Walt Disney World has issued an update for date-based, multi-day tickets. The update is important, especially with the Disney Park Pass System in play, which requires guests to make theme park reservations.
Basically, what guests need to know is that if there isn’t Disney Park Pass availability on a select day, they can still book a specific time range for date-based, multi-day tickets.
But, before we get into the nitty-gritty of it all, allow us to explain how these particular types of tickets work.
WDW uses a date-based ticket pricing system, which means the ticket amount also depends on the dates you select.
The purpose of date-based tickets is to help spread attendance throughout the year, especially during busy times of year when many people choose to visit. If you were to visit during the holidays, tickets will be higher in price.
Of course, attendance, capacity, and crowd levels have changed recently due to the ongoing pandemic, but the date-based ticket system still works the same.
Tickets are valid beginning on the selected start date and they must be used within the valid use period given at the time of purchase.
One-day tickets expire on the selected start date, whereas the expiration date for 2-day to 10-day tickets varies.
Here’s how it works:
- 2-Day tickets are valid for any 2 days within a 4 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 3-Day tickets are valid for any 3 days within a 5 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 4-Day tickets are valid for any 4 days within a 7 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 5-Day tickets are valid for any 5 days within a 8 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 6-Day tickets are valid for any 6 days within a 9 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 7-Day tickets are valid for any 7 days within a 10 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 8-Day tickets are valid for any 8 days within a 12 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 9-Day tickets are valid for any 9 days within a 13 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
- 10-Day tickets are valid for any 10 days within a 14 day window that begins on the day indicated when purchased
Note: If you choose the Park Hopper Plus option, you’ll get one more day to use your ticket. Remember, the Park Hopper option is slated to return beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
It’s also important to note that the validity of tickets purchased as part of a Walt Disney World Vacation Package differ from ticket-only purchases.
These types of tickets are valid for admission beginning on the date of check-in and must be used by the date of check-out, or in accordance with the validity windows listed above — whichever period is longer.
So, now that that’s all cleared up, here’s what you need to know about the latest date-based, multi-day ticket update.
We’re going to explain it using an example that was provided by Disney.
- You request a 3-day WDW theme park base ticket (last day of the validity window is 4 days after the selected start date).
- You select a start date of March 1, however, in this example, let’s assume that there are no Disney Park Pass reservations available for March 3, but Disney Park Pass reservations are available for all of the other days during the validity window.
- In this example, you will be unable to visit the theme parks on March 3, but may use your 3-day ticket to obtain a Disney Park Pass on three of the other four days within their validity window: March 1, March 2, March 4, and March 5.
Now, in the past, the Disney Park Pass System has seen more availability added, so even if park reservations aren’t readily available at the time a ticket is purchased, there’s a chance a park reservation could open up closer to the ticket validity window.
That said, you will not be able to make a reservation or visit a park on a day when reservations are unavailable.
Disney has also noted, “We expect that Walt Disney World multi-day, date based tickets will remain unavailable for order in situations where there are too many days within the ticket’s validity window where Disney Park Pass reservations are unavailable, and therefore you would (as of the time of the order) be unable to make park reservations for the full amount of days available on your ticket.”
We’ll be sure to update you if or when more information is announced about the WDW ticket system.
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