Park Reservations woes

[Mrs.AMC]

They would HAVE to be less crowded if people are constantly saying they want to go to xx park and there’s no availability. If all those people were able to, they would be more crowded than they are. Common sense

Except that’s not how the crowd control combined with the park reservation system works.

 

[Miffy]

OP: I'm glad you got the situation sorted, although it's an unnecessarily convoluted process. They should've just let you renew your AP.

But, well, I'm just chiming in to say that I hope all goes smoothly when you renew your AP and want to use the ticket you bought (or are going to buy) to pay for part of it because you might run into another ill-informed CM.

I had something a bit similar to this happen to me several years ago. I had a ticket that I converted to an AP (oh, those were the days!) and I realized when I got back to the room that they'd overcharged me. I consulted with Robo here, got all my facts and figures straight, and went to Guest Services at a different park . . . where I was told that the CMs are always correct, there wasn't a mistake and they owed me nothing. These statements were delivered to me in a very un-Disney-like tone.

But . . . they were wrong. After I got home, I called the ticketing number (I don't want to give it here in case it's changed--but check on the thread that's all about tickets, where they know the score) and indeed I was correct and they credited me the money. It wasn't even all that much--less than $50, iirc--but I was just pissed that I'd been overcharged and then insulted afterward. So I was determined to get my money back.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't happen to you, but be prepared with all the info you need before you call to have your 1-day ticket converted to help pay for your AP renewal.

And enjoy your trip! I was so relieved when I got to your post where you said the discount you wanted was still available.

 

[jo-jo]

I do Then again I only come every 6 months and always stay on property. So I can book 10 days straight months out. We never go around when our passes expire because they expire in January so never an issue there either. I like the capped park attendance.

I don't like the fact that you can't make last min changes Some parks are just better if it's a rainy day. But also the fact you have to tap into first park before hopping. If we decided on a rest day instead of going to MK, why can't we pop into Epcot for dinner without going to MK first?

OP, glad you got it sorted out.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

OP: I'm glad you got the situation sorted, although it's an unnecessarily convoluted process. They should've just let you renew your AP.

But, well, I'm just chiming in to say that I hope all goes smoothly when you renew your AP and want to use the ticket you bought (or are going to buy) to pay for part of it because you might run into another ill-informed CM.

I had something a bit similar to this happen to me several years ago. I had a ticket that I converted to an AP (oh, those were the days!) and I realized when I got back to the room that they'd overcharged me. I consulted with Robo here, got all my facts and figures straight, and went to Guest Services at a different park . . . where I was told that the CMs are always correct, there wasn't a mistake and they owed me nothing. These statements were delivered to me in a very un-Disney-like tone.

But . . . they were wrong. After I got home, I called the ticketing number (I don't want to give it here in case it's changed--but check on the thread that's all about tickets, where they know the score) and indeed I was correct and they credited me the money. It wasn't even all that much--less than $50, iirc--but I was just pissed that I'd been overcharged and then insulted afterward. So I was determined to get my money back.

Anyway, I hope this doesn't happen to you, but be prepared with all the info you need before you call to have your 1-day ticket converted to help pay for your AP renewal.

And enjoy your trip! I was so relieved when I got to your post where you said the discount you wanted was still available.

How long ago?
I will note this has gotten easier, run in to less issues, since they added the ability to upgrade your tickets to an AP yourself via MDE. Can’t do renewals yourself but since you can buy one initially using your ticket right on MDE more CM know how to do it. Still not error proof of course, nothing ever is. The advice to know what the price is to be is excellent so you can walk away if the CM tries to do something different. Try again somewhere else.

 

[Miffy]

How long ago?
I will note this has gotten easier, run in to less issues, since they added the ability to upgrade your tickets to an AP yourself via MDE. Can’t do renewals yourself but since you can buy one initially using your ticket right on MDE more CM know how to do it. Still not error proof of course, nothing ever is. The advice to know what the price is to be is excellent so you can walk away if the CM tries to do something different. Try again somewhere else.

This was maybe 8 or 9 years ago. Not recent. Still, it gave me pause about the expertise of people in Guest Servcies.

