Maximizing Value of Volunteer Voucher

[Eeee-va]

so if i understand correctly, when i receive the FP card, i can run up to the eligible rides and obtain fastpasses for them?? i know it is once FP card per day. but can you obtain multiple FP on the same card on the same day???

sounds like a more worthy option for those volunteering to get their vouchers worth

Check some posts at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2296674&page=13 -- post 187 (which is on that page) has some general info and the next page has photos. Looks like your FPs are good for whatever ride on the list that you like. If you got 3 "Daisy's Choice" FPs and wanted to go on Big Thunder Mountain RR three times, you could.

I'm not sure what you mean by "one FP card per day" though. If I have a ticket to Disneyland, I can use that to get a Space Mountain FP, and then when my window opens I can get another Space Mountain FP, or an Indy FP, etc. I can hop over to DCA at any time and get an FP over there as well.

And if you only went to the park for one day with two people, you could BOTH get the FP option and have something like 12 APs each.

 

[07pilot4me]

thanks for the link, answered all my questions, well the ones about the FP card at least

Check some posts at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2296674&page=13 -- post 187 (which is on that page) has some general info and the next page has photos. Looks like your FPs are good for whatever ride on the list that you like. If you got 3 "Daisy's Choice" FPs and wanted to go on Big Thunder Mountain RR three times, you could.

I'm not sure what you mean by "one FP card per day" though. If I have a ticket to Disneyland, I can use that to get a Space Mountain FP, and then when my window opens I can get another Space Mountain FP, or an Indy FP, etc. I can hop over to DCA at any time and get an FP over there as well.

And if you only went to the park for one day with two people, you could BOTH get the FP option and have something like 12 APs each.

 

[nunzia]

Get the ear hat figurine and sell it on ebay??
I am in the same dilemma - we are going in the busy march break week so might get fast passes.

the one I saw only brought in 32.00
From everything I've seen you CAN just buy a PH, then apply your voucher to upgrade to an AP..that's what I did last year with my birthday fun card..
This year I can't use it to renew since it's not in my renewal window, so we'll just get one figurine and my DH will get FP for our party

 

[mareed]

the value of the voucher in this scenario is $0.00

since $229-$72 = $157

so volunteering nets you warm fuzzies and nothing more in this scenario

You're right! I was going off of what the poster had said that: "Buy a 4 day PH at the gate, applying your Give a Day ticket. ($229 - $72). Cost: $150." But that math isn't right as you pointed out and they would be paying $157. It didn't even register that the math wasn't right there!

Unless you want the Fastpass or Figurine with pins gift, the GAD voucher is only cost-effective if you're going for 1-2 days at DL.

 

[50sjayne]

Well, we are going June 23 and plan to use them towards a 3-day pass. Gate prices in June for hoppers are not likely to be discounted much so the price deduction is very good. This is the only time we've ever gone during the busy season but this year it just worked out that way. It's when the inlaws are going and I don't want to go when Rivers of America are drained (no fantasmic) and I want to see the new WOC show. I at least pursuaded them to go when the passes are mostly blocked. We'll see- if there is a big discount on hoppers in late June then we'll just do that and get our extra day at Disney. Free works for me.

 

[Tiggerlover48]

Bummer. I'm in the same situation and one of the days of our visit is a blackout day .

When are the black out dates?

We are going in August and want to use our vouchers, but will also need to buy a 2 day PH.

Thanks.

 

[gethane]

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/di...t-A-Disney-Day-Terms-Conditions-FAQs#blockout

 

[mareed]

Well, we are going June 23 and plan to use them towards a 3-day pass. Gate prices in June for hoppers are not likely to be discounted much so the price deduction is very good. This is the only time we've ever gone during the busy season but this year it just worked out that way. It's when the inlaws are going and I don't want to go when Rivers of America are drained (no fantasmic) and I want to see the new WOC show. I at least pursuaded them to go when the passes are mostly blocked. We'll see- if there is a big discount on hoppers in late June then we'll just do that and get our extra day at Disney. Free works for me.

In June, there will be a better value of using the GAD voucher for a 3-day pass because Disney won't have the everyone at kids price special like they do through April. A 3-day June adult ticket from Getawaytoday is $181.

Compare to using your GAD voucher and upgrading to 3-day pass at DL, and you'll pay the gate-price of 3-day ticket ($204) minus 1-day price ($72) for a total of $132. So, this is $49 better than the Getawaytoday ticket price, which makes the real value of the GAD voucher $49.

Carrying this forward to a 4 day ticket starting in May, the Getawaytoday price is $195. Compared to gate-price of 4-day ticket $229 minus $72 is $157. Real value of GAD voucher is $38. Still worthwhile to most people, I'd say.

