Split Stay Frustrations

[thornton0511]

I kind of thought this might happen. We are doing a split stay in August and have our 2 day park tickets attached to our first resort ressie. There is a 2 day break between our first resort and second, as we will be going over to Universal for 2 nights, and then returning to a second WDW resort for 4 final nights. I just logged in to make our 60 day FP+ selections and it will only let me go as far our our check out day for Resort #1, and we wanted to do one MK day with the first resort, and a 2nd MK day with the 2nd resort. As of tonight there is nothing I can do. Does anyone have an advice for what I can do tomorrow morning to make it possible to go ahead and make FP selections for the time frame of our second ressie? Also I should add that I am booked through a travel agent and have no control over making changes or payments to my resort so not sure if calling WDW directly will get me the help I need.

 

[POOHsie]

Wait 2 days, until it's 60 days from the start of your second Disney Resort stay, then book FP+ for the second stay. Maybe the gap between resort stays is the reason for the FP+ break. Disney doesn't recognize the concept of split stays. They would say that what you have is 2 Disney resort reservations that are not consecutive.

 

[thornton0511]

Wait 2 days, until it's 60 days from the start of your second Disney Resort stay, then book FP+ for the second stay. Maybe the gap between resort stays is the reason for the FP+ break. Disney doesn't recognize the concept of split stays. They would say that what you have is 2 Disney resort reservations that are not consecutive.

That's kind of what I was thinking since I ran into the same issue with my dining at 180 days out. Not a huge deal, just more of an inconvenience than anything, but I am also wondering if since the tickets are attached to our first resort if it will matter when my 60 day window opens for resort#2 since there are not park tickets technically associated with this reservation.

 

[POOHsie]

That's kind of what I was thinking since I ran into the same issue with my dining at 180 days out. Not a huge deal, just more of an inconvenience than anything, but I am also wondering if since the tickets are attached to our first resort if it will matter when my 60 day window opens for resort#2 since there are not park tickets technically associated with this reservation.

Not a problem, because anyone can book FP+. FP+ is not an amenity of a Disney Resort stay, but booking 60 days out for Disney Resort guests is an amenity. How many park days you can book FP+ for depends on the number of park days you have purchased. If you have enough ticket-days to cover both WDW park visits, you're OK. FP+ doesn't have to be booked for consecutive days.

I was going to mention 180+10 ADRs but didn't know if it was relevant. Because of the break in your resort reservations, I could really believe that you would have to wait two days to book ADRs for your second stay. Last year, I had a split stay (my term) that was consecutive. I could book all my FP+ for both stays, at 60 days from my first resort stay. As far as ADRs, here on the DisBoards, some had posted that they had success with ADRs covering more than one Disney Resort stay in a consecutive sequence, others posted that they were told "No" and they didn't pursue it any farther. I tried booking my ADRs by phone and struck out. One said it couldn't be done, so I would call again, etc., etc. The 4th CM I reached, on the second day of trying, had no problem doing it. That showed me there's a difference in results based on an individual's knowledge of Disney procedures and practices. However, FP+ is a totally different computer system than dining, so the two can't be compared regarding "split stays."

 

[thornton0511]

Not a problem, because anyone can book FP+. FP+ is not an amenity of a Disney Resort stay, but booking 60 days out for Disney Resort guests is an amenity. How many park days you can book FP+ for depends on the number of park days you have purchased. If you have enough ticket-days to cover both WDW park visits, you're OK. FP+ doesn't have to be booked for consecutive days.

I was going to mention 180+10 ADRs but didn't know if it was relevant. Because of the break in your resort reservations, I could really believe that you would have to wait two days to book ADRs for your second stay. Last year, I had a split stay (my term) that was consecutive. I could book all my FP+ for both stays, at 60 days from my first resort stay. As far as ADRs, here on the DisBoards, some had posted that they had success with ADRs covering more than one Disney Resort stay in a consecutive sequence, others posted that they were told "No" and they didn't pursue it any farther. I tried booking my ADRs by phone and struck out. One said it couldn't be done, so I would call again, etc., etc. The 4th CM I reached, on the second day of trying, had no problem doing it. That showed me there's a difference in results based on an individual's knowledge of Disney procedures and practices. However, FP+ is a totally different computer system than dining, so the two can't be compared regarding "split stays."

Oh wow what a headache you had to go through with that It stinks that they can't all get on the same page and have one set of rules. Thank you again for helping me with my concern and questions!

