Park Admission process could be easier

[bdrex28]

We ran across some really annoying issues as well trying to use our APs as onsite guests so I understand where you’re coming from.

Is it annoying when it's a well established rule that every single AP holder should know?

OP screwed up. The only thing annoying were the people behind him waiting for him and I'm sure the cast members found it annoying an AP who has been visiting for "years" didn't know these rules.

None of us like making park reservations, but it is what it is and that's the process. Until it changes that's what we'll need to do.

The problem, as Dave stated, is the OP makes it sound like they were "Denied" and they weren't. They were told "Hey, you didn't follow the rules or the process. Go do it and come back.".

OP isn't above everyone else, but based on both the Cruise story and the HS entrance story, it kind of sounds like OP believes they are. At least that's how the post came off. I don't know OP so I can't say. Only it sure comes across that way.

 

[lovethattink]

Having to make reservations is a pain. But this is what Disney has on their website about AP reservations.

From the website
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...k-reservations/#drawer-card-annualPassholders

Annual Passholders​

To enter a theme park, each Passholder must have valid admission—and may need a theme park reservation, depending on the date of visit. Theme park reservations are limited and subject to availability, and reservation requirements are subject to change. Applicable blockout dates apply.

• Passholders can hold the following number of theme park reservations at a time (varies by pass) on a rolling basis:
  • Disney Incredi-Pass: up to 5
  • Disney Sorcerer Pass: up to 5
  • Disney Pirate Pass: up to 4
  • Disney Pixie Dust Pass: up to 3
• Annual Passholders staying at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels are eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their Resort stay(s). This is in addition to holding their maximum number of theme park reservations at a time on a rolling basis.

Annual Passholders may visit the theme parks after 2:00 PM without a theme park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom park.

Good-to-Go Days

Good-to-go days are select days when Passholders may visit a Walt Disney World theme park without needing a theme park reservation (subject to pass blockout dates and capacity limitations).

Passholders can see good-to-go days displayed on the:

• Theme park reservation calendar
• Annual Passholder admissions calendar
• Home screen of the My Disney Experience app (if their pass is linked to their MyDisney account)

Good-to-go days will be added periodically. Good-to-go days may be released days or weeks in advance.

If a Passholder has an upcoming theme park reservation that becomes a good-to-go day, they will still be able to view their previous reservation in the My Plans section in My Disney Experience, but the reservation will be removed and no longer count against their maximum reservation hold.

Park Hopper Benefits
Annual Passholders are able to visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations).

To use the Park Hopper benefit, Annual Passholders must make a theme park reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. Or, they can enter a theme park without a reservation on a good-to-go day—or at other times when theme park reservations are not required (see details above).

Terms and Conditions

Annual Passes are subject to the Walt Disney World Resort Annual Pass Terms and Conditions. All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

I won't be as harsh as Dave, but he's right in that as an AP holder you "should" know you need to check for a park reservation and lock it in. there are very few exceptions. Unless , as stated, you are entering after 2pm or it's a "good to go day" which is rare.

You need not hold others up, rather than setting up the park reservation that all AP holders "should" know they need, you could have stepped out of line while you set it up then get back in line.

Easy, now no one else was inconvenienced. If you did stay in line while fixing something that should have been done prior to getting into line? Well, then that's just rude to others.

I would imagine your long post was:

A) more time consuming than setting up your park reservation prior to arrival
B) more time consuming than setting up your park reservation at the park entrance

For future reference; here's the Sorcerer's pass dates for reservations:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/calendar/disney-sorcerer-pass

the positive of it all? Now you know.

Thanks for not bring as harsh as Dave.

The point of my post, which I feel I did a poor job explaining, was that Disney could make the process easier.

They were never going to deny us entry. (notice I edited the title of the post)

My point is, they should just grant the reservation automatically. It should happen whenever someone purchases a LL pass.

