question about 7 days + 6 nights w/DP

[Lulululu]

We just booked the special offer with dining plan for December 16 -21 - the only date left in the moderate resorts. We also have a reservation for Dec 14 at AKL (with dinner res. at Boma) and plan to stay off site, but go to Epcot (with res at Tutti Italia) on the 15th.

Official info says ONLY that the tickets must be used within 14 days - they don't specify when it has to start. Even that info was well hidden. But I've read comments on several forums that suggest we won't have access to tickets or dining plans until the day we're scheduled to check into the resort, and that the DP ends at midnight the day we check out.

Please tell me that's not true. The package is for 7 days and 6 nights - surely people aren't expected to leave their packed up car, including valuables, in a hot parking lot while they attend that last park day? Surely they know that people not only want to, but sometimes need to spread days out a little more?

 

[siskaren]

You can get your tickets up to 3 days before you check in for your 16-21 reservation starts (check the ticket sticky in the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies board for information about how to do it.) But you can't use your dining credits until you check in on the 16th, and yes, they're only good until midnight on the 21st. But how is it a 7 day, 6 night reservation? Dec 16th - 21st is 6 days, 5 nights.

Also, on the day you check out, you can have Bell Services hold on to your luggage until you're ready to leave. In fact, if you're flying and using a participating airline, you can check in for your flight at the hotel and your luggage will be transported to the airport for you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you go to the locked sticky Everything About WDW Tickets in this Forum, especially Post #2 and #15-I, you can get a lot more information. An easy way to get to the sticky is by clicking on the link in my signature. The ticket sticky is your friend!

 

[Lulululu]

You can get your tickets up to 3 days before you check in for your 16-21 reservation starts (check the ticket sticky in the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies board for information about how to do it.) But you can't use your dining credits until you check in on the 16th, and yes, they're only good until midnight on the 21st. But how is it a 7 day, 6 night reservation? Dec 16th - 21st is 6 days, 5 nights.

Also, on the day you check out, you can have Bell Services hold on to your luggage until you're ready to leave. In fact, if you're flying and using a participating airline, you can check in for your flight at the hotel and your luggage will be transported to the airport for you.

Many thanks! Well, it's certainly a relief that we can use the park tickets in advance of sleeping there, at least. Our resort reservations are for the 16th - 21'st, (the 6 nights) so we'll be checking out on the am of the 22nd. Sorry if that wasn't clear. Presumably we can use dining plan all day on the 22nd? We plan to go to DTD for lunch before the 8 hour drive home. But, that puts us at Epcot - with all it's great restaurants and no dining plan for a day. We arranged which parks which day by their busy/quiet ratings, and length of hours.

I'm also puzzled why my dh read that DP is good for 14 days - he said it came up when he paid, along with a notice we'd get 2 passes for Quest and 2 for miniature golf ( there are 4 adults going, so that's a little weird in itself).There were some other perks that weren't in the sale come on. But try as we might, we have been unable to access that information again. Our confirmation email didn't cover any of this and the dining plan brochure is MUM about limitations other than the type of restaurants.

Can they even legally have these limitations and not have them clearly posted?

Disney rules nearly always make sense once you know all the facts, but this one stumps us both. Hopefully it will all work out

 

[siskaren]

Since the 22nd is your check-out day, yes, you can use your dining credits until midnight on the 22nd.

With regards to the 14 day thing, your DH must have misread. You have 14 days to use the tickets, but you can only use the dining credits during the time your reservation is in effect (the 16th through the 22nd).

Here's a link with all the information about the Magic Your Way packages from the Disney website:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2013/dining/

I couldn't open up the PDF file with the details about the dining plan, but this link does specifically say that the tickets are good for 14 days after first use (unless you purchase the no-expiration option), and that you only get 2 vouchers for both Disney Quest and miniature golf.

 

[purple figment]

Many thanks! Well, it's certainly a relief that we can use the park tickets in advance of sleeping there, at least. Our resort reservations are for the 16th - 21'st, (the 6 nights) so we'll be checking out on the am of the 22nd. Sorry if that wasn't clear. Presumably we can use dining plan all day on the 22nd? We plan to go to DTD for lunch before the 8 hour drive home. But, that puts us at Epcot - with all it's great restaurants and no dining plan for a day. We arranged which parks which day by their busy/quiet ratings, and length of hours.

Your dining plan credits will be given to you when you check in on the 16th. They are available to you from the moment you check in until 11:59 PM on your check out day. You decide how to use your credits so if you have any left on the 22nd, you will be able to use them on that day. If you want to use credits for Boma and Tutto, they will have to be rescheduled for the 16th - 22nd.

I'm also puzzled why my dh read that DP is good for 14 days - he said it came up when he paid, along with a notice we'd get 2 passes for Quest and 2 for miniature golf ( there are 4 adults going, so that's a little weird in itself).There were some other perks that weren't in the sale come on. But try as we might, we have been unable to access that information again. Our confirmation email didn't cover any of this and the dining plan brochure is MUM about limitations other than the type of restaurants.

The vouchers for Quest, mini golf, Planet Hollywood, etc are per package, not per person. It doesn't matter how many people are on the package, it will be the same whether there's just one person or six.

Can they even legally have these limitations and not have them clearly posted?

