A complicated AP question

[mikat]

TIA for any and all advice - my family of 4 (me, DH, and two DS) will be going to WDW (first time ever) in Nov and we have 5-day PH passes (MYW package with 40% room only discount and DDP). Despite this being our first trip, I'm already hooked onto DIS and so excited about the trip, and if all goes well, I would like to return in the spring, and possibly again in the late summer. Even if we would only come back in the spring, with another set of 5-day passes, we're close to AP prices.

Here's the problem - DH won't be able to get that much time off of work, and so he would probably only be with us for a weekend in the spring trip. I'll be there with DSes for 4-9 days, depending on how I work it.

SOOOO... can I convert 3 of the 4 of us to APs, and if so, how does that affect DDP and room reservations if DH is only there for a few days and isn't an AP? I guess the easiest way to deal with it would be to have the room reservation in my name only and only list the kids in the room. Then he can just buy a 1 or 2-day park ticket for when he's in town and we'll pay for his meals out of pocket, but I want to make sure him not being an AP won't cause issues.

Thanks again! Sorry for the complex situation.

 

[squirrel]

You can upgrade any of the tickets to AP after checking in and getting your KTTW. Some people have had trouble getting the tickets removed from the KTTW without messing up the dining credits. I didn't have any trouble last year. I upgraded my 10 day tickets to an AP.

You can check for AP room discounts for your next trip in the spring. You will be able to add the dining plan to the room even if your husband doesn't have an AP. You just need one adult AP to get the Dining Plan.

Everyone in the room is supose to either be on the plan or no dining plan. I'm not sure if there is a way around this as it is a pain to have to pay for extra dining credits that may be hard to use up.

 

[cjb71870]

You don't need him for anything after you make your ticket an AP!

 

[snykymom]

Once you check in, all the "package" requirements have been met and no longer hold. Each person's ticket is now an individual ticket and has nothing to do with the DDP anymore (except for the fact that it's on the KTTK card). That means that you can upgrade anyone's ticket to anything you like without doing the same for the others.

To avoid problems with your dining credits, you may want to ask the concierge desk at your resort to remove your ticket from your KTTK card, and then upgrade.

Additionally, since you have a room discount, you may want to consider purchasing the Tables in Wonderland card and dropping the DDP. TiW gives you 20% off most table service restaurants, includes all menu items including appetizers, and also includes adult beverages. We've found that to be more cost-effective and a lot more flexible than the DDP for us.