Question about picking up tickets early

[mirage0306]

I am reading/conflicting info all over the place and need some help! I know people going to WDW next month and I am trying to help them figure out how to plan everything out. They arrive in Orlando on Saturday, March 28, but are staying offsite because the husband has a work conference. They will check into AKL on 3/31, but would like to visit a park on the 28th. Originally I thought they should just book a room only and get the tickets separately so they wouldn't have issues getting in the park, but then I remembered the current promo gives you the fifth day free, and if they are paying for 4 day tickets already, I'd love for them to get that extra day.

So to recap, the question is: If a family has a package that starts 3/31 with 5 day tickets, can they enter a park on 3/28? And if so, how would they do it?

Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Guest Relations can activate their tickets so they can enter on the 28th.

 

[mirage0306]

Thanks--this is what I thought would happen too. How come when you call CRO, they say this can't be done? It's really confusing!

 

[hiroMYhero]

It's just how Disney manipulates everything to help in their planning and scheduling of CMs.

They post park hours on websites and calendars, yet DHS opens between 30-15 minutes early on a daily basis. You may want to let your friends know this.

 

[mirage0306]

Nice and confusing, lol. Thank you!

 

[Robo]

It's just how Disney manipulates everything to help in their planning and scheduling of CMs.

Giving out misinformation helps Disney in their planning and scheduling of CMs?

 

[mirage0306]

I'm not sure I understand how that works either...

I just really don't want them to get there on the 28th and have it so they somehow can't enter the parks yet.

 

[Robo]

I'm not sure I understand how that works either...

I just really don't want them to get there on the 28th and have it so they somehow can't enter the parks yet.

Guests with WDW Resort Package tickets can, for sure, get them activated (at any WDW Guest Relations outside the parks, at TTC, or at DTD) for use at the parks up to three days prior to the package check-in date.

And, yes, when asked on the phone, Disney representatives will tell you that it cannot be done.

So, in spite of the disconnect of info (because of whatever odd situation Disney has in place for their phone CMs,) your friends will be able to use their package tickets on the 28th.

 

[mirage0306]

Thank you!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Giving out misinformation helps Disney in their planning and scheduling of CMs?

Because if guests adhere to their Package dates because they don't know they can activate and enter parks early, it enables Disney to calculate park attendance and food service needs using their formulas and hard numbers off of Packaged guests.

It also generates more income by having guests buy additional tickets to enter parks before their Packages begin.

 

[Robo]

Because if guests adhere to their Package dates because they don't know they can activate and enter parks early, it enables Disney to calculate park attendance and food service needs using their formulas and hard numbers off of Packaged guests.

It also generates more income by having guests buy additional tickets to enter parks before their Packages begin.

It seems if that really mattered, they'd simply not allow the practice in the first place.
The way it stands now, they are just telling guests untruths.

 

[MrInfinity]

Does anyone have experience activating "+1 FUN" tickets early? We get DQ as a bonus on our tickets, but it cannot be used until our stay is activated (i.e. until we check in). Obviously Disney would prefer we book an extra night to use this, but I'd like to use it the day before we technically arrive. If it's possible, where is the best place to do this, close to DQ? Thank you!