A year ago today....

[bumbershoot]

...we entered the parks with our parkhoppers for the first day of our First Big Family Trip to Disneyland/DCA.

Which means that today is the last valid date of our APs!

We have MORE than used those APs this year, it's been great! And I so wish I could renew those puppies right now!


Which leads to the question about what I read: I've read a couple times that there's a super-secret 30 day period AFTER the expiration date where you can still renew with the discount. For those of you who know about this, talk to me!

I'm going to be in So Cal in early Nov and plan on a solo day at DLR before leaving to go home, and I very much plan on getting an AP, so I figure if I can save $20 by renewing in October vs buying brand new in November, I'll plan to do that!*



* though I do know it would set my AP at 9/18 again, rather than 11/5, so I'd need to think more about that before going forth, especially since my b'day is in October and I would like to be able to get in next year on my b'day...though actually if my AP had expired I could go on a ONE day trip and not have to pay, right? thanks to the new promotion

 

[CrazyDuck]

Why would you want to save $20 to renew a pass that would only net you 11 months of use?

 

[bumbershoot]

Well that's one of the things I'm thinking about.

But I'm asking the question of those who have mentioned the 30 day grace period so I have that knowledge. Because knowledge is good.

 

[bumbershoot]

finally disneyland.com let me in; if I renew, I actually save $30, to be exact, b/c it looks like they are actually giving me the price I paid for it, and we bought the day before the prices went up in '07 (so there have been two price changes since we bought the AP!).

 

[jencav5]

I was just having this same conversation with my dad! I talked him into buying an AP last year and he is wondering if he should renew.

The thing is, IMO, if you've more than used the current AP, and you plan to use the new one enough to pay for it, at least, then why not just renew & be done with it. Plus, by renewing online, you get the special pass design & card, which is a little nicer and sturdier than the regular one. Also, not sure what pass you have, but for premiums, you get the 20% merchandise coupons.

If you're past the renewal date, but less than 30 days, you can call and renew with the discount, special pass, etc... I have done that in past years.

 

[jencav5]

finally disneyland.com let me in; if I renew, I actually save $30, to be exact, b/c it looks like they are actually giving me the price I paid for it, and we bought the day before the prices went up in '07 (so there have been two price changes since we bought the AP!).

So, are you saying that the regular rate of your AP renewal is less than the current AP rate? Then they are taking off the $20 discount? So, is this because they billed you before the raise?

 

[tink2dw]

? ?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Personally, I would just get the new pass when you go in November. We're only talking about a $30 savings for roughly 6 weeks or so when you know you won't be using the pass. If you go on your b-day next year, you can take advantage of the birthday money they give you since you're an AP holder. I guess I just don't think the savings is really worth it when you factor in the "lost" park time because it backdates your pass. I think it's a tremendous incentive when you're local and can go whenever you want to, but when some planning has to be done, I think it's best to renew on your first visit after the pass expired.

 

[bumbershoot]

So, are you saying that the regular rate of your AP renewal is less than the current AP rate? Then they are taking off the $20 discount? So, is this because they billed you before the raise?

When we got the APs last September, they were 239. The next day they were raised to 259. Then in August they were raised to 269. The rate given to me on my AP page is 239. I do not know why, b/c I was expecting 20 off the current rate.

Did they change things after August 18? If so that might be why, but otherwise, I don't know.


That $20 difference between what we paid and what they changed it to the day after we bought them has caused me to not want to upgrade to Premium during this last year, it was really feeling so much bigger than just 20 bucks. And that seems to be continuing. Saving 20 (or30) just sounds so huge, when it really really really is not that big.

I have the "I-want-its" fighting with the "now let's be reasonables" and that's never fun for a Libra like me (who can make an argument in my head for anything at any time anyways and doesn't need the extra thoughts, LOL).


jencav5, thanks for that confirmation!!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Yes, there used to be a 30 day grace period on renewal. However, I have heard (note: NOT first-hand knowledge) that this is no longer offered.

