't free anyway. We would have to pay rack rate for our discounted room and so our 3 nights of free dining that's worth $534 is now only worth $334 because of losing our $200 room discount. Not to mention if we have to shell out another $1000 for 3 days of park tickets we're in the hole about $$660. (we're doing a split stay, 4 nights off property, 3 nights at Poly) And the dining plan is too much food for us anyway. We won't spend the value of the dining plan on food in one day anyway.
If Disney would just get back to reality and reduce their food and room prices they wouldn't have people trying to figure out how to conform the dates of trips that they are already locked into, into free dining dates.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

wish*i*was*in*the*vi yes yours was one of the posts I was talking about .... I was on that thread for the money saving ideas that were the original idea of the thread but when all the posts about early ticket pickup were posted I thought that the people on this thread might want to read it .... I want to thank you for posting your email. I hope that it is helpful to others in deciding how to handle their reservations. Like you I am not booked for free dining ..... have 2 trips booked with DVC and AP rate. Good luck to everyone and I hope that all of your vacations are wonderful.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I feel bad for those of you having to make tough decisions right now but honestly, I wouldn't miss disappointing my kids for the first three days of vacation.

I guess I am somewhat baffled at those that bought plane tickets prior to FD dates being released? I understand that you are disappointed that the stars didn't line up how you hoped but I don't know that you can blame Disney for it.

I guess what I am saying is - you have been told not to count on getting your tickets early. If you risk it and it doesn't work, I am not sure you have a legitimate reason to be upset. You have the option now to change the way your package is booked or change your flights so that you don't start off your vacation with this fight on your hands.

I just really hate to see any of you have a bad vacation over this issue. My advice is to resolve it now. Even with a discount, WDW is an expensive vacation.

Good luck to all of you!

Many of us buy our airfare first because if we wait for Disney to release their promos, there won't be any decent fares or any flights left. I come from Denver and if I book early I might be able to snag four tickets on Southwest for around $1500. That's buying them the day they release those fares. Fd that was just released is for dates coming up in just three months for some people. I only have three airlines to choose from that have direct flights and there have been times I would have done a last minute trip to WDW when they release soemthing like fd but I couldn't get airfare to get out there. So I now know to book my airfare first and then hope it all falls into place. And for years it has because I could book a room only night or two, get my tickets and then start my package.

We have friends going in October. They now have two room only nights followed by a 7 night MYW with Free Dining package. They want to check into CBR on October 21st about noon, pick up their tickets and head to Magic Kingdom so they can have dinner at Crystal Palace and see the park. Then the next day they have an ADR at Prime Time. I'll add these are for a total of 9 people (7 of them adults), spread out over 3 rooms . They realize they will pay OOP for those two meals and have to add two days onto their park tickets. If you do the math on what those two meals will cost (CP in particular) you can see that it would benefit Disney quite a bit to let them pick up those tickets early.

If Disney won't, they have decided to eat at the resort food court the first night and then head over to Sea World the next day. That is a loss of revenue for Disney.

I guess I just don't see why when people are paying to stay at Disney with two reservations, Disney won't allow them to access the parks. My friends are paying rack rate for their room those first two nights and are ready and willing to pay out of pocket for all their meals until the package starts and they get their dining credits. They also understand they may have to switch rooms. What they don't understand is why Disney wouldn't let them pick up tickets for the parks early so that they can then proceed to spend money in those parks for food and souveneirs. They booked airfare for a nine night stay so they have more time to enjoy Disney but now Disney may make that impossible for them to do.

I also feel that given that the policy for years has been to let people pick up their park tickets early, no wonder people are upset.

I think its very standard for many people to book airfare early on.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's what makes me wonder...it seems like a lot of stuff is coming out to discourage it, but no one seems to want to come out and say "It can't be done". I wonder if that's what it is, Disney wants to discourage people from doing it, but in the end will still allow it.

But I do agree, if they HAVE allowed it, and they WON'T in the future, they should just come out and say it...that's what they did with the recent ticket change on the adding days to a ticket in the 14-day window.

Room only discounts won't make enough of a difference when you have 3 adults in a room - we really need the free dining.

SkierPete

I hope that's just the case. But I'm sure you know once uncertainty has been introduced, it's worthless to do at ALL. Who's going to arrive a night early and go to the trouble of going to DTD or one of the parks on the off chance they MIGHT get their tickets early?

