Exchanged DVC AP for DVC PAP

[Checkers]

We purchased our APs back in late May or early June and when we went to Guest Services (International Gateway) on 10/6 to activate them, the CM sent us to the Guest Relations window because she said they would be upgraded to PAP since we had paid more for them than the $399. We indeed got a nice refund on our credit card. Good luck to all of you, hope you are successful, too!

 

[sgtpet]

We purchased our APs back in late May or early June and when we went to Guest Services (International Gateway) on 10/6 to activate them, the CM sent us to the Guest Relations window because she said they would be upgraded to PAP since we had paid more for them than the $399. We indeed got a nice refund on our credit card. Good luck to all of you, hope you are successful, too!

That is great. Let me clarify this is the documented process currently. WDW ticketing mentioned it and DVC Member Services read me the script.

I am very pleased with DVC management for revising their thoughts on this.

 

[Jousey]

Glad to hear we plan to upgrade in 17 days.

 

[ryels]

Just wanted to add my experience to the conversation. We arrived in the world on 10/11.

We purchased DVC APs back before the annual price increase. I had heard that getting them upgraded to PAPs was outside of policy, so I had low expectations going in.

But just for kicks, when we went to pick up our APs at MK guest relations, I asked if it was possible to upgrade them to the PAP discounted tickets. At first, the CM started to say, "Well, there are pretty strict rules regarding ticket upgrades, so I don't think we can." But before I could even respond, she turned to her manager and asked him. After a very brief conversation with her manager, she said she would be happy to do it for us.

All we had to do was fill out a small "refund voucher" for the difference in price--which I didn't even ask for, by the way; I was more than happy to eat the difference for the better passes--and give her a credit card to refund the $110. A couple minutes later, we had our PAPs!

It was a great way to start a great trip. Our kids had never been to a water park or Disney Quest, and they ended up loving BB and DQ. For our trip next June, we intend to hit both water parks and DQ again. The discount was great too, and saved us a considerable amount. We already got our money's worth out of the tickets, so our next trip is just gravy as far as we are concerned.

I realize you can't expect this, since it is against policy, but it certainly doesn't hurt to politely ask when you get there. The manager didn't hesitate at all in authorizing the upgrade, and clearly knew how to do it. Good luck to everyone!

 

[socratesjonson]

For me the jury is still out.

Purchased my vouchers in August for our AP. After the announcement of the promotion I called MS on Saturday to see if I could upgrade. I was told by a lady named Jade it could be done, but she didn't know how to do it. After being on hold for a bit, I was told I'd get a call Sunday or Monday from a supervisor to resolve it.

Today (Monday) I got a call from a supervisor who confirmed the upgrade/refund is possible, but the pathway was still unclear. She had to talk with ticketing and the higher ups at MS to figure it out, and they will call me back.

I am hopeful this upgrade will happen . . . . cautiously so!

Thanks everyone for keeping up with this and posting the changes. It gave me the confidence to call on Saturday and think something might actual get done!

 

[tfc3rid]

I purchased a DVC AP in August and activated it then... I've bought a voucher for my wife to use a PAP...

Trying to read through this thread, if I did not activate and use my pass, I may have been able to upgrade but since it is active, I can't upgrade it...

Am I reading that correctly?

 

[tjkraz]

I purchased a DVC AP in August and activated it then... I've bought a voucher for my wife to use a PAP...

Trying to read through this thread, if I did not activate and use my pass, I may have been able to upgrade but since it is active, I can't upgrade it...

Am I reading that correctly?

According to internal policies which have been quoted here, if your active AP originally cost $399 or more it is not eligible for an upgrade. However there have been many reports of members successfully receiving upgrades on those passes. I would file this under the heading of "never hurts to ask."

 

[miste76]

Just returned from our trip... never thought this thread would have gone so far!!!!

Did you go to the international gateway or the front of Epcot?
Thanks?
Mike

This was done at the international gateway.

 

[sgtpet]

This is a big win for many of us. They changed their processes to accomodate the members that had purchased the vouchers already. Class act by DVC.

