AP Purchase Question

[princessnicchia]

I am thinking of getting an AP for myself. We are planning two trips this year ---with the economy who really knows if we'll make it for sure our second trip in September, but I figure if I gamble on yes for me, and gamble on no for my two girls, either way I'll be half right.

Anyhow, my question is this: We are going on February 15th through the 19th of February. I was only going to get the Deluxe AP, not the premium. The 15th is a blackout day, but I once read that you could upgrade your ticket on the last day of your trip if you bought a regular park hopper and only pay the difference between the two. Is that still correct? (Or was it ever?) Our September trip doesn't have any blackout dates, so that would work perfect.

Also, for people who have APs, do you find that you use the discount and save a lot (we wouldn't probably ever stay at the resort hotels, sadly, so those savings wouldn't count).

Thanks so much.

 

[dznee]

I am thinking of getting an AP for myself. We are planning two trips this year ---with the economy who really knows if we'll make it for sure our second trip in September, but I figure if I gamble on yes for me, and gamble on no for my two girls, either way I'll be half right.

Anyhow, my question is this: We are going on February 15th through the 19th of February. I was only going to get the Deluxe AP, not the premium. The 15th is a blackout day, but I once read that you could upgrade your ticket on the last day of your trip if you bought a regular park hopper and only pay the difference between the two. Is that still correct? (Or was it ever?) Our September trip doesn't have any blackout dates, so that would work perfect.

Also, for people who have APs, do you find that you use the discount and save a lot (we wouldn't probably ever stay at the resort hotels, sadly, so those savings wouldn't count).

Thanks so much.

That is correct. I would upgrade on the 19th. You will be paying the difference between the cost of the Deluxe pass and what you paid for the 5 day hopper.

We also have the deluxe AP, and we use it a lot for the dining discounts in the park, usually 10% entire order. With this economy, any money saved is a good thing.

 

[bumbershoot]

Only the 15th is blocked out?

Just buy the AP that day; they let you stay as a courtesy when you buy an AP or upgrade to an AP on a blocked out day.

Or buy a ticket, get in the park, go to the AP processing center and upgrade on that day.

Absolutely no need to wait until the LAST day, even if you want to wait until the 16th.


I show my AP for every food I buy. Sometimes I have bought too little (some places insist you buy at least $10 worth of food/drink) for the discount, and some places aren't included (like Royal Street Veranda home of vegetarian gumbo yum), but that way you don't forget for a big food purchase. Every little 10% adds up throughout a year's worth of visits!

 

[princessnicchia]

Does the AP discount work for the character meals? Just wondering because those are so expensive that would save a lot right there.

 

[kerickson]

I've also heard that you could upgrade to the annual pass later, like during your Sept trip if you end up going. I don't think you have to upgrade w/in the 14 days the hopper ticket would be valid, but they will back date the AP to orginal use date.

If I've misstated this, someone please correct me

My husband and I have Deluxe APs (received from our DVC purchase) We are going for 7 days in May and then expect we'll go 1 or 2 more times during the year. We plan to purchase 7 day park hoppers for the kids, then upgrade to Premium APs either at the end of our trip or when we return again a few months later. I'm going this route so we can go the 9th which is a Premium AP blackout day...they don't need the Deluxe passes as the other months we'll probably go during the year don't have blackout dates.

 

[bumbershoot]

You can upgrade from one AP to another at any time during your year.

But you can only upgrade a ticket to an AP while that ticket is still usable. At WDW you can do it up to 14 days even if there are no more usable days on it, but at DLR it has to still have at least *that* day left on it (exceptions have been made, but it seems pretty scary to do that on purpose).

 

[Rapunsel]

Do you mean Deluxe instead of Premium. As Premium have NO blackout days at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh gosh I forgot to mention that too. Thanks for noticing, rapunsel!

 

[TheAXIOM]

Does the AP discount work for the character meals? Just wondering because those are so expensive that would save a lot right there.

Yes ma'am, as a Deluxe AP holder you can use your 10% discount on most restaurants, including Goofy's Kitchen and Minnie's Breakfast in the Park. Even the Blue Bayou! Chea!

 

[McCall]

I have the premium pass and we save on every meal we eat there and all our purchases it does add up. also the free parking is a big bonus.

 

[kerickson]

Do you mean Deluxe instead of Premium. As Premium have NO blackout days at all.

oops, yes, I mean Deluxe. I keep getting the names mixed up.
Also, thanks for correcting my statement about upgrading tickets. We'll be sure to upgrade to APs on our last day.

 

[princessnicchia]

When only one in the party has the AP, is the discount on the whole meal? As long as the AP holder pays for it? That's what I think, but want to confirm.

Thanks again!

 

[Rapunsel]

Who ever is present with the AP gets the discount. Even if it is the 4 year old! My DS now 7 went with the other grandparents and he got the free parking, and discounts for everyone! As long as his face matched the Ap doesn't matter. You can also get discounts with the Disney Visa Card