 

[subtchr]

Just to clarify, do you have park passes linked for your second stay? No matter what, you can only make FP reservations for the number of days that you have valid park admission linked in your MDE.

 

[thornton0511]

Just to clarify, do you have park passes linked for your second stay? No matter what, you can only make FP reservations for the number of days that you have valid park admission linked in your MDE.

On MDE I have linked our 3 night stay at resort #1 (this ressie included our room and the 2 day ticket), our 4 night stay at resort #2 (room only ressie) and our 2 day ticket. I would assume that when my 60 day for resort #2 open us in a few days that those dates in Aug will become available for me to make selections. Surely just because the tickets are attached to resort #1 that doesn't mean I have to use them both before checking out of resort #1....I would think.

 

[subtchr]

Ok, sorry, it's Monday morning and I'm still not totally clear...you have two sets of two-day tickets?

It shouldn't matter which resort stay the tickets are "linked to" -- I fact, I thought tickets and resort reservations were seperate areas in MDE -- but if you have valid park admission linked in your MDE for four park days, then yes, you should be able to make FP reservations for four days, when the respective windows open.

 

[thornton0511]

Ok, sorry, it's Monday morning and I'm still not totally clear...you have two sets of two-day tickets?

It shouldn't matter which resort stay the tickets are "linked to" -- I fact, I thought tickets and resort reservations were seperate areas in MDE -- but if you have valid park admission linked in your MDE for four park days, then yes, you should be able to make FP reservations for four days, when the respective windows open.

lol no worries I am just now having coffee so I'm only half awake right now too and my wording was probably confusing. We have 2 reservations and both are linked together in MDE. The first is a 3 night stay with 2 day base tickets. The second is 4 night room only. I am thinking that yes since the 2 day park tickets are associated with the first stay that when my 60 day opens for resort #2 I will be able to book FP for the dates associated with stay #2 and use the second day of our tickets.

 

[bumbershoot]

You have to have tickets to make FP+. I think you'll need 4 days worth of tickets before you can make four days of FP+s. Can you have the TA bump up the number of l days on your tickets?

 

[Lucius Best]

lol no worries I am just now having coffee so I'm only half awake right now too and my wording was probably confusing. We have 2 reservations and both are linked together in MDE. The first is a 3 night stay with 2 day base tickets. The second is 4 night room only. I am thinking that yes since the 2 day park tickets are associated with the first stay that when my 60 day opens for resort #2 I will be able to book FP for the dates associated with stay #2 and use the second day of our tickets.

I'm still not sure about your ticket situation, but I'm pretty sure you can only make FP+ reservations for the number of days for which you have tickets. If you only have a 2-day ticket, you can only make 2 days of FP+. If you have only made MK FP+ on one day, and your second MK is during your second reservation, then I would assume you can't book the second MK day's FP+ until 60 days from the start of your second WDW reservation.

In any event, nothing is going to run out 60 days in advance. But curious if your TA wasn't able to answer these questions. Also curious, it sounds like you only have 3+4 nights at WDW but only 2-day tickets.

 

[thornton0511]

I'm still not sure about your ticket situation, but I'm pretty sure you can only make FP+ reservations for the number of days for which you have tickets. If you only have a 2-day ticket, you can only make 2 days of FP+. If you have only made MK FP+ on one day, and your second MK is during your second reservation, then I would assume you can't book the second MK day's FP+ until 60 days from the start of your second WDW reservation.

In any event, nothing is going to run out 60 days in advance. But curious if your TA wasn't able to answer these questions. Also curious, it sounds like you only have 3+4 nights at WDW but only 2-day tickets.

Yes actually my TA did respond just now and she confirmed what is being said here. Sorry for all of the confusion with my wording basically we have a 3 night stay at one resort and then a 4 night stay at a second resort (with a 2 day break in between them for Universal) so 7 nights total at WDW. We also have 2 day base tickets. My goal was to use one day at MK during resort stay #1 and use the second day at MK during resort stay #2. My fear was that since both park days are associated with resort stay #1 that any unused ticket days not used during that stay will not be recognized for me to make selections with the second resort stay when that 60 day window opens up. I don't think that will be the case and I will be able to book FP+ for our 2 day park ticket in a few days.

 

[POOHsie]

Yes actually my TA did respond just now and she confirmed what is being said here. Sorry for all of the confusion with my wording basically we have a 3 night stay at one resort and then a 4 night stay at a second resort (with a 2 day break in between them for Universal) so 7 nights total at WDW. We also have 2 day base tickets. My goal was to use one day at MK during resort stay #1 and use the second day at MK during resort stay #2. My fear was that since both park days are associated with resort stay #1 that any unused ticket days not used during that stay will not be recognized for me to make selections with the second resort stay when that 60 day window opens up. I don't think that will be the case and I will be able to book FP+ for our 2 day park ticket in a few days.