Disney rules nearly always make sense once you know all the facts, but this one stumps us both. Hopefully it will all work out

The details, limitations, rules, etc are pretty clearly written in the Mickey Mail booklet (package info) and the dining plan brochure.

The MM booklet does state, for example, that the dining plan is part of your package and lists your arrival (start of package) date. That would make it pretty clear that you can't use dining credits before the start of your package.

As far as park tickets, the ticketing department will allow 3 days in advance ticket pick up, but that's a courtesy and not official Disney policy so consider it a bit of pixie dust. Because it's a courtesy it's not widely publicized. CMs on the phone and often at the resorts will tell you the official policy of no early pick up.

 

[siskaren]

As far as park tickets, the ticketing department will allow 3 days in advance ticket pick up, but that's a courtesy and not official Disney policy so consider it a bit of pixie dust. Because it's a courtesy it's not widely publicized. CMs on the phone and often at the resorts will tell you the official policy of no early pick up.

According to Cheshire Figment (he wrote the ticket sticky and works in ticketing), allowing early pick up of tickets is official policy, but for some reason phone CMs are not allowed to say so and they can even be fired if they say it is.

 

[Lulululu]

You've all been extremely helpful - thanks so much. Cheshire Figment's stickies (and where to find it) were particularly useful - boy, have you done some work there! As for the Mickey Mail booklet, is this something that gets mailed? I've not run across it. The dining plan brochure does not cover when it goes into effect. DH and I have read every word at least twice.

Learning we will be able to get our tickets for the 15th was a huge relief. So, I spent the day making meal change decisions. One puzzle left:

The night at AKL is going to be a surprise for our kids and they'll have no idea until we check in. They're going to go crazy - especially giraffe obsessed DD, but, it's just one night, so we really don't want to take time to leave for dinner, and we also dont want to do African fare twice. I moved our reservation for Boma to another night (because I'm a cheapskate splurger) and am trying to decide what to do for dinner (and maybe breakfast) at AKL now. Maybe you have some ideas? I had the idea of having a picnic, if there's a good spot - especially one where we can view the savannah at the same time. Anyone know? I think we'd all like that more than a restaurant there.

You were correct, Siskaren, DD did misread the 14 day information. He said it only showed for a minute and his focus ws on getting the reservation confirmed, as there were none available at POR when we first looked, and then suddenly there was one ( and only one), that popped up after our 2nd and 3rd choices also disappeared.

Thanks again everyone - I so appreciate it!

 

[purple figment]

According to Cheshire Figment (he wrote the ticket sticky and works in ticketing), allowing early pick up of tickets is official policy, but for some reason phone CMs are not allowed to say so and they can even be fired if they say it is.

I know CF says it can be done, but I didn't realize he said it is official policy.

 

[siskaren]

The night at AKL is going to be a surprise for our kids and they'll have no idea until we check in. They're going to go crazy - especially giraffe obsessed DD, but, it's just one night, so we really don't want to take time to leave for dinner, and we also dont want to do African fare twice. I moved our reservation for Boma to another night (because I'm a cheapskate splurger) and am trying to decide what to do for dinner (and maybe breakfast) at AKL now. Maybe you have some ideas? I had the idea of having a picnic, if there's a good spot - especially one where we can view the savannah at the same time. Anyone know? I think we'd all like that more than a restaurant there.

Just eat at the Mara, the food court at AKL. There's some tables outside.

 

[purple figment]

As for the Mickey Mail booklet, is this something that gets mailed? I've not run across it. The dining plan brochure does not cover when it goes into effect. DH and I have read every word at least twice.

Yes, it will be mailed to you. It will include your package info, vouchers for DQ, mini golf, etc, souvie luggage tags, etc.

The night at AKL...we really don't want to take time to leave for dinner, and we also dont want to do African fare twice. I moved our reservation for Boma to another night (because I'm a cheapskate splurger) and am trying to decide what to do for dinner (and maybe breakfast) at AKL now. Maybe you have some ideas? I had the idea of having a picnic, if there's a good spot - especially one where we can view the savannah at the same time. Anyone know? I think we'd all like that more than a restaurant there.

Agree that Mara (the CS) at Jambo House would be the best choice. There isn't a view of the savanna from Mara, but there might be tables in the alcoves off the hallways where you could eat. I don't think there are any picnic tables outside by the savannas since Disney doesn't want any paper or food accidentally getting into the savannas.

After dark you can go to the overlook on the Uzima Savanna (past the pool and spa) where there will be CMs with night vision goggles.

The breakfast buffet at Boma is one of our must do's on every trip. Familiar foods and a selection of offerings with an African influence. And be sure to have Frunch juice. The chefs are great at explaining the various dishes.

[/QUOTE]

 

[PhineasPhans]

According to Cheshire Figment (he wrote the ticket sticky and works in ticketing), allowing early pick up of tickets is official policy, but for some reason phone CMs are not allowed to say so and they can even be fired if they say it is.

I wish I had read this sooner! I had made reservations for 2 nights at Pop before our MYW package began at BC, and was talking about that with a CM, when they informed me that our park tickets could not be picked up/used before our check-in at BC! I was so disappointed, ended up changing flights and cancelling hotel reservations and ADRs!

Does anyone know if we do pick up tickets early, will our FastPass+ selections, etc., still be integrated into our MagicBands?