7 for 4 Can Be Good Deal for APs!

[calypso*a*go-go]

I'm so excited!! My persistance paid off!!!! I finally got my AKL CL room under the 4/3 deal!

Good job! I've been checking for that category everyday and was starting to think it had been excluded from the deal.

 

[riaesq]

They can remove the tickets from the key. Guest Relations can do it, but they aren’t very good at. I hear of frequent incidents where they deactivate the key and dining credits wind up missing. Resort *concierge* should be able to do easy, front desk not so much. I don’t know why it should be a problem. If the CM wasn’t trained properly/doesn’t remember, I’d ask for a supervisor so that it can (1) be done and (2) the CM learns.

Just because the room key expired, doesn’t mean the ticket will. Tickets will remain on the key. Ticket turnstiles read a different code than the room doors. I wouldn’t worry about it if you haven’t removed them or forget to. You can also have resort concierge remove the ticket from the key on your next visit if it makes you feel better. Remember, you can charge until midnight on your check-out day and you have dining credits until midnight on your check-out day, but you cannot access your room after 11 AM. And people continue to use tickets from a package on a room key during split stays. Not a big deal unless you have dining credits. If they deactivate your key, you’re already at the resort…

Last year we were at OKW and had the tix removed, no prob. This year at ASMu after a huge amount of discussion, they refused to do it. They told us the same thing, that it could deactivate the room key, that the DVC's had a different system, whatever- so we had it done at the park. BUT I don't think there was any bridging going on-- seems to me I got the exact amount of credit that I paid for my one day tix, around 75.62... and in fact when I asked, several times prior to that, what the cost of the ticket was in my package, I was told it couldn't be separated out so they couldn't tell me...huh?

Should I have insisted that they do the "bridging"??? It was a bit confusing and I really wasn't sure if it would have made a difference after all that.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I'm so excited!! My persistance paid off!!!! I finally got my AKL CL room under the 4/3 deal!

I've been checking a couple times a day since the offer came out and FINALLY, I checked tonight and I got the deal!! Saved another $250 off my AP rate and I get the $200 gift card to boot! Oh, and 1 day base tickets to use another time, almost forgot about that. DH is very happy with me tonight!!

Don't give up if you're still looking!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! I was originally booked with AAA at AKL CL for 1/28 to 2/3. I couldn't get AP when that came out. I was going to surprise DD(9) with it. She thought we were going to Pop. When I heard about the 7 for 4 deal coming out I asked her where she'd like to stay instead of Pop and she said she wanted a beach like YC, BC or Poly. I asked about AKL and she had no desire to stay there. So I booked 7 for 4 at Poly and was able to change my flights to the day before because Jet Blue had changed their schedule. THEN.... I booked AKL CL for 5/2 to 5/9 with 7 for 4 for my birthday with my DS(7). Best of both worlds!!! I am so excited about AKL CL and now I don't have to worry about when AP rates come out in May because I know they probably won't beat this deal.

 

[rt2dz]

Last year we were at OKW and had the tix removed, no prob. This year at ASMu after a huge amount of discussion, they refused to do it. They told us the same thing, that it could deactivate the room key, that the DVC's had a different system, whatever- so we had it done at the park. BUT I don't think there was any bridging going on-- seems to me I got the exact amount of credit that I paid for my one day tix, around 75.62... and in fact when I asked, several times prior to that, what the cost of the ticket was in my package, I was told it couldn't be separated out so they couldn't tell me...huh?

Should I have insisted that they do the "bridging"??? It was a bit confusing and I really wasn't sure if it would have made a difference after all that.

It sounds like at ASMu you had someone who wasn't trained properly/didn't retain their training. I would have asked for a supervisor. If it was a supervisor, I would have just come back later when different people were working. Deactivating the room key is no big deal, they just re-program it. That happens even without removing the ticket. That is a general issue with key card locks.

I would have told them to bridge the ticket price if you paid less (or got it from any 3rd party) than the current gate price. If they refused, simply thank them and come back later when staff has changed or go to a different Guest Relations office. Disney is no different than any other business.

The one thing WE know about Disney is that not all CMs know what/how exactly things are/should be done. Heck, look at how many threads are on here about "The CM told me..." when we know that it is incorrect information. Even Mouse Savers says if you get a CM that doesn't know what they are doing to thank them politely, hang up and call back. I just think Disney has so much to it that CMs can’t learn it /remember it all. It sounds like at ASMu you had someone who wasn't trained properly/didn't retain their training. I would have asked for a supervisor. If it was a supervisor, I would have just come back later when different people were working. Deactivating the room key is no big deal, they just re-program it. That happens even without removing the ticket. That is a general issue with key card locks.

