Upgrading 14 day ultimate to an Annual Pass

Hi. I know this can be done from reading the accounts of other people, and that the cost seems highly variable depending on where you go and whom you ask. But for those who have done this, what did it cost you? I'm thinking about taking just my DD again next May. We prefer the freedom of not having the regular dining plan as it's too much food for us without DH and DS (they love to eat!!!!) and we will have 14 day passes triggered in August 2015 so could upgrade them while there this summer. So I'm trying to work out if I am better booking for us now with free dining and buying new 14 day tickets or upgrading our passes and waiting for the later released room discounts. We would only need 9 days of park entry not 14 and would pay out of pocket for I'm guessing two TS character meals. For me, the accommodation is more important than the food. I'd rather stay deluxe and 'graze' all day. We went without our boys in May 2014 on a room discount and it worked out well but that was a very last minute trip so I never had time to do the maths really and didn't have an AP possibility. Thanks for any insights.

In December we upgraded DDs 14 day Ultimate and it was valued at about $350. That was a child ticket. Now we have got better prices before but couldn't do anything this time due to other circumstances so took it and as we were upgrading to a DVC renewal the extra we had to pay was minimal.

In your circumstances it will almost certainly be better for you to upgrade and get a room discount than free dining. With 2 people in a deluxe room a room discount will save you more than the DDP would cost. Also once you have an AP you can book AP room rates which are usually another 5% off.

We've done this too and usually take advantage of the AP discount at the deluxe hotels. It works out far better for us than the free dining. The only offer that has ever bettered this is the bounceback.

We would like to use the benefits (mainly free parking) on our initial trip so would it be better to just buy the annual pass in the first place? Is it any cheaper to buy the 14 and then upgrade? I wish they still offered no expiration!

ElleBelle88 said:

We would like to use the benefits (mainly free parking) on our initial trip so would it be better to just buy the annual pass in the first place? Is it any cheaper to buy the 14 and then upgrade? I wish they still offered no expiration!

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I wouldn't buy the 14 day and upgrade you may save or it may cost you as there is no set upgrade path and it is down to luck of the CM. If you want to save a few dollars on the AP buy a MYW ticket from a discounter such as Undercover Tourist and upgrade that. You are guaranteed savings as long as you use the ticket once before upgrading they will bridge the ticket to gate price.

Thanks for the advice