Annual Pass renew dilemma

[Transvection]

We have a trip booked over the Christmas Holiday this year. Our annual pass expires, literally, 2 days before our trip. Which means, we can't book park passes for a time that will surely have parks tapped out of passes. I know you can renew up to 60 days in advance but am a bit worried that isn't enough buffer to get he park passes that I want. Anyone been in this situation, advice? Thanks, probably just a little too paranoid.

 

[Rick195275]

We are headed down in a little over a week, during the Easter holiday so second busiest time to Christmas from what most people here will tell you. At 2 months out everything was still available with the exception of MK the day Tron opens and the few days following disappeared around then too. I don’t think it would be a problem if it wasn’t for Tron. I think you will be fine to wait but the 1 caveat is if you’re dead set on being in MK for Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve maybe? I could see those “selling out” earlier so to speak.

 

[wofiesorders]

A trick you can us is this: 1) Book a hotel and ticket package with Disney for the dates you will be there and all the people that will be with you (Pay your $200 deposit). Make sure you have the number of park days you plan on using. Once book make your park reservations. 2) Renoew your passes when you can. 3) Once renewed cancel your hotel and ticket package, ensure your passes are in your MyDisney app.

Park reservations do not automatically cancel if you cancel tickets, you have 48-72 hour sto ensure you have propr tickets for the reservation before they are cancelled. And yes, you will have to put down $200 but you will get it refunded as long as you cancel at least 30 days out. I have used this same trick for snagging hard to get dining reservations.

 

[DeeBee3]

I just did a Christmas trip. Things started booking up closer to a few weeks before (less than a month for sure). Parks also looked blocked out and then a few days later they opened them up again.

I would renew at your earliest time and then make your reservations. I don't think it should be an issue.

 

[Transvection]

Thanks everyone, that helps. Wish they would just ditch the park pass reservations all together. Can't really see how they are making the experience better for guests. But is what it is. Thanks again.

 

[Sandisw]

A trick you can us is this: 1) Book a hotel and ticket package with Disney for the dates you will be there and all the people that will be with you (Pay your $200 deposit). Make sure you have the number of park days you plan on using. Once book make your park reservations. 2) Renoew your passes when you can. 3) Once renewed cancel your hotel and ticket package, ensure your passes are in your MyDisney app.

Park reservations do not automatically cancel if you cancel tickets, you have 48-72 hour sto ensure you have propr tickets for the reservation before they are cancelled. And yes, you will have to put down $200 but you will get it refunded as long as you cancel at least 30 days out. I have used this same trick for snagging hard to get dining reservations.

Be aware that this doesn't always work...I had both an active AP and renewal AP in my account. Booked park passes on my renewal certificate and not my AP...couldn't get into the park and had to go to guest relations to have them switch it for me.

So, the park reservations don't disappear, but if you have an AP, and book with a ticket and then that ticket doesn't exist, it is very likely it won't work.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks everyone, that helps. Wish they would just ditch the park pass reservations all together. Can't really see how they are making the experience better for guests. But is what it is. Thanks again.

If you plan to renew, just buy a multiday ticket now for a price that is close to, but less than the renewal price for your AP...book your reservations.

Then, when you call to renew, at 60 days, have Disney use the price of those tickets to offset the renewal price and pay the difference. They can then make sure your reservations are valid...this is what we did.

 

[wofiesorders]

Be aware that this doesn't always work...I had both an active AP and renewal AP in my account. Booked park passes on my renewal certificate and not my AP...couldn't get into the park and had to go to guest relations to have them switch it for me.

So, the park reservations don't disappear, but if you have an AP, and book with a ticket and then that ticket doesn't exist, it is very likely it won't work.

Yes that can happen, however, I would recommend to be safe and call Disney to have them ensure the park reservation is linked to your AP. An extra step, but it gets you the sought after park reservations. At the end of the day, if your looking to snag a Christmas Day or New Years Eve park reservation, then maybe its worth your time and effort.

 

[wofiesorders]

If you plan to renew, just buy a multiday ticket now for a price that is close to, but less than the renewal price for your AP...book your reservations.

Then, when you call to renew, at 60 days, have Disney use the price of those tickets to offset the renewal price and pay the difference. They can then make sure your reservations are valid...this is what we did.

This is the preferred path if you have the cash to spare. Highly recommend this method.

 

[starry_solo]

If you plan to renew, just buy a multiday ticket now for a price that is close to, but less than the renewal price for your AP...book your reservations.

Then, when you call to renew, at 60 days, have Disney use the price of those tickets to offset the renewal price and pay the difference. They can then make sure your reservations are valid...this is what we did.

How recently did you do this? Cuz the Plan Disney site says you can't do that anymore

 

[Sandisw]

How recently did you do this? Cuz the Plan Disney site says you can't do that anymore

We did it in October for the renewal.