 

[cdrn1]

Okay, I originally said this new 7 for 4 "free nights" offer was not a good deal for Annual Passholders. I just did the math and if you are staying 7 nights at a Moderate or Deluxe resort, it actually is a good deal.

As several people here on the boards discovered, the "Free Nights" Package Offer can be booked with 1-Day Base Tickets. You will not get extra days on the tickets if you do this, but you'll get the free nights.

Here's an example of how an Annual Passholder might do better with the "Free Nights" package:

* 1/5/09-1/12/09, 2 adults, Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View, 7 for 4 "free nights" package with 1-Day Base Ticket and $200 gift card, $1,579.56

* 1/5/09-1/12/09, 2 adults, Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View, 7-night Annual Passholder room only rate, $1488.00

So in this example, with the package you are paying $91.56 more, but you are getting a $200 Disney Gift Card and a 1-Day Base Ticket per person that you can use later (valued at $79.88 per adult).

I also tried this with a Moderate resort, Standard room, same dates, 7-night stay and it worked out similarly.

Dining can be added to either package and will cost the same either way, so it doesn't affect these results.

Personally I'm seriously thinking of taking advantage of this for a January trip!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

Your example was EXACTLY my scenario and my quoted prices, even down to the dates!!! I ended up switching to the Poly and my NET price after deducting the gift card and the ticket costs was about $100 cheaper!

 

[tippy77]

I have the 4/3 deal for two people, with one day base tickets. I have an AP; my cousin who is coming with me does not, nor does she want one. If I have the park tickets removed from the room keys, can my cousin use both of the one day tickets? I can't think of how they would stop her. Or could she combine them and trade them in for a three or four day park ticket?

 

[rt2dz]

She cannot combine them. She may use both one day tickets separately. The best value for the money is to upgrade to a 3 or 4 day ticket. It costs considerably less to add days then use multiple on e day tickets; however, I do see already having the ticket so use it. But, you can save the one day ticket and use it for your next ticket/AP purchase/renewal and get more for it that way.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Tried to book the contemporary with this deal. It isn't included in the deal. The Poly is.

I booked there with no problem.

 

[tippy77]

She cannot combine them. She may use both one day tickets separately. The best value for the money is to upgrade to a 3 or 4 day ticket. It costs considerably less to add days then use multiple on e day tickets; however, I do see already having the ticket so use it. But, you can save the one day ticket and use it for your next ticket/AP purchase/renewal and get more for it that way.

Great advice, thank you!

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I am wondering if buying the AP is worth it for us. We are going to DW 12/12/08 - 12/16/08 - 4 people we are all on the basic DP and 5 day hopper passes

We (only 2 of us, my son and I ) also plan to go on 4/1/09- 4/8/09 on the 4/3 plan. I was planning on doing dining and hopper passes with water parks - 2 people

We (2 of us, my son and I) will return for our annual trip in Dec 2009 - 2 people

the annual pass will cost us 599.00 and 528.00. I only want to buy it for my son and I. Can I do this?

Also, if I do this and get the 1 day pass on the 4/3 offer what becomes of those tickets?

Suggestions appreciate. I am trying to figure out how this will save $ for me. Thanks!

 

[disneyfan55]

I am wondering if buying the AP is worth it for us. We are going to DW 12/12/08 - 12/16/08 - 4 people we are all on the basic DP and 5 day hopper passes


Are you on the free dining plan with Disney Visa? It might be still available for those dates if you have it.


We (only 2 of us, my son and I ) also plan to go on 4/1/09- 4/8/09 on the 4/3 plan. I was planning on doing dining and hopper passes with water parks - 2 people

You can purchase a 1 day pass for all ( the minimum required) The people that do not have the AP can upgrade their tickets as they wish, the AP holders may keep the unused ticket for future use.

We (2 of us, my son and I) will return for our annual trip in Dec 2009 - 2 people

the annual pass will cost us 599.00 and 528.00. I only want to buy it for my son and I. Can I do this?

Yes, you can upgrade your 2008 tickets in Dec. 2008.

Also, if I do this and get the 1 day pass on the 4/3 offer what becomes of those tickets?