While it's true your 2-day tickets are associated with your first resort stay, the only association is because you purchased the tickets with that stay. Other than that, you are free to use your tickets at any time within a 14-day period from first use. Lots of folks stay at Disney with tickets for more park days than the number of resort days. They move on to other housing for a million + 1 reasons.

 

[bumbershoot]

My goal was to use one day at MK during resort stay #1 and use the second day at MK during resort stay #2

Ohhhh. You'll very likely be able to make FP+ no problems then. I was on my cell earlier and didn't see your signature. Your countdown says 1 month, 4 weeks, 2 days until the start of your trip. Are you actually at 60 days? Were you trying to do FP+ at around midnight Eastern of the 60 days (if your countdown is off?)? If so, try again, because the window doesn't always open right at midnight.

 

[thornton0511]

Ohhhh. You'll very likely be able to make FP+ no problems then. I was on my cell earlier and didn't see your signature. Your countdown says 1 month, 4 weeks, 2 days until the start of your trip. Are you actually at 60 days? Were you trying to do FP+ at around midnight Eastern of the 60 days (if your countdown is off?)? If so, try again, because the window doesn't always open right at midnight.

Ha! yes my 60 day window for stay #1 opened last night at midnight (11pm in my time zone) and I was able to make our selections for MK day #1. Now I will wait until it opens up for stay #2 and make our selections for park day #2, hopefully

 

[subtchr]

So you have seven nights of staying on property but only two park days? I know I couldn't do it! LOL

Have a great trip!

 

[thornton0511]

So you have seven nights of staying on property but only two park days? I know I couldn't do it! LOL

Have a great trip!

Ha! Well we also have a bonus waterpark day that I didn't mention, because I didn't want to make things even more confusing, but for the most part yeah not going heavy on the parks this time around. We are doing 3 park days at Universal with a 2 night stay in between so we will be plenty busy, but we definitely wanted to have our WDW time a bit more relaxing this time and be able to spend more time at the resorts.....but I hear ya it's hard accepting the fact that we will not be incorporating the other 3 parks in this trip!

 

[Lucius Best]

Yes actually my TA did respond just now and she confirmed what is being said here. Sorry for all of the confusion with my wording

No worries, it's just unusual to see someone with a 7-night stay but only 2-day tickets, thought I must be reading it wrong. Staying at Universal and using their unlimited front-of-the-line pass is highly recommended.

 

[thornton0511]

No worries, it's just unusual to see someone with a 7-night stay but only 2-day tickets, thought I must be reading it wrong. Staying at Universal and using their unlimited front-of-the-line pass is highly recommended.

We have been lucky enough to find a way to go back to WDW every year since 2011 and so for us this trip to WDW we want to spend more time at the resorts (especially since we are staying at WL and Poly) and don't feel like we have to hit every ride at every park. Universal will be new to our kids this year and DH and I have not been since 2010 so with all that has been added it will be new experiences with us too! We are super excited and staying onsite at RPR for 2 nights with 3 day park to park tix so we can use the express pass for all 3 days. Cannot wait!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I was just skimming the big FP+ thread created by mesaboy (where the two quotes come from). I see where I was led astray in my thinking.

THIS made me think that you could make arrangements for the whole trip up to 14 days:

Onsite guests (which includes those staying at the Swan and Dolphin but not at Shades of Green nor any Downtown Disney-area hotels) can prebook attractions up to 60 days in advance of the beginning of an on-site stay and for their entire trip. In other words, at 60 days before a check-in date one can make FP+ selections for the entire trip--up to 14 days.

But a further explanation showed me that it's your whole onsite stay (up to 14 days). And we should think of it in terms of reservation numbers. So right now you can book for your first reservation number, but you'll have to wait until 60 days out from your second reservation number. Now I more fully understand:

For 60 days out - you will only be able to book your length of stay for the length of your tickets.

IF your onsite days is 4 and your ticket length is 2, you can book any 2 days of that stay.

If your onsite stay is 4 nights and your ticket is 7 days, you can book FP for those 4 onsite nights/days only.

You will be able to book the rest of your ticket days at the 30 day mark from the first FP day you need to make.

Have fun at RPR! Budget extra to upgrade to APs, just in case.