Is it dumb to pay for my AP now, before my Oct trip?

[DizMe]

I have GCH reservations at the AP7 rate. The ressie includes an AP for me. However, I find myself wanting to access the AP portion of Disneyland's website now, and, well, just have it paid for ahead of time. My deposit does not, of course, cover the AP. I called today and the CM advised me to wait to purchase it until I get there. I kept trying to explain to him why I wanted to pay for it now but he wouldn't budge.

Is there a reason not to buy it now? We leave in 4 weeks. I won't validate it until I get there--I didn't think that was a problem. My thought is to call back and get a different CM and buy the dang thing, but thought I'd ask here first to see if I'm overlooking something. Since I reserved the room/AP before the price increase, they are honoring the original AP price on my reservation; otherwise, I'd simply order one online.

 

[Sherry E]

I wonder why the CM wouldn't let you buy the AP now? That is weird. I understand the feeling of wanting to have everything paid (or at least as much as I CAN pay) in advance, with only food, etc. to worry about once I arrive. I will be interested to hear if another CM will let you purchase the AP in advance.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I don't see why not! I like having things paid for ahead of time, less to worry about! I'd go for it!

 

[wendylady36]

You can't access the AP portion of the Disneyland website until you go to Disneyland and get your actual AP. You need a barcode number to get into the site and that's only on the actual AP (the one you get with your picture on it in the park).

 

[DizMe]

You can't access the AP portion of the Disneyland website until you go to Disneyland and get your actual AP. You need a barcode number to get into the site and that's only on the actual AP (the one you get with your picture on it in the park).

Ooooooh, I didn't know that. I had read that if you purchase an AP online from the Disney website, the AP area is immediately accessible to you. I figured it would be the same purchasing over the phone.

I'd like to be able to see the rates for different dates without having to call every time. Mostly, though, it would be nice to pay for the AP now and spread the pain

 

[konagal]

We have been able to view the offers using the barcode printed on the paper ticket as soon as we received it via e-mail.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ooooooh, I didn't know that. I had read that if you purchase an AP online from the Disney website, the AP area is immediately accessible to you. I figured it would be the same purchasing over the phone.

I'd like to be able to see the rates for different dates without having to call every time. Mostly, though, it would be nice to pay for the AP now and spread the pain

Some people have been able to get the numbers to access the site, but others haven't.

There's just really no reason to get it now, though. Your trip is so soon!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Maybe I am missing it, but... why do you want it now? (other than impatience that Disney can inflict on us all )

 

[DizMe]

Maybe I am missing it, but... why do you want it now? (other than impatience that Disney can inflict on us all )

Well, I would like to pay for it now because I could pay it this month before having the hotel bill next month. It just spreads the credit card payment out over 2 months rather than having to pay it all at once, as we pay the bill in full each month.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you have a disney store nearby? You could get a gift card in the amount it will take, thereby having the charge now but not actually paying for the AP?

Or if the hotel won't let you split up the payment like that (they probably would, though), just take the money on the gift card and use it for food and souvenirs, thereby taking that money you would be spending out of the credit card equation?

Or see if the hotel will take a partial up-front payment, without mentioning what it's going for? I think WDW will do that with some reservations; maybe DLR will too?

 

[DizMe]

Do you have a disney store nearby? You could get a gift card in the amount it will take, thereby having the charge now but not actually paying for the AP?

Or if the hotel won't let you split up the payment like that (they probably would, though), just take the money on the gift card and use it for food and souvenirs, thereby taking that money you would be spending out of the credit card equation?

Or see if the hotel will take a partial up-front payment, without mentioning what it's going for? I think WDW will do that with some reservations; maybe DLR will too?

Good ideas. I think I'll call first and see if I can pay part of the bill now and the rest when we check out. I don't live near a Disney store and it's not that big a deal anyway. I just thought it would kill 2 birds with one stone if I paid now; I'd have that much less to pay all at once (or, technically, dh would), and I could access the AP site to check out possible future trips. I have one in the wings right now for November! My son wants to go with me in Feb for his birthday, and now with the new promotion and my birthday in January and my twins in March... could be we're going more than once this year!! Add to those oldest dd in July, middle dd in June and dh in October. We're not going to go for everyone's birthday, but I imagine *some* of us will make the trip a time or two!

 

[samkj]

Try Costco for the AP. Another board was reporting their Costco was selling the Deluxe AP for the regular $269 price, but it came with a $50 gift card.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We have ap7 rates for the DLH in December, but we purchased our AP's 2 or 3 months ago. No harm, they won't be activated until we get there. I like having things paid for in advance. Makes me feel like we aren't spending as much while we are there.

 

[Hofmanns4]

We have ap7 rates for the DLH in December, but we purchased our AP's 2 or 3 months ago. No harm, they won't be activated until we get there. I like having things paid for in advance. Makes me feel like we aren't spending as much while we are there.

Plus...you propably bought before the price increase. That is exactly what we did last year.

 

[DizMe]

Plus...you propably bought before the price increase. That is exactly what we did last year.

That's why I would prefer to buy the AP from the hotel reservations system--they are honoring the old price (which was in effect when I made the reservation).

The Costco deal sounds really good, but does it matter where you live? I read that post, too, and it said they found it in the Burbank Costco. Is it a SoCal thing? I'd gladly pay $269 and get a $50 Disney gift card with my pass!

 

[PigletGurl]

I wouldn't buy and AP unless I was sure I was going. Like maybe buy it a week before, just in case. Anything can happen.

 

[DizMe]

I wouldn't buy and AP unless I was sure I was going. Like maybe buy it a week before, just in case. Anything can happen.

Good point, but we'd better go since we have purchased four 5-day hoppers, 5 character meal vouchers and $2000 worth of plane tickets!

 

[samkj]

That's why I would prefer to buy the AP from the hotel reservations system--they are honoring the old price (which was in effect when I made the reservation).

The Costco deal sounds really good, but does it matter where you live? I read that post, too, and it said they found it in the Burbank Costco. Is it a SoCal thing? I'd gladly pay $269 and get a $50 Disney gift card with my pass!

I think it is technically offered everywhere, but not all areas carry the passes. I'll be checking out the Sacramento area Costcos this week.

 

[konagal]

I think it is technically offered everywhere, but not all areas carry the passes. I'll be checking out the Sacramento area Costcos this week.

Let us know about SAC.

 

[DizMe]

Regarding the Costco Deluxe Pass, I copied this from the mousepad forum, from AVP who is an administrator there:

"Here's what I've been able to determine: the Long Beach Costco does not yet have them, or know anything about them. They should be available at all Costco locations that currently sell Disneyland admission, but they may not have arrived in all locations let. I've been told the ticket will also be available online "soon."

There are no residency restrictions. This ticket IS upgradeable to a Premium AP, and yes, you CAN use the $50 gift card towards the cost of that upgrade."

So I'm off to Costco in Chico today to see if we have this!