Shopping pass still available?

Karel

<font color=deeppink>There's a little poem about s
Joined
Jul 6, 2000
Messages
2,321
Does anyone know if they still allow you to buy a ticket, shop an hour and get your money back? I would love to shop in World Showcase but we're not buying tickets this time. It would be fun to go through all the little shops.

Also, do they still open the back gate at EPCOT when it's time for Illuminations? I had heard several years ago about this and was never really sure if they did it or not.

Thanks.
 
I'm sure they no longer open the back gate in Epcot; and I'm almost 95% sure they no longer do the shopping pass.
 
Ok, thanks Mary Anne. I know there's places right outside of Epcot to see at least parts of Illuminations.

Too bad about the shopping pass. I can go without the rides but I really enjoy walking around the Lagoon.
 
Illuminations Free Access:
1) I have never known Epcot to simply open their doors.
2) The spectacular is meant to bring paying customers into Epcot.
3) To let people in for free for fireworks would be self-defeating
4) Consider this one of those baseless rumors.
5) You can, however buy an Illumination Cruise without admission.
6) The price is about $125, but no Epcot admission needed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One-Hour Shopping in Parks Without Admission:
1) This is NOT a pass to do general shopping.
2) This is NOT a way to get your party in for one extra of rides.
3) It was meant as a way to shop for specific items.
4) Mostly often this is used for forgotten or missed purchases.
5) We have done this several times in years passed.
6) We actually did this last year on our departure day
. . . wanted a few extra pieces for our tea-service
. . . tea-service was bought originally from Epcot-England
. . . during our vacation, saw the same tea-set
. . . at last minute, decided to add to the tea-service
. . . sent one person from our party to make the purchase
. . . went to Guest Services
. . . said exactly what we wanted, and in what shop
. . . paid a one-day full-price admission refundable deposit
. . . entered park and walked to Epcot-England
. . . bought what we wanted
. . . returned in about 45-minutes
. . . showed receipts
. . . got deposit back


NOTE: There is not a set 1-hour time limit. Time is pretty much based upon the individual CM, crowd levels, and location of the desired shop. Sometimes they give you 45-minutes, sometimes 90-minutes. The CM will also ask EXACTLY what you want to buy. If you return late or without the items specified, your deposit is applied and you have just bought a full-priced one-day ticket.
 

Originally posted by TheRustyScupper
...The CM will also ask EXACTLY what you want to buy.

Some will, most won't. Many will tell you that you can't do what you are asking. It all depends on who you get at Guest Relations.

If you return late or without the items specified, your deposit is applied and you have just bought a full-priced one-day ticket.

Not quite. The part that you have the item(s) with you is not a requirement. You could have had it shipped, delivered to your resort , they could have been out of stock on the item or the item may not have met your needs. They will not charge you for the ticket solely because you come back empty handed.
 
^^ But you *would* have the receipts showing you purchased that exact item though regardless of how you choose to get it home


-em
 
Karel - my sil & bil used to tell us that years ago they used to be able to walk into EPCOT through the International Gateway just as the nighttime show was beginning. However, a couple of years ago they sadly reported that EPCOT no longer allows this.

As far as the shopping pass - I did that once to run in and pick up a specific item. I was given a very limited amount of time and told that my credit card would be charged if I did not return by then. To answer your question, I'm sure shopping passes are probably still available, but you really wouldn't have much time for leisurly shopping.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip! :)
 
Thanks for the info everyone.

I am pretty sure at one time that EPCOT opened the back gate at 9:00. Of course, by that time there were rows and rows of people standing so it wasn't like you could see much. (I don't expect a front row seat). There are some nice benches we watched from last time and I can't remember if they are inside the turnstile or outside.

As far as shopping, I definately have specific items I could shop for. My son's bonzai tree that he bought in Japan last time has since expired and I thought he might like another. And there's the woven baskets in Morocco that would make nice Christmas gifts.
 
Originally posted by Disneyland_emily
^^ But you *would* have the receipts showing you purchased that exact item though regardless of how you choose to get it home

Makes no difference. You wouldn't have receipts if you didn't buy the item, if they were out of stock on the item, if the item wasn't suitable for your needs, or (and this does happen more often than you think) if you are afraid that you won't make it back to Guest Relations in time to get your deposit back so you never make it to that particular store, stopping instead at some other store closer to the gates.

Having receipts for the purchase of said item or having the actual item in your possession is not a requirement for getting the shopping pass deposit refunded. Never was and still isn't. Everything else RustyScupper listed about the pass is correct.
 





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