Staying at VB; can we do extra magic hrs. at parks?

[veenstra56]

We're spending a week over the 4th of July at VB, but the kids want to spend a day or two at the parks. Since we are staying at a Disney Resort (a remote resort, but a Disney resort nonetheless), can we still participate in extra magic hours? Also, can we still park for free?

It's not a big deal either way, but if we can do EMH it might have some effect on our schedule.

By the way... we've never been crazy enough at this point to do DW in July. How are the crowds?

Thanks in advance!

 

[5forDiz]

Guests at Disney-owned resorts or DVC resorts that are onsite only get EMH ( and if you're booked at Swan, Dolphin & Hilton at Downtown Disney). Parking at theme parks would only be free when staying onsite at DVC or Disney-owned resorts.

 

[DVCconvert]

can we still participate in extra magic hours?
--->yes

Also, can we still park for free?
---->yes

It's not a big deal either way, but if we can do EMH it might have some effect on our schedule.

---->it certainly WILL impact your schedule....you'll have a 2 hr drive to, and again from wdw.

 

[sssteele]

My wife and I finished an extended stay at WDW recently. We did morning and evening extra magic hours several times, and were not asked for room cards. At AK after entering for PM EMH, we went to guest relations to inquire (why advertise it as a perk for staying on site if it's not?), and the cast member scanned our annual pass to see when we entered and who was at the gate we went through, and told us that that employee would be reminded to ask for room keys. The guest relations CM acted like this was inexcusable, but I'm not sure whether it was ever really followed up.

At MK we were not scanned or asked for a room key, and were told by a manager that "We can't turn away children who have been waiting for an hour to enter." Go figure. Wristbands for evening are no longer used because "they end up in landfills". Hmmmm.

 

[5forDiz]

can we still participate in extra magic hours?
--->yes

Also, can we still park for free?
---->yes

It's not a big deal either way, but if we can do EMH it might have some effect on our schedule.

---->it certainly WILL impact your schedule....you'll have a 2 hr drive to, and again from wdw.

Where is this on member site as a perk while staying at VB ( EMH & free parking at theme parks ) guess I must have missed this? If this is noted then OP you are set with no worries but to make a plan around the ~possibility~ of maybe not having to leave parks when it's EMH time (&that parking for free may be allowed at parks) then just be prepared with plan B should things go other way where you could be asked to show KTTW with onsite resort designation, especially since that's a busy holiday week.

I hope it works out, post back how it goes.

 

[vicki_c]

My wife and I finished an extended stay at WDW recently. We did morning and evening extra magic hours several times, and were not asked for room cards. At AK after entering for PM EMH, we went to guest relations to inquire (why advertise it as a perk for staying on site if it's not?), and the cast member scanned our annual pass to see when we entered and who was at the gate we went through, and told us that that employee would be reminded to ask for room keys. The guest relations CM acted like this was inexcusable, but I'm not sure whether it was ever really followed up.

At MK we were not scanned or asked for a room key, and were told by a manager that "We can't turn away children who have been waiting for an hour to enter." Go figure. Wristbands for evening are no longer used because "they end up in landfills". Hmmmm.

I can't speak to the AM EMH - they should make you show your KTTW card. But for PM EMH, it is no longer restricted to on-site resort guests for being in the park. You now have to show your KTTW card to ride any attraction during the PM EMH, but off site people are not made to leave the park any longer. I don't know about whether they are supposed to let non-resort guests IN DURING the PM EMH, but once you are in the park for a PM EMH, it's only to ride the rides/attractions that you have to show your card.

 

[DVCconvert]

Where is this on member site as a perk while staying at VB ( EMH & free parking at theme parks ).......

I have no idea where or if it's on the site....but this has been my personal experience over the last 3 to 5 years. The parking pass you're given at DVB is identical to any on property pass and I've always been waved right in at all theme parks and on property resorts. The KTTW cards are also identical and function as acceptable ID (although I haven't tried to make a room charge to my VB room - as I suspect that level of functionality isn't there). I am confident that OP won't have any issues.

HTH

 

[rigsby25]

When your staying at WDW, you can pool hop to Vero - so I don't see why not.

 

[5forDiz]

I have no idea where or if it's on the site....but this has been my personal experience over the last 3 to 5 years. The parking pass you're given at DVB is identical to any on property pass and I've always been waved right in at all theme parks and on property resorts. The KTTW cards are also identical and function as acceptable ID (although I haven't tried to make a room charge to my VB room - as I suspect that level of functionality isn't there). I am confident that OP won't have any issues.

HTH

My point is not to dispute what happened in your situations but just that OP should keep in mind that despite what others have posted here & your experiences, which are interesting because wristbands were still being issued during past 3 - 5 years, that they should be aware it is not a given & may not work for them while they are there. Especially since they are traveling the distance to/from VB resort.
And KTTW do carry resort designation which is part of numbering on it; it is how CM's at BLT determine who gets to access TOTWL.

