Surprise announcement update!

[doconeill]

If it is them adding an extra day to your package (like buy four get get fifth free) if I've already paid for my package (when we are going in june) will we get a partial refund or are we just out of luck?

Going by previous offerings, you'd have to call and rebook under the new offer.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

So it says "more memories" "more time". I don't think this can only be related to one particular day (leap day). That is a waste of promoting anything because there are only so many people that would think is great and only so many people that would be there that day. It has to be some kind of extra time you can get on your vacation in 2012. Whatever that is. There are many ways they can do that. I am excited to hear what it is.

 

[ppony]

Yup.



I can barely contain my excitement.

I agree! All that money to promote something this lame? Yes, some people can drop everything and go to WDW within a few months notice and some are already booked, so they didn't need to spend $ to attract them. But all that hoopla over one day? What a snore if this is it. I hope it's not.

 

[3floridarays]

I'm going with the free day when you book a package. Stinks for us AP holders, but they know they've got us regardless.

 

[Rosanne]

Okay, so here's my completely unfounded, yet intriguing thought...


I say, for those who (in 2012) book a package meeting certain criteria (or maybe even tickets meeting a certain criteria), that they will give a voucher good for a one day ticket when the Fantasyland expansion is completed... or at least in 2013. Something like that. Any park could qualify for receiving the voucher... Disneyland, WDW, Paris, Tokyo...

Again, totally, unfounded with absolutely no sources other than my active imagination.

 

[Rosanne]

Oh, and the reason for it is that they will continue to fill the park during the annoying construction. Lots of people may be putting off their next visit until the expansion is complete. This way, they can entice people to come this year with the carrot of a down payment towards next year.

 

[larryz]

And wouldn't it be nice if Disney would share that secret a few days ahead of time with their most loyal fans and customers... oops, I mean "guests"?

 

[Robo]

I'm going with the free day when you book a package. Stinks for us AP holders, but they know they've got us regardless.

I don't see why that would be a problem, anyway.

Just keep the tickets from the package and use them to help pay for your next AP or AP renewal.

 

[mchhp]

Have they ever done specials for say 15 month pass for the price of 12 month ap? maybe? that would be more time?

 

[Bete]

Have they ever done specials for say 15 month pass for the price of 12 month ap? maybe? that would be more time?

Florida residents in 2010. We know a couple there that did it.
I believe that deal was for anyone at the time, but I'm not 100% positive.

 

[mindy5648]

ok so ive known about this for all of 2.2 seconds and I am already beside myself with having to wait 3 whole days! I dont care if it is a lame surprise or not...it is a disney deal and any chance to save a little extra money and still be able to go to the most magical place on earth...i'll take it

 

[Mr. Stitch]

I will be interested to find out more, we arrive on 01/03 and are there until 01/09 so either way I am sure it will be too soon to take advantage of whatever it is.

 

[doconeill]

Florida residents in 2010. We know a couple there that did it.
I believe that deal was for anyone at the time, but I'm not 100% positive.

Yes, for a time anyone renewing a Tourist or DVC AP got an extra three months as well.

 

[dgundry]

If it is them adding an extra day to your package (like buy four get get fifth free) if I've already paid for my package (when we are going in june) will we get a partial refund or are we just out of luck?

Typically, when an offer comes out after you have booked (even if you have paid), you (or your TA if you used one) can call in and get the new offer applied to your reservation. If you've already paid, this would come back to you in the form of a refund, yes.

But you have to be proactive on this and follow-up with Disney yourself (or as I said, ask your TA do it). They will not automatically do this for you.

 

[mindy5648]

This may be stretching or wishful thinking...."Leap" year....Hopping or leaping from park to park....free park hopper option please oh please oh please

 

[Cruz91]

I don't see why that would be a problem, anyway.

Just keep the tickets from the package and use them to help pay for your next AP or AP renewal.

They may offer an alternative for AP holders. As an example, during the Give A Day Get A Day and whatever the Birthday free day was called, didn't they have alternate offers available (like giving you extra fastpasses or something)?

Actually, now that I think of it, I don't think the GAD tickets were upgradeable to AP's, but I could be wrong about that. I'm sure somebody (cough - cough - CF) may know...

 

[doconeill]

They may offer an alternative for AP holders. As an example, during the Give A Day Get A Day and whatever the Birthday free day was called, didn't they have alternate offers available (like giving you extra fastpasses or something)?

Actually, now that I think of it, I don't think the GAD tickets were upgradeable to AP's, but I could be wrong about that. I'm sure somebody (cough - cough - CF) may know...

Yes, the GAD tickets were upgradable. Did it myself.

 

[Thenwood]

My guess is that EMH's will be replaced with being open 24 hours for the entire year. Not just on leap day as some are speculating! The video states more time and more magic!

If they are anticipating (hoping) as many guests will come come to see the new fantasyland as did/does for the new Harry Potter, they'll need all the time they can get to avoid over populating.
A friend of mine is the writer for a book that reviews all large amusement parks accross the US. She was invited for the press release of the opening of Universal. They got many negative reviews based solely on not preparing for all the visitors on opening day (not sure how it is in comparison in size). So I bet Disney took that into consideration. Think about it, they always say "first impressions mean everything" . They'll make it as magical as possible so you will want to continue to come back!

 

[doconeill]

My guess is that EMH's will be replaced with being open 24 hours for the entire year. Not just on leap day as some are speculating! The video states more time and more magic!

If they are anticipating (hoping) as many guests will come come to see the new fantasyland as did/does for the new Harry Potter, they'll need all the time they can get to avoid over populating.
A friend of mine is the writer for a book that reviews all large amusement parks accross the US. She was invited for the press release of the opening of Universal. They got many negative reviews based solely on not preparing for all the visitors on opening day (not sure how it is in comparison in size). So I bet Disney took that into consideration. Think about it, they always say "first impressions mean everything" . They'll make it as magical as possible so you will want to continue to come back!

They could never go 24x7. Far too much maintenance must be done. And there is probably only a small subset of guests that would take advantage of it. Once or a couple of times would be interesting. Constantly it becomes a waste.

WWOHP was far too small for the crowds it drew. Islands of Adventure wasn't pulling many guests at all - then suddenly they had huge crowds trying to cram into an area that I could probably compare to Liberty Square - which is already much smaller than what Fantasyland was before the expansion. The particular crowd wasn't much interested in the rest of the park and spreading out. It only consisted of three attractions (4 if you count Ollivanders wand selection as one) and 4 shops, 3 of which are far too small for any size crowd.

 

[Colleen27]

Okay, so here's my completely unfounded, yet intriguing thought...


I say, for those who (in 2012) book a package meeting certain criteria (or maybe even tickets meeting a certain criteria), that they will give a voucher good for a one day ticket when the Fantasyland expansion is completed... or at least in 2013. Something like that. Any park could qualify for receiving the voucher... Disneyland, WDW, Paris, Tokyo...

Again, totally, unfounded with absolutely no sources other than my active imagination.

That would be interesting. It would certainly net Disney many repeat guests who otherwise would have waited years for a return visit, and it would bring in a lot of revenue since 1) they'll have to book a resort and add days to that ticket for their return and 2) having a free first-day ticket will steer many guests away from free dining and towards less steep room only discounts because they don't want a package.