Annual Pass Strategy

[soniam]

I already have 6 day hoppers from Undercover Tourist for our March trip. I am considering upgrading to an AP. I have previously read that it's best to use at least a day of the tickets to get credit for the full price, not the discounted UT price. With the AP, I will get photopass. It would be nice to have this on our first, real park day, especially if I am going to get an AP anyway. So, I am thinking of entering a park on our first day at WDW, which was not originally going to be a park day. Then going somewhere, like Guest Services at the park or Disney Springs, later that day, and upgrading to an AP. That way I could have PP for our first real day in the park. I also wouldn't lose a day of tickets by using it early, because I would now have an AP. How does this strategy sound? Thanks

 

[Dan Murphy]

That works fine. And just do the upgrade at that first park.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I already have 6 day hoppers from Undercover Tourist for our March trip. I am considering upgrading to an AP. I have previously read that it's best to use at least a day of the tickets to get credit for the full price, not the discounted UT price. With the AP, I will get photopass. It would be nice to have this on our first, real park day, especially if I am going to get an AP anyway. So, I am thinking of entering a park on our first day at WDW, which was not originally going to be a park day. Then going somewhere, like Guest Services at the park or Disney Springs, later that day, and upgrading to an AP. That way I could have PP for our first real day in the park. I also wouldn't lose a day of tickets by using it early, because I would now have an AP. How does this strategy sound? Thanks

Perfect! You won't lose any FPs and you'll have your shopping discounts, too for Disney Springs.

You can book FPs ahead of time for that day and leave either your last day or your AK day free of FPs. As soon as you convert to AP, book FPs for that open day.

 

[soniam]

Perfect! You won't lose any FPs and you'll have your shopping discounts, too for Disney Springs.

You can book FPs ahead of time for that day and leave either your last day or your AK day free of FPs. As soon as you convert to AP, book FPs for that open day.

I am a little confused. We already have FP+ for the following days/parks, and here's our schedule. I would go to a park on Monday and get the AP that day. That's a day that we were not originally going to go to a park but will be at the hotel. Will using one of my ticket days early to get the AP jeopardize my existing FP+? I hadn't even considered my FP+ when thinking this out. Thanks

T DHS
W MK
Th Epcot
F MK
Sat AK
Sun DHS

 

[hiroMYhero]

When you enter the park that first day, you use a ticket entitlement - so technically you won't have an entitlement linked for your last day.

Your FPs won't be affected because even without a ticket entitlement linked (Sun DHS), they'll remain for 1.5 days. You'll be converting within that timeframe so you won't lose Sunday's.

 

[soniam]

When you enter the park that first day, you use a ticket entitlement - so technically you won't have an entitlement linked for your last day.

Your FPs won't be affected because even without a ticket entitlement linked (Sun DHS), they'll remain for 1.5 days. You'll be converting within that timeframe so you won't lose Sunday's.

That makes sense now. Thanks. Now to decide if I am going to do it or not

 

[wdwfan1]

Which ticket is the bes one to buy from UT? I know I read something about this but I can't find it now.

 

[soniam]

Which ticket is the bes one to buy from UT? I know I read something about this but I can't find it now.

I am not sure what you mean. Do you mean basic/hopper/water park or how many days? If you have the water park tickets, then I think you have to get the Platinum Plus pass. I just have hoppers. I don't know if there's an advantage to getting the basic and then upgrading versus upgrading hoppers. I guess it depends upon how much you save on the UT tickets vs Disney's ticket price.

 

[soniam]

I have also learned from other threads on the boards that if you upgrade to AP after using park days, then your photopass pictures from that trip, and I think any trip within the 30 or 90 day photo saving period, are then available for free. So, technically I don't even need to get the AP before my first park day to have the PP included. However, I will probably have more time to do it before our first park day. Our first day is at DHS, and it's going to be pretty busy. I could possibly do it on our date night day, which has a little more free time.

 

[msdaisy]

I am going in June with 4 day tix with water parks and more. We would like to upgrade as late in the trip as possible so that we can use the AP the following June. If we upgrade on the morning of our last park day - June 15th, is that when it will expire the next year???

 

[hiroMYhero]

I am going in June with 4 day tix with water parks and more. We would like to upgrade as late in the trip as possible so that we can use the AP the following June. If we upgrade on the morning of our last park day - June 15th, is that when it will expire the next year???

Your AP date will be based on the first day of use of the tickets you've upgraded.

 

[msdaisy]

Your AP date will be based on the first day of use of the tickets you've upgraded.

Well that plan won't work!
Darn it - was trying to get our 2017 March and June trip out of the deal!

 

[soniam]

Well that plan won't work!
Darn it - was trying to get our 2017 March and June trip out of the deal!

You could do it in March. It might still save you some money.

 

[AngiTN]

Which ticket is the bes one to buy from UT? I know I read something about this but I can't find it now.

The UT site will tell you which ticket saves what. It's part of the chart

I am not sure what you mean. Do you mean basic/hopper/water park or how many days? If you have the water park tickets, then I think you have to get the Platinum Plus pass. I just have hoppers. I don't know if there's an advantage to getting the basic and then upgrading versus upgrading hoppers. I guess it depends upon how much you save on the UT tickets vs Disney's ticket price.

If you do not use a WP entitlement you can upgrade the WP+ ticket to a regular gold AP.

 

[soniam]

If you do not use a WP entitlement you can upgrade the WP+ ticket to a regular gold AP.

Are gold APs for Florida residents? I only see Platinum and Platinum Plus for non-residents.

 

[AngiTN]

Are gold APs for Florida residents? I only see Platinum and Platinum Plus for non-residents.

Sorry I meant platinum
Whatever is the name for the non water park AP for non FL residents

 

[Dan Murphy]

Which ticket is the bes one to buy from UT? I know I read something about this but I can't find it now.

4-Day Park Hopper with Water Park Fun & More. Saves $37, $38 if going through Mousesavers link. If you do not use the water and more option, and you use the ticket at least for one park entry, you will be able to upgrade to a regular AP.

 

[Day-Day]

I bought UT tickets giving consideration to the "best deal" but now wish I had purchased tickets with more days. I figured I'd add days if needed which we will do once we visit a park; however, we don't have enough days to book fastpasses at 60-days out for all of the days of our next trip. We will have to wait until we add more days and hope to get fastpasses as soon as we upgrade.

Or course, when I purchased the tickets I did not know when our next trip would be nor how long it would be.

 

[DebbieB]

Are gold APs for Florida residents? I only see Platinum and Platinum Plus for non-residents.

Silver is FL Resident only. Gold is FL Resident and DVC members.

 

[Accident]

I already have 6 day hoppers from Undercover Tourist for our March trip. I am considering upgrading to an AP. I have previously read that it's best to use at least a day of the tickets to get credit for the full price, not the discounted UT price. With the AP, I will get photopass. It would be nice to have this on our first, real park day, especially if I am going to get an AP anyway. So, I am thinking of entering a park on our first day at WDW, which was not originally going to be a park day.

DON'T change your plans.. your confusing the taking of photos with the downloading of them. Getting photos taken is free for everyone and that is photopass. It's when you want to download them that the AP will let you have that at no additional charge. Just stick to your families preferred plan, upgrade your ap after you enter the park for the first time and before your tickets expire and you will be able to download all your photos..

Also, I don't know every level of AP, make sure the one your looking at has the option.