Upgrading park tickets?

[savvy101787]

Given the uncertainties around Park Hopper tickets, we’re contemplating going with regular tickets now for our January trip and then upgrading once we’re closer to the trip. Have they announced anything else around the ability to upgrade within that 14-day window of first use?

 

[GBRforWDW]

Given the uncertainties around Park Hopper tickets, we’re contemplating going with regular tickets now for our January trip and then upgrading once we’re closer to the trip. Have they announced anything else around the ability to upgrade within that 14-day window of first use?

Which uncertainty are you referring to? If it's the capacity limit, that's only been an issue once for a few hours on the 50th anniversary.

The bigger issue to think about, if park reservations sell out for any day during a trip, people have reported not being able to upgrade their ticket at all.

Also, the upgrade cost is the same per ticket, whether you upgrade on your first day or last day.

If you want to park hop, I'd add on up front.

 

[savvy101787]

Which uncertainty are you referring to? If it's the capacity limit, that's only been an issue once for a few hours on the 50th anniversary.

The bigger issue to think about, if park reservations sell out for any day during a trip, people have reported not being able to upgrade their ticket at all.

Also, the upgrade cost is the same per ticket, whether you upgrade on your first day or last day.

If you want to park hop, I'd add on up front.

Have been seeing various rumors over the past few weeks that additional changes may be made regarding the reservation system for park hopping, hours when you can hop, and/or restrictions depending on the tier of ticket. Wondering if it will even be worth the headache or if we should just stick to one park per day.

 

[lanejudy]

... the ability to upgrade within that 14-day window of first use?

Just to clarify...there is no more "14 days from first use" because ticket expiration varies based on length of ticket and designated start date. A ticket may be upgraded anytime before park close on the date the last entitlement is used.

As mentioned above, Hopping will cost the same whether added on day 1 or day 10.

 

[savvy101787]

Just to clarify...there is no more "14 days from first use" because ticket expiration varies based on length of ticket and designated start date. A ticket may be upgraded anytime before park close on the date the last entitlement is used.

Thanks! Bad habit here, I meant to say within If it is within 14 days of first use and the ticket has remaining admissions within the expiration date. I thought that was still the language on their site?

 

[lanejudy]

No. The date-based tickets have varying “valid use” windows — I think 2-day tickets have a 4-day window, increasing up to a 10-day ticket has a 14-day window.

 

[savvy101787]

No. The date-based tickets have varying “valid use” windows — I think 2-day tickets have a 4-day window, increasing up to a 10-day ticket has a 14-day window.

They should update this language then…

 

[lanejudy]

Hmm... I'm guessing that screen is what you seen in the app when you try to upgrade? I don't have tickets in my account right now so I can't see that wording. I guess they really mean you can modify the ticket at the latest 14 days after 1st use, and I agree it should say that more clearly. Technically one wouldn't have any valid remaining admissions at 14 days if the ticket had already expired, and the above does state "if no admissions remain, a ticket may not be modified or upgraded."

For example, say I have a 2-day ticket which has a 4-day valid window...​

• I use 1 day on the ticket
• then 6 days later try to upgrade
• I no longer have a valid admission remaining on the ticket even if I didn't use the 2nd day because the unused day expired with the ticket expiration date

 

[savvy101787]

Hmm... I'm guessing that screen is what you seen in the app when you try to upgrade? I don't have tickets in my account right now so I can't see that wording. I guess they really mean you can modify the ticket at the latest 14 days after 1st use, and I agree it should say that more clearly. Technically one wouldn't have any valid remaining admissions at 14 days if the ticket had already expired, and the above does state "if no admissions remain, a ticket may not be modified or upgraded."

For example, say I have a 2-day ticket which has a 4-day valid window...​

• I use 1 day on the ticket
• then 6 days later try to upgrade
• I no longer have a valid admission remaining on the ticket even if I didn't use the 2nd day because the unused day expired with the ticket expiration date

Thanks for the back and forth on this! This is why we're a bit hesitant — the official language is a tad confusing plus all the rumors. #firstworldproblems

 

[lanejudy]

I'm not sure what rumors have you concerned -- I haven't heard any that make me think park hopping will be more restricted than it is now. There is a thread on the Rumors forum questioning the language about hopping, but I believe that has been the standard wording since hopping resumed last year. I honestly don't see WDW restricting hopping any more than it is now, more likely it could open up earlier than 2pm. I also haven't heard any rumors about changes to tickets.

The timing to update your tickets shouldn't really be an issue unless you have a trip longer than 14 days, or a very short ticket with a long trip. I can't imagine they won't add a hopper when/if you decide to do so, but if reservations are "sold out" for your dates it may be harder to add without either a phone call or a stop at Guest Relations. One thing to keep in mind since your trip isn't until January: if WDW raises ticket prices between now and then, you could be charged the difference in prices when you add the hopper. I think they did that to a few people this past spring when prices increased.