They are good forever, you can upgrade them at anytime in the future to an AP or multiday pass or just use them as a one day which to me is a waste since a 1 day costs about 80.

Suggestions appreciate. I am trying to figure out how this will save $ for me. Thanks!

Hope this helps!

 

[rt2dz]

I am wondering if buying the AP is worth it for us. We are going to DW 12/12/08 - 12/16/08 - 4 people we are all on the basic DP and 5 day hopper passes

We (only 2 of us, my son and I ) also plan to go on 4/1/09- 4/8/09 on the 4/3 plan. I was planning on doing dining and hopper passes with water parks - 2 people

We (2 of us, my son and I) will return for our annual trip in Dec 2009 - 2 people

the annual pass will cost us 599.00 and 528.00. I only want to buy it for my son and I. Can I do this?

Also, if I do this and get the 1 day pass on the 4/3 offer what becomes of those tickets?

Suggestions appreciate. I am trying to figure out how this will save $ for me. Thanks!

Anytime you will spend more than 11 days at WDW in a 365 (366 really) day period, an AP is the cheapest ticket media available, assuming hoppers. From what I'm gathering, you will. An AP would be the smart choice.

Now AP v. PAP... If you will spend 4+ days during your AP time at Disney Quest or a water park, it's less expensive long run to get a PAP. If you will spend 3 days or less at Disney Quest or water parks it's less expensive to get an AP and purchase Disney Quest/water park tickets at the window with the AP discount.

With the AP or PAP, you may purchase a Tables in Wonderland (formerly the DDE) card and receive 20% off at most TS restaurants and select CS restaurants. That can save you considerable money over the dining plan, depending on your actual dining style. There are also many other AP/PAP discounts to be had.

You may take the tickets from your first visit and upgrade them to the AP/PAP, getting full gate value for them. First have them put on a separate ticket media by hotel concierge so not to screw up your dining plan credits. Then use the tickets for entrance into a park. Walk over to guest relations and have the tickets upgraded to the AP/PAP. You may wait to do the upgrade, but the AP will expire on the date you first used the original ticket media and you will miss out on AP discounts until you do the upgrade. I have it on good advice to do the upgrade not at the TTC or outside park guest relation offices, but inside the parks to make sure the ticket bridge is done correctly. Also, the resorts cannot upgrade to any type of APs. All upgrades must be done within 14 days of first use.

The 1 day tickets can be saved for an indefinite amount of time, and upgraded (just use them first to get full gate value).

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

my responses below in blue

Are you on the free dining plan with Disney Visa? It might be still available for those dates if you have it.

I thought the offer was only good until 12/14?


You can purchase a 1 day pass for all ( the minimum required) The people that do not have the AP can upgrade their tickets as they wish, the AP holders may keep the unused ticket for future use.

But if we have the AP the issue will be when would we ever use them? I live in IL so we do not live close to the parks. Are they transferable?

the annual pass will cost us 599.00 and 528.00. I only want to buy it for my son and I. Can I do this?

Yes, you can upgrade your 2008 tickets in Dec. 2008.

So when I go to DW and check in I let them know I want to upgrade my parkhopper passes to an annual pass? and they will charge me the difference? OR are you saying I should change my package to everyone (the 4 of us) to have a 1 day pass. and change everyone when we arrive in DEC? I already paid for my trip in full does this matter?

Also, if I do this and get the 1 day pass on the 4/3 offer what becomes of those tickets?

They are good forever, you can upgrade them at anytime in the future to an AP or multiday pass or just use them as a one day which to me is a waste since a 1 day costs about 80.

So I could use them on say my trip in April 2010 and start the annual pass deal all over agian at that time? Boy this is really planning in the future! Glad my son is on 6!

 

[rt2dz]

But if we have the AP the issue will be when would we ever use them? I live in IL so we do not live close to the parks. Are they transferable?
Whenever you return.

Unused, they will never expire. Or an unused ticket may be given to anyone else.

So when I go to DW and check in I let them know I want to upgrade my parkhopper passes to an annual pass? and they will charge me the difference? OR are you saying I should change my package to everyone (the 4 of us) to have a 1 day pass. and change everyone when we arrive in DEC? I already paid for my trip in full does this matter?

