Problem buying AP online - anyone ever experience this? (Non-US resident)

[Minkishly]

I'm attempting to buy 2 platinum passes for my fiance and I at the official site but I keep getting this error:

"Sorry, but we are unable to complete your purchase online at this time. Please call (407) W-DISNEY or (407) 934-7639 for assistance, or try again later."

I'm from Singapore, and my debit card is a local one with a Singapore billing address. I know for a fact that the problem isn't with my card though. I have more than sufficient funds for the purchase and I managed to purchase the Universal seasonal pass earlier today with no issues at all.

I've tried buying the APs multiple times now and keep getting the same error.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

ETA: I also managed to make a reservation at CRT with the same card and had no issues making the payment then.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'm attempting to buy 2 platinum passes for my fiance and I at the official site but I keep getting this error:

"Sorry, but we are unable to complete your purchase online at this time. Please call (407) W-DISNEY or (407) 934-7639 for assistance, or try again later."

I'm from Singapore, and my debit card is a local one with a Singapore billing address. I know for a fact that the problem isn't with my card though. I have more than sufficient funds for the purchase and I managed to purchase the Universal seasonal pass earlier today with no issues at all.

I've tried buying the APs multiple times now and keep getting the same error.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

ETA: I also managed to make a reservation at CRT with the same card and had no issues making the payment then.

Perhaps your bank issued a fraud alert because you used it earlier twice today for Universal and Disney. I've had a fraud alert on my Disney Visa when I attempted to book more than one hotel reservation through Trivago - I didn't know my reservations were being processed in another Country.

 

[Minkishly]

Perhaps your bank issued a fraud alert because you used it earlier twice today for Universal and Disney. I've had a fraud alert on my Disney Visa when I attempted to book more than one hotel reservation through Trivago - I didn't know my reservations were being processed in another Country.

Hmm, good point. Although I got the same error on my first attempt (before I had bought my Universal tickets). My CRT reservation was made last week too. But perhaps my bank got iffy because of the large sum. I'll give them a call just in case. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[Jen_G]

I'm attempting to buy 2 platinum passes for my fiance and I at the official site but I keep getting this error:

"Sorry, but we are unable to complete your purchase online at this time. Please call (407) W-DISNEY or (407) 934-7639 for assistance, or try again later."

I'm from Singapore, and my debit card is a local one with a Singapore billing address. I know for a fact that the problem isn't with my card though. I have more than sufficient funds for the purchase and I managed to purchase the Universal seasonal pass earlier today with no issues at all.

I've tried buying the APs multiple times now and keep getting the same error.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

ETA: I also managed to make a reservation at CRT with the same card and had no issues making the payment then.

I had the same error when I tried to buy my AP online a few weeks ago. I ended up calling them and buying it over the phone. US customer, US Visa card - same card I used when I booked my last trip, in fact. I figured there was an issue with their website and didn't think anything more of it until now.

 

[Minkishly]

I had the same error when I tried to buy my AP online a few weeks ago. I ended up calling them and buying it over the phone. US customer, US Visa card - same card I used when I booked my last trip, in fact. I figured there was an issue with their website and didn't think anything more of it until now.

Oh! Darn, if the problem's on Disney's end, then I probably wouldn't be able to order the AP online. I've never tried paying for any overseas purchase over the phone before, so I'm a bit worried about having to get the pass over the phone. I did send Disney an email via their contact form though. Not sure if I'd get a response that way. If push comes to shove, I'll do an overseas call and hope that it doesn't rack up too big a bill.

 

[Accident]

Time to time I've had issues with all my cards and purchasing tickets or even making ADRs. Then suddenly it started to work again... Same cards I always use including one that was in the disney account and used for room charges multiple times. No clue what caused it or why it suddenly stopped and later just started to work again. Try using a different web browser, the disney sites can be picky sometimes. Usually the error is when adding the card and not when actually processing the card when I experienced it.

Last resort, you may be able to just purchase exactly the same price gift cards and then use the gift cards to pay. I believe disney sells them online at their giftcard site. the catch 22 on the gift card is for any reason you need to get it refunded, they have to put them on the gift card you purchased with (US LAW) which is pretty much useless except for buying things from disney so you may not want to go that route.

