Annual Pass Decision

[Shoshana]

We're visiting in July with a 9 day ticket and we have reservations in December with a 10 day ticket. I think that meets the threshold for saving money with an annual pass. Does it matter when during the July trip I'd make the purchase? Is there any reason not to buy an annual pass?
Thank you!

 

[DemonLlama]

19 days more than meets the threshold!

If you've already purchased your 9 day ticket, you can bridge that to an AP and pay the difference once you've entered a park on the first day. Then you'll be eligible for the AP discount on merchandise for the rest of the trip.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree, no reason not to. I've had one for years and find it so much easier and the discounts don't hurt.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Plus you get hopping (if you don't have it) plus possible room discounts??

MG

 

[pezaddict231]

You definitely should get one. You want to wait until you've used the ticket once but make sure you still have days remaining and they will bridge the difference. You also get free photopass so no need to buy the memory maker.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

You definitely should get one. You want to wait until you've used the ticket once but make sure you still have days remaining and they will bridge the difference. You also get free photopass so no need to buy the memory maker.

We're also probably getting an AP (next year) for the first time. Why use the ticket first?

 

[CAS239]

We're also probably getting an AP (next year) for the first time. Why use the ticket first?

Using the ticket first only benefits you if you purchased your tickets somewhere for a discount. If you use the tickets just one time, Disney will bridge the current price and you'll get more money toward your AP than what you spent. So say you got a 1 day discounted ticket for $90 and at Disney it's $100, enter the park and then upgrade and they'll credit you $100 toward an AP. So you saved $10

If you haven't gotten your tickets for any discount, then it doesn't matter if you enter the park to use them first or not though

 

[Disney mac]

If you have the water parks and more ticket I would wait to upgrade until a little later in your trip if you want to go to Disney quest. AP cannot use them there while the water park and more options make Disney quest free

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

We're visiting in July with a 9 day ticket and we have reservations in December with a 10 day ticket. I think that meets the threshold for saving money with an annual pass. Does it matter when during the July trip I'd make the purchase? Is there any reason not to buy an annual pass?

A 9-day base ticket (no options) is worth $415.35 gate value. A 10-day ticket is worth $426. At that point, you're at more $$$ than a Platinum pass - which is $797.69 for a non-FL resident, non-DVC member. Plus the APs can park hop, and you get free parking if you happen to stay offsite, and your Photopass downloads are included. I don't see any reason you wouldn't want it unless you aren't 100% sure you'll come in December.

It doesn't matter when you upgrade to the annual pass. Just don't wait until after the end of the last day on your 9-day ticket. Earlier would be better so you can take advantage of merchandise and dining discounts. Also, the "use it first" advice has nothing to do with price bridging. If the CM doing the upgrade does their job right, you'll get the correct price and expiration date no matter whether or not you use the ticket first. If they don't know what they're doing, they'll mess up one or the other (or both) even if you have used the ticket already.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

A 9-day base ticket (no options) is worth $415.35 gate value. A 10-day ticket is worth $426. At that point, you're at more $$$ than a Platinum pass - which is $797.69 for a non-FL resident, non-DVC member. Plus the APs can park hop, and you get free parking if you happen to stay offsite, and your Photopass downloads are included. I don't see any reason you wouldn't want it unless you aren't 100% sure you'll come in December.

It doesn't matter when you upgrade to the annual pass. Just don't wait until after the end of the last day on your 9-day ticket. Earlier would be better so you can take advantage of merchandise and dining discounts. Also, the "use it first" advice has nothing to do with price bridging. If the CM doing the upgrade does their job right, you'll get the correct price and expiration date no matter whether or not you use the ticket first. If they don't know what they're doing, they'll mess up one or the other (or both) even if you have used the ticket already.

So in our case, we're thinking about getting 10 day tickets next July. If we get those as part of a package, we can go to guest services and upgrade them to APs? I've never purchased an AP before, and it's not an option (or I don't see that option) for packages when I search online. (Note we're also going in Sept next year, and maybe again before our APs would expire.)

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

So in our case, we're thinking about getting 10 day tickets next July. If we get those as part of a package, we can go to guest services and upgrade them to APs? I've never purchased an AP before, and it's not an option (or I don't see that option) for packages when I search online. (Note we're also going in Sept next year, and maybe again before our APs would expire.)

