AP Question - Renewal timing

[wadelle2]

We are planning our June trip and want to buy APs. We want to start with a four-day hopper (so we can get a MM) and then upgrade on our last day. Our passes will go from Wed-Sat. That Saturday, we want to enter with our hoppers and upgrade to APs. But that Saturday is also a Block Out day for APs. Would we have any problems? I would think as long as we did any park hopping we wanted while still using our hoppers and upgraded later in the day we should be fine, but I want to make sure. I mean what can they do? Not accept payment for my AP? Kick me out of the park as soon as I renew? Your thoughts?

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We are planning our June trip and want to buy APs. We want to start with a four-day hopper (so we can get a MM) and then upgrade on our last day. Our passes will go from Wed-Sat. That Saturday, we want to enter with our hoppers and upgrade to APs. But that Saturday is also a Block Out day for APs. Would we have any problems? I would think as long as we did any park hopping we wanted while still using our hoppers and upgraded later in the day we should be fine, but I want to make sure. I mean what can they do? Not accept payment for my AP? Kick me out of the park as soon as I renew? Your thoughts?

That's exactly what we did when we upgraded last year. It was a block out date when we upgraded. What they did was in addition to giving us our AP's they gave us all a "one day pass". So we were able to use those to get in and out of the park all that day. There was never any problems.

Just make sure they give you those one day passes. We almost walked out of there without them (the CM forgot to hand them to us).

 

[joseph821]

That's exactly what we did when we upgraded last year. It was a block out date when we upgraded. What they did was in addition to giving us our AP's they gave us all a "one day pass". So we were able to use those to get in and out of the park all that day. There was never any problems.

Just make sure they give you those one day passes. We almost walked out of there without them (the CM forgot to hand them to us).

Quick question, when you upgrade froma park hopper ticket on the last day, what price does Disneyland credit you when you buy an AP. If it was a 4 day pass, do you get credit for the price of a 4 day park hopper even if you are upgrading on the last day to an AP?

I was thinking about upgrading to an AP from a 6 day hopper pass when I return to DL in August. Should I?


Thanks for all your help and info.

 

[jernysgirl]

I have also heard that when you buy your AP, they backdate it until the first day on your hopper. I don't know if it is true or not, hopefully someone else can confirm.... but if this is the case I would not wait until the last day of your trip to upgrade if there were no blackout dates to worry about while you were there. That way you can take advantage of all the discounts that come with being an AP holder!

 

[bumbershoot]

They do backdate it to the first day of the hopper's use.

And they credit the amount you paid for the hoppers in the upgrade.

A specific example.

We had a package deal with 5 day hoppers. The value of the hoppers was 189 for the adult tickets.

When we upgraded (one day before the prices changed, how lucky were we?) the Deluxe AP was 239.

We first entered the parks on September 18th 2007, and upgraded on the 20th.

We paid the difference between 239 and 189 to upgrade to the adult APs, and the difference between 239 and whatever it was for DS's hopper (159?) to go to his AP (there is no age difference for an AP from 3 to whatever).

Our APs were backdated to the 18th, and our last day of use on our APs will be Sept 18, 2008.

Although we were not affected by this, you can buy an AP, or upgrade to an AP, on a blockout date but not have to pay the blockout pass amount. It's a courtesy they offer.

For all the expensive food, the expensive sweatshirts, the cost of the ride photos...upgrading to APs is the one place where they are very very kind.

 

[bumbershoot]

joseph821, as for your question of "should I", that's up to your plans!

We upgraded because my brother lives in San Diego, and we like to visit him at least once a year. Our trip to Disneyland did NOT include a visit to him. Our visits to him always include a one-day visit to DLR.

Therefore, we knew that we were spending the money on 5 day hoppers for our family vacation, and we would be buying a one day ticket for a trip inside that year. Adding the one day ticket and the 5 day hopper ended up being MORE than the cost of the deluxe AP. Therefore it was an absolutely easy question to answer for us, especially once we knew we would have the money to upgrade on that trip.

Add the discount on food, or food and merchandise if you get a Premium, and you're definitely coming out ahead, IF you plan to visit again inside a year from that first day of use of the hopper.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

They do backdate it to the first day of the hopper's use.

And they credit the amount you paid for the hoppers in the upgrade.

A specific example.

We had a package deal with 5 day hoppers. The value of the hoppers was 189 for the adult tickets.

When we upgraded (one day before the prices changed, how lucky were we?) the Deluxe AP was 239.

We first entered the parks on September 18th 2007, and upgraded on the 20th.

We paid the difference between 239 and 189 to upgrade to the adult APs, and the difference between 239 and whatever it was for DS's hopper (159?) to go to his AP (there is no age difference for an AP from 3 to whatever).

Our APs were backdated to the 18th, and our last day of use on our APs will be Sept 18, 2008.

Although we were not affected by this, you can buy an AP, or upgrade to an AP, on a blockout date but not have to pay the blockout pass amount. It's a courtesy they offer.

For all the expensive food, the expensive sweatshirts, the cost of the ride photos...upgrading to APs is the one place where they are very very kind.

What she said!

Also I'm pretty sure they want you to upgrade on your last day, but also we wanted to as well so that we could use our MM!

 

[joseph821]

joseph821, as for your question of "should I", that's up to your plans!

We upgraded because my brother lives in San Diego, and we like to visit him at least once a year. Our trip to Disneyland did NOT include a visit to him. Our visits to him always include a one-day visit to DLR.

Therefore, we knew that we were spending the money on 5 day hoppers for our family vacation, and we would be buying a one day ticket for a trip inside that year. Adding the one day ticket and the 5 day hopper ended up being MORE than the cost of the deluxe AP. Therefore it was an absolutely easy question to answer for us, especially once we knew we would have the money to upgrade on that trip.