Everyone must have the same ticket on the package. Purchase the lowest ticket that is needed by any single person. Then upgrade all the other tickets individually after check-in. APs cannot be upgraded at resorts. It’s best to do it at park guest relations. Use the ticket first and you will get full current gate value, if you paid less. If you don’t use the ticket first, you only get what you paid for the ticket (or what a discount broker paid for the ticket). By having paid for your trip, you will get a credit (minus a $50 change fee if under the 45 day mark) for the price difference.

So I could use them on say my trip in April 2010 and start the annual pass deal all over agian at that time? Boy this is really planning in the future! Glad my son is on 6!

Yes. Or any other ticket of higher value. Or use the ticket as is.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Anytime you will spend more than 11 days at WDW in a 365 (366 really) day period, an AP is the cheapest ticket media available, assuming hoppers. From what I'm gathering, you will. An AP would be the smart choice.

Now AP v. PAP... If you will spend 4+ days during your AP time at Disney Quest or a water park, it's less expensive long run to get a PAP. If you will spend 3 days or less at Disney Quest or water parks it's less expensive to get an AP and purchase Disney Quest/water park tickets at the window with the AP discount.

With the AP or PAP, you may purchase a Tables in Wonderland (formerly the DDE) card and receive 20% off at most TS restaurants and select CS restaurants. That can save you considerable money over the dining plan, depending on your actual dining style. There are also many other AP/PAP discounts to be had.

Thank you! Good to know! With out the appetizer in the Dining Plan this would help if we decide to buy them, I should of been clearer my appoloigies I want to buy the PAP (premium AP)

You may take the tickets from your first visit and upgrade them to the AP/PAP, getting full gate value for them.

Right now I have the 5 day park hopper pass. According the the DW website the value is $509.00 for my son and I. So to buy PAP's for both of us it is 1127.00. The $509.00 I have already paid (my package is paid in full) will be applied and I owe them the difference. Which is $618.

When I travel in April the 7 day park hopper w/ water parks would of be $621. So right there I am saving money. Then in Dec my hopper passers would cost $509. So I am ahead by $509.

Then the 7, 1 day passes are worth approx. $80 each correct? Or $560 dollars times 2 ($1020). So when I go to the park in April of 2010 I trade those in for another PAP and I use that value towards my purchase of a PAP for any trip I take after DEC 2009. Correct? Is there record of these tickets what if I lose them between then and 2010? But the downside is these one day tickets will have to be paid for out of my pocket at the time. So I have to put up alot of money to save some money right?

First have them put on a separate ticket media by hotel concierge so not to screw up your dining plan credits. Then use the tickets for entrance into a park. Walk over to guest relations and have the tickets upgraded to the AP/PAP. You may wait to do the upgrade, but the AP will expire on the date you first used the original ticket media and you will miss out on AP discounts until you do the upgrade. I have it on good advice to do the upgrade not at the TTC or outside park guest relation offices, but inside the parks to make sure the ticket bridge is done correctly. Also, the resorts cannot upgrade to any type of APs. All upgrades must be done within 14 days of first use.

So I can not do this before going to DW? Like the day before I leave?

The 1 day tickets can be saved for an indefinite amount of time, and upgraded (just use them first to get full gate value).

Thanks!

 

[rt2dz]

If you lose your tickets, they’re gone. Please note, you may not combine tickets for an upgrade. Only one ticket may be upgraded. However, unused tickets never expire. Upgrades must be done onsite. AP upgrades must be done at guest relations or a ticket window with ATS capability.

The following is from the Everything You Wanted To Know About Tickets sticky.

Upgrading Tickets to Annual Passes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An upgrade to an Annual Pass or Premium Annual Pass follows basically the same rules as any other upgrade of MYW tickets.

Note that any upgrade requires a cash (or cash equivalent) payment and can only be done on a one to one basis. You cannot combine the value of more than one ticket. In other words, if you had a six day base ticket and a one day base, you could not add the value of both to end up with an AP, even with additional payment. If, however, you have three tickets and are paying to upgrade each of them, this can be done on one transaction.

Any upgrade must be done at WDW at a location with access to the Automated Ticketing System (ATS). Basically this is any park (including water park) ticket window or Guest Services location, or one of the Downtown Disney Guest Services locations. The Lobby Concierge staff at the Resorts are not able to handle any AP transactions.

Guests are able to upgrade or modify their MYW tickets any time within 14 days of first use, regardless of whether the No Expiration Option is purchased. After 14 days no ticket modifications or upgrades may take place.

