Am I taking a risk booking an AP rate without an AP in hand?

[thisismyusername]

Due to our flight getting canceled, we had to add a day onto our vacation, so we are now staying one day at the GF before we move over to the BC where we have our ticket package and dining plan.

On our arrival day, I plan to head over Guest Services at the MK and pick up our ticket package one day early (which I can do according to the "Everything you need to know about tickets" sticky, yes?) Then, immediately after entering the park, I'm going to upgrade my 10 day WP&M hopper into an AP.

Our initial plan was to check into the GF first since we have a cabana rental set up from 10-2 and we figured we could relax and unwind from traveling, hopefully get into our room at some point, and then hit the park. As of right now, we are booked under the spring promo, but the AP rate is much better, and I asked my TA to convert our reservation; however, she's pretty sure I shouldn't take the risk to do so since:

(a) she's worried we might not be able to pick up the tickets early
(b) she was told that you HAVE to show the AP upon check in. According to sources here, many times the desk is totally fine with you showing the AP once you pick it up at the park, even if it's a few hours after check in?

I could, technically, pick up the tickets and get my AP before checking into the GF; however, we will lose time with the cabana if I have to head over to the park first. (You can't be at the cabana without being officially checked in.)

Do you think I'm taking too many risks with converting the reservation? It's a much better discount, so I'd really like to take advantage of the AP rate if possible.

Your thoughts and experience is appreciated.

 

[katrina1122]

Why don't you just pick up your tix at gf? I don't think you have to go to a park to do it.

 

[Costumesaremylife]

My flight got delayed once and we didn't land until it was too late to pick up my pass. They did ask for it and I said I would have it the next morning. The desk person said, ok bring it back then. I brought it back in the next day, (lunchtime) and the other desk person just waved at me and said, it's all fine.

 

[spiceycat]

know not staying this is true.

but ta gets commission on your room rate (package) - so if you lower you - she will get less.

now she might really be concerned for you. but too many people have reported that WDW resort will allow you 24 hours to show them the annual pass.

 

[Sue M]

I didn't have Ap once to show at check in, only voucher which I cleverly packed in luggage and was told, no problem, bring it back later that evening to desk, after I got my luggage, and got my AP at guest relations.

So when we got back that night from the park I showed it.

You can get your tickets early from Guest Relations. The resort can't do it.

You know you'll loose the WP option if you switch to AP unless you get Premium AP. I'm working out that for me, AP vs Premium AP. I calculate its worth it to get Premium AP if you plan on 3 or more WP days. If you plan on 2 WP days, it's cheaper to just buy a ticket using AP $4 discount

 

[AuroraRora]

I've stayed on an AP rate three times and only been asked to show my AP once! And the one time I showed it, it was because the CM was looking at her computer with a confused look on her face, and I asked if she wanted to see my AP thinking she needed it, and she was like "oh... uh sure!". The first time I checked in without it, I didn't have the AP yet as I was about to go buy it at the parks, but I wasn't asked for it anyway.

 

[neodymm]

Like others said, if they even ask to see your AP, then you can bring it back. More often than not, they haven't even asked for mine. You should definitely have your TA change to the better rate...thats more money you can spend on dole whips, cupcakes, and Mickey ice cream bars. Lol

 

[bumbershoot]

You know you'll loose the WP option if you switch to AP unless you get Premium AP.

Good point, in case the OP doesn't know. If you use any of those days before upgrading you *have to* upgrade to Premium, and if you only up grade to Deluxe you don't get the waterpark etc options.


You're not taking a risk. This is doable. Front desk people know that not everyone shows up with AP in hand at checkin. It's OK.

 

[purple figment]

I think you know more about planning this trip than the TA. You are correct that you can pick up your park tickets up to three days early at Guest Relations at a park and then upgrade to an AP after entering the park. And you are correct that you don't need the AP when you check in; you can show it to them the next day.

Why don't you just pick up your tix at gf? I don't think you have to go to a park to do it.