Add the discount on food, or food and merchandise if you get a Premium, and you're definitely coming out ahead, IF you plan to visit again inside a year from that first day of use of the hopper.

Thanks. I live on the East Coast but I make at least 2 trips to Disneyland a year. I think it would be practical to get a Deluxe AP. I am going to get a Deluxe AP when I visit DL in August.

 

[joseph821]

joseph821, as for your question of "should I", that's up to your plans!

We upgraded because my brother lives in San Diego, and we like to visit him at least once a year. Our trip to Disneyland did NOT include a visit to him. Our visits to him always include a one-day visit to DLR.

Therefore, we knew that we were spending the money on 5 day hoppers for our family vacation, and we would be buying a one day ticket for a trip inside that year. Adding the one day ticket and the 5 day hopper ended up being MORE than the cost of the deluxe AP. Therefore it was an absolutely easy question to answer for us, especially once we knew we would have the money to upgrade on that trip.

Add the discount on food, or food and merchandise if you get a Premium, and you're definitely coming out ahead, IF you plan to visit again inside a year from that first day of use of the hopper.

Should I use the MM first & then upgrade? Or does it not matter since I stay at the DL Hotel - I have MM every available day - resorts guest have MM with valid charge slip?

 

[bumbershoot]

As a guest of the resort, as far as any of us know (last week there was a huge rumor that this had changed but someone found out from a manager of a resort that it had not changed), you will get MM every day it's offered. Therefore, once you verify that you will get those MMs (making sure nothing had changed...and if it has changed, report back here immediately! ) with the front desk of the resort, yes, you can upgrade.

 

[joseph821]

As a guest of the resort, as far as any of us know (last week there was a huge rumor that this had changed but someone found out from a manager of a resort that it had not changed), you will get MM every day it's offered. Therefore, once you verify that you will get those MMs (making sure nothing had changed...and if it has changed, report back here immediately! ) with the front desk of the resort, yes, you can upgrade.

I am calling DL and the WDTC tomorrow..I will report back!
Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

FYI it was a phone call to, I believe, WDTC, that got the rumor started to begin with.

 

[joseph821]

FYI it was a phone call to, I believe, WDTC, that got the rumor started to begin with.

Well I call tomorrow, DL Guest Communications - I have a contcat there, the WDTC and DL Hotel. DO not worry!
I will report back!

 

[mAlien13]

Although we were not affected by this, you can buy an AP, or upgrade to an AP, on a blockout date but not have to pay the blockout pass amount. It's a courtesy they offer.

Hmmm...We are upgrading our 3-days to AP's while we are there. I am really torn about when to upgrade, because I want the discounts, but we are going into DLR on Mother's Day (Doin' the Happy Dance! ) which I believe is MM. We could wait until that day to upgrade, but I can't decide. It is hard for me to pass up the MM...I make sure we are always in line very early, we are often first at a turnstile. I can't imgaine walking in when the park is already full of MM guests and the lines.... Normally, I would just not go to DL on a MM day unless it was evening for shows.

My question for you, bumbershoot, is what is a blockout pass? We are going to be there the week before Thanksgiving this year, and talked about being in the park for dinner on T-day. I assumed we would have to pay a one-day admission price...is this not correct?

 

[bumbershoot]

A blockout pass allows an AP holder to go on a blocked out day, without having to pay the full price of a ticket. It's $40 for each person. So if the three of us go to DL/DCA on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, a day that is blocked out for Deluxe AP holders, we will have to pay $120 for that one day. That's some good money, but it's better than paying for 3 tickets!

I told you they are courteous to AP holders.

 

[PixiePowered]

A blockout pass allows an AP holder to go on a blocked out day, without having to pay the full price of a ticket. It's $40 for each person. So if the three of us go to DL/DCA on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, a day that is blocked out for Deluxe AP holders, we will have to pay $120 for that one day. That's some good money, but it's better than paying for 3 tickets!

I told you they are courteous to AP holders.

bumbershoot.... does the blockout pass allow park-hopping? or is it a one park pass?

 

[bumbershoot]

That's a good question, and one I don't know the answer to. I've never even thought about it, I just figured that yes it would allow for hopping.

Yet another plus on the "should we go on May 25th or not" side...research for you guys!

 

[joseph821]

That's a good question, and one I don't know the answer to. I've never even thought about it, I just figured that yes it would allow for hopping.

Yet another plus on the "should we go on May 25th or not" side...research for you guys!

HI.

I called the Disneyland Hotel and was told that hotel guests with valid admission - park hopper or AP or other ticket - military pass and a valid and current room charge slip can enter Disenyland on any available Magic Morning day.
I was told that this is the current policy and that there are no plans to change. I was also told that it is available to guests at PP and GCH as well. Only Disneyland Resort Hotel guests get the privilege. I was told to inquire about it at check-in.

I called WDTC and I was told essentially the same thing. My contact at DL Guest Communications also told me that Disneyland Resort Hotel guests at DL Hotel, PP Hotel or GCH can enter on any Magic Morning day provided they have valid admission in any form and a current and valid room charge slip.

I hope this answers it!

 

[bumbershoot]

You are the hero of the disboards! Post that loud and often. I might refer back to your post in other posts. Thank you!

 

[fairycat]

bumbershoot.... does the blockout pass allow park-hopping? or is it a one park pass?

Yes both the AP's and the blockout days are hoppers. That is unless it is a overcrowd day.

I mention this for anyone who might be curious if one of the parks hits maxium capacity and they stop selling tickets for that park, a black out pass will not get you into that park (and those max. days will always be blackout dates). The only pass that will get you in even after they stop selling tickets is the Premium pass.