DLP Ticket question - Updated with Instructions

[Buried20KLeague]

We went to DLP once in 2009 and we're headed back June 29th. But I'm torn on how to handle tickets.

There are three of us. We're going to the parks for 3 days.

Poking around at different sites, the best price I can find on three adult tickets thus far is $883 total. That's a decent amount cheaper than buying them right from the DLP site.

But then I wonder about getting an AP, for the additional shop and dining discounts, along with being able to apparently buy tickets "day of" at the gate for a decent amount off... Plus the whole "privilege ticket" thing, which is fairly confusing. Looks like I could only get 5 one day tickets in a week, and I would need 6. So even if I were able to do that, one ticket would be bought at full price. And I don't know if you have to get the privilege tickets in person or if you can do it way ahead of time online (conflicting info, I think).

But the "day of" stuff worries me in late June. Park availability and all that.

It sort of feels like the right play is to get a Magic Flex pass simply for the discounts and not worry about using it for a discount on the other park tickets, and just buy from the cheapest online source I can, to guarantee park access, etc.

Thoughts? Or is there a plan that might be better that I haven't even thought of?

Gimme a hand here, @marni1971 ! lol

 

[marni1971]

We went to DLP once in 2009 and we're headed back June 29th. But I'm torn on how to handle tickets.

There are three of us. We're going to the parks for 3 days.

Poking around at different sites, the best price I can find on three adult tickets thus far is $883 total. That's a decent amount cheaper than buying them right from the DLP site.

But then I wonder about getting an AP, for the additional shop and dining discounts, along with being able to apparently buy tickets "day of" at the gate for a decent amount off... Plus the whole "privilege ticket" thing, which is fairly confusing. Looks like I could only get 5 one day tickets in a week, and I would need 6. So even if I were able to do that, one ticket would be bought at full price. And I don't know if you have to get the privilege tickets in person or if you can do it way ahead of time online (conflicting info, I think).

But the "day of" stuff worries me in late June. Park availability and all that.

It sort of feels like the right play is to get a Magic Flex pass simply for the discounts and not worry about using it for a discount on the other park tickets, and just buy from the cheapest online source I can, to guarantee park access, etc.

Thoughts? Or is there a plan that might be better that I haven't even thought of?

Gimme a hand here, @marni1971 ! lol

Someone with an AP would be able to help more with some of this @Swissmiss

I would say last June there were a few days we were there when the “parks full” signs were up outside the gates.

 

[Swissmiss]

I’ll try to answer all your questions- if I leave something out don’t hesitate to ask me again

The privilege tickets can only be purchased on the day of, at the AP ticket windows outside the Studios park. Yes, you are limited to 5 per week but I have never found information as to how they determine the week period (as in whether it is a 7 day period or whether it restarts on a particular day of the week). After that you would need to purchase a discounted day ticket (20% off) at the ticket window. You would need to make reservations for the AP holder and the privilege tickets in order to be able to enter the parks. I had issues at Christmas time with this because my pass renewal date was late November and although I knew the new pass number as soon as I purchased it, it would not allow me to make reservations under the new number but only the old number (as it was 3 weeks before the old pass expired) and then just before my trip I learned that my reservations no longer existed (and the QR code for the reservations also no longer existed in the email - the whole email was essentially blank). So if you are unlikely to need the AP after your trip, then it would be best to purchase it as soon as possible so that the validity date is already running so you can make the privilege ticket reservations as well.

You cannot make reservations for the discounted ticket but I have been told that it isn’t needed as the only place you can buy them is at the ticket window on the day of and that makes them “dated” tickets and no reservation is necessary. (Don’t get me started how it is not logical that the same does not apply to the privilege tickets …)

If you think you will want ride photos than factor in the cost of purchasing photopass+, which is included with the Infinity pass. Also factor in the higher discounts and lower privilege ticket costs.

Schools in France don’t get out until after the 1st week in July and some other European countries don’t get out until 30 June so at the moment you shouldn’t need to worry about park reservations unless you are planning on a going during the weekend. For info, it is possible to have reservation availability for privilege tickets but not for the AP, but I’ve managed to put myself on a waiting list for a reservation when this has happened and eventually got one.

Hope this helps!

