Hopper or AP question - with a few twists

[wdwfan22]

I have kind of a weird/complicated question. I am going on a trip the Nov. and staying at HoJos. They have the discounted rate for Entertainment card/Annual passholders of $59 for all 7 of the nts we are going to stay.

So here is where my confusion has been coming in. We are buying 6 days hoppers, but I was thinking about upgrading to an annual pass since it is only like $85 more (unless they make a better promotion for Nov) and that way I can have an excuse to come back soon. But then we would not be able to go in for MM one day. I guess this is no big deal, but I love me some Fantasyland, and this is a good opportunity to ride all the rides early.

I also like the idea of an annual pass because I think you get a 10% discount on food. We like to eat one meal a day at a sit down (will do Blue Bayou once) and will probably do a couple of character meals. So I will probably almost make my $85 back.

So I have been stuck not knowing which one to do. So today I thought of a plan. I will buy us 6 day hoppers ahead of time. Use the first MM available when we get there. I think they are on Saturday? I can't remember now. But we arrive Fri afternoon. Then after we have used the MM, I will upgrade my pass to an AP, so I can get the dining discounts the rest of the time we are there. I can get an entertainment card for cheap, and use that for the rate at HoJo.

Does that sound ok, or am I doing something wrong. I don't want to be sneaky or anything, but I thought maybe that was just a creative way of getting the most out of my money. Will the food discount be good for both my son and me if we are together with one AP? or does he need an AP also to get a discount?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[dmked]

I can get an entertainment card for cheap, and use that for the rate at HoJo.

I thought the AP rate was now the same as the Ent. Rate so I don't think you would need to purchase an Ent. card if you are getting an AP.

Only one person in your party needs an AP if you are paying together at meals.

 

[wdwfan22]

I thought the AP rate was now the same as the Ent. Rate so I don't think you would need to purchase an Ent. card if you are getting an AP.

Only one person in your party needs an AP if you are paying together at meals.

But wouldn't I need to show my AP when I check in? I won't have it until the 2nd day.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Does that sound ok, or am I doing something wrong. I don't want to be sneaky or anything, but I thought maybe that was just a creative way of getting the most out of my money. Will the food discount be good for both my son and me if we are together with one AP? or does he need an AP also to get a discount?

Yes. This is exactly what we did last September. One AP will get you the discount on everyones food (not just yours). In fact, when we went with my mom she paid for a few meals and I still used my AP for the discount.

I thought the AP rate was now the same as the Ent. Rate so I don't think you would need to purchase an Ent. card if you are getting an AP.

But if they won't have the AP at check in (upgrading on day 2), they'd need the ET card for the discount at check in.

 

[Belle Ella]

But wouldn't I need to show my AP when I check in? I won't have it until the 2nd day.

That's my understanding as well.

It honestly sounds like a good plan to me. It's pretty much what I'm planning to do for my trip this July: purchasing my PH so I can get a MM and then upgrading to the AP afterward.

 

[bumbershoot]

Upgrading during your trip is totally and completely OK! Not a thing wrong about it.

All you will do is pay the difference between the AP you are getting and what you paid for your tickets (which means there's not much point in getting a discount on any ticket being upgraded), when you're ready to upgrade.

You *will* need to check out the AP section (there's a lot of AP info for non AP holders) of disneyland.com, paying attention to any blockout dates. You can absolutely upgrade to an AP *on* a blockout date, and enjoy the parks that day, BUT if you upgrade *before* any blockout dates, you can't go to the parks using the AP on those blockout dates (unless you pay something like $40 or $45 for a blockout ticket). So just make sure that you aren't upgrading too soon!

 

[dismom73]

You DO NOT need your AP at check-in. When you check in tell them you are purchasing an AP during this trip and they will tell you to show it to them once you have it. So no need to buy the entertainment card.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Thanks for the info. Am planning on booking HOJO's for 2 trips next year, and was planning on getting a AP through Disney.com and have the AP by the day after we arrive at DL. Thanks for giving such greyt info!