Sorcerer pass wirh no blue card?

[vicarrieous]

Thank you all for the feedback and perspective. Just to be clear, Disney did refund the cost of the Sorcerer's Pass when my wife then purchased the Incredi-Pass. She also kept her Park Pass Reservations for the trip. I will stand by my feeling that Disney should have honored the purchase of the Sorcerer's Pass. Yes, I know the "Terms and Conditions" indicate that a valid Blue Card is required to validate the sale, but that feels like a failsafe measure that implicitly conveys the message "We might not have our overly-bureaucratic act together on the sales side, so if we screw up, we can catch it later." I think the onus of responsibility for regulating the sale of those passses is on the seller, not the consumer.

In the end, Disney made however many more hundreds of dollars on us, which is an amount of money that Disney could lose in its corporate couch cushions, but is a little more meaningful to us. And it cost Disney some of our good will.

Was her other option to take a refund and purchase her length needed of tickets and keep the remaining balance? Just asking simply for personal clarification

 

[Paul70]

Was her other option to take a refund and purchase her length needed of tickets and keep the remaining balance? Just asking simply for personal clarification

Procedurally, she was told she would need to purchase new ticket media, either a different annual pass or day tickets. Her Sorcerer's Pass was refunded in full.

 

[vicarrieous]

Procedurally, she was told she would need to purchase new ticket media, either a different annual pass or day tickets. Her Sorcerer's Pass was refunded in full.

Thanks for clarifying. I mistook your post that they did not refund the Sorcerer Pass, but were only allowing her to upgrade to Incredipass (pay extra) or buy tickets (pay extra). I appreciate you clearing that up.

 

[Sandisw]

Procedurally, she was told she would need to purchase new ticket media, either a different annual pass or day tickets. Her Sorcerer's Pass was refunded in full.

That is good to know that they did refund for selling it to her because it put her back where she would have been.

At least those who gambled the white card would work now know what to expect. Thanks for sharing the details!

 

[sethschroeder]

Interesting to know this loophole is finally shut.

I understand people are going to be upset (especially those who didnt know they were not eligible).

They likely are in a compliance bind and unable to activate the passes. They could have possibly offered a upgrade to the higher tier pass but run the risk of others being upset. The best outcome likely would be offering a discount on the upgrade like 50% off the price difference.

I just wonder if there is any ability for Disney to be proactive in this and find anyone with a voucher on their account that is not a blue card member. They should be able to then reach out prior to any trip and inform those individuals that only blue card owners are allowed to redeem the voucher and provide them with the options regarding refund or upgrade.

 

[Paul70]

Yes, that would be the considerate move. However—I hate to sound cynical—but I bet they prefer the situation my wife found herself in: at the park, friends waiting inside, eager to get the day started, and therefore more willing to pay for the Incredi-Pass rather than rethink any vacation planning relative to alternative park ticket costs.

 

[pianomanzano]

I just wonder if there is any ability for Disney to be proactive in this and find anyone with a voucher on their account that is not a blue card member. They should be able to then reach out prior to any trip and inform those individuals that only blue card owners are allowed to redeem the voucher and provide them with the options regarding refund or upgrade.

That's asking a lot from a company whose site can crash after uploading (incorrect) dues info.

 

[nuhusky123]

Perhaps an unpopular opinion but I do think anyone with a white card should be blocked from buying and or activating their sorcerer pass. I don’t feel bad for failed attempts to break rules that are clearly outlined. I don’t care if people were counting on the discounts and now pay more, you tried to cheat the system. If you get away with it shame on Disney, if you get caught then I count that as a win. I hope there are more wins than losses for Disney on this matter

i intentionally purchased 150 points direct just so I could get the blue card. I paid a premium for this benefit. I find it really unfair that I paid more than a resale owner and they get the same benefits I do. This cheapens the value I get and other blue card owners

i am of the mind that anyone with a white card regardless of when they purchased the pass should not be allowed to buy and or activate

i think Disney needs to make a clear distinction between white and blue card owners and enforce the rules strictly. I hope Disney adds more benefits for blue card holders creating a greater value gap between white cards

 

[pianomanzano]

Perhaps an unpopular opinion but I do think anyone with a white card should be blocked from buying and or activating their sorcerer pass. I don’t feel bad for failed attempts to break rules that are clearly outlined. I don’t care if people were counting on the discounts and now pay more, you tried to cheat the system. If you get away with it shame on Disney, if you get caught then I count that as a win. I hope there are more wins than losses for Disney on this matter

i intentionally purchased 150 points direct just so I could get the blue card. I paid a premium for this benefit. I find it really unfair that I paid more than a resale owner and they get the same benefits I do. This cheapens the value I get and other blue card owners

i am of the mind that anyone with a white card regardless of when they purchased the pass should not be allowed to buy and or activate

i think Disney needs to make a clear distinction between white and blue card owners and enforce the rules strictly. I hope Disney adds more benefits for blue card holders creating a greater value gap between white cards

Based on some of the posts on this thread, I think yours is a popular opinion. I was a white card member who bought and was able to activate sorcerers passes. I've since added on enough directly to be blue card not because I wanted access to perks but b/c we love RIV and wanted unrestricted points. If anything, the APs led to direct addonitis to stretch out its use! I think it's unfortunate that other blue card members disparaged others for taking advantage of this loophole, even calling them cheats or saying they committed "illegal" acts. Especially when a) one shouldn't be buying direct for perks, b) there are some who became blue card when point minimums for eligibility were 25 or 50 points compared to the 150 now, and c) purchases of APs by white card members doesn't directly affect anyone, except the perceived value of the blue card by its holders which according to point A shouldn't matter since one shouldn't buying for the perks to begin with.

