To those who have used GAD passes

[december]

for FPs. We will have 5 vouchers, for 5 of our 6 park days. I am trying to figure out how much time to allow for trading them in.

I know we will go to Will Call, present the voucher, that person's id (or copy of BC), and our park tickets. I'm assuming we all have to be standing there as well? So no one can hold a place in line at the turnstyles?

Do they spend a lot of time looking over everything, scan the tickets, etc. Or do they give it a quick glance and hand you the FP cards? Most days we'll be doing rope drop, so I'm assuming there will be quite a line for this!

Also, I read on the linked site that there were no guarantees for EMH. Has anyone used them for EMH? I am planning to be at MK on June 6, for just a few hours in the morning, then back to the resort to swim/nap, then back to MK for parade, fireworks, and EMH. I don't know if we'll have time to use all the FPs before regular park closing!

 

[lklasing]

I can help with most, but not all of your questions. I'm at WDW now and have used 4 vouchers for FPs so far.

Time to take to redeem - most of the time this takes will probably be waiting to get to one of the windows. Once you get there, they will want your voucher and ID (drivers license or birth certificate if it's a kid). They give it a quick glance and then give back the ID. Then, they want all the tickets in your group. We have 10 in our group, obviously 4 more than the 6 advertised for this promotion, but have been given 10 FP cards each time. Once they get them, they usually (but not each time for us) swipe each ticket to ensure it's a valid ticket, then swipe the FP card for each person. It doesn't take too long - maybe 5-10 minutes max. But, getting to a window can take a while, especially if you get there right at park opening.

About having your whole party there - each time I have collected everyone's park ticket on the bus or monorail to the park. Then they all stand to the side (no where near the ticket area), usually applying sunscreen. Never have they asked to see the people - the fact that I have their tickets is enough.

I can't help you with EMH - we haven't done that yet. But, we did redeem late this afternoon, so the after 11:00 thing wasn't a problem.

Hope this helps!

 

[december]

Thank you so much!!!!!!

 

[jjsdad]

So are these will call windows outside of the entrance into the park? IE, you exchange your vouchers before you enter the park and scan your fingerprints and walk through the turnstile?

If that is the case, what time do these booths open up at? If the park opens at 9, what time would you show up at to make sure you get your vouchers and are ready to go into the park at rope drop?

 

[jjsdad]

Welp,

I just called the cust service number and the ticket windows which is where you redeem your vouchers opens up 30 minutes before the park opens.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

There have been reports of Will Call opening at 7:30 for a 9 am opening to accommodate guests with early ADRs. I think it actually opens 30 minutes before the first guests are admitted to the park.

 

[jjsdad]

Interesting, I would love to get a confirm on that one cause it will decide whether or not we keep our 8:05 CP resi or go with an early lunch. It's amazing how I can get more accurate info on this board as opposed to speaking with an actual disney CM on the phone. They are super friendly though.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

People on the DIS have posted that they redeemed vouchers at 7:30 prior to their 8:00 ADRs at MK. I'll see if I can find that thread and link to it. We are planning to do the same in July. Will Call has to be open before guests get let into the park in case any of those guests need to get their tickets.

Check out the third post on this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2402140

 

[jjsdad]

Thank you!

 

[M&C'sMom]

Just got back tonight!! We used our GAD passes for 4 of our park days. At DHS, we had to go to the Will Call OUTSIDE the turnstiles to redeem our voucher. At MK, we could do it at City Hall (shorter line). At DHS we went in, went to Guest Relations and were told to go back outside the turnstiles to redeem the vouchers. It wasted some time, so hope this info helps!

The passes were awesome! The parks were very crowded, but between the passes and using regular fast passes, we did everything we wanted multiple times and never waited more than 20 minutes for a ride!

 

[doconeill]

Yes, officially the only place you can redeem GAD vouchers is at the Will Call window outside the parks.

The window, or at least Guest Relations (which is sometimes also the will call window, like at MK) will be open at least 30 minutes prior to anyone being let into the parks. People with early ADRs still need to have tickets to enter the park, so they have to be able to get them

 

[pixarmom]

We redeemed our GAD vouchers at the Will Call/Guest Relations outside the International Gateway last week, and our friends did the same at the Will Call outside MK last month. We both had the same experience - they redeemed our vouchers and upgraded immediately on the spot at the Will Call window outside the park.

First, I cannot say enough good things about our experience at the IG entrance, and in particular, with CM Craig, who handled multiple transactions quickly and entirely smoothly. We redeemed GAD vouchers for 4, upgraded to APs, purchased an additional AP for our youngest, and then bought a TIW card. We arrived approx. 45 minutes before park opening on a Wednesday, and there was no line - none. My two older boys stood at the window with me the whole time, but my husband and youngest were wandering around the area. Once the CM saw we were all there, I don't think he expected everyone to stand at the window.

So I was very happy to see the voucher redeeming going the way many have reported - all at once!

 

[cassie58]

Just got back tonight!! We used our GAD passes for 4 of our park days. At DHS, we had to go to the Will Call OUTSIDE the turnstiles to redeem our voucher. At MK, we could do it at City Hall (shorter line). At DHS we went in, went to Guest Relations and were told to go back outside the turnstiles to redeem the vouchers. It wasted some time, so hope this info helps!

The passes were awesome! The parks were very crowded, but between the passes and using regular fast passes, we did everything we wanted multiple times and never waited more than 20 minutes for a ride!

Thanks for posting! That is helpful info!

cassie58
11/08-ASMo & Timeshare
8/09-CSR

 

[jjsdad]

Just out of curiousity, where exactly is the customer service booth at the MK? I think I have an idea so maybe someone can just verify. If you are exiting the bus area you kinda walk straight and to the left out of that area towards the security area. As you are walking in that direction the booth will be the first little hut/building you pass on your left. It is a stand alone structure, almost the size of one of those old photomat booths from the 70s.

 

[doconeill]

Just out of curiousity, where exactly is the customer service booth at the MK? I think I have an idea so maybe someone can just verify. If you are exiting the bus area you kinda walk straight and to the left out of that area towards the security area. As you are walking in that direction the booth will be the first little hut/building you pass on your left. It is a stand alone structure, almost the size of one of those old photomat booths from the 70s.

There are two possible locations at the MK main gate for dealing with GAD vouchers.

Will Call with either be at the Guest Relations window (usually), which is to the right of the turnstiles as you look towards the entrance. On rarer occasions Will Call might be located in the small round building near there but closer to the bag check area, still over to the right. I think that is what you are thinking of.

There will be a sign with an arrow pointing to which of them is Will Call.