Also double check your bank didn't put it on a security hold.

 

[wsssup]

We are from Australia and recently purchased 3 platinum annual passes no problems using Australian credit cards.

We rang disney. Spending that much money i would rather speak to someone. They were awesome over the phone and explained everything.
Annual pass coupons were sent in the mail within a week.

I would call, they are great over the phone from our experience.

 

[Minkishly]

Time to time I've had issues with all my cards and purchasing tickets or even making ADRs. Then suddenly it started to work again... Same cards I always use including one that was in the disney account and used for room charges multiple times. No clue what caused it or why it suddenly stopped and later just started to work again. Try using a different web browser, the disney sites can be picky sometimes. Usually the error is when adding the card and not when actually processing the card when I experienced it.

Last resort, you may be able to just purchase exactly the same price gift cards and then use the gift cards to pay. I believe disney sells them online at their giftcard site. the catch 22 on the gift card is for any reason you need to get it refunded, they have to put them on the gift card you purchased with (US LAW) which is pretty much useless except for buying things from disney so you may not want to go that route.

Also double check your bank didn't put it on a security hold.

I've actually had luck with everything on this card so far (ADRs and the pre-paid CRT ADR); this is the first time I'm having issues. I've tried using a different browser but got the same error message. I'm going to call my bank to double check that they haven't placed my card on a security hold. I've actually read some threads on Trip Advisor and it seems that some people have encountered similar issues. From what I read, purchasing the AP online seems to be the problematic thing, so I'll probably try calling Disney. I just need to get the time difference right, I believe Singapore (GMT+8) is 12 hours ahead.

The gift cards idea sounds creative, but when I checked it out, the maximum amount per card is $500. I'm not sure if I'd be able to use multiple cards to pay? In any case, I'd probably save this as a last resort and try making some calls first. Thanks so much for your advice!

We are from Australia and recently purchased 3 platinum annual passes no problems using Australian credit cards.

We rang disney. Spending that much money i would rather speak to someone. They were awesome over the phone and explained everything.
Annual pass coupons were sent in the mail within a week.

I would call, they are great over the phone from our experience.

It's great to know that you managed to purchase the APs successfully over the phone! Truthfully, I've never made such a big purchase over the phone before; I'm not used to giving out my credit details over the phone but that's probably just me being resistant to a new payment method. I'll probably drop Disney a call once I've double checked that everything's sorted out with my bank. Thanks!

 

[cutigerlady]

I got that exact same error when I tried to renew our annual passes. I called my bank to find out if there was an issue using my debit card. The bank told me that the transactions were not even coming to them, so the error had to be on Disney's end. I had them confirm that I could purchase the passes with my card. I ended up calling and using my card to pay over the phone. It's been that way since August, I guess they don't care that the website is broken.

 

[Minkishly]

So here's the official word from Disney:

@cutigerlady - I do believe you're right - it seems that Disney knows that there's a problem with purchasing their passes on their website, but they're not planning to do anything about it. (That's not very helpful at all, Disney! ) I'm really not sure why; I'd think that the purchasing tickets online is the most convenient (and common) option. But, oh well. Since these are my only options.. Between overseas phone charges and forfeiting our FP+ passes, I'd rather go with the former.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

 

[hiroMYhero]

So here's the official word from Disney:

@cutigerlady - I do believe you're right - it seems that Disney knows that there's a problem with purchasing their passes on their website, but they're not planning to do anything about it. (That's not very helpful at all, Disney! ) I'm really not sure why; I'd think that the purchasing tickets online is the most convenient (and common) option. But, oh well. Since these are my only options.. Between overseas phone charges and forfeiting our FP+ passes, I'd rather go with the former.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Purchase a multi-day ticket and not an AP to book your FPs. On your arrival day, upgrade your multi-day tickets to an AP.

 

[wsssup]

Youd still be better off just calling.
Theres plenty of calling cards you could purchase for next to nothing if your mobile plan doesnt include international minutes.


