Getting a discounted AP with resale DVC

[Tonyz]

So I just called Disney asking to get the discounted Sorcerer Pass as a DVC member (despite buying resale). They asked for my number and I had it within 5 minutes.

I was very excited... BUUUTTT I've now heard from multiple people that Disney will check at the gate when I first try to use it to confirm my eligibility.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this, and what they did about it.

Thank you!

 

[kilik64]

The sorcerer pass is not "discounted", you're just not eligible to buy it unless you are a FL resident or a DVC member eligible for perks.

More likely then not, when you go to activate it they'll say no dice and either apply the amount to regular tickets or possibly give you a refund.

 

[chlwodud85]

Did you call Member services? I wonder this same question

 

[erionm]

That CM should have told you to call Member Services to purchase.

 

[DonMacGregor]

So I just called Disney asking to get the discounted Sorcerer Pass as a DVC member (despite buying resale). They asked for my number and I had it within 5 minutes.

I was very excited... BUUUTTT I've now heard from multiple people that Disney will check at the gate when I first try to use it to confirm my eligibility.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this, and what they did about it.

Thank you!

If you bought it through DVC Member Services, then the pass is already verified with a start date based on first use (they will have told you this when you purchased it and will have said you don't need to do anything more) and you'll just tap in on your first day. If you purchased it through Admissions, then the pass isn't verified (Admissions doesn't have access to DVC membership status) and you'll be directed over to Guest Relations when you first try to tap in. That's where it might get dicey.

 

[atthebeachclub]

If you bought it through DVC Member Services, then the pass is already verified with a start date based on first use (they will have told you this when you purchased it and will have said you don't need to do anything more) and you'll just tap in on your first day. If you purchased it through Admissions, then the pass isn't verified (Admissions doesn't have access to DVC membership status) and you'll be directed over to Guest Relations when you first try to tap in. That's where it might get dicey.

Isn’t it odd that Admissions doesn’t have that access? I still wonder why it is separated like that.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Isn’t it odd that Admissions doesn’t have that access? I still wonder why it is separated like that.

It is odd. If you are buying the Sorcerer Pass for the first time (not renewing), and you log onto the WDW website and navigate to tickets and passes, and your log in email is linked to an eligible (DVC-Y) profile, the Sorcerer Pass will show up for purchase. If you log in using an email not associated with an eligible membership, the Sorcerer Pass isn't even a displayed option, so there's SOME access at least at the website level.

 

[CarolynFH]

So I just called Disney asking to get the discounted Sorcerer Pass as a DVC member (despite buying resale). They asked for my number and I had it within 5 minutes.

I was very excited... BUUUTTT I've now heard from multiple people that Disney will check at the gate when I first try to use it to confirm my eligibility.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this, and what they did about it.

Thank you!

I’ve read reports that the person was given a choice of paying the additional amount for an Incredi-Pass or applying the cost of the Sorcerer to a regular park ticket. The Sorcerer AP was not activated.

 

[bdrex28]

we've had zero issues with it working and we're resale owners.

 

[crvetter]

If you bought it through DVC Member Services, then the pass is already verified with a start date based on first use (they will have told you this when you purchased it and will have said you don't need to do anything more) and you'll just tap in on your first day. If you purchased it through Admissions, then the pass isn't verified (Admissions doesn't have access to DVC membership status) and you'll be directed over to Guest Relations when you first try to tap in. That's where it might get dicey.

This isn't my experience. I just bought a Sorcerer Pass from DVC MS and was explicitly told I needed to go to the window to activate (this was in June). I did need to go to the window and they explicitly asked for my verification that I was eligible for the pass (they did enter some information and said it was checking with DVC). Then my partner needed to provide proof (ID) that we reside at the same address.

For renewals they have told me I can skip the admission window, and have done so previously for my personal AP.

