Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I agree that if you buy the pass, it is not activated until you activate it. Just did that in August. BUT since this is something completely new I don't think we can be sure of anything. TiW with the 13 month deal is activated the minute you buy it. Think about how many would buy them in this window and then maybe hold them unactivated ............ I'm thinking there has to be more fine print.

If I recall the last time I did an AP expire with purpose, it had to be 30 days expired before I could get a new one without it being attached to my last expire date. At least that was how it was explained so I waited the 30 days so I could time future trips better.

Thinking we have to sit and watch and see what happens with the first couple of weeks of this happening. I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig.

EDIT: The Disney Parks blog actually referred to them as "new" passes. ???

They can obviously change anything at any time, but they have ALWAYS had APs activate upon first USE DATE, not purchase date. Especially with needing a pass to book FP+ (can be purchased and not yet activated pass), I'd be REALLY surprised if they changed that aspect.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Jedi Training's going to wait til another trip, folks. The Rumors Lounge button made it to the MK 45th anniversary this morning!

Yay Yay Yay! So exciting! I was secretly hoping you would choose the MK 45th! Hope it's a fun crazy magical mob scene - can't wait to hear about it. And so cool you have a pin, by the way!

 

[Boomerdog]

Heard a "rumor" that soft openings to the public would start at the end of October, so that timing certainly makes sense. Though, as pointed out, when has any of this made sense?!

For our trip, this would be amazing and perfect timing. Hoping to get notice soon on run days and AK night hours in November. Right now, our AK day is 11/17 but I've formulated the option to switch it to 11/20 without throwing us off too much. Hope to hear soon to square away ADRs and FPs. Definitely prefer 11/17 since 11/20 will be far more crowded.

 

[HopperFan]

They can obviously change anything at any time, but they have ALWAYS had APs activate upon first USE DATE, not purchase date. Especially with needing a pass to book FP+ (can be purchased and not yet activated pass), I'd be REALLY surprised if they changed that aspect.

I hear you but as we have learned we can't bank on anything these days. So much has changed, this minor issue could easily be changed.

It's obvious it is to generate income this coming fiscal year. And unless I missed it AP vouchers do not expire. I get that they are getting and holding that income until you activate but folks could buy these for years from now and not only avoid price increases but also get the extra month. I think we have to be vigilant about fine print these days because nothing is done that isn't in Disney's best interest (as it should be).

 

[Iowamomof4]

AP holders can only book fastpasses 30 days ahead, even if they're staying on site, right?

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I hear you but as we have learned we can't bank on anything these days. So much has changed, this minor issue could easily be changed.

It's obvious it is to generate income this coming fiscal year. And unless I missed it AP vouchers do not expire. I get that they are getting and holding that income until you activate but folks could buy these for years from now and not only avoid price increases but also get the extra month. I think we have to be vigilant about fine print these days because nothing is done that isn't in Disney's best interest (as it should be).

I don't think it's a "minor issue" at all when you need a pass (active or not) to book FP+. That throws a big wrench in the mix wrt planning for people.

I've had multiple "promotional" APs over the years... extra DVC discount available for a limited time, etc. and they have always required only a PURCHASE within a particular window, and could be ACTIVATED at ANY time -- including well outside of the promotion window.

I think it would be a first -- and very poorly received first -- if they required USE to be within a promotional window.

Doesn't mean it CAN'T happen, I just don't think it is at all likely.

And every company looks after what is in its best interests -- every company makes extensive use of fine print -- I don't think Disney is or should be any different. "Buyer beware" isn't suspended by the magic of Disney.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

AP holders can only book fastpasses 30 days ahead, even if they're staying on site, right?

Nope. 60 days if staying onsite -- it's what we do every time

 

[Iowamomof4]

Nope. 60 days if staying onsite -- it's what we do every time

Thanks!

 

[HopperFan]

I don't think it's a "minor issue" at all when you need a pass (active or not) to book FP+. That throws a big wrench in the mix wrt planning for people.

I've had multiple "promotional" APs over the years... extra DVC discount available for a limited time, etc. and they have always required only a PURCHASE within a particular window, and could be ACTIVATED at ANY time -- including well outside of the promotion window.

I think it would be a first -- and very poorly received first -- if they required USE to be within a promotional window.

Doesn't mean it CAN'T happen, I just don't think it is at all likely.

And every company looks after what is in its best interests -- every company makes extensive use of fine print -- I don't think Disney is or should be any different. "Buyer beware" isn't suspended by the magic of Disney.

I guess I wasn't clear in presenting my thought process. Now that we have a ticket that does expire for exchange, and becomes dollar value only, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the future. Now they are offering a ticket with a good discount, it would be a perfect one to also attach, such as activate by December 31, 2017.

I don't believe we can bank on anything that happened in the past or anything that may happen in future until operational and in play.

I Love Disney, I trust nothing.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I guess I wasn't clear in presenting my thought process. Now that we have a ticket that does expire for exchange, and becomes dollar value only, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the future. Now they are offering a ticket with a good discount, it would be a perfect one to also attach, such as activate by December 31, 2017.

