So confused about linking tickets and FP+, staying offsite

[DumboDash2006]

I signed up for MDE several months ago and created dining reservations. A few weeks ago I ordered our tickets which arrived earlier this week. I *thought* I had to link them. But when I logged into MDE a bit ago it listed our names and our park ticket types. It seemed like they were already linked. I wasn't sure though so when I tried to type in one number, it said already linked to an account, call WDW etc. So does that mean they really are already linked?

If so, I'm still confused. I was never asked what dates I will be there, all that is in the system is our three dining reservations. We don't have one our first day. How does it know when my 30 day point is? And exactly what day is that, do I count the day we are first there as one of the 30 days? I'd like to know exactly what time and day I can do that, but am not sure?

I've read the FAQ's here and am still very very confused.

 

[AandJsMommy]

If you're staying offsite, it won't ask you when your 1st day is; it will just let you book FPs for anytime within the next 30 days. If you log into your account, you should see that you could theoretically book them now for anytime in the next month (even though they have nothing to confirm that you'll actually be there to use them).

 

[mountdew1]

Did you order them directly from WDW? Or did you use one of the 3rd party ticket resellers? WDW might automatically link them to your accounts, haven't bought them in this manner but I could see it working this way.

If the system lets you make the FP+ reservations, then, yes you have tickets linked. It will only let you make as many days worth as your tickets are good for.

As the PP said, the system doesn't care when you are visiting, only that you aren't making FP+ reservations outside the applicable booking window. Just like with ADRs, they don't care when you are traveling you can book them up to 180 days out from today, but onsite guests get the +10 benefit.

 

[DumboDash2006]

Ok, I get it now, thanks!

I did buy them directly from WDW. And once I understood how the 30 days thing worked I went in and played around and made some FP+ reservations for a date of few weeks out and then canceled them. So our tickets must be linked. And now I know how to make the reservations. Though I must say that canceling them was a bit difficult to navigate. I could easily change the rides and times but canceling them was not obvious. I was kind of freaking out thinking I was going to take times from someone who was actually going to be there that date. But eventually I figured it out.