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I’ll try to answer all your questions- if I leave something out don’t hesitate to ask me again

The privilege tickets can only be purchased on the day of, at the AP ticket windows outside the Studios park. Yes, you are limited to 5 per week but I have never found information as to how they determine the week period (as in whether it is a 7 day period or whether it restarts on a particular day of the week). After that you would need to purchase a discounted day ticket (20% off) at the ticket window. You would need to make reservations for the AP holder and the privilege tickets in order to be able to enter the parks. I had issues at Christmas time with this because my pass renewal date was late November and although I knew the new pass number as soon as I purchased it, it would not allow me to make reservations under the new number but only the old number (as it was 3 weeks before the old pass expired) and then just before my trip I learned that my reservations no longer existed (and the QR code for the reservations also no longer existed in the email - the whole email was essentially blank). So if you are unlikely to need the AP after your trip, then it would be best to purchase it as soon as possible so that the validity date is already running so you can make the privilege ticket reservations as well.

You cannot make reservations for the discounted ticket but I have been told that it isn’t needed as the only place you can buy them is at the ticket window on the day of and that makes them “dated” tickets and no reservation is necessary. (Don’t get me started how it is not logical that the same does not apply to the privilege tickets …)

If you think you will want ride photos than factor in the cost of purchasing photopass+, which is included with the Infinity pass. Also factor in the higher discounts and lower privilege ticket costs.

Schools in France don’t get out until after the 1st week in July and some other European countries don’t get out until 30 June so at the moment you shouldn’t need to worry about park reservations unless you are planning on a going during the weekend. For info, it is possible to have reservation availability for privilege tickets but not for the AP, but I’ve managed to put myself on a waiting list for a reservation when this has happened and eventually got one.

Hope this helps!

So reports I saw online of people being able to purchase privilege tickets ahead of time are not accurate then? Or are you saying that you can reserve the park spots online but then pay for the tickets and pick them up day of?

It still feels a bit like playing with fire on park availability. We’ll be there on a Thursday Friday and Saturday.

If I did go that route, the AP holder gets early admission…. Do the privilege or discount ticket holders?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[cjkeating]

I would be concerned about Annual Pass availability...

Registration availability calendar

register.disneylandparis.com

You should be able to use the link above to see the current AP availability if you haven't already. Saturdays are nearly always booked up weeks in advance, and closer to the date other days will likely get booked up.

If you still think it's a good idea I'm an AP holder so happy to answer questions.

 

[Swissmiss]

You have to reserve ahead of time online but you can only purchase day of at the park. The privilege ticket holders also get early entrance if the AP holder is with them (technically you could buy privilege tickets for friends but not go in the park with them which is why the AP holder must also be going in for the early entrance).

As for playing with fire with the availability - you can check the calendar to see whether the days you are considering are still available, but you must do so for the 2 different ticket types (AP and privilege).

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I would be concerned about Annual Pass availability...

Registration availability calendar

register.disneylandparis.com

You should be able to use the link above to see the current AP availability if you haven't already. Saturdays are nearly always booked up weeks in advance, and closer to the date other days will likely get booked up.

If you still think it's a good idea I'm an AP holder so happy to answer questions.

Thanks! Currently my dates are still open.

Any idea if I order a pass today when I can book reservations? Do I have to wait for the physical pass or can i reserve park days right away?

 

[Buried20KLeague]

You have to reserve ahead of time online but you can only purchase day of at the park. The privilege ticket holders also get early entrance if the AP holder is with them (technically you could buy privilege tickets for friends but not go in the park with them which is why the AP holder must also be going in for the early entrance).

As for playing with fire with the availability - you can check the calendar to see whether the days you are considering are still available, but you must do so for the 2 different ticket types (AP and privilege).

Ok, makes sense. So if the dates are currently wide open, sounds like:

1. Buy an AP
2. Reserve my days
3. Reserve 5 privilege tickets (to be picked up and paid for at the winder the day of)
4. Buy one last necessary ticket at full price to ensure reservation spot, giving me 6 tickets in total I need for my other two family members

Sound right? The only question then is can I book park reservations right after AP purchase, or do I have to wait till I get the physical pass…

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Anybody have a link to privilege registration availability? Or is it just the regular ticket availability calendar?

 

[Swissmiss]

Ok, makes sense. So if the dates are currently wide open, sounds like:

1. Buy an AP
2. Reserve my days
3. Reserve 5 privilege tickets (to be picked up and paid for at the winder the day of)
4. Buy one last necessary ticket at full price to ensure reservation spot, giving me 6 tickets in total I need for my other two family members

Sound right? The only question then is can I book park reservations right after AP purchase, or do I have to wait till I get the physical pass…

When I renewed my pass I was able to determine my new pass number to be able to access the reservation system. It was also the first time I used the website for a renewal. The DLP passes have your picture on them so I am not sure how they deal with the photo aspect on a new pass sold thru the websit3.

Anybody have a link to privilege registration availability? Or is it just the regular ticket availability calendar?

