How do you upgrade GAD to renewal AP?

[delmar411]

The FAQs say you can upgrade your GAD to a renewal AP but how exactly does that work esp since I need to renew my AP before I will arrive at WDW.

Our APs expire 4/8 and we arrive 5/20.

TIA for any insight.

 

[doconeill]

The FAQs say you can upgrade your GAD to a renewal AP but how exactly does that work esp since I need to renew my AP before I will arrive at WDW.

Our APs expire 4/8 and we arrive 5/20.

TIA for any insight.

If that is the case, you will be unable to use the GAD ticket to do your renewal, as you can only renew within 30 days of either side of the expiration, and the GAD ticket must be used on the day you redeem the voucher.

You could either renew as normal and opt for one of the alternatives, or use the GAD ticket to get a NEW AP.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The GAD voucher may only be redeemed at a Theme Park window.

I would suggest you do your renewal online within 30 days on either side of expiration. Note that you will then get a 15 month expiration.

Then use the GAD ticket for one of the alternate choices.

 

[delmar411]

The GAD voucher may only be redeemed at a Theme Park window.

I would suggest you do your renewal online within 30 days on either side of expiration. Note that you will then get a 15 month expiration.

Then use the GAD ticket for one of the alternate choices.

I know about the 15mth expiration which is why we want to renew and not let it just expire.

If I can somehow manage to get down to WDW before they expire, how would it work for an upgrade/renewal situation?

Also would I need to have my one DD who's AP needs to be renewed w/ the GAD ticket w/ me? I don't normally have everyone at the window w/ me but I can't remember if she had to come up to the window or not.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You would use your GAD ticket to enter the park. Go to Guest Relations with your AP and that ticket. They will then "upgrade the GAD ticket to an AP at the renewal rate". This can be done within 30 days on either side of the expiration date of your current AP.

A Guest under age 18 does not have to be present for the upgrade, but must be present with identification to actually get the GAD ticket.

 

[smiller]

Does the same situation apply if we are renewing our APs with a DVC discount?

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Does the same situation apply if we are renewing our APs with a DVC discount?

Thanks!

There is no such thing as a "DVC Discount" related to any Annual Passes (No matter what Member Services says).

There are three separate categories (or price ranges) of Annual Passes. The lowest price range is for Florida Residents. There is a higher price range for DVC Members. And the highest price range is "Tourist", which is people who do not qualify for either of the other categories.

Regular and Premium Annual Passes have the same privileges, no matter which price range they are in.

 

[smiller]

There is no such thing as a "DVC Discount" related to any Annual Passes (No matter what Member Services says).

There are three separate categories (or price ranges) of Annual Passes. The lowest price range is for Florida Residents. There is a higher price range for DVC Members. And the highest price range is "Tourist", which is people who do not qualify for either of the other categories.

Regular and Premium Annual Passes have the same privileges, no matter which price range they are in.

Thanks for the info!

For our family, since our APs expire at different times, it will work out to either upgrade to a renewal AP or a new AP once we enter the park with our GAD tickets.

The way I figure it is the $$ I save by upgrading the GAD ticket to a new AP is greater than the $$ I save by renewing my AP without using the GAD - I wouldn't need those extra 3 months anyway.

This is great news!

 

[n2mm]

I do all of my guest relations transactions at the window at international gateway. I have a DVC AP and need to renew and would like to use my GAD towards the cost. So I go to the window and trade in my GAD voucher and get a ticket and go through the turnstile, then back through the exit and go back to the same CM and renew my AP with my just used one day ticket??? sounds strange--there's got to be a better way.

 

[doconeill]

I do all of my guest relations transactions at the window at international gateway. I have a DVC AP and need to renew and would like to use my GAD towards the cost. So I go to the window and trade in my GAD voucher and get a ticket and go through the turnstile, then back through the exit and go back to the same CM and renew my AP with my just used one day ticket??? sounds strange--there's got to be a better way.

Unfortunately no, other than the fact that unless you need the AP for other reasons right away, you don't have to do the upgrade immediately and can do it at your leisure.

I don't know why they changed this (perhaps due to some shenanigans with the Birthday tickets?), but the ticket you get is not actually valid until it has been used for entrance to the park. Once that happens, it essentially turns into a 1-day MYW base ticket and follows all the rules that apply to them. Before that it isn't worth anything and expires at the end of the day.

 

[n2mm]

Unfortunately no, other than the fact that unless you need the AP for other reasons right away, you don't have to do the upgrade immediately and can do it at your leisure.