Or skype would cost hardly anything as well.
They are quick on the phone and at least when you arrive you can just hand your vouchers over to get your passes.

Good luck either way, have a great trip.

 

[Minkishly]

Purchase a multi-day ticket and not an AP to book your FPs. On your arrival day, upgrade your multi-day tickets to an AP.

Oh! I assumed that the problem was with the Disney site as a whole, so I didn't consider this as an option. I'll definitely keep this in mind, thanks!

Youd still be better off just calling.
Theres plenty of calling cards you could purchase for next to nothing if your mobile plan doesnt include international minutes.


Or skype would cost hardly anything as well.
They are quick on the phone and at least when you arrive you can just hand your vouchers over to get your passes.

Good luck either way, have a great trip.

I was initially really reluctant to call because my mobile plan currently charges $3.50 per minute - which puts a 10 minutes phone call at $35. Still, I guess I haven't exactly exhausted all options since before this, I never really had course to make international phone calls. Skype definitely sounds like the way to go, I just hope that there are no connection issues.

Thanks for the advice, and for the luck!

 

[bryanb]

Purchase a multi-day ticket and not an AP to book your FPs. On your arrival day, upgrade your multi-day tickets to an AP.

Oh! I assumed that the problem was with the Disney site as a whole, so I didn't consider this as an option. I'll definitely keep this in mind, thanks!

If you decide to take this option, you could also buy discount park tickets from a company like Parksavers. You'll get a discount on the ticket itself, plus when you go and upgrade your ticket at WDW, they'll give you full undiscounted value of the ticket toward your AP upgrade!

(For more information, search for "Parksavers" in this forum to find the best deal info.)

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you decide to take this option, you could also buy discount park tickets from a company like Parksavers. You'll get a discount on the ticket itself, plus when you go and upgrade your ticket at WDW, they'll give you full undiscounted value of the ticket toward your AP upgrade!

(For more information, search for "Parksavers" in this forum to find the best deal info.)

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't had time to return to list Parksavers or UT.

 

[Minkishly]

If you decide to take this option, you could also buy discount park tickets from a company like Parksavers. You'll get a discount on the ticket itself, plus when you go and upgrade your ticket at WDW, they'll give you full undiscounted value of the ticket toward your AP upgrade!

(For more information, search for "Parksavers" in this forum to find the best deal info.)

Thanks for posting this. I hadn't had time to return to list Parksavers or UT.

Ah! I read about this at the Bridging Parksavers to AP thread.

If I'm understanding this correctly, this is what happens (?):

1. I buy a 7 days MYW Pass (with Park Hopper) from Parksavers for $394.46.

2. Parksavers sends me the confirmation code via email which allows me to link my tickets via the My Disney Experience app; I'd also be able to book my FP+ tickets 30 days prior to my trip, but only for 7 days within a 14 days window from our first visit).

3. On my first day at the parks, I'd go to the any WDW box office to exchange the Parksavers ticket vouchers for the actual tickets.

4. Having obtained my 7 days tickets, I'd ask the CM to upgrade them to the Platinum Pass. The CM would calculate the top-up amount based on the official gate price of the 7 days MYW ticket instead of the discounted price:

Platinum Pass: $797.69 (inc tax)
7 days MYW (with Park Hopper): $467.54 (inc tax) -- [rather than the $394.46 that I paid to Parksavers]

Top Up Amount: $330.15 per ticket

5. I pay the balance, and we exchange our 7 day tickets for the Platinum Passes.

==========================

Is this right? It's definitely a do-able solution (with some nice savings!), but I'm just a little wary of any possible complications since this would be our first trip to WDW in 6 years.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[taiko225]

Ah! I read about this at the Bridging Parksavers to AP thread.

If I'm understanding this correctly, this is what happens (?):

1. I buy a 7 days MYW Pass (with Park Hopper) from Parksavers for $394.46.

2. Parksavers sends me the confirmation code via email which allows me to link my tickets via the My Disney Experience app; I'd also be able to book my FP+ tickets 30 days prior to my trip, but only for 7 days within a 14 days window from our first visit).

3. On my first day at the parks, I'd go to the any WDW box office to exchange the Parksavers ticket vouchers for the actual tickets.

