Arriving a day early

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Hi all!
We managed to snag free dining for Oct 19th to Oct 25th but will be arriving on Oct 18th. We planned on booking a room only reservation for the 18th and we were wondering...
1. Will we be able to use the tickets attached to our package a day early, since we will already have our bands?
2. Once we check in on the 18th, will we be able to keep our room for the entire stay or would we have to change rooms?
Thanks!

 

[kasey1988]

They will be 2 seperate reservations , unless you call and just make adjustments to your current reservation and add a day.. If there is availability you should be able to..just call and ask..
Otherwise if they are 2 seperate reservations you will not have access to your park tickets or dining plan until the 19th..

There is also no guarantee you will keep the same room.

 

[Master Yoda]

1. No. I have heard rumors of people getting their tickets early, but I have never seen it in practice. I would plan for your first day to be spent out of the parks.
2. Possibly. They will do whatever they can to keep you in the same room and as long as both reservations have the same room category (eg standard, water view, etc) booked it should not be a problem. I would however NOT do online check in for the second reservation. It is my understanding that doing online check in for the second reservation can cause issues when dealing with a split stay where you want to stay in the same room.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

They will be 2 seperate reservations , unless you call and just make adjustments to your current reservation and add a day.. If there is availability you should be able to..just call and ask..
Otherwise if they are 2 seperate reservations you will not have access to your park tickets or dining plan until the 19th..

There is also no guarantee you will keep the same room.

We can't add the 18th because the free dining deal starts on the 19th. We already had plane tickets so pushing our trip back a day is a no go either.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

1. No. I have heard rumors of people getting their tickets early, but I have never seen it in practice. I would plan for your first day to be spent out of the parks.
2. Possibly. They will do whatever they can to keep you in the same room and as long as both reservations have the same room category (eg standard, water view, etc) booked it should not be a problem. I would however NOT do online check in for the second reservation. It is my understanding that doing online check in for the second reservation can cause issues when dealing with a split stay where you want to stay in the same room.

That sucks as we had dining reservations and planned to hit Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours that day.

Do you think if we send a fax ahead of time, saying we have two reservations back to back and wanted to stay in the same room, that they would be able to make that happen or should we just wait until we check in for our room only reservation and ask?
We already have a preferred room with our package and are going to book preferred for our room only as well.

 

[belledream]

We can't add the 18th because the free dining deal starts on the 19th. We already had plane tickets so pushing our trip back a day is a no go either.

Maybe you could spend the first day resort hopping, mini golfing, or mixing in DTD activites? I always find that going to the parks on the first day is kind of 'rough' because time is already ticking away and I'm 'jetlagged'. It's definitely fun and impatient people like me can't wait to get to the parks, but in your situation, it makes good sense to start fresh on the 19th and just enjoy your time leisurely on the 18th.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Maybe you could spend the first day resort hopping, mini golfing, or mixing in DTD activites? I always find that going to the parks on the first day is kind of 'rough' because time is already ticking away and I'm 'jetlagged'. It's definitely fun and impatient people like me can't wait to get to the parks, but in your situation, it makes good sense to start fresh on the 19th and just enjoy your time leisurely on the 18th.

We will probably have to do that but it sucks because we had reservations in MK at CRT and we won't be able to keep them

 

[belledream]

We will probably have to do that but it sucks because we had reservations in MK at CRT and we won't be able to keep them

Ohhh I see. That's a toughie to rework with reservations. Keep an eye out though - and maybe you can try something new and always save that experience for another trip if it doesn't go through.

 

[Master Yoda]

That sucks as we had dining reservations and planned to hit Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours that day.

Do you think if we send a fax ahead of time, saying we have two reservations back to back and wanted to stay in the same room, that they would be able to make that happen or should we just wait until we check in for our room only reservation and ask?
We already have a preferred room with our package and are going to book preferred for our room only as well.

The resorts no longer accept faxes. You might get lucky and have a CM look at it, but it will most likely be put in the circular file.

About your only option is to try at check in.

 

[Disvillain63]

The CMs have always been able to keep us in the same room when we have had two ressies at thevsame resort.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

The resorts no longer accept faxes. You might get lucky and have a CM look at it, but it will most likely be put in the circular file.

About your only option is to try at check in.

Really is that new? We just we in May and had faxed over some request and they told me they received them and gave me everything I asked for.

 

[Master Yoda]

Really is that new? We just we in May and had faxed over some request and they told me they received them and gave me everything I asked for.

It has been the official policy for years.

If you have requests, make sure they are on your reservation.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

So I just had a chance to call Disney tickets dept and they said that I won't be able to use the tickets early unless I go to the Disney store and buy them, then re-book my package with those tickets. However, when I spoke to reservations they said that was the wrong information because I would need to get brand new tickets to use the pin code package.
ugh... I don't understand why tickets are dependent on hotel accommodations anyway...