Yes, you can upgrade package tickets to APs. Any Guest Relations location (including the one at Disney Springs), or any park ticket booth, can do it for you. Do your math ahead of time and know what price you should pay - if the CM tells you a different one, say no thanks and go to someone else or ask for a coordinator.

 

[disneykelly]

Speaking for the other side of the argument, I bought up to an annual pass on my last April trip. While I could have handled the financial drain from the upgrade, I now feel obligated to go back when I might not have done so for any number of reasons.
I am certain that I will get enough enjoyment out of my next trip, but I doubt that I go again before it expires in April.
I am on the fringe when it comes to finances, so for someone like me it isn't always a given that doing a Disney trip is worthwhile.
If money is no object, then absolutely. If you are going to have to do without other worthwhile things because of the upgrade, think long and hard on it.

 

[Disney mac]

Also if you're doing the summer package promotion this year, you get bb8 Magic bands with cool features. If you're an AP, sorry you're SOL.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Also if you're doing the summer package promotion this year, you get bb8 Magic bands with cool features. If you're an AP, sorry you're SOL.

I'm almost afraid to ask what bb8 bands are, but are they worth several hundred dollars??

 

[Accident]

Also if you're doing the summer package promotion this year, you get bb8 Magic bands with cool features. If you're an AP, sorry you're SOL.

Not always.. generally if there is a ticket required discount, an AP holder has to call to find out the room only version of the discount.. there is discounts that aren't advertised or available online and never hit the blogs. Also they could upgrade that ticket for their annual pass. and if you have an AP you probably know what your doing in the future where the minimum ticket purchase and let it sit in your account unused for a year or two may not be horrible if a certain discount is considered must have to them.

I'm almost afraid to ask what bb8 bands are, but are they worth several hundred dollars??

Just an effects magic band with bb8 on it and the turnstyles made noises when you scan your band.. it's only offered as part of the summer discount package.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not always.. generally if there is a ticket required discount, an AP holder has to call to find out the room only version of the discount.. there is discounts that aren't advertised or available online and never hit the blogs. Also they could upgrade that ticket for their annual pass. and if you have an AP you probably know what your doing in the future where the minimum ticket purchase and let it sit in your account unused for a year or two may not be horrible if a certain discount is considered must have to them.



Just an effects magic band with bb8 on it and the turnstyles made noises when you scan your band.. it's only offered as part of the summer discount package.

Okay thanks. Not really worth a bunch of cashola...

MG

 

[Shoshana]

Thanks for the answers, all! We do have hoppers for the July trip and I've already paid for memory maker for July. Will they give us a refund??

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks for the answers, all! We do have hoppers for the July trip and I've already paid for memory maker for July. Will they give us a refund??

Yes, if you have bought MM and then upgrade to an AP they do give refunds for the MM

Something else not mentioned, you can get additional room discounts as an AP holder. While they are small, often about 5% more than GP discounts, they do add up. And the pool of rooms are different. So the GP may be sold out at a given resort but the AP discount won't be. You can even get the AP discount prior to upgrading your ticket to an AP. You'll just have to call and tell the CM what you plan to do for them to check the availability for you. You won't see the AP resort discount option until an AP shows on your tickets.

And you can purchase a TiW card once you are an AP holder. If you drink much alcohol these are very worthwhile.

 

[AngiTN]

If you have the water parks and more ticket I would wait to upgrade until a little later in your trip if you want to go to Disney quest. AP cannot use them there while the water park and more options make Disney quest free

Hopefully @ravenclawtrekkie can chime in but worth mentioning that if you have a WP+ ticket and you use one of the WP+ features you can no longer use that ticket to upgrade to a Platinum AP, you'll have to upgrade to the Platinum+ AP (in other words, more expensive AP) that includes the WP option. What I'm not sure of is does that include using the Quest option. I know if you enter a Water Park you are stuck with the Platinum+ AP. Of course, if you plan to upgrade to the Platinum+ AP it won't matter. But if you don't, it's worth taking in to consideration. It will change the math too

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

^ That rule applies to any WPF&M admission, even DQ and mini-golf.