How do you convince someone to upgrade to AP?

[dtnrhi]

As seen by my numerous past posts, I am going to the Land in March. I am going for three days (March 11-14). Last night, we discovered my cousins will be dancing in the parade next year for the holidays. We have always wanted to go around Christmas, so this may make it happen for us. If we do in fact do this, it will make sense for me to upgrade to an AP for sure (since I am the only one going on the trip with friends) but it is more difficult convincing my mother to actually do it (I'm 17). To get the most bang for the buck, I crunched the numbers and made a plan to get AP's for under $400.

1.) Buy the Costco 4 Day Ph for $260 (net $210)
2.) Take an extra trip in January or February, use the four days, then upgrade on our last day.
3.) With spending $210 on the ticket, and getting $275 value for our tickets, we are already saving $65 off the top. In addition to this, I would pay the remaining balance ($194) with Disney Gift Cards I am getting at 10% off.
4.) This would make it so that we would pay $384.60 for a Deluxe Annual Pass.

Obviously the benefits are me "saving" $237 on my March Trip. We could go on free breaks during the summer. And then we would be able to go for the Holidays next November/Early December with my cousins.

The question is how do I convince my mom to do this for our family of six?


One more question: I have a handicapped brother who we foresee passing away within the next year. (I had another brother with the same condition, and the signs are beginning to show). Would Disney do any refund of an AP if the holder passes away?

 

[Girimama33]

I have a couple questions...
2.) Take an extra trip in January or February, use the four days, then upgrade on our last day.
Why would you wait till the last day to upgrade to an AP?

3.) With spending $210 on the ticket, and getting $275 value for our tickets, we are already saving $65 off the top. In addition to this, I would pay the remaining balance ($194) with Disney Gift Cards I am getting at 10% off.
First, how do you get Disney GC at 10% off (Target?)
Next, where have they confirmed that you get the full value for a 4 day PH when you upgrade a discounted Costco ticket to an AP?

Hopefully I am not missing anything, but you are the only one going in March, right? I don't know if it is worth the rest of your family to get an AP unless the ticket prices they would utilize throughout the year is more than the cost of the AP.

 

[dtnrhi]

I have a couple questions...
2.) Take an extra trip in January or February, use the four days, then upgrade on our last day.
Why would you wait till the last day to upgrade to an AP?

To take advantage of our Magic Morning.

3.) With spending $210 on the ticket, and getting $275 value for our tickets, we are already saving $65 off the top. In addition to this, I would pay the remaining balance ($194) with Disney Gift Cards I am getting at 10% off.
First, how do you get Disney GC at 10% off (Target?) {Yes, either the DB or CC]
Next, where have they confirmed that you get the full value for a 4 day PH when you upgrade a discounted Costco ticket to an AP? [This has been proved on the post about them]

Hopefully I am not missing anything, but you are the only one going in March, right? I don't know if it is worth the rest of your family to get an AP unless the ticket prices they would utilize throughout the year is more than the cost of the AP.

[I'm mainly justifying it with a $290 (or more if they raise prices like it is rumored) in December, plus we get another trip early 2013.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I think the PP has a point. You'll be paying the difference between the price you paid for the tickets and the current price of an AP.

Also consider upgrading near the start of your trip (after you've used your MM). That way you will get the AP discount earlier.

 

[purple figment]

Disneyland doesn't bridge the price of their tickets. We used parkhoppers to upgrade to APs earlier this year and only got the value we paid for the hoppers so you won't be "saving" anything by buying the tickets at Costco, then upgrading to APs.

 

[Disney Dreams]

1.) Buy the Costco 4 Day Ph for $260 (net $210)
2.) Take an extra trip in January or February, use the four days, then upgrade on our last day.
3.) With spending $210 on the ticket, and getting $275 value for our tickets, we are already saving $65 off the top. In addition to this, I would pay the remaining balance ($194) with Disney Gift Cards I am getting at 10% off.
4.) This would make it so that we would pay $384.60 for a Deluxe Annual Pass.

Obviously the benefits are me "saving" $237 on my March Trip. We could go on free breaks during the summer. And then we would be able to go for the Holidays next November/Early December with my cousins.

Okay, walk me through #1. Are you paying $210 or $260?