I don't know why they changed this (perhaps due to some shenanigans with the Birthday tickets?), but the ticket you get is not actually valid until it has been used for entrance to the park. Once that happens, it essentially turns into a 1-day MYW base ticket and follows all the rules that apply to them. Before that it isn't worth anything and expires at the end of the day.

So I can not use the value of the GAD towards my AP renewal? We will be there on April 24th and the AP expires on April 29th. So I can't use the value for the renewal and would have to buy a new AP? and not renew. This is getting confusing now.

 

[doconeill]

So I can not use the value of the GAD towards my AP renewal? We will be there on April 24th and the AP expires on April 29th. So I can't use the value for the renewal and would have to buy a new AP? and not renew. This is getting confusing now.

Sorry, I mean "no" in that there is not an easier way.

Yes, you can use the GAD ticket as credit towards an AP renewal, so long as you are in the renewal window. You just have to USE the ticket first before you can do so.

But you have several days to do the upgrade, so do it when it is convenient for you.

 

[n2mm]

Sorry, I mean "no" in that there is not an easier way.

Yes, you can use the GAD ticket as credit towards an AP renewal, so long as you are in the renewal window. You just have to USE the ticket first before you can do so.

But you have several days to do the upgrade, so do it when it is convenient for you.

Thanks, that is crazy.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Thanks, that is crazy.

This is true!

But Disney says that the GAD ticket must be used on the day it is redeemed. If they allow an immediate upgrade prior to park entry it removes the immediate use parameter. So you can use it to enter the Park. At some time while you are in the park you can stop by Guest Relations and "upgrade the GAD ticket to an Annual Pass at the renewal rate" as long as you also have your AP available.

 

[n2mm]

This is true!

But Disney says that the GAD ticket must be used on the day it is redeemed. If they allow an immediate upgrade prior to park entry it removes the immediate use parameter. So you can use it to enter the Park. At some time while you are in the park you can stop by Guest Relations and "upgrade the GAD ticket to an Annual Pass at the renewal rate" as long as you also have your AP available.

Thanks for the info. Now I only hope that I get a CM who knows their stuff!

 

[Tam1067]

OK, so just to clarify--

We have AP's. They expire on 8/8/10. We will be in the parks until 8/3/10 which means that our "old" AP's will still be valid. However, we will be returning in December, and then again in summer 2011, so I plan to do the renewal of the AP's in August because I've run the numbers, and it works out better for us this way (especially if the ticket prices increase in August as they usually do).

I will have the GAD, so I use that to enter the park on say 8/2, and then AFTER that, we will go guest services, and use that GAD ticket to renew our AP, right? And the value of the GAD will be applied at that time, yes? But I cannot just bring the voucher to guest services and do a straight upgrade from there.

 

[doconeill]

OK, so just to clarify--

We have AP's. They expire on 8/8/10. We will be in the parks until 8/3/10 which means that our "old" AP's will still be valid. However, we will be returning in December, and then again in summer 2011, so I plan to do the renewal of the AP's in August because I've run the numbers, and it works out better for us this way (especially if the ticket prices increase in August as they usually do).

I will have the GAD, so I use that to enter the park on say 8/2, and then AFTER that, we will go guest services, and use that GAD ticket to renew our AP, right? And the value of the GAD will be applied at that time, yes? But I cannot just bring the voucher to guest services and do a straight upgrade from there.

Yup, you've got it all correct.

 

[projectorguy1]

Can I do this and get the DVC owner rates also? We also have one day passes that we would like to apply. If we could apply both, we will renew this year, instead of letting our AP's expire this september and buying anew in 2011 when we go. Too good to pass up!


Jerry

 

[n2mm]

Can I do this and get the DVC owner rates also? We also have one day passes that we would like to apply. If we could apply both, we will renew this year, instead of letting our AP's expire this september and buying anew in 2011 when we go. Too good to pass up!


Jerry

DVC member here and everything I've read from the experts here (tks) is that yes we can renew at the DVC rate and still use the value of this ticket towards the price. I'll be doing it in April. Of course that means doing it in person and within the timeframe of your renewal.

 

[doconeill]

Can I do this and get the DVC owner rates also? We also have one day passes that we would like to apply. If we could apply both, we will renew this year, instead of letting our AP's expire this september and buying anew in 2011 when we go. Too good to pass up!


Jerry

DVC member here and everything I've read from the experts here (tks) is that yes we can renew at the DVC rate and still use the value of this ticket towards the price. I'll be doing it in April. Of course that means doing it in person and within the timeframe of your renewal.

Absolutely. Being a DVC member and getting a different price on the APs and renewals does not matter with regards to any sort of upgrades.