A quick call to the AP office in the morning would have your answer... but I am in agreement with many here that mathematically it may make more sense for you to hold off and get a new pass. I guess you will have to run the numbers on that side.

 

[silence]

Bumbershoot.....we were there at the same time last year. My AP expired today as well, however, we upgraded and saved $30 each...so $150 for our family. Since we are going next month, it was worth it to renew vs. wait and buy new passes.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh Silence you lucky thing!

While reading old Winnie the Pooh stories to DS, I realized I wanted to clarify the earlier mention of the $20 keeping me from upgrading. When we bought them, Deluxe was 239 and Premium was 359. So I had 120 in my head. Then they went up to 379 for Premium, and the extra 20 just bugged me. (and of course now the Premium is 389)

Through the year I kept track of the Deluxe discounts we got, and compared it to "what if we had 15% off food instead and a discount on stuff too", and that difference could have made it worthwhile to "make up" for the $40 of one blockout pass I didn't have thoughts to buy (there was the ladies only trip that would have accounted for one pass, and I could have gone in the day before DS's b'day with another pass), but making up for 60 was just "too much" for me, LOL.

I know it still makes NO sense, but, um, welcome to my brain.



The only number I can find for passholders, other than the hotel reservation one, is one to leave a message. Will have to look around more.

 

[jencav5]

Oh Silence you lucky thing!

While reading old Winnie the Pooh stories to DS, I realized I wanted to clarify the earlier mention of the $20 keeping me from upgrading. When we bought them, Deluxe was 239 and Premium was 359. So I had 120 in my head. Then they went up to 379 for Premium, and the extra 20 just bugged me. (and of course now the Premium is 389)

Through the year I kept track of the Deluxe discounts we got, and compared it to "what if we had 15% off food instead and a discount on stuff too", and that difference could have made it worthwhile to "make up" for the $40 of one blockout pass I didn't have thoughts to buy (there was the ladies only trip that would have accounted for one pass, and I could have gone in the day before DS's b'day with another pass), but making up for 60 was just "too much" for me, LOL.

I know it still makes NO sense, but, um, welcome to my brain.



The only number I can find for passholders, other than the hotel reservation one, is one to leave a message. Will have to look around more.

Have you ever considered just upgrading one adult pass to premium? I know a lot of families that do it that way, so that they can get the higher discounts, parking, etc.., but still save on the rest of the family passes.

 

[famograham]

Awww, It's been a year for us too...but no trips in between!

I'm sooo wishing we could go back right now!
Darned money!

 

[bumbershoot]

Have you ever considered just upgrading one adult pass to premium? I know a lot of families that do it that way, so that they can get the higher discounts, parking, etc.., but still save on the rest of the family passes.

Oh yes, it was only ever going to be me with the Premium. My guys love DLR but I loooooove DLR. And they like swimming, and could easily spend a day in the pool, and if we take another big trip I'm going to suggest that to them, especially if a big trip goes through a blocked out date.

Awww, It's been a year for us too...but no trips in between!

I'm sooo wishing we could go back right now!
Darned money!

Hey, I was just, sort of, talking about you! There's a thread on the WDW forum "have you ever seen yourself in someone else's picture", and I mentioned the Jack Sparrow line-up we were in at the same time, unknowingly.

 

[Disney Dreams]

There is a 30-day grace period if you renew by mail, per Guest Relations and Ticketing on the phone 2 minutes ago.

If you want to talk to someone personally so you have a name in case anything gets goofed up: 714-781-4000. Hold for an operator. Ask for Guest Relations.

He transferred me to Passes and Tickets (or something like that...) 714-781-4400

Here's specifically what you need to do.

Include the following information:
Name of AP holder
The string of numbers under the bar code
The expiration date
Correct mailing address
If paying with CC, give name of cc holder, card #, card type, exp. date)

Mail to:
Disneyland Annual Passes
PO Box 61015
Anaheim, CA 92803

- Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks, DD! I was just going by the limited info on the AP site. Huh, imagine that, one part of Disney not giving full info that another part of Disney has.