Also Admissions lets you buy the Sorcerer Pass as a DVC member? I've always been directed back to call MS anytime I've talked to admissions about another issue and wanted to purchase the pass.

 

[crvetter]

we've had zero issues with it working and we're resale owners.

When did you buy resale?

 

[atthebeachclub]

we've had zero issues with it working and we're resale owners.

Do you know your last renewal month?

 

[hhisc16]

If you bought it through DVC Member Services, then the pass is already verified with a start date based on first use (they will have told you this when you purchased it and will have said you don't need to do anything more) and you'll just tap in on your first day. If you purchased it through Admissions, then the pass isn't verified (Admissions doesn't have access to DVC membership status) and you'll be directed over to Guest Relations when you first try to tap in. That's where it might get dicey.

I bought ap in May with DVC MS.

They told me all I need to do is scan in as well.

I already see the ap on my account and we will activate on our Oct trip.

Hopefully no issues. We own resale and direct.

 

[Mle8308]

Do you have to own 150 points direct to get the Sorcerer AP or can it be less?

 

[Sandisw]

All you can do is see what happens when you get there. I have had to go and verify (am eligible) and another time, did not with my renewal.

If they want the eligiblity DVC-Y, then they will allow you to pay the difference or refund the money. As noted, there are people who have been able to keep it...but the CM's at guest services are the one will decide how to handle it for you.

 

[DonMacGregor]

This isn't my experience. I just bought a Sorcerer Pass from DVC MS and was explicitly told I needed to go to the window to activate (this was in June). I did need to go to the window and they explicitly asked for my verification that I was eligible for the pass (they did enter some information and said it was checking with DVC). Then my partner needed to provide proof (ID) that we reside at the same address.

For renewals they have told me I can skip the admission window, and have done so previously for my personal AP.

Also Admissions lets you buy the Sorcerer Pass as a DVC member? I've always been directed back to call MS anytime I've talked to admissions about another issue and wanted to purchase the pass.

When we purchased our first Sorcerer passes in 2022, we bought them directly off the WDW website, after logging in using my eligible membership email. We went straight to a park entrance (Epcot World Showcase) and scanned right in. No visit to Guest Relations required. Both times we have renewed them (2023, 2024) we were required to renew by calling MS directly (the only way you can renew). When we renewed last month, the CM explicitly said that because we called DVC, our eligibility was verified, and we again didn't need to visit Guest Relations at the parks. Seemed like something he was reading off a script because I never asked him. We scanned in to parks directly after both renewals.

As far as Admissions selling the passes directly, I have only heard anecdotal references to this (usually in posts complaining that they were denied entrance when they actually tried to tap in at a park and were directed to Guest Relations).

 

[sndral]

Do you have to own 150 points direct to get the Sorcerer AP or can it be less?

It depends on when you bought your points, anyone who qualified for member benefits in the past based on no or lower direct minimums is grandfathered in based on the number required when they bought.
Prior to April 2016 you don’t need any direct points since resale points got member benefits - so 0 minimum direct points.
Between 2016 - 2018 minimum 25 direct points.
Between 2018 - 2019 minimum 75 direct points.
Between 2019 - 2020 minimum 100 direct points.
Between 2020 - 2021 minimum 125 direct points.
After December 2021 minimum 150 direct points.

 

[OSUBucksfan9]

When me and my wife bought an ap in 2023 I can confirm they checked ids and checked for dvc for the activation

 

[Cyberc1978]

When me and my wife bought an ap in 2023 I can confirm they checked ids and checked for dvc for the activation

When I bought my AP in Oct last year, I did it by upgrading my tickets and when we came to WDW we went straight through the gates no checking no nothing.

 

[DonMacGregor]

As others have mentioned (on numerous occasions), there are a few resale members who slip through the cracks when initially purchasing the Sorcerer Pass, but once renewal time comes up, they absolutely won't be renewing them. Sure, you can let it expire and roll the dice on getting another "new" one, but to each their own...