 

[Master Yoda]

So I just had a chance to call Disney tickets dept and they said that I won't be able to use the tickets early unless I go to the Disney store and buy them, then re-book my package with those tickets. However, when I spoke to reservations they said that was the wrong information because I would need to get brand new tickets to use the pin code package.
ugh... I don't understand why tickets are dependent on hotel accommodations anyway...

Tickets are not...promotions are.

To get free dining you must book a room and tickets.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Tickets are not...promotions are.

To get free dining you must book a room and tickets.

I understand that, But at that point, once you pay for the tickets.. They are yours, no?
I paid for them, I paid for the room, why does it make a difference if I use the tickets one or two days early?

Especially when you could do it before with paper tickets, but because of the magic bands, this option isn't available anymore?

I've seen quite a few people on disboards saying that they were told no when they called but once they arrived, they used the bands and were either let in or had to go to GS and they were able to give them the tickets early.

 

[LAM378]

Do you think if we send a fax ahead of time, saying we have two reservations back to back and wanted to stay in the same room, that they would be able to make that happen or should we just wait until we check in for our room only reservation and ask?

I have to do this for a YC reservation in August. 1 night reservation, then 5 nights, same room category. They told me there's no guarantee I'll be able to keep my room, but that the resort will definitely do their best. It's easier on them, the guest, and housekeeping--they won't just move you for the heck of it if they're aware of the situation.

If you haven't already, call WDW and ask them to note that it's a "continuing reservation." 5 days before you check in, call the direct resort telephone number (I know it's not the actual resort, but this is key). Confirm the continuing reservation and any other requests again, since rooms are generally assigned 3-4 days ahead. And then of course mention it at the front desk when you check in.

Faxes can be hit or miss. Nothing wrong, though, with sending a letter to the room assigner a week or so before you check in...an actual put-a-stamp-on-it snail mail letter. Nobody ignores snail mail anymore . Good luck!!

 

[Master Yoda]

I understand that, But at that point, once you pay for the tickets.. They are yours, no?
I paid for them, I paid for the room, why does it make a difference if I use the tickets one or two days early?

Especially when you could do it before with paper tickets, but because of the magic bands, this option isn't available anymore?

I've seen quite a few people on disboards saying that they were told no when they called but once they arrived, they used the bands and were either let in or had to go to GS and they were able to give them the tickets early.

Like I said earlier...I have heard of people doing it, but I have yet to see it in practice nor do I personally know anyone who has done it. I know plenty of people that have been told no in this situation. You can try at check in, but it is not something I would bank on.

The reason why it matters where you get your tickets is a rather convoluted thing and it has nothing to do with magic bands. It has been this way for a long long time.

The short version is "tickets" and "room packages" are technically purchased from 2 different companies.

Just tickets are purchased through Disney.

A room package which is room, tickets and possibly dining are purchased through the Disney Travel Company whom has to technically purchase those tickets from Disney.

While Disney and the Disney Travel Company all appear to be on company, they are, on paper, different ones. This means they have to keep their own separate books, budgets, bank accounts, etc.

When a promotion is run through the Disney Travel company, all items must be purchased through them. You can't buy tickets through Disney and then a room and Dining plan through the Disney Travel Company.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Like I said earlier...I have heard of people doing it, but I have yet to see it in practice nor do I personally know anyone who has done it. I know plenty of people that have been told no in this situation. You can try at check in, but it is not something I would bank on.

The reason why it matters where you get your tickets is a rather convoluted thing and it has nothing to do with magic bands. It has been this way for a long long time.

The short version is "tickets" and "room packages" are technically purchased from 2 different companies.

Just tickets are purchased through Disney.

A room package which is room, tickets and possibly dining are purchased through the Disney Travel Company whom has to technically purchase those tickets from Disney.

While Disney and the Disney Travel Company all appear to be on company, they are, on paper, different ones. This means they have to keep their own separate books, budgets, bank accounts, etc.

When a promotion is run through the Disney Travel company, all items must be purchased through them. You can't buy tickets through Disney and then a room and Dining plan through the Disney Travel Company.

Understood. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm tempted to cancel my reservation & still try to at least get in for emh hours. If it doesn't work then we may be able to use the extra day on our departure day for some last minute park time.

 

[Master Yoda]

Understood. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm tempted to cancel my reservation & still try to at least get in for emh hours. If it doesn't work then we may be able to use the extra day on our departure day for some last minute park time.

You are welcome. You might get lucky and the CM you talk to at check in will know how to work whatever magic needs to be worked to make it happen. Just have a plan B in case the CM you talk to is a Muggle.

 

[kasi22]

I suggest to you do not change the room because shifting is very big problem you take everything shift one room to another room that's big problem during the tour..