4. Having obtained my 7 days tickets, I'd ask the CM to upgrade them to the Platinum Pass. The CM would calculate the top-up amount based on the official gate price of the 7 days MYW ticket instead of the discounted price:

Platinum Pass: $797.69 (inc tax)
7 days MYW (with Park Hopper): $467.54 (inc tax) -- [rather than the $394.46 that I paid to Parksavers]

Top Up Amount: $330.15 per ticket

5. I pay the balance, and we exchange our 7 day tickets for the Platinum Passes.

==========================

Is this right? It's definitely a do-able solution (with some nice savings!), but I'm just a little wary of any possible complications since this would be our first trip to WDW in 6 years.

Thanks so much for your help!

You don't need to go get the park saver ticket... It's linked into your MDE... Do you stay onsite? If so all you need to do is tap your magicband take a finger print scan n enter the park... You can go and upgrade your ticket anytime before you use up all 7 days on your tix. I just done that in Sep... And I am from HK. In fact you could do the same for Universal tickets... But too late now that you have bought Universal tickets already!!

In case you don't stay onsite. You just will have to go to guest relation (in front of the park) to obtain an RFID to serve as your ticket. But if this is the case you can upgrade to AP directly there. Also remember if you have AP.... you will have Photopass (or they call Memory maker - $149) for free for the whole year.... you and your friends and family no matter you are presents in WDW or not. Once you linked them on your MDE as friends, their photos will appear in your account and you will be able to download for them.

If stay onsite you will able to book FP 60 days out for the length of stay on your reservation linked to your MDE.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Yes; skip #3 of your plans and do #4 as soon as you arrive.

 

[Minkishly]

You don't need to go get the park saver ticket... It's linked into your MDE... Do you stay onsite? If so all you need to do is tap your magicband take a finger print scan n enter the park... You can go and upgrade your ticket anytime before you use up all 7 days on your tix. I just done that in Sep... And I am from HK. In fact you could do the same for Universal tickets... But too late now that you have bought Universal tickets already!!

In case you don't stay onsite. You just will have to go to guest relation (in front of the park) to obtain an RFID to serve as your ticket. But if this is the case you can upgrade to AP directly there. Also remember if you have AP.... you will have Photopass (or they call Memory maker - $149) for free for the whole year.... you and your friends and family no matter you are presents in WDW or not. Once you linked them on your MDE as friends, their photos will appear in your account and you will be able to download for them.

If stay onsite you will able to book FP 60 days out for the length of stay on your reservation linked to your MDE.

Thanks so much! It's nice to know that this worked for you so recently. We're staying off-site so we won't have the magic bands to begin with, but we'd probably get a couple just for the photo pass / FP+ convenience. Still, I think we'll just approach the CMs at guest relations to get our tickets upgraded first thing when we hit the parks.

Yes; skip #3 of your plans and do #4 as soon as you arrive.

Thanks so much for the clarification!

 

[taiko225]

Thanks so much! It's nice to know that this worked for you so recently. We're staying off-site so we won't have the magic bands to begin with, but we'd probably get a couple just for the photo pass / FP+ convenience. Still, I think we'll just approach the CMs at guest relations to get our tickets upgraded first thing when we hit the parks.

Don't waste money on the magicband if you don't stay onsite. We were given for free (from onsite stay). If you buy the most basic one is USD11.95 or something similar for one. Character ones starts from 19.95. But please bear in mind the battery inside only last a couple of years. And you will receive a free Magicband for your AP but you could only get it on your next visit. Or if you stay in Orlando long enough. say 2 weeks you might be able to get it before you leave.... I activated my AP and will order my customised Magicband 2-3 weeks before I travel to Orlando. So that I could pickup then. They will send to any hotel ... but make sure you request it at least 10-14 days before your arrival.

You can get a RFID card as your ticket (7days hopper or AP). Bring a lanyard and touch your card to the mickey head it works the same as magicband. People like magicband because they stay onsite and they have linked their credit card on their account. So they have the charging whatever they bought or order using their band (no need to take credit card out). But since you are off-site that function does not work for you anyway.