Nothing is coming out of DVC's pockets for AP discounts, as compared to things like moonlight magic events, so this discount should really be open to all. As a blue card member, I wish more could've taken advantage of this loophole. There's also already some clear distinctions for blue card members like epcot lounge, ride previews, member cruises, unrestricted points, early access to events, and other perks. Don't think we'll be seeing other/additional benefits in a way that would cost DVC money.

IMO, there are more egregious loopholes like walking reservations that all members should take a stronger stance against since it creates all kinds of availability issues and has a greater affect on the primary thing/reason we paid for when we bought into DVC--staying at a DVC resort when we want to.

 

[nuhusky123]

Based on some of the posts on this thread, I think yours is a popular c) purchases of APs by white card members doesn't directly affect anyone, except the perceived value of the blue card by its holders which according to point A shouldn't matter since one shouldn't buying for the perks to begin with

I disagree with you here. I am a blue card holder and I cannot purchase an annual pass. if there were fewer annual passes sold then perhaps Disney would not have stopped sales

if white card holders were unable to buyer the sorcerer pass we may not be in this no sale situation. So here I sit, blue card holder and I can’t buy an annual pass

 

[pianomanzano]

I disagree with you here. I am a blue card holder and I cannot purchase an annual pass. if there were fewer annual passes sold then perhaps Disney would not have stopped sales

if white card holders were unable to buyer the sorcerer pass we may not be in this no sale situation. So here I sit, blue card holder and I can’t buy an annual pass

Sorry that Disney stopped selling APs before you were able to buy. That’s another case of Disney really screwing up, as CMs repeatedly told people to upgrade tickets or buy APs in person. Hopefully they’ll resume sales soon.

However it’s pretty farfetched to suggest that sales of sorcerers passes to white card members is the reason they stopped sales of almost all categories of APs. Preventing another DL key/reservation availability situation at WDW plus AP upgrades for park goers in Nov and Dec are more legitimate reasons. Just my $0.02.

 

[CarolynFH]

Nothing is coming out of DVC's pockets for AP discounts,

We don’t really know this. It’s possible that the Disney Vacation Development marketing budget pays some kind of subsidy to the Parks division to offset the discount, just as the DVD marketing budget pays to rent & staff the Epcot DVC lounge. DVC member dues don’t pay anything but that doesn’t mean DVD doesn’t pay.

 

[Paul70]

Perhaps an unpopular opinion but I do think anyone with a white card should be blocked from buying and or activating their sorcerer pass. I don’t feel bad for failed attempts to break rules that are clearly outlined. I don’t care if people were counting on the discounts and now pay more, you tried to cheat the system. If you get away with it shame on Disney, if you get caught then I count that as a win. I hope there are more wins than losses for Disney on this matter

i intentionally purchased 150 points direct just so I could get the blue card. I paid a premium for this benefit. I find it really unfair that I paid more than a resale owner and they get the same benefits I do. This cheapens the value I get and other blue card owners

i am of the mind that anyone with a white card regardless of when they purchased the pass should not be allowed to buy and or activate

i think Disney needs to make a clear distinction between white and blue card owners and enforce the rules strictly. I hope Disney adds more benefits for blue card holders creating a greater value gap between white cards

The one exception I’ll take to this, in my wife’s case, is the the characterization that she “tried to cheat.” In her situation, she was on the phone with a CM, offered the chance to buy the Sorcerer’s Pass, and she took it. Trust me: My wife does NOT pay attention to the Member Benefits details or the descriptions of the different AP’s. That’s why she calls and talks to a CM. When she got off the phone and told me what she had bought, I said that she isn’t supposed to be able to buy that pass. At that point, should she call Disney back, sit on hold for hours, and tell them they made a mistake? When I draw the Monopoly “Bank error in your favor,” I take the $50.

 

[DonMacGregor]

When I draw the Monopoly “Bank error in your favor,” I take the $50.

But if Chase or BofA make a $50 error in your favor, rest assured they'll be wanting it back. LOL

Check that, with Chase it's more like $.05.

 

[karen4546]

I suspect in much the same way. It's their fault, not the guests, that they sold these passes.

It is totally on the guest and not Disney. people were trying to cheat the system and some got away with it. Some got a better deal (free upgrade to Incredipass) and some will get the option to renew for more $ to incredipass. And some may be left with a refund and no pass.

