AP purchase question

[carolina_yankee]

I just discovered that my DVC membership entitles me to a $20 discount on a Disneyland deluxe annual pass. That puts the price within $30 of my 5 day hopper. Since we're likely to go back next June or early July, it might be with getting the AP. We begin this year's trip on 7/24. So, here's the questions:

1.) Can I apply my unused 5 day hopper (purchased through Ares) towards the AP?

2.) Are blackout dates likely to be limited to weekends and holidays next summer? We always time our trips for the mid-week visits.

We'll either stay on property or within walking distance, so I don't care about parking. However, what are the hotel discounts like for June or July, and are they ever offered for that time period?

Thanks!

 

[hlbtimes2]

The best thing to do, is upgrade after you've used any EE days and are past any black out dates. They will give you full credit of the park hopper toward your ap. And if you upgrade on a black out day you can still use your ap that day. Hang on to your reciept though- they questioned me at the gate. The only catch is- you have to do it before closing on your last day. You can't come back later and upgrade.

Blackout date in the summer are usually just Saturdays and around holidays. I wouldnt count on getting great summer hotel rates. They typically offer about 10% rack rates for ap holders. In the off season (Jan/ Feb) you can sometimes get rates under $100 for the pp or dlh.

 

[dletz]

I may be wrong, but I'm not sure if you can upgrade a ticket to an AP, and apply another discount at the same time. At least they didn't let you do that they, they may allow you to do that now, I'm not sure, I would check to make sure.

Donna

 

[rsschneck]

DD and I used hoppers in November and upgraded to the Deluxe Annual passes with the DVC discount. Very easy to do!

We went again in January and used points to stay @ GCH. They did come out with great AP rates right before our stay. We had already used points so we just stayed with our original plan.

We leave July 27th and I was able to get a GREAT AP rate @ GCH for $219 DTD view for all 5 nights. The other 2 hotels never came out with deeply discounted rates. I know that DLH and PPH have great rates for end of August/September. I think you just have to be prepared to call CRO often.

 

[rsschneck]

The best thing to do, is upgrade after you've used any EE days and are past any black out dates. They will give you full credit of the park hopper toward your ap. And if you upgrade on a black out day you can still use your ap that day. Hang on to your reciept though- they questioned me at the gate. The only catch is- you have to do it before closing on your last day. You can't come back later and upgrade.

Blackout date in the summer are usually just Saturdays and around holidays. I wouldnt count on getting great summer hotel rates. They typically offer about 10% rack rates for ap holders. In the off season (Jan/ Feb) you can sometimes get rates under $100 for the pp or dlh.

This is what I would do. We have to pay for our blocked Saturday next week.