CA Resident Payment Plan ?

[OctoberDisney]

Hello~ Sorry if this has been discussed. I tried a search and didn't come up with anything.

We are considering surprising the kids with APs for Christmas then going for the first time and activating them in early February 2012.

As a CA resident, we are eligible for the payment plan option. My question: Can I make our down payment now, start the payment plan, but not activate until February? My thinking is that we would make payments until next July but then have another 6 months free of payments?

Thanks for your help!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I was told that I could purchase them ahead of time and they wouldn't "start" until I activated them in the parks. Check possible black out days in February (Presidents day weekend) before deciding if you want to get PHs and upgrade or not. We decided to get PHs first and then upgrade since 1) we are going in the summer and know that we'll have 1 block out day and 2) it'll lower our monthly payment by putting more "down" when upgrading.

 

[WeluvDisneyland]

When I called regarding the monthly payment plan, I was told that the payments would start 30 days after the date of purchase. So, you could start paying on the AP's before you actually activate them at the park.

 

[Belle Ella]

I was told that I could purchase them ahead of time and they wouldn't "start" until I activated them in the parks. Check possible black out days in February (Presidents day weekend) before deciding if you want to get PHs and upgrade or not. We decided to get PHs first and then upgrade since 1) we are going in the summer and know that we'll have 1 block out day and 2) it'll lower our monthly payment by putting more "down" when upgrading.

Another great reason for getting the Park Hoppers first and then upgrading is MM (if you get a 3-day+ PH that is). Unless you're staying on-site and get it anyway since they aren't included on AP's. It's the biggest thing I miss about my days pre-AP.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

And to help spread the costs of Park hoppers you could purchase 1 at a time, buy 1 this month, 1 in Aug, 1 in Sept and so on.....

 

[OctoberDisney]

I was told that I could purchase them ahead of time and they wouldn't "start" until I activated them in the parks. Check possible black out days in February (Presidents day weekend) before deciding if you want to get PHs and upgrade or not. We decided to get PHs first and then upgrade since 1) we are going in the summer and know that we'll have 1 block out day and 2) it'll lower our monthly payment by putting more "down" when upgrading.

I love the idea of putting MORE down. That's what I was thinking, too. However, I don't know if we want or need to buy PHs. AND, I think we may go for the premium passes since I want to run the half marathon during Labor Day weekend and then stay for a week after that.

When I called regarding the monthly payment plan, I was told that the payments would start 30 days after the date of purchase. So, you could start paying on the AP's before you actually activate them at the park.

Yay! I was hoping that was the case. That means in the 2nd half of the year, we'll have MORE money to go!

Another great reason for getting the Park Hoppers first and then upgrading is MM (if you get a 3-day+ PH that is). Unless you're staying on-site and get it anyway since they aren't included on AP's. It's the biggest thing I miss about my days pre-AP.

Believe it or not, when we went for 5 days in December, we never used our MM. I know...crazy! We just decided that we are better suited for staying up late and sleeping in. I love the park late at night when it starts to empty out. We went on Splash Mountain 3 times in a row one night after 11:00 pm.

And to help spread the costs of Park hoppers you could purchase 1 at a time, buy 1 this month, 1 in Aug, 1 in Sept and so on.....

THAT is a great idea!

Thank you all for your GREAT answers and giving me more to think about.

 

[Belle Ella]

Believe it or not, when we went for 5 days in December, we never used our MM. I know...crazy! We just decided that we are better suited for staying up late and sleeping in. I love the park late at night when it starts to empty out. We went on Splash Mountain 3 times in a row one night after 11:00 pm.

Don't disagree there. I do both (and will usually be there from open to close). I just can't pass up the MM to do everything in Fantasyland twice leaving me more time during the day to do other things, lol.

 

[OctoberDisney]

If it was just DH and I, we would get there early AND stay late...LOL! But my youngest is a sleepyhead. He needs more sleep on one end or the other so we decided to not fight it and let the poor kid sleep in...then proceed to drag him around until after midnight!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I love the idea of putting MORE down....

Thank you all for your GREAT answers and giving me more to think about.

Allow me to give you one more thing to think about.

Why put more down? The payment plan is interest free with no fees at all. If you make any interest at ALL with your money, why give it up sooner than later?

I understand that a larger down payment makes smaller monthly payments, but if you make interest, why give it up?

Just my budget two cents,
Dreams

 

[OctoberDisney]

Allow me to give you one more thing to think about.

Why put more down? The payment plan is interest free with no fees at all. If you make any interest at ALL with your money, why give it up sooner than later?

I understand that a larger down payment makes smaller monthly payments, but if you make interest, why give it up?

Just my budget two cents,
Dreams

Good point! I think it's because I don't like the idea of adding a payment to my monthly budget. At the same time, I don't know if would have ever thought to buy APs WITHOUT the payment plan. We are in Northern CA and the payment plan makes it feel doable.

 

[calicat]

I heard that the ap processing center was now closed. If I wanted to upgrade my park hopper to a calif. ap with the payment plan does anyone know where I would go to do that?

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

Another question with APs it says that the discounts in the stores will only be good until Jan. 2012 does anyone know why?

Theme Park and Hotel merchandise discounts expire 1/31/12

Will they offer a different discount?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Another question with APs it says that the discounts in the stores will only be good until Jan. 2012 does anyone know why?

Theme Park and Hotel merchandise discounts expire 1/31/12

Will they offer a different discount?

The merchandise discount for APs other than PAPs has been around since the holiday season 2009. They have extended it several times. I honestly don't know if it'll be extended again.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

Thanks

 

[LuvSulley]

Does anyone know if I can pay the down payment with gift cards? Or do I have to buy a 1-day ticket with gift cards and use that as a down payment?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Does anyone know if I can pay the down payment with gift cards? Or do I have to buy a 1-day ticket with gift cards and use that as a down payment?

You don't have to purchase a 1 day ticket in order to do the payment plan, just the down payment is equivalent to the price of that ticket. You should have no problem using a GC for your down payment.