Split Stay

[bradleyc]

I booked my vacation package for my family for 2 rooms at POR for Oct. 13-20 to celebrate my 40th birthday. When free dining came out and didn't include my dates, I decided I was willing to change my dates to save money on dining for 4 adults and 2 children. So, on the first day free dining was offered to the GP, I called to switch my dates to Oct 20-27. I was very disappointed to learn that there was only 1 moderate available with free dining for those dates and no deluxe resorts available. So, I again changed my dates to accomadate the free dining and extra savings. I booked for Oct. 22-28 at POR with the free dining package for 2 rooms but I really don't want to cut my vacation short and can't take vacation into the next week. If I book a room only reservation for October 21 and possibly October 20, can I add dates to my ticket package associated with the free dining and then pick my tickets up at a park the day we arrive. How does it work with a split reservation: first 2 days room only and next 6 days with a free dining package? Both reservations are at POR with a request for no room change. I'm not sure what the best way is to get into the parks the first 2 days in which we only currently have a room reservation. I would like to add days to our free dining package versus paying for 2 day park tickets with our room only reservation to save money- is this possible?

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!

Carrie

 

[momofkids]

You can pick your tickets up 3 days early at guest services or at the resort. Once you pick up the tickets, you can add days on then since your tickets were full price anyway. I have read this several places and we are planning on doing it in November. I also had a CM confirm this before I committed to the plan. Several people here confirmed that they have done it too. It is the cheapest way because the tickets are cheaper per day with each extra day you buy together.

 

[bradleyc]

So, I can pick up my KTW card possibly at my hotel otherwise at guest services at one of the parks two days early. Then after I have used the card a day or two, I can go to guest services, my hotel or call Disney and they will extend my 6 day park tickets from my FD package to 9 day tickets even though I only have reservations for 5 nights on that particular reservation? Disney will sell tickets for more days than you are scheduled for vacation?

Carrie

 

[momofkids]

Of course they will sell you more days. They want you in the park as much as possible even if you aren't staying in the resorts. If you are looking at buying 9 days of tickets, you may want to consider annual passes. The price benefit comes at 10 days. This would only benefit you if you might make it back in a year or will use all the days. You can upgrade your tickets at Guest Services. People recommend using one day first if your tickets cost less than the current prices. That makes the ticket value the same as the current gate prices.

 

[zandorian]

I wish I could find something in writing about picking park tickets early. I have been told by 3 CM and A guest relations supervisor that you can NOT pick park tickets early.

 

[kddisney502]

I wish I could find something in writing about picking park tickets early. I have been told by 3 CM and A guest relations supervisor that you can NOT pick park tickets early.

There is some good information in the tickets sticky. I believe it is written by a ticketing CM who handles this frequently. It also explains why other CMs do not know this info.

 

[zandorian]

I do not want to make people worry, But when I filled a complaint, I was called by a Guest relations supervisor. She told me the policy has changed about early tickets and all CM's have been instructed to tell customers that early tickets are not available.

 

[bradleyc]

That is my concern. I don't want to pay for a hotel room for an extra two nights pre-FD and then not be able to add nights on to my ticket package. Paying for two nights without adding them on to my existing package is a hefty fee. I was told no too.

Thanks for all of the replies!

Carrie

 

[purple figment]

Here's the info in the ticket sticky. It's #15-I. Ticketing allows it so it's been done on a regular basis at GR in the parks and DTD.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

Generally, it cannot be done at a resort which is why phone CMs (who are booking resort res) and resort CMs say it's not possible. Once in a while someone is able to pick up their park tickets at a resort if both parts of their stay is at the same resort and the GS CM is knowledgeable.

You can pick up your park tickets early, but not dining plan, if you have one. That won't start until you check in on the day your package res begins.

If you do a search, you'll find many people have reported picking up park tickets up to 3 days early without a problem.