 

[florep1]

When your staying at WDW, you can pool hop to Vero - so I don't see why not.

Can you also use all the other resort amenities?

 

[Inkmahm]

I thought you automaticaly got EMH if you were staying on Disney property. Vero IS Disney property so it wouldn't even cross my mind to think that it wouldn't count! Why should Disney have to specify that Vero IS included? I think it obviously is.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't think they would be able to tell the difference. Does the KTTW card have the resort name on it? If you hand them your Vero key I doubt anyone would be able to tell from just looking at it.

MG

 

[5forDiz]

I thought you automaticaly got EMH if you were staying on Disney property. Vero IS Disney property so it wouldn't even cross my mind to think that it wouldn't count! Why should Disney have to specify that Vero IS included? I think it obviously is.

Not trying to split hairs here or saying what you're thinking is wrong, and I do hope the OP gets to do EMH and whatever else they are thinking while staying at VB; just saying it seems it has more to do with CM discretion as it is not stated anywhere that I've read either on member's site or on Disney's site. And that makes me wonder if in fact it is the case why isn't it noted that it applies to VB especially on member site? Pool hopping to/from VB is noted and not this. The Disney site states select Walt Disney World resort hotels & certain benefits are available to Swan, Dolphin & select Downtown Disney hotels. I personally think member's staying at VB should get EMH benefit but at present, from my interpretation it is not a clear absolute.

 

[Brian Noble]

Does the KTTW card have the resort name on it?

It does; it is encoded in the number printed on the bottom. Two of those digits tell you to which resort the key belongs.

I can't imagine many rank-and-file CMs working during EMH actually look at that to see if any Vero guests are there. But, if one wanted to, one could.

As to wheter or not it is "allowed"---a quick email message to Guest Communications will get you the "official" answer.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It does; it is encoded in the number printed on the bottom. Two of those digits tell you to which resort the key belongs.

I can't imagine many rank-and-file CMs working during EMH actually look at that to see if any Vero guests are there. But, if one wanted to, one could.

As to wheter or not it is "allowed"---a quick email message to Guest Communications will get you the "official" answer.

Yes, that's my point. The resort NAME is not on the card.
I know it can be decoded, but the probability of the CM knowing 21 different codes is unlikely.

MG

 

[Brian Noble]

MG, I'm shocked. You're usually a rules-and-regulations sort of guy!

(I agree with you, as it happens. But, you never know when you might run into that one burr-under-the-saddle CM...)

 

[DVCconvert]

My point is not to dispute what happened in your situations but just that OP should keep in mind that despite what others have posted here & your experiences, which are interesting because wristbands were still being issued during past 3 - 5 years, that they should be aware it is not a given & may not work for them while they are there. Especially since they are traveling the distance to/from VB resort.
And KTTW do carry resort designation which is part of numbering on it; it is how CM's at BLT determine who gets to access TOTWL.

Yes, well all know that KTTW cards carry a resort code designation.

I suggest you call 772-234-2000 and ask...please DO ask to speack with a manager. I think that maybe the best way to satisfy your questions.

you may also elect to express your question(s) here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2344361

As the above thread is frequented by the most knowledgeable DIS members concerning DVBR.

 

[gianjoe]

We're spending a week over the 4th of July at VB, but the kids want to spend a day or two at the parks. Since we are staying at a Disney Resort (a remote resort, but a Disney resort nonetheless), can we still participate in extra magic hours? Also, can we still park for free?

It's not a big deal either way, but if we can do EMH it might have some effect on our schedule.

By the way... we've never been crazy enough at this point to do DW in July. How are the crowds?

Thanks in advance!

Disney in July - Very hot and overcrowded. We live nearby and go all the time. The kids are out of school all over the world so WDW truly becomes a small world with a lot of people in July. We usually go in October or November which can be better.

You are going to love the resort at Vero Beach, its a really nice resort. Check out Captain Hiram's if you like eating at places on the water. Its about 20 minutes over the Wabasso causeway on US1, from htere head north a few miles and its along the Indian River. Ate lunch there today actually. You can rent boats and jet skis also and its probably better priced than Mickey.

Have a great trip.

Joe

That said, it is 2 hours from WDW and going to the parks is going to be a long trip, maybe just one day?

 

[5forDiz]

Yes, well all know that KTTW cards carry a resort code designation.

I suggest you call 772-234-2000 and ask...please DO ask to speack with a manager. I think that maybe the best way to satisfy your questions.

you may also elect to express your question(s) here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2344361

As the above thread is frequented by the most knowledgeable DIS members concerning DVBR.

I'm good with however it has gone in other's past experience and happens to go in future; maybe OP or others may choose to call on it and of course the next best thing would be to ask a Disney bus driver

 

[Maistre Gracey]

MG, I'm shocked. You're usually a rules-and-regulations sort of guy!

You're right, I sort of am, BUT...
I was always of the belief you had all those privileges with a Vero key anyway. So, I guess that was sort of a "so what" statement on my part..

MG