My thought is that they are laying the groundwork to start firmly saying no. They need some runout time to allow the people who were told they could do this......... to do it. With the change in adding days, the runout was not as much an issue. With fair warning, they could still accomplish what they want and just add the days before the last day was used.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...I guess what I am saying is - you have been told not to count on getting your tickets early. If you risk it and it doesn't work, I am not sure you have a legitimate reason to be upset. You have the option now to change the way your package is booked or change your flights so that you don't start off your vacation with this fight on your hands...

When I booked my vacation and my 3 days on the front end of the package, this was allowed. I will find out in about one week if it is no longer allowed. Per my wife, if WDW screws us, we will cancel both the package and the 3 night stay on the front end of the package. WDW can keep the $200 deposit and the one night hotel cost. We will gladly take our business to Universal Studios.

Frankly, this is the type of last minute policy change that might turn my wife against Disney forever. We have gone to WDW every year for may years. Our continued patronage is at stake here.

 

[basketlacey]

But that's the thing...I was told it would be no problem at all picking my tickets up early. I DID buy my tickets in anticipation of free dining, but also anticipating that it would start a few days after my trip, but having been told it wouldn't be a problem. Then I booked the free dining on the first day and still was told "no problem" by a CM. NOW that I've done all that, I'm hearing these things that you CAN'T do it anymore (maybe). IF I was told right from the beginning I couldn't do it, than I got no issue with that, but being told all along it was not an issue until AFTER everything was bought and paid for...that's not MY fault, is it?

And I admit, NOW that I am being told I can't do it, maybe I have less reason to be upset at the gate. But that's only because I have been on the boards, what about all the people that were told it's OK and DON'T hang out on this (or other) message boards? They're in for a real rude awakening.

But that's why I suspect they WILL in the end still allow it. They'll tell people that for this time they'll make an exception but not to do it again. This way, they can eliminate an "unwritten rule" without angering customers.

However, I now have to come up with a "Plan B" (actually, I think I'm on "Plan D") in case I can't get the tickets.

I completely get why you are upset about the change. I just think since you are "lucky" (if you choose to look at it that way) to know that it is possible this plan could crash and burn so you can do your Plan D and not let it spoil your trip.

My gut says that someone who isn't on these message boards (or some message board) would have never known to do a split stay in the first place. From the posts I have seen from TA, they were told not to do it so if the TA booked if for someone, I would be pissed if my TA didn't warn me what might happen.

Many of us buy our airfare first because if we wait for Disney to release their promos, there won't be any decent fares or any flights left. I come from Denver and if I book early I might be able to snag four tickets on Southwest for around $1500. That's buying them the day they release those fares. Fd that was just released is for dates coming up in just three months for some people. I only have three airlines to choose from that have direct flights and there have been times I would have done a last minute trip to WDW when they release soemthing like fd but I couldn't get airfare to get out there. So I now know to book my airfare first and then hope it all falls into place. And for years it has because I could book a room only night or two, get my tickets and then start my package.

We have friends going in October. They now have two room only nights followed by a 7 night MYW with Free Dining package. They want to check into CBR on October 21st about noon, pick up their tickets and head to Magic Kingdom so they can have dinner at Crystal Palace and see the park. Then the next day they have an ADR at Prime Time. I'll add these are for a total of 9 people (7 of them adults), spread out over 3 rooms . They realize they will pay OOP for those two meals and have to add two days onto their park tickets. If you do the math on what those two meals will cost (CP in particular) you can see that it would benefit Disney quite a bit to let them pick up those tickets early.

If Disney won't, they have decided to eat at the resort food court the first night and then head over to Sea World the next day. That is a loss of revenue for Disney.

I guess I just don't see why when people are paying to stay at Disney with two reservations, Disney won't allow them to access the parks. My friends are paying rack rate for their room those first two nights and are ready and willing to pay out of pocket for all their meals until the package starts and they get their dining credits. They also understand they may have to switch rooms. What they don't understand is why Disney wouldn't let them pick up tickets for the parks early so that they can then proceed to spend money in those parks for food and souveneirs. They booked airfare for a nine night stay so they have more time to enjoy Disney but now Disney may make that impossible for them to do.

I also feel that given that the policy for years has been to let people pick up their park tickets early, no wonder people are upset.

I think its very standard for many people to book airfare early on.

I certainly understand why airfare is booked early. I just think when you book airfare without the discounted package, you recognize that you are taking a risk that your travel dates might not match up to the discounts.