Pretty much anytime we enter the park these days, they’re always seems to be one more groups of people having trouble getting into the park. I think it’s just one example of how Disney could eliminate those embarrassing moments.

Though I seem to be wrong about that. Since the responses seem to be more along the lines of how I should know how the system works. Which I do, I just thought it could be improved.

Sorry for ruffling any feathers. That was not my intention.

 

[Dug720]

It should happen whenever someone purchases a LL pass.

And unless they have the sofware set up cross-match dates that are available vs. those that aren't, you'll have APs making LLs for days they know they can't get a reservation just to get automatically added.

It's not that hard to take responsibility for yourself - if you know you're going to be going to a park, make the reservation. My BFF and her husband are joining me on Sunday at AK and when it was just a possibility they made a reservation because they knew they'd need one.

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

Is it annoying when it's a well established rule that every single AP holder should know?

OP screwed up. The only thing annoying were the people behind him waiting for him and I'm sure the cast members found it annoying an AP who has been visiting for "years" didn't know these rules.

None of us like making park reservations, but it is what it is and that's the process. Until it changes that's what we'll need to do.

The problem, as Dave stated, is the OP makes it sound like they were "Denied" and they weren't. They were told "Hey, you didn't follow the rules or the process. Go do it and come back.".

OP isn't above everyone else, but based on both the Cruise story and the HS entrance story, it kind of sounds like OP believes they are. At least that's how the post came off. I don't know OP so I can't say. Only it sure comes across that way.

Holy cow. This is a tough crowd.

Once again, sorry for my poorly worded suggestion.

How do I delete this post?

No reason for me to keep annoying people.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Were they technically right? Yes. However, they could have handled it much more nicely. Like you, I was an Annual Passholder who got the dreaded blue light when trying to enter the park. And like you, I hadn't made a park reservation. However, it was the first day of me having an AP in many years, at least pre-Covid. Also, it was after Hurricane Milton closed me out of WDW, so it was a re-planned trip. When they reminded me about park reservations, I admitted that I'd forgotten (have you ever forgotten anything?) However, this is where my experience was different from yours. The CM herself tapped a couple things on her iPad, told me to try again, and now my Magic Band and I entered the park. I'll admit that if she'd made me do it, although it would only take a minute or so, I wouldn't have been so happy and "thank you".
I understand your dissatisfaction.

 

[RedHead0186]

My point is, they should just grant the reservation automatically. It should happen whenever someone purchases a LL pass.

I don't think it should. You first have to 'reserve' your spot in the park, and then you can make dining reservations, purchase LL passes, etc.

I know when you make dining reservations that post a message that you have to have a park reservation for that (unless a reservation is not needed due to AP rules). Since I've never bought LL ahead of time I don't know if there's a similar message there.

I'm not trying to pile on, just trying to provide my perspective. Yes reservations are a bit of a pain, but I also see why the order of operations is there and I'm alright with it.

 

[wdwfan94]

I don't think it should. You first have to 'reserve' your spot in the park, and then you can make dining reservations, purchase LL passes, etc.

I know when you make dining reservations that post a message that you have to have a park reservation for that (unless a reservation is not needed due to AP rules). Since I've never bought LL ahead of time I don't know if there's a similar message there.

I'm not trying to pile on, just trying to provide my perspective. Yes reservations are a bit of a pain, but I also see why the order of operations is there and I'm alright with it.

You can buy LL as an AP holder without a park reservation but it won’t allow you to book any times before 2pm without one except for good to go days.

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

Having to make reservations is a pain. But this is what Disney has on their website about AP reservations.

From the website
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...k-reservations/#drawer-card-annualPassholders

Annual Passholders​

To enter a theme park, each Passholder must have valid admission—and may need a theme park reservation, depending on the date of visit. Theme park reservations are limited and subject to availability, and reservation requirements are subject to change. Applicable blockout dates apply.