 

[ryels]

This is a big win for many of us. They changed their processes to accomodate the members that had purchased the vouchers already. Class act by DVC.

Agreed. They didn't have to do it at all, so it was a great way to start our trip. It saved us a bunch of money and gave us some pixie dust on day 1.

 

[DizDaD7]

Agreed. They didn't have to do it at all, so it was a great way to start our trip. It saved us a bunch of money and gave us some pixie dust on day 1.

Indeed this is definitely a pleasant surprise for many. But am I to believe that some people did the voucher upgrade while visiting wdw these past 3 weeks as well as able to upgrade over the phone? And am I also to believe that some that activated their dvc ap prior to this promotion are also able to upgrade when returning between now n end of year, but anyone that has an active dvc just prior to promo that cant be there between now and end of year can't get this upgrade....

 

[Jillian]

Another happy customer. Purchased AP early September, got vouchers, learned of October promotion - thought shoot. No problem, on Thursday we upgraded to PAP, and got a Disney Gift Card for the difference (we had originally paid $425 a pass). The CM acted like giving the credit was standard practice - I didn't even have to try to put on the charm. No problem at all.

 

[Missyrose]

Add me to the list of happy DVCers. I had purchased AP vouchers before the price increase and Disney ticketing just upgraded the vouchers to PAPs and refunded my credit card the $42 difference. It was easy peasy, I'm very impressed.

 

[jekjones1558]

Add me to the list of happy DVCers. I had purchased AP vouchers before the price increase and Disney ticketing just upgraded the vouchers to PAPs and refunded my credit card the $42 difference. It was easy peasy, I'm very impressed.

Did you do this over the phone? If so, what number did you call?

 

[Missyrose]

Did you do this over the phone? If so, what number did you call?

I did this over the phone using 407-566-4985. I was worried I'd have to get a supervisor or something but the ticket services agent knew exactly what he was doing.

 

[jekjones1558]

I did this over the phone using 407-566-4985. I was worried I'd have to get a supervisor or something but the ticket services agent knew exactly what he was doing.

Thanks so much, Missyrose! I think I will try to avoid any potential problems when we go get there by trying to do it over the phone now.

 

[sgtpet]

Thanks so much, Missyrose! I think I will try to avoid any potential problems when we go get there by trying to do it over the phone now.

Let us know how your experience goes. This is great information for all of us in this situation.

 

[sbittner]

I purhcase AP vouchers back in May before the price increase and I would like to upgrade them to the PAP. I just tried calling WDW ticketing and they said I have to member services, I called member servies and they told me I could not to it over the phone.

 

[eandesmom]

We purchased our AP's (family of 4) back in June - prior to the price increase. When the new $399 special price was released a few weeks ago for a premium AP... We tried (unsuccessfully) to exchange or cancel our original purchase. We called DVC, guest relations and the ticketing phone numbers, but always received the same response... "Tickets are non-refundable."

This morning, when we arrived at EPCOT... I tried one last time at guest relations - and without any hassle - I was able to exchange the original purchased voucher for the DVC PAP and get $110 refund (original AP's were for 2 adults & 2 children.)

I am so bummed! I didn't think to ask and try "live", I called prior as well and was told no. not due to it being non refundable but due to the fact I'd paid more than the new premium pass was selling for. And now I'm home. WAH!

Congrats, that is wonderful.

 

[jekjones1558]

Let us know how your experience goes. This is great information for all of us in this situation.

Well I did not have the easy time that Missyrose had. I was transferred back and forth multiple times. No one seemed to know who should handle this. I finally ended up with DVC Member Services. Once I got to them it was 25 minutes while the CM got instructions on what to do. I was given a "refund details number" that I must give to Guest Services when I get to WDW. I need to give my vouchers, by DVC card, my ID and the credit card I used to purchase the APs back in May. I will be given PAPs to replace the APs and a refund on my credit card. So I don't know whether this will speed things up at Guest Services or not. It was worth a try, I guess.