I've had other weird financial things happen at WDW. For just one example: My sister and I checked into AKL in person at the front desk. We wanted to have our MBs linked to separate credit cards. We went through a somewhat intricate process. All seemed fine. The first thing I charged to my MB went to my cc. So I stopped checking. At the end of the trip, all my other charges after the first one had gone to my sister's cc. Fortunately, it's my sister, so it was easy enough to fix.

 

[Goldilocks07]

I don't know anyone who loves the park reservation system.

I was thinking the same thing when reading the original post. Like, who DOES like it? An extra, annoying, for-no-purpose step in planning a vactinon.

 

[focusondisney]

I've never heard of an "AP Package" -- a package includes Room + Tickets, those with an AP do not need tickets. Everyone on a "package" reservation must have the same components, so it is impossible to book you a package with just a ticket for you. (There is a "basic package" but that is room-only, no tickets for anybody.)

Yea, there is an AP package. It was used For AP holders who wanted to but the dining plan. Normally you needed a package to get dining plan. AP holders didn’t need tickets, so they booked a “ticketless” package in order to get the dining plan. Even tho there is no dining plan, they still offer the AP/ ticketless package. I was even offered ticketless package when I called to book with the Disney Visa offer earlier this year.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm familiar with a "ticketless package" or "basic package" - just that I've just never heard of it referred to as an "AP package." And it still makes no sense for the OP's situation, not matter what you call it.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Yea, there is an AP package. It was used For AP holders who wanted to but the dining plan. Normally you needed a package to get dining plan. AP holders didn’t need tickets, so they booked a “ticketless” package in order to get the dining plan. Even tho there is no dining plan, they still offer the AP/ ticketless package. I was even offered ticketless package when I called to book with the Disney Visa offer earlier this year.

A package is for adding a second component like the dining plan. Why would you book a ticketless package when you don’t add a second component?
you can book the Disney visa offer without a package

 

[focusondisney]

A package is for adding a second component like the dining plan. Why would you book a ticketless package when you don’t add a second component?
you can book the Disney visa offer without a package

Yes, I know, I booked room only. lanejudy said she never heard of an AP package & that to have a package you need to have room & tickets. I was pointing out, you don’t need tickets to have a package.

The CM offered to book a package for me. I refused that & booked room only. According to that CM, “many people” prefer the package rules & $200 deposit. She also brought up the package extras… miniature golf & shopping discounts. I assume there are some people who would take a package for those things. So whether it makes sense to anyone here, you don’t need a second component to have a package.

 

[raider97]

OP, I believe that you should be able to book a room only for the week you want using your AP discount. You should be able to then purchase a regular ticket, and add it to your account, and use that to make park reservations. You can then upgrade to your AP 60 days before. I don't know why this wouldn't work.
I don't believe the info you got from the CM is correct. If you don't want to attempt doing this by yourself online, try calling back and speaking to someone else.

Can she by from undercovertourist and have the value applied?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Can she by from undercovertourist and have the value applied?

You can. If it’s worth it depends on how many days of tickets she wants. If it’s only 1 or 2 days then buying direct from Disney is just as good a deal typically.

 

[danceintherain]

They would HAVE to be less crowded if people are constantly saying they want to go to xx park and there’s no availability. If all those people were able to, they would be more crowded than they are. Common sense

That only makes sense if all there's one park that EVERYONE wants to go to. In theory, less people go to Magic Kingdom than would if there wasn't a limit.
At minimum, they could have a swap system set up.
I'd also be perfectly happy with fewer crowds at Animal Kingdom and Epcot, because people could go to their first choice park.

 

[FuzzyPeach]

Do you think wait times are less with park reservations? I think they are as bad, or worse, than they were prior to reservations. I don't think the "common sense" actually translates to a better experience in any way.

Right, because the park reservation system allows them to staff the park at the minimum levels for the amount of people if they choose. Massive benefit to Disney, not so much for guests.

I don’t know how anybody has visited pre shutdown and post shutdown once the crowds returned and it wasn’t capped at 25% or whatever it was, and thinks the parks are less crowded due to the system.