I am not sure that Disney thinks that overall they will lose money here. For me, Disney is getting more money because the FD dates don't match when I want to take my vacation. Even with a PIN, I am paying $650 more than I would pay with a FD package as I have 4 Disney adults and 1 child in my family. FD is a GREAT deal for us. But I don't want to wait to check in on 11/13 (haven't bought airline tickets yet but don't want to wait an extra day) so I am not changing my package. My guess is Disney wants people to either pay the higher rate (rack rate in some instances) or move their vacation to start on the other date. Not sure - just my 2 cents.

When I booked my vacation and my 3 days on the front end of the package, this was allowed. I will find out in about one week if it is no longer allowed. Per my wife, if WDW screws us, we will cancel both the package and the 3 night stay on the front end of the package. WDW can keep the $200 deposit and the one night hotel cost. We will gladly take our business to Universal Studios.

Frankly, this is the type of last minute policy change that might turn my wife against Disney forever. We have gone to WDW every year for may years. Our continued patronage is at stake here.

My understanding based on what I have seen - I believe it was posted by rachaelt is that it has never been policy to give out the tickets early but it had usually happened without pushback.

Regardless, for me personally, if I felt the way you and your wife do, I wouldn't go. I would plan a vacation somewhere else that isn't so stressful.

 

[FigmentChick]

In the risk of getting flamed, I'm going to add my thoughts here.

I am one of the people from the other thread. I have called Guest Relations three times. I have spoken to Cheryl twice and Julian once. Both said the same thing: there is absolutely no problem with picking your tickets up early. They also both said Disney has no plans to discontinue this in the future as it is a perk to guests who are staying at Disney resorts.

Cheryl provided even more details regarding early pick-up. The reservations are "downloaded" ten days before you arrive (hence, the 10 day window for online check in). You can pick up for tickets anytime during that time period. However, they do suggest that you don't pick them up more than 7 days before the start of your package. Her words, not mine.

They were both so hopeful and friendly. You have to remember, the CMs at the reservation system do not know about this practice. They are going to tell you it cannot be done. I have personally found that the CMs at the resorts also do not know about this practice; as I called POR myself and they had to end up transferring me to Guest Relations.

***Please note the bold, italicized Guest Relations....separate from the reservations CMs.

 

[javamommy]

In the risk of getting flamed, I'm going to add my thoughts here.

I am one of the people from the other thread. I have called Guest Relations three times. I have spoken to Cheryl twice and Julian once. Both said the same thing: there is absolutely no problem with picking your tickets up early. They also both said Disney has no plans to discontinue this in the future as it is a perk to guests who are staying at Disney resorts.

Cheryl provided even more details regarding early pick-up. The reservations are "downloaded" ten days before you arrive (hence, the 10 day window for online check in). You can pick up for tickets anytime during that time period. However, they do suggest that you don't pick them up more than 7 days before the start of your package. Her words, not mine.

They were both so hopeful and friendly. You have to remember, the CMs at the reservation system do not know about this practice. They are going to tell you it cannot be done. I have personally found that the CMs at the resorts also do not know about this practice; as I called POR myself and they had to end up transferring me to Guest Relations.

***Please note the bold, italicized Guest Relations....separate from the reservations CMs.

I heard the same thing from Tarl is Guest Relations, twice. He said you can pick up your tickets up to 7 days early with no problems. One thing I have a problem with is I feel like I am being penalized for staying at Disney longer! I arrive November 24 and leave December 3. Why shouldn't I get free disney dining during part of my stay? That just doesn't seem fair. So that's why I did a nine day hopper and hope to pick them up 3 days early so I can also benefit from this promotion. I have also emailed twice about picking them up early and hope to get a response any day now. I'll be sure to post it but I have a feeling they will say I can not

 

[Bettie]

This is what I don't understand. If you can't pick up your tickets early, why would they even allow you to purchase a park ticket for more days than you are staying on your package? If you buy a park ticket for more days than your package length, you are obviously going to have extra days that need to be used either before or after your hotel package days. If you are staying for five nights on your package, and they let you buy an 8-day park ticket, what do they care whether you use it on the front end or the back end? It just makes no sense to me from Disney's perspective.

 

[Downey Family]

Disney could solve this whole thing by allowing package reservations to contain both free dining and non free dining days so people don't have to do a split stay just to take advantage of free dining.

It seems strange to allow people to exploit the system by checking in on the last day of free dining, yet if someone checks in one or two days early they can't get their tickets to go to the park.

If this is the way Disney wants to treat their customers, this year may be our last.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

A Disser posted here ( http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2752186 ) that they were able to pick up their park tickets early today.