I would bet that 99.99% of the people with white cards who bought the Sorcerer voucher KNEW that they were not within their rights as resale owners To buy that pass.

So, now they are a bunch of people who are upset because they are not allowed to activate the pass.

Why? It is their fault. They are always talking about how much they saved buying resale, don’t need the blue card because they won’t ever make up the money difference, etc. But, they get denied and now are upset. You can’t have it both ways.
(well, some did but will you be able to renew next year?)

 

[karen4546]

The one exception I’ll take to this, in my wife’s case, is the the characterization that she “tried to cheat.” In her situation, she was on the phone with a CM, offered the chance to buy the Sorcerer’s Pass, and she took it. Trust me: My wife does NOT pay attention to the Member Benefits details or the descriptions of the different AP’s. That’s why she calls and talks to a CM. When she got off the phone and told me what she had bought, I said that she isn’t supposed to be able to buy that pass. At that point, should she call Disney back, sit on hold for hours, and tell them they made a mistake? When I draw the Monopoly “Bank error in your favor,” I take the $50.

Do you have to call MS to buy incredipass? If not, why would you call MS to buy a pass ?

I have called MS many times and they have never just offered to sell me a pass.

There was a loophole for several months. Unfortunately, your wife was not able to activate the pass that was available to Blue card members.

Btw I am named Karen and dislike the “going all Karen” part of your post about your wife not being able to cheat the system.

Have a good day.

 

[Paul70]

Do you have to call MS to buy incredipass? If not, why would you call MS to buy a pass ?

I have called MS many times and they have never just offered to sell me a pass.

There was a loophole for several months. Unfortunately, your wife was not able to activate the pass that was available to Blue card members.

Btw I am named Karen and dislike the “going all Karen” part of your post about your wife not being able to cheat the system.

Have a good day.

One last time, and then I think we’ve covered all bases…

My wife called Disney to talk about park tickets for upcoming trips. I don’t know if she had called MS or the general booking number. In the course of that discussion, the CM made available for purchase the Sorcerer’s Pass. (I don’t know the conversation verbatim.) I can assure you, my wife did not research the different passes. So she bought the Sorcerer’s Pass that the CM suggested as the ticket media that suit her plans. I don’t think that makes her a “cheat.”

In my opinion, once the sale is made, the sale is made. I think Disney should honor the sale. I think it was bad form on Disney’s part that she had to sort things out for an hour at the start of her MK day. Not tragic, but bad form, in my opinion.

We can disagree on that.

I definitely meant nothing personal by using the idiom “Karen.”

 

[Princess Merida]

I am a white card owner and would have upgraded my current tickets to annual passes at the parks at the end of this month if I was able to get a sorcerer's pass. I have no problem using a discount that Disney offers me even if DVC says I shouldn't have it because I didn't pay them double direct. I do understand why people who paid direct prices are upset, but be upset at Disney and really DVC for creating such a multi tiered system. There's no reason to be upset with other members(or white card holders since they're not considered members). There are now a list of dates with multiple stipulations on who is and isn't a blue card member. I'm sure there will be more to come, but with the price difference Disney will never be able to push everyone direct.

 

[Brian Noble]

There are two things that are true at the same time. Some guests knew they weren't entitled to the pass, but took advantage of flaws in Disney's sales implementation to buy one. Other guests bought one simply because it was offered, and did not intend to "cheat."

Disney is within their rights to correct the flaws however they like, without trying to figure out what everyone's intentions were. Would it be "good customer service" to honor them? Arguably, but not with certainty. It may benefit Disney more to hold the line on who is entitled to the pass discounts than to be wishy washy about it. That's particularly true in the Internet Age when word of these exceptions spreads quickly---just look at the first 2/3ds of this thread to get an idea as to why that might matter.

 

[Sandisw]

One last time, and then I think we’ve covered all bases…

My wife called Disney to talk about park tickets for upcoming trips. I don’t know if she had called MS or the general booking number. In the course of that discussion, the CM made available for purchase the Sorcerer’s Pass. (I don’t know the conversation verbatim.) I can assure you, my wife did not research the different passes. So she bought the Sorcerer’s Pass that the CM suggested as the ticket media that suit her plans. I don’t think that makes her a “cheat.”

In my opinion, once the sale is made, the sale is made. I think Disney should honor the sale. I think it was bad form on Disney’s part that she had to sort things out for an hour at the start of her MK day. Not tragic, but bad form, in my opinion.

We can disagree on that.

I definitely meant nothing personal by using the idiom “Karen.”

Except the terms and conditions of the sale state a valid card is required to activate it . So, it really doesn’t matter if they voucher was sold in error or not, it doesn’t become a pass until you present the required proof.

I do agree that there were probably a few owners, like your wife who may not have been aware, but the majority who post here did and were hoping to sneak it in while the loophole existed.

Cant blame anyone who tried, but I certainly don’t agree that is should be honored when the actual terms were clear. Or that anyone who bought it and can’t now activate should be upset when it was sold to them by mistake. I am glad a refund was offered and that is IMO should happen.