Tickets before package start?

[ateam79828592]

Can we get our tickets (part of a package) the day before we check in? We might need to do a split stay and the tickets would have to be on the 2nd stay. How does this work with Magic Bands?

I've seen the sticky from Chesire Figment that says this is possible..but the info is a bit dated and I wasn't sure if anyone could get up-to-date experiences with Magic Bands in play as well.

Thanks for any info!

 

[Robo]

1- Can we get our tickets (part of a package) the day before we check in?

We might need to do a split stay and the tickets would have to be on the 2nd stay.

2- How does this work with Magic Bands?

1- Yes.
2- MB's don't change anything in a practical way.
You'd still take your resort info to a Guest Relations outside any park, and they
would activate your park tickets (up to 3 days before check-in date,) regardless if
you were using a MB or flat tickets.

Just to keep things as clear as possible-

There is no reservation info, or ticket info, or credit card info,
or FP+ info "put onto" a MagicBand.

The MagicBands just contain a unique serial number that is used
to access the information that is stored in your MyDisneyExperience computer file.

So, even if you were to lose a MagicBand, the info stays locked in your file.
Disney can just set up a new band (different serial number)
to access the info in your MDE file.
Disney can also issue ADDITIONAL MB's to a guest and each
additional band can be used for the same purposes as the first band.
So, yes, there can be multiple MB's per person, and each of them can be used by that person.

The MagicBand works like the combination to a locked safe, or a key to a locked door.

Why does this distinction matter?
Because there is so much fear about losing bands and,
in turn, losing all of a guest's information thought to be on the band.

The MB, itself, is not the file of info or the container of the info.
The MB just unlocks the file of info, allowing it to be accessed from your MDE account when needed.

 

[ateam79828592]

Thanks!! Excellent answer, as always.

Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed answers.

As a follow up question...once our park tickets are activated...they will be connected to our Magic Bands since our park tickets are associated with our MDE accounts which are in turn associated with our MB?

 

[Robo]

Thanks!! Excellent answer, as always.

1- Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed answers.

2- As a follow up question...once our park tickets are activated...they will be connected to our Magic Bands since our park tickets are associated with our MDE accounts which are in turn associated with our MB?

1- Thanks for the kind words, ateam!
2- Yes.

 

[jvarne1]

Okay, so the tickets can be activated before your package starts, but can you actually go into a park before the package starts?

 

[Robo]

Okay, so the tickets can be activated before your package starts, but can you actually go into a park before the package starts?

Yup.

That's what "activating" the tickets is for.
An active ticket is one that allows access to the parks.

 

[jvarne1]

Yup.

That's what "activating" the tickets is for.
An active ticket is one that allows access to the parks.

Thanks so much! Just had to verify b/c when I asked this question about using tickets before our package starts to a CM, they said that it was not possible to do.

 

[jvarne1]

Is there anyway to book FP+'s for those 1-2 days prior to your package starting? Will those dates show up as if you were staying offsite?

 

[ateam79828592]

If you are doing a split stay, i believe you will get access to FP+ due to your having a RESORT reservation for the first 2 days (in my case). I don't think access to the FP+ at the 60 day mark is tied to tickets. I believe it is tied to resort reservations.

 

[jvarne1]

If you are doing a split stay, i believe you will get access to FP+ due to your having a RESORT reservation for the first 2 days (in my case). I don't think access to the FP+ at the 60 day mark is tied to tickets. I believe it is tied to resort reservations.

That's the problem... We are offsite for the first 4 days of our trip. I had planned on purchasing tickets separately and doing room only reservations with DDP. BUT, with the FD offer (if it's offered), I have to purchase the tickets as a package. Which means, no tickets until our 5th day there. I had planned on at least going 2 days to the parks before we checked-in onsite.

 

[Robo]

Thanks so much! Just had to verify b/c when I asked this question about using tickets before our package starts to a CM, they said that it was not possible to do.

The phone CM's are told that they MUST say that package tickets cannot be used prior to check-in.
That will be the answer given over the phone.

But, when guests get to Orlando, they find that they CAN activate their package tickets up to 3 days before check-in.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Great thread!

So Robo: if I check in Oct 22nd check out Oct 26th CSR. recheck in Oct 26th to 31 at CSR, I can get access to my park tickets, on the 23rd?

And previous quesion asked about fast passes. I can get a fastpass+ reservation for the 23-25 inclusive, even though the reservations don't show tickets starting until the 26th?

 

[Robo]

if I check in Oct 22nd check out Oct 26th CSR. recheck in Oct 26th to 31 at CSR, I can get access to my park tickets, on the 23rd?

I don't understand that question.

Let me answer in this way-

A. If your WDW Resort pkg. check-in is on Oct. 26, you can activate your pkg. tickets as early as Oct. 23.
B. If your WDW Resort pkg. check-in is on Oct. 22, you can activate your pkg. tickets as early as Oct. 19.

I'm not going to try answer the FP+ question, as I'd have to guess.