The OP is planning to pick up the park tickets the day before the start of their package. Early ticket pick up has to be done at Guest Relations in a park. Occasionally, if you're doing a split stay (with both stays at the same resort), a knowledgeable CM might be able to do it at the resort.

 

[thisismyusername]

Thanks so much for the feedback. If it becomes a problem upon check in, I'll just head to the park, get my ticket, exchange it to an AP, and go back to the front desk. I can't imagine it will take longer than 45 minutes to do so with us being so close to the MK? Hopefully, they'd allow the rest of my family to use the pool and the cabana while I'm doing that.

My TA is relatively new to Disney. She's a friend, and has earned every penny of her commission with me changing things around a bunch of times, but I have educated myself here and other sites to make sure that I'm able to get the best deals. She's not taking a cut in commission with the AP rate: we're able to upgrade to Sugarloaf for a few bucks more, so I'd be really devastated if we have issues on check in and need to pay rack rate for our room (which would put us in the Broom Closet, Outer Building, Across the Parking Lot category at the Grand Floridian. )

 

[mickeynut1]

I didn't have Ap once to show at check in, only voucher which I cleverly packed in luggage and was told, no problem, bring it back later that evening to desk, after I got my luggage, and got my AP at guest relations.

So when we got back that night from the park I showed it.

You can get your tickets early from Guest Relations. The resort can't do it.

This is correct. If the AP is requested, you should have 24 hours to show a validated one. As far as getting tickets early, you will need to go to guest services at a park like this poster said. I think I've read posts where some people have done this at the resort, but they were doing a split stay at the same resort (although I don't have personal experience with this so I can't say if it's accurate or not). Since you are staying at a different resort, you have to go to a park. We did early ticket pickup on our trip in December 2010 and it couldn't have gone any smoother than it did. We had 2 nights room only before changing resorts with a package. We went to Guest Services at AK and requested early ticket pick up and were entering the park within 10 minutes.

You're not taking a risk. This is doable. Front desk people know that not everyone shows up with AP in hand at checkin. It's OK.

 

[thisismyusername]

This is correct. If the AP is requested, you should have 24 hours to show a validated one. As far as getting tickets early, you will need to go to guest services at a park like this poster said. I think I've read posts where some people have done this at the resort, but they were doing a split stay at the same resort (although I don't have personal experience with this so I can't say if it's accurate or not). Since you are staying at a different resort, you have to go to a park. We did early ticket pickup on our trip in December 2010 and it couldn't have gone any smoother than it did. We had 2 nights room only before changing resorts with a package. We went to Guest Services at AK and requested early ticket pick up and were entering the park within 10 minutes.

Yep, I understood this to be the case. Plus, I want to enter the park with the ticket first and then go to guest relations so I get current gate price on the ticket.

 

[I Love Pluto]

You have 24 hours to produce the AP. We have done this.

Why pay for parking? AFTER you sign in at your resort, you will have a parking pass for the parks. When you obtain your AP, bring it to the front desk that night or the next morning.

The CMs at check-in must be used to this. They never seem shocked.

Have a great vacation!

 

[rmgreenesq]

I have a similar question: How does one go about getting an annual pass rate? I presently hold a Disneyland Annual Pass. I've booked the Beach Club for Marathon Weekend (Jan 2014) at the rack/very expensive rate.

My Disneyland AP expires in June when I intend to upgrade to the Premier Annual Pass that is valid at both Disneyland and WDW. There is no travel agent involved, so should I just call CRO and tell them I'm an Annual Pass holder? Should I wait until June when I have the pass in hand before calling CRO?

Rick

 

[I Love Pluto]

You can call to make your reservation. Ask if there is a Passholder discount. They may not have it posted until 3 months before your trip - but if the discount is available, they WILL apply it to your existing reservation when you ask. If you have already paid in full - and need a refund or a credit - they will do all of that for you.

Disney wants to keep you happy. They will do all they can to have you coming back!