You can only have access with a valid pass number; I’ll try to look later for you to see what those dates look like.

 

[Kevin_W]

I would be concerned about Annual Pass availability...

Registration availability calendar

register.disneylandparis.com

You should be able to use the link above to see the current AP availability if you haven't already. Saturdays are nearly always booked up weeks in advance, and closer to the date other days will likely get booked up.

If you still think it's a good idea I'm an AP holder so happy to answer questions.

I'm glad I saw this thread - I had completely forgotten that you need to register for the parks and we're headed there next week! Luckily, the 2 days we'll be in the area (Thursday-Friday) were still available. Wednesday and Saturday are waitlisted.

For the OP - the dining discounts, free parking, and (most importantly) early entry made the AP worth it to us, even for just a 3-day visit. Although as you can see, having the AP led us back to a 2nd trip so it' snot saving us money at all.

 

[cjkeating]

Thanks! Currently my dates are still open.

Any idea if I order a pass today when I can book reservations? Do I have to wait for the physical pass or can i reserve park days right away?

These are the two options.

Option 1 lets you reserve once you receive it. Option 2 you can make one reservation and then the rest afterwards. You need option 1 but keep in mind the 14 days delivery is for delivery in France. I have no idea how long it would take to get to you.

 

[Kevin_W]

These are the two options.

Option 1 lets you reserve once you receive it. Option 2 you can make one reservation and then the rest afterwards. You need option 1 but keep in mind the 14 days delivery is for delivery in France. I have no idea how long it would take to get to you.

In our case, we never actually received the passes (they mailed them to Dublin, Ireland instead of Dublin, Ohio!) and we had to pick them up at the park. But you only need the AP# to make park reservations. Looking back at my records, I made my park reservations 7 days after purchase of the AP's, even without the card.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

In our case, we never actually received the passes (they mailed them to Dublin, Ireland instead of Dublin, Ohio!) and we had to pick them up at the park. But you only need the AP# to make park reservations. Looking back at my records, I made my park reservations 7 days after purchase of the AP's, even without the card.

And you chose the “sending pass home” option? But never got the pass? So it sounds like you made your reservations 7 days after ordering the pass… but probably could have made the even earlier?

 

[Kevin_W]

And you chose the “sending pass home” option? But never got the pass? So it sounds like you made your reservations 7 days after ordering the pass… but probably could have made the even earlier?

Right, I chose the "send pass home" option. I probably could have made the reservations sooner. If I recall, I had to call and talk to someone on the phone to get the number for one of our passes (and DLP hold times were very long. Luckily, I enjoyed their hold music better than WDW's!).

 

[Swissmiss]

These are the two options.

Option 1 lets you reserve once you receive it. Option 2 you can make one reservation and then the rest afterwards. You need option 1 but keep in mind the 14 days delivery is for delivery in France. I have no idea how long it would take to get to you.

View attachment 703892

I don’t think you can make privilège ticket reservations with a temporary pass.

And if you read the language carefully of the sending out tickets - they are sent out within 14 days, not sent out within 14 days in France. I got mine incredibly quickly - even with it having a bad country address on one of them. That being said I was able to figure out what my pass number was from the confirmation number.

 

[Swissmiss]

@Buried20KLeague - As promised I had a look to see about availability for privilege tickets. June is not yet open for reservations so I think you’ll be fine.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I don’t think you can make privilège ticket reservations with a temporary pass.

And if you read the language carefully of the sending out tickets - they are sent out within 14 days, not sent out within 14 days in France. I got mine incredibly quickly - even with it having a bad country address on one of them. That being said I was able to figure out what my pass number was from the confirmation number.

Can I ask how you were able to figure out the pass number using the confirmation number?

I’m officially an infinity pass holder.

 

[Swissmiss]

Can I ask how you were able to figure out the pass number using the confirmation number?

I’m officially an infinity pass holder.

Good question. I think that I noticed that my last two passes started with the same series of numbers .

Or that perhaps on one of the confirmations I noticed a number long enough to be a pass number ending with the confirmation number .

ETA: Neither of the above - my confirmation clearly said "Annual pass number" . (It did start with the same series of numbers as my previous one though.)

FYI: Even though Infinity pass holders have a special number for calling DLP my experience is that I am on hold less when I call through the regular phone number so I don’t always bother with it.

 

[Kevin_W]

Can I ask how you were able to figure out the pass number using the confirmation number?

I’m officially an infinity pass holder.

For 2 of our 3 AP's, I got an email titled "a wonderful welcome to our Annual Pass community" that had the AP number in it. Fro some reason I didn't get the 3rd email, but I called DLP and a CM looked it up fo rme.