If you purchased your MYW ticket at a price less than the current gate selling price for that ticket (such as from a discounter/broker or Advance Purchase) and you wish to do any upgrade, Disney will not penalize you for the discount provided the ticket has been used. We will make an "intermediate" ticket at the current gate price, charging the difference between your old ticket and the intermediate one to an internal voucher account. Then we will take the intermediate ticket, which is at the current gate price, and upgrade it with the additional days and/or options you want, and you will only be charged for the differences in the current gate price plus tax. Note if you had paid full current gate price for your old ticket the intermediate step is not done.

If you purchased your ticket at less than the current gate price, and your ticket has not been used, you will have to pay the difference between what Disney actually sold the ticket for and the current gate price of the ticket you are upgrading to. It is always best to use one day from the old pass prior to taking it for an upgrade; you will then have locked in the current gate price as the value of the old pass.

If the MYW ticket has been used, the expiration date of the AP will be set to one year from the date of first use of the ticket being upgraded. If the ticket has not been used, the expiration date will be one year from the date of the upgrade.

When upgrading to Annual Pass, if the Guest's original ticket included Water Park Fun & More Option, and any part of that option was used, then the Guest may only upgrade to the Premium Annual Pass. If none of the WPF&M options were used then upgrading may be done to a regular AP.

A Florida Resident who is upgrading a "Play Three" or "Play Four" ticket may do the upgrade any time within six months of the date of first use. The Florida Resident will also have the option of a Seasonal Pass, as well as an AP or PAP.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

If you lose your tickets, they’re gone. Please note, you may not combine tickets for an upgrade. Only one ticket may be upgraded. However, unused tickets never expire. Upgrades must be done onsite. AP upgrades must be done at guest relations or a ticket window with ATS capability.

I do not want to combine tickets. If I did the base ticket with the 4/3 my son would have 7 base tickets and I would have 7 base tickets. I would up grade t0o 2 PAPs. One for each of us.

I am a bit confused. With doing a 7 day base won't I be paying more for my package for the 4/3?

 

[lovesdumbo]

I am wondering if buying the AP is worth it for us. We are going to DW 12/12/08 - 12/16/08 - 4 people we are all on the basic DP and 5 day hopper passes

We (only 2 of us, my son and I ) also plan to go on 4/1/09- 4/8/09 on the 4/3 plan. I was planning on doing dining and hopper passes with water parks - 2 people

We (2 of us, my son and I) will return for our annual trip in Dec 2009 - 2 people

the annual pass will cost us 599.00 and 528.00. I only want to buy it for my son and I. Can I do this?

Also, if I do this and get the 1 day pass on the 4/3 offer what becomes of those tickets?

Suggestions appreciate. I am trying to figure out how this will save $ for me. Thanks!

Will your last park day in December be before 12/12 so you can use 1 AP for all 3 trips?

 

[rt2dz]

I do not want to combine tickets. If I did the base ticket with the 4/3 my son would have 7 base tickets and I would have 7 base tickets. I would up grade t0o 2 PAPs. One for each of us.

I am a bit confused. With doing a 7 day base won't I be paying more for my package for the 4/3?

I'm still not following you. It still sounds to me like you want to take multiple (7) one-day base tickets that have been collected for each of you and upgrade them into 2 PAPs. You may only upgrade one of those base tickets to a PAP, leaving each of you with 6 one-day base tickets still. If what you mean is you will each have a (1) 7 day base ticket to upgrade, yes that is doable.

A 7 day base ticket is worth more than a 1 day base ticket (duh) and yes it would increase the cost of your package. However, you aren't charged for 3 of those days. If you use the 7 day base ticket first, you will get full gate value for the 7 day ticket when you upgrade. So, while you will pay more for the package, in the long run, you'd save money. If you opted to add no expiration to those 7 day tickets, you'd still pay only for 4 (no expiration, unlike hopping, goes up by the number of days); saving you even more money in the long run because you're paying for a 4 day ticket put getting credit to your PAP for 7 days.

Is that clear? I can't tell.

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

Sorry I am not clear because I am not sure of what I am talking about. So with the 4/3 I am getting a 7 day base ticket not 7 , 1 day base tickets?

I would up grade my 7 day base ticket to a PAP. I would not have left over tickets then correct?

and for the 4/3 I am only paying for 4 days of everything (hotel, dining and parks)? and getting 3 days of everything free?