DVC AP activated 4/18/15, cost to add PhotoPass?

[dznyacct]

Hi ~ I have a DVC AP that I activated on 4/18/15. I have a trip planned for early March. Can anyone tell me what the approximate cost would be to upgrade my AP when I go in March to have PhotoPass added? I have made a few phone calls to WDW and have received a wide range of very unsure answers. Thanks!

 

[erionm]

There are three different pass levels available that offer the PhotoPass downloads, Gold (has blackout dates), Platinum (no blackouts) and Platinum Plus (no blackout, includes Water Parks, etc.).

The cost would be the difference between what your paid for your current pass and the cost of the new pass level you want.

If you want to upgrade the current pass and have the PhotoPass downloads effective prior to expiration, the upgrade will NOT affect your expiration date.

 

[han22735]

If you upgrade to the gold pass its $20 and will add PP. We are doing that with one AP in a few weeks.

 

[dznyacct]

Thanks for the information! Do you know if there is any proration of the upgrade? I.E., I will have ~ 1/12 of time left on my AP in March. Will the upgrade cost be 1/12 of what the cost would be for an entire year? One CM I spoke to said that it would be prorated and one said that it would not. That's a big difference in the cost. Thanks

 

[erionm]

Do you know if there is any proration of the upgrade?

Nope.

 

[DebbieB]

Will you be there during the gold pass blackout period?

The following blockout dates apply to the Disney Gold Pass: December 17, 2015 - January 1, 2016, March 19, 2016 - April 1, 2016, December 19, 2016 - January 2, 2017.

 

[han22735]

Thanks for the information! Do you know if there is any proration of the upgrade? I.E., I will have ~ 1/12 of time left on my AP in March. Will the upgrade cost be 1/12 of what the cost would be for an entire year? One CM I spoke to said that it would be prorated and one said that it would not. That's a big difference in the cost. Thanks

Its just $20 if you upgrade to the gold. Just be aware of what @DebbieB said there is a blackout period starting on 3/19

 

[dznyacct]

Will you be there during the gold pass blackout period?

Nope

 

[CMNJ]

It is definitely not prorated (I upgraded in Oct with a pass that started in May) but with tax it was just over $21 for the gold pass so it is still much cheaper than purchasing memory maker-also you do not need to upgrade all family member's AP just one and you will be able to access all photos as long as the magic bands used are linked to the family member with the upgraded AP.

 

[supersnoop]

They don't prorate. "Upgrade" is a misnomer. You exchange you're current for a new ticket with the same entitlements.

 

[MountainMouse]

Huh, glad I checked in today and saw this. I purchased an annual pass and activated it last August. We are going in January for a week and again in June for a week. I've already purchased memory maker (it can be cancelled) for January and plan to for June. The cost is $149/trip for memory maker, so I'm going to spend $298. Sounds like I should go in and upgrade my pass (make sure it's the one we scan for photos) and save myself $278 dollars. Am I understanding this right? Funny thing is I asked member services this question right after the new annual passes came out and they said that I would have to stay on my current pass this year, specifically asked and was told I could not upgrade to the new pass. I could purchase a new pass, but not upgrade the old.

 

[CarolynFH]

We renewed our DVC APs on Feb. 4 this year. In early December I traded mine in for a Gold Pass specifically to get the MM benefit. The CM (at AK GR) had a little trouble getting the computer to process the change (it wanted to process it as a renewal that wouldn't have been effective until 2/4/16), but she called someone and found out how to do it. Cost $18 and change.

 

[Silligoose]

For those that upgraded, did you call to do it or did you do it at the park? We have DVC APs from April and are going in three weeks. I'm definitely in for $20!

 

[CMNJ]

You cannot do it over the phone is my understanding. You have to do it in person at Guest services at a Theme Park (or Disney Springs I would imagine). I paid $21 and some change. You do not have to upgrade all passes to access all photos as long as they are linked via MDE. Only the upgraded pass can download the pictures but other friends and family's can be scanned by photographers or used at rides.

 

[Silligoose]

You cannot do it over the phone is my understanding. You have to do it in person at Guest services at a Theme Park (or Disney Springs I would imagine). I paid $21 and some change. You do not have to upgrade all passes to access all photos as long as they are linked via MDE. Only the upgraded pass can download the pictures but other friends and family's can be scanned by photographers or used at rides.

Thanks so much! I'll be sure to stop at guest services on the first night!