Correct way to upgrade GAD to AP

[AmberHeartsDisney]

what is the correct way to upgrade GAD to AP??

 

[pixarmom]

Hi OP! You may receive different responses based on various readings of Disney policy. But I'll share our experience from last March, in case it's helpful to you.

We redeemed our GADs at the guest relations/ticket window at the International Gateway entrance to EPCOT. We told the CM that we wanted to redeem our GAD vouchers and upgrade to APs immediately. I asked whether he could do that right away, or whether we would need to enter the park first. The CM (Craig - he was very efficient and seemed to know the process very well) said that he would take care of everything at once. We presented our IDs and our kids' passports along with our GAD vouchers. He exchanged each of our GAD vouchers for a one-day ticket. Then we paid the difference, and he immediately exchanged the one-day tickets for APs. We also purchased an additional AP for our youngest (too young for a GAD voucher) and a TIW card at the same time.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are two ways. One is as stated by Pixarmom above. The other is to exchange the GAD voucher for a ticket, then enter the Park and then do the upgrade within 14 days. They both work.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

There are two ways. One is as stated by Pixarmom above. The other is to exchange the GAD voucher for a ticket, then enter the Park and then do the upgrade within 14 days. They both work.

does one save me more over the other or the ticket is a set price no matter what?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

does one save me more over the other or the ticket is a set price no matter what?

The price will be the same either way. The difference is that some CMs will require you to use the GAD ticket before upgrading (since it has to be used that day), so you will have to enter the park then upgrade inside. It doesn't matter for AP upgrades since the AP will be dated the same date that you redeem the voucher, but the reasoning behind entering the park first is so that someone doesn't upgrade the GAD voucher to a MYW and save it for another trip. The GAD rules require that the ticket be used the day the voucher is redeemed, so if someone upgraded to a MYW without activating the ticket, they could save it for a later time.

 

[doconeill]

As CF said, you can do it all at once if going to an AP. The procedures were updated to allow for it, but there is still the possibility of the CM not known this and tell you you need to enter the park first, in which case you get the 1-day ticket, go into the park, and then go to Guest Services and complete the upgrade.

Doing it right at Will Call saves you time, that's it.

If not upgrading to an AP (say, just a regular MYW ticket with more days), you are supposed to go into the park first to activate the ticket - but some CMs have also done the upgrades immediately.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

yipee thanks for all the info!