AP Upgrade Question-Need Help!

[kujoman]

We are currently booked for the MYWD for 5N/6D at AKL in Feb. We really want to stay at BC or BW and I don't think the package for any of them in Feb is that great so I have continued looking. The AP room-only rates are good and I am thinking of getting an AP with the 20% dining discount and paying out of pocket for meals. My issue is that I have 5 days of no exp PH left from my last trip for 2 adults and 1 child. DD turned 3 since our last trip, so I need to add tix for her.

I would like to figure out a way to trade in some of our PH for an adult AP prior to arrival(If I buy the child AP to cover DD, Disney won't let me use it towards the room discount.

I won't be at DW until we arrive in Feb and if I wait until I get there to upgrade, I don't get the discount. I seem to be caught in a chicken/egg scenario. Please help!

 

[kujoman]

Bump.

 

[PookaJean]

You don't need to have the AP in hand to book the room discount, but you'll have to upgrade the tix at a park as the hotels do not sell AP's.

 

[InstImpres]

Usually they will mark your reservation to show AP before checkout or it will revert to rack rate. If you are really concerned and have a car, you can stop at Guest Relations in DTD to upgrade before checking in. While it is not necessary, if you are one of the people where it is a piece of mind thing, I would stop.

 

[kujoman]

So if I understand you, you are saying that I can call Disney and make a reservation using the AP price, but I don't have to give them an AP number or buy one at the time? It was my understanding from talking to DIS Reservations that I had to have one at the moment I was making the res. Also, don't you have to prepay for the room? When I have gone other times it has always been with a package and I had to prepay in full.

Thank you again for your help.

 

[kujoman]

By the way, we will be coming in on Dis transportation and won't have a rental car.

 

[InstImpres]

with a room only reservation, you pay a 1 night deposit and balance at checkin

 

[kujoman]

But if that is the case, how can I get the upgrade to an AP prior to check-in?

 

[PookaJean]

I believe they'll let you check in without having the AP but that you would have to go back and show the AP later otherwise they will charge the full rate.

 

[SnackyStacky]

So if I understand you, you are saying that I can call Disney and make a reservation using the AP price, but I don't have to give them an AP number or buy one at the time? It was my understanding from talking to DIS Reservations that I had to have one at the moment I was making the res. Also, don't you have to prepay for the room? When I have gone other times it has always been with a package and I had to prepay in full.

Thank you again for your help.

The cast member you spoke to gave incorrect information. You do not need the annual pass in hand when you make the reservation.

At the beginning of the year, they had what was called the "Best Rate Program". You had to have an Annual Pass or an Annual Pass voucher in order to book under this program, but that was discontinued sometime in March/April. (I think that was the timeframe)

Anyway, call back and ask for the passholder rate for your dates. If they tell you they need your annual pass, ask to speak to Guest Services.

 

[beth_cam]

We are currently booked for the MYWD for 5N/6D at AKL in Feb. We really want to stay at BC or BW and I don't think the package for any of them in Feb is that great so I have continued looking. The AP room-only rates are good and I am thinking of getting an AP with the 20% dining discount and paying out of pocket for meals. My issue is that I have 5 days of no exp PH left from my last trip for 2 adults and 1 child. DD turned 3 since our last trip, so I need to add tix for her.

To get the 20% you have to get dde. And I believe from reading other posts that you have to have your ap prior to get this at this price. DDE webpage http://allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

 

[kujoman]

Snacky and Pooka, you are sure that I can get my AP after check-in and don't have to show it at check-in, to get the AP rate? This would be perfect since we are going to the parks the next day and could get the AP then, but it seems too good to be true.

Also, we you book room only don't you have to prepay?

 

[cbrfan]

We just returned Friday and stayed at POR with an AP rate. When I checked in I asked if they needed to see my AP and the castmember told me no. I only had an AP voucher and never took my activated pass back. I still received the AP rate, but I paid for the whole stay at check-in. Still, I wouldn't want to count on that happening but the voucher should be fine.

 

[Samsma]

You can buy the Disney Dining Plan with just a AP Voucher, and it takes a while to actually get your card. I'm thinking about 4 weeks. I has been well worth the $60 cost for us, we've saved a lot.

 

[beth_cam]

You can buy the Disney Dining Plan with just a AP Voucher, and it takes a while to actually get your card. I'm thinking about 4 weeks. I has been well worth the $60 cost for us, we've saved a lot.

I think Samsma meant the Disney Dining Experience card. SO in the op's case that wouldnt be possible since he wants to use old tickets towards the cost of the ap after he gets to Disney World. Although it does seem that some time back I remember someone posting that it was possible to send in the old tickets or something and have them take care of it. I dont remember how it worked. Anyway I also remember at the time thinking what a lot of value that was in the mail for something to go wrong.

By the way, how old are the tickets? It seems to me again that I read about anything prior to Jan '05 cant be traded in. I dont know specifics again, sorry.

 

[Samsma]

Yes, thank you for the correction!