I don't believe we can bank on anything that happened in the past or anything that may happen in future until operational and in play.

I Love Disney, I trust nothing.

I still think this type of change is quite unlikely, but I'll definitely wait until I see all fine print -- but I do this with everything.

I can definitely identify with "I love Disney, I trust nothing" -- has ALWAYS been true for me!

ETA: I should add that I think it would TOTALLY REASONABLE for Disney or any company to say it must be ACTIVATED by date X. Coupons and other offers from most companies do exactly this. It would just be a big departure for Disney APs.

I could see them moving in this direction, though. Perhaps not for a promo offer as a first time -- why attract negative publicity at all for what is supposed to be a positive marketing/PR boost?

But who knows, as I always say.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Just FYI it looks like they're giving the same 10% off dining and 20% off merchandise to DVC members in addition to AP holders.

I won't complain, but one of my pieces of feedback on EVERY survey they send is how many of these benefits overlap!

But my #1 complaint on every survey about the AP was that they should bump the merch discount back up to 20%... so, YAY!

 

[LinaNate]

Right now I was searching for dining and saw a 6:55p tusker house reservation on a night AK closes at 5pm (according to the disney app). Is this a hint at night park hours coming? Tusker house is inside AK right?

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Right now I was searching for dining and saw a 6:55p tusker house reservation on a night AK closes at 5pm (according to the disney app). Is this a hint at night park hours coming? Tusker house is inside AK right?

Edit: yes TH is in AK

 

[AnnaKat]

SO are The Nighttime events @ AK on hiatus until ROL debuts?!? FOR our November upcoming trip, AK closes @ 7. I scored K Safari for dusk, but NO Tree of Life Shows IF Park Hoirs aren.t extended beyond 7 pm?!?! And NO nighttime bands /dancers/acrobats like for the Awaken Summer?!?! We scored a 5:45 pm Y& Y ADR, but AK closes @ 7 pm.

 

[AnnaKat]

IF I purchase our 13-month APs before the promotional end date in January 2017, through DVC MS,
may I use Disney Gift Cards to pay for the APs, thereby saving 5%( buying our GCs with the Target Red card?!?!

 

[Cluelyss]

IF I purchase our 13-month APs before the promotional end date in January 2017, through DVC MS,
may I use Disney Gift Cards to pay for the APs, thereby saving 5%( buying our GCs with the Target Red card?!?!

Yes, but you'll need to combine them all onto one card, or deposit them into a DVA.

 

[AnnaKat]

I don't know. I think this is going to be a learning process for all; guests and CMs alike ....




I agree that if you buy the pass, it is not activated until you activate it. Just did that in August. BUT since this is something completely new I don't think we can be sure of anything. TiW with the 13 month deal is activated the minute you buy it. Think about how many would buy them in this window and then maybe hold them unactivated ............ I'm thinking there has to be more fine print.

If I recall the last time I did an AP expire with purpose, it had to be 30 days expired before I could get a new one without it being attached to my last expire date. At least that was how it was explained so I waited the 30 days so I could time future trips better.

Thinking we have to sit and watch and see what happens with the first couple of weeks of this happening. I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig.

EDIT: The Disney Parks blog actually referred to them as "new" passes. ???

For our trip, this would be amazing and perfect timing. Hoping to get notice soon on run days and AK night hours in November. Right now, our AK day is 11/17 but I've formulated the option to switch it to 11/20 without throwing us off too much. Hope to hear soon to square away ADRs and FPs. Definitely prefer 11/17 since 11/20 will be far more crowded.

Agreed!! We have like 5 AK Days scheduled for mid & late November, coming up real soon I have K Safari FP+s for @ Dusk; Y & Y ADR for @ 5:45 p.m. I have Ak selected for on my Birthday, and ROL would be a great way to end our evening!
Let's keep our fingers crossed

 

[Cluelyss]

Confirmation of the 20% discount for AP holders.

Do we all think the 13 month time period counts for renewals as well??

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...sort-with-new-special-offers-for-passholders/

Just checked my renewal online, and it will be good for 13 months. Decisions, decisions.....

 

[jlundeen]

Just checked my renewal online, and it will be good for 13 months. Decisions, decisions.....

My AP expires 10/16/16, and if I renew within the 30 day window, it would be good until 11/16/17. But then, would the renewal date after that be Nov or go back to Oct? I'm assuming Nov maybe inaccurately....But if I wait until our trip in Nov trip to upgrade and bridge our PH, then the expiration would be Dec, with a Dec renewal (again I'm assuming), which might be a better time frame for us.

UGH....decisions decisions decisions!

 

[Cluelyss]

My AP expires 10/16/16, and if I renew within the 30 day window, it would be good until 11/16/17. But then, would the renewal date after that be Nov or go back to Oct? I'm assuming Nov maybe inaccurately....But if I wait until our trip in Nov trip to upgrade and bridge our PH, then the expiration would be Dec, with a Dec renewal (again I'm assuming), which might be a better time frame for us.

UGH....decisions decisions decisions!

I would also assume Nov would be your new renewal date - otherwise your renewal next year would only be for 11 months.