• Passholders can hold the following number of theme park reservations at a time (varies by pass) on a rolling basis:
  • Disney Incredi-Pass: up to 5
  • Disney Sorcerer Pass: up to 5
  • Disney Pirate Pass: up to 4
  • Disney Pixie Dust Pass: up to 3
• Annual Passholders staying at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels are eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their Resort stay(s). This is in addition to holding their maximum number of theme park reservations at a time on a rolling basis.

Annual Passholders may visit the theme parks after 2:00 PM without a theme park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom park.

Good-to-Go Days

Good-to-go days are select days when Passholders may visit a Walt Disney World theme park without needing a theme park reservation (subject to pass blockout dates and capacity limitations).

Passholders can see good-to-go days displayed on the:

• Theme park reservation calendar
• Annual Passholder admissions calendar
• Home screen of the My Disney Experience app (if their pass is linked to their MyDisney account)

Good-to-go days will be added periodically. Good-to-go days may be released days or weeks in advance.

If a Passholder has an upcoming theme park reservation that becomes a good-to-go day, they will still be able to view their previous reservation in the My Plans section in My Disney Experience, but the reservation will be removed and no longer count against their maximum reservation hold.

Park Hopper Benefits
Annual Passholders are able to visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations).

To use the Park Hopper benefit, Annual Passholders must make a theme park reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. Or, they can enter a theme park without a reservation on a good-to-go day—or at other times when theme park reservations are not required (see details above).

Terms and Conditions

Annual Passes are subject to the Walt Disney World Resort Annual Pass Terms and Conditions. All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

I don't think it should. You first have to 'reserve' your spot in the park, and then you can make dining reservations, purchase LL passes, etc.

I know when you make dining reservations that post a message that you have to have a park reservation for that (unless a reservation is not needed due to AP rules). Since I've never bought LL ahead of time I don't know if there's a similar message there.

I'm not trying to pile on, just trying to provide my perspective. Yes reservations are a bit of a pain, but I also see why the order of operations is there and I'm alright with it.

Thanks for not piling it on. I’m still digging out from the first pile.

I was able to purchase lightning lane passes. But I didn’t have a park reservation. In fact, I don’t recall it asking me to make a reservation.

You really shouldn’t be buying lightning lane passes for a particular ride in a particular park on a particular day if you don’t also have a park reservation. But you can. Even though, you may not need the park reservation based on that particular day and time. At that moment, when you’re purchasing a lightning lane ticket, Disney knows if I need a park reservation. So why not help ensure I make it at that same time?

I understand that there’s a number of people here who feel this whole thing is my responsibility. And I also understand that I could always make a reservation every time I go no matter when I go.

I’m not suggesting they get rid of the reservation system. I just think they could make it a better experience.

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

Holy cow. This is a tough crowd.

Once again, sorry for my poorly worded suggestion.

How do I delete this post?

No reason for me to keep annoying people.

Oh no. I can’t delete a post.

I may have to change my name to Mr. PunchingBag.

Oh well. Could be worse.

 

[Dave006]

A Lighting Lane Premier Pass is a special case since you are able to enter after 2 PM, and have no issues except in the case of MK which I mentioned earlier in this tread which is a temporary situation. You tried to enter before 2 PM without a park reservation, issue was resolved by your corrective action, and no impact the MDE was needed.

Instead, my wife, my niece and myself were all denied entry.

This is still the start of a key paragraph from your opening post. Thanks for at least changing the Subject so is is "now" a thoughtful discussion about to better rewrite MDE for your Edge Case. It is not going to happen.

They were never going to deny us entry. (notice I edited the title of the post)

Then why state it as being denied entrance vs a delay with the admission process?

My point is, they should just grant the reservation automatically. It should happen whenever someone purchases a LL pass.

You have the rule logic backwards, what rules should be applied to make this happen in the normal workflow of the MDE application?

There are enough issues getting basic functions to work, and keep them working as new function is rolled out. Spend and hour or 30 on this complex issue vs just saying it should be automatic.

Dave