AP & Ticket Questions

[lucyem]

We are in the process of buying a resale at BCV. Passed ROFR and waiting on paperwork now. I do not expect to have it all done and in the DVC system until the end of the month at least. We have a trip planned for the 3rd week in October. Reservations have been made at the BC. From everything I have read on here I see it is doubtful that we will be able to get a BCV that week at 6 months out or less. I will put us on the waitlist and see what happens, but not holding my breath. We plan on banking this years points to give us a points buffer in the future, like when my mother comes along and we need a 2 bedroom.

My questions involve tickets. We would like to buy AP's this year and then use them on our trip in Oct 2011 as well.

-We want to use the AP this year on the 3rd week in Oct and then next year on the 2nd week - how doable is that and what do I have to watch out for? I checked the dates and they do not overlap at all.

-We may be getting a package for the fall trip to get a discount. Is it possible to buy hopper tickets in the package and then switch them to an AP after we get to WDW?

-I have heard there are sometimes decent AP room rates. How do I find out about those rates?

-If we only get a room discount what is the best way to buy an AP? The other day I read something about buying discounted tickets and then switching them to an AP after using them to get into a park and then being credited the full going rate for the ticket. Is this for real?

-How and where do I buy an AP as a DVC? I have read that certain parks are better then others for this.

-Where do I go to buy a TIW card?

Thanks!

 

[vicki_c]

My answers below:

My questions involve tickets. We would like to buy AP's this year and then use them on our trip in Oct 2011 as well.

-We want to use the AP this year on the 3rd week in Oct and then next year on the 2nd week - how doable is that and what do I have to watch out for? I checked the dates and they do not overlap at all.
That should work just fine, you get a full year on your APs.

-We may be getting a package for the fall trip to get a discount. Is it possible to buy hopper tickets in the package and then switch them to an AP after we get to WDW?
Yes, the best way is to use the tickets at least once for park entry, then upgrade. You will pay the difference between the current gate price of the ticket you have and the DVC AP (which is about $100 less than the regular price). The AP will be backdated to the date you first used the original ticket. All upgrades must be done w/in 14 days of first use of the ticket.

-I have heard there are sometimes decent AP room rates. How do I find out about those rates? Check the boards here, check Mousesavers. Once you are an AP holder, you will get e-mails with offers in them.

-If we only get a room discount what is the best way to buy an AP? The other day I read something about buying discounted tickets and then switching them to an AP after using them to get into a park and then being credited the full going rate for the ticket. Is this for real?
See my comment above about using the tix once before upgrading. That preserves any discount you had on the tickets. It's just the way it works - if you don't use the ticket, they will only credit you the actual price you paid for the ticket which would be less than its gate price if you had a discounted ticket.

-How and where do I buy an AP as a DVC? I have read that certain parks are better then others for this.
Guest relations at any park or DTD. I personally prefer MK because I have gotten good service there, never had any problems with upgrading discounted tix to DVC APs - I've done it twice. Others have also told me that the people at MK seem to be the most knowledgable.

-Where do I go to buy a TIW card?
Same as above - can be done at the same time.

Thanks!