Then, #3. This part is not correct (sorry). Disney will start with whatever you have already paid for your PH and subtract that amount from the cost of the AP you are getting. I'm a little lost on the $210, $265, and $275, but just know that you will only receive a credit towards the cost of your AP for the amount you paid for your PH.

Saving 10% using Disney Gift Cards (guessing you're buying them at Target with a Target card) does make sense and is a good idea in your scenario.

I am sorry to hear about your brothers. Tha must be incredibly difficult. To my knowledge, Disney does not offer refunds in cases of death, but I really don't know. I would call and ask directly on that one. 714-781-4000

As for the rest of your family getting APs, how many days will they be there total on both trips? You'll want to do the math and figure out if it makes sense money-wise?

- Dreams

 

[dtnrhi]

We'd be doing the Costco tickets. They are $260 each for a four day hopper, including a $50 Costco Gift Card. The Cost would then be $210 each. According to the post on these tickets, people have been upgrading them to APs and were given the full value of a four day PH which is $275.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

People on other boards have reported only getting $210 credit toward an AP, so be prepared for that. It really seems to depend on which CM you get at the ticket booths.

 

[mathmom32]

People on other boards have reported only getting $210 credit toward an AP, so be prepared for that. It really seems to depend on which CM you get at the ticket booths.

I just upgraded my Costco parkhopper to an AP today. I received the $275 credit.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I just upgraded my Costco parkhopper to an AP today. I received the $275 credit.

That's surprising, but good news! We're updating our 6-day hoppers to APs, and it would be nice if they only charge the AP minus the current value.

 

[dtnrhi]

We made the plunge! We will be proud Disneyland Annual Passholders next year! We got some of the last Disneyland tickets from our Costco, and will be going February 2-6 next year. We will upgrade. I will be back in March. Then we will take a family trip in June or July, followed by a Winter trip. I'm excited!

 

[mouseymommy]

We made the plunge! We will be proud Disneyland Annual Passholders next year! We got some of the last Disneyland tickets from our Costco, and will be going February 2-6 next year. We will upgrade. I will be back in March. Then we will take a family trip in June or July, followed by a Winter trip. I'm excited!

How exciting for you!! We got them last year and we love having them. Have a great time!

 

[Disney Dreams]

We made the plunge! We will be proud Disneyland Annual Passholders next year! We got some of the last Disneyland tickets from our Costco, and will be going February 2-6 next year. We will upgrade. I will be back in March. Then we will take a family trip in June or July, followed by a Winter trip. I'm excited!

Yay! Remember to time the winter 2013 trip to be within 12 months.

Please come update this thread when you upgrade to let people know what value Disney gives you for the Costco passes. Welcome to AP-dom. Enjoy!

- Dreams

 

[dtnrhi]

One more question: I have a handicapped brother who we foresee passing away within the next year. (I had another brother with the same condition, and the signs are beginning to show). Would Disney do any refund of an AP if the holder passes away?

I can unfortunately update this previous question of mine, today. Disney offered us the ability to transfer his AP to an immediate family member's name, or, if everyone has an AP (which we do), then we choose one person's pass, and the remaining time from my brother's AP gets tacked on to one of ours.

Disneyland will never be the same, and I'm kind of sad he didn't make it to see the new parade and such. But such is life. We'll probably cry a bit on our future visits, but we had an awesome trip a few weeks ago, and the pictures we have will remind us of better times.

 

[nolenbelledavis]

First of all, I'm so sorry about both of your brothers.

I have a friend who upgraded at WDW. So it could potentially be different, but she was able to get the full market value of the pass she had versus what she actually paid. It took awhile to get it done and the lady told her that not all CMs know how to do it, but they can, so if you get one that doesn't know how to do it, ask a manager.

 

[corinne76]

I'm very sorry for your loss

 

[bumbershoot]

I can unfortunately update this previous question of mine, today. Disney offered us the ability to transfer his AP to an immediate family member's name, or, if everyone has an AP (which we do), then we choose one person's pass, and the remaining time from my brother's AP gets tacked on to one of ours.

Disneyland will never be the same, and I'm kind of sad he didn't make it to see the new parade and such. But such is life. We'll probably cry a bit on our future visits, but we had an awesome trip a few weeks ago, and the pictures we have will remind us of better times.

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. How I wish you had never been able to come back to tell us what they do in case of an AP holder's death. I have two friends who lost their brothers in March and I just hurt so much for them and I hurt for you, too.