For a 5 day ticket starting in May, the Getawaytoday price is $204. Compared to gate-price of 5-day ticket $249 minus $72 is $177. Real value of GAD voucher is $27. Still worthwhile to most people, I'd say.

For a 6 day ticket starting in May, the Getawaytoday price is $208. Compared to gate-price of 6-day ticket $254 minus $72 is $182. Real value of GAD voucher is $26. Still worthwhile to most people, I'd say.

So, starting in May, it is much more beneficial as far as maximizing the value of the GAD voucher.

I have a feeling that this question will come up pretty frequently. If someone could check my math above, we could refer to this in the future! Of course, I'm sure the results could be better formatted too.

 

[CelticBelle]

i understand that it is beneficial to upgrade to an AP using the pass, which would save you $72. THe GAD tickets are like normal tickets witha 14 day window to upgrade correct?

I was planning on using my GAD ticket the first day, and then on the second day (blackout day) upgrading it the the AP since you can still get it if you begin the pass on a blackout day. This is still correct right? Ive upgraded on a blackout day in the past but want to be sure its still valid.

 

[samkj]

i understand that it is beneficial to upgrade to an AP using the pass, which would save you $72. THe GAD tickets are like normal tickets witha 14 day window to upgrade correct?

I was planning on using my GAD ticket the first day, and then on the second day (blackout day) upgrading it the the AP since you can still get it if you begin the pass on a blackout day. This is still correct right? Ive upgraded on a blackout day in the past but want to be sure its still valid.

What you will need to do is upgrade your GAD ticket to a multiday ticket the day you get it. Since it is only a one day ticket it must be done that day. Then use the multiday ticket (purchase a 3 day ticket and you'll get a MM as well) for the blockout day and then upgrade it to the AP. This has to be done while the ticket is still valid.

 

[auntiegem]

My head hurts.

 

[07pilot4me]

What you will need to do is upgrade your GAD ticket to a multiday ticket the day you get it. Since it is only a one day ticket it must be done that day. Then use the multiday ticket (purchase a 3 day ticket and you'll get a MM as well) for the blockout day and then upgrade it to the AP. This has to be done while the ticket is still valid.

and by upgrading to a PH ticket, dilute the value of GAD (since PH at gate cost more). ONLY way to get full value ($72) is to upgrade to an AP the same day of GAD ticket use.

at least that is what i got out of conversations with CM/CS

 

[CelticBelle]

and by upgrading to a PH ticket, dilute the value of GAD (since PH at gate cost more). ONLY way to get full value ($72) is to upgrade to an AP the same day of GAD ticket use.

at least that is what i got out of conversations with CM/CS

why is the value diluted when you convert it to a PH. You get a 72 dollar credit towards your PH, then the entire value of the PH is added to the AP right?

so without using correct values im imagining it like this:

PH is 200-72= 137. Then when you upgrade to AP it's 300-200= 100.

out of pocket you pay 237 instead of the full 300 for the AP.

 

[samkj]

why is the value diluted when you convert it to a PH. You get a 72 dollar credit towards your PH, then the entire value of the PH is added to the AP right?

so without using correct values im imagining it like this:

PH is 200-72= 137. Then when you upgrade to AP it's 300-200= 100.

out of pocket you pay 237 instead of the full 300 for the AP.

Exactly right (except $200-72=128, so the cost of the AP, $299 regular price will be $227)! If you stuck with just the PH there isn't much value, but using it to eventually get the AP you get the full value.

 

[07pilot4me]

Exactly right (except $200-72=128, so the cost of the AP, $299 regular price will be $227)! If you stuck with just the PH there isn't much value, but using it to eventually get the AP you get the full value.

i stand corrected

 

[gethane]

Ohhhhhh. So when you upgrade your PH to an AP, you get the full value you for what you paid, whether that be a discount ticket you paid 161 (or whatever) for, or the price at the gate.

Let me walk through this for my own benefit:
Discount 4 day hoppers
161 x 4 = 644
AP Deluxe x 4 = 1196
I get credited for 644
So pay an extra 550 to upgrade to AP (after blockout day and using my MM)
My total out of pocket price, however, is the 1196

Using GAD vouchers
Gate price 4 day hoppers
2 x 199 = 398
+
2 x 229 = 458

= 856
BUT, minus 1 child voucher (other child is too young to volunteer) and 2 adult GAD vouchers
62 + (72x2)= 206

So I pay 650 at the gate for the price hopper, but I then get credited for 856 when I upgrade to AP because of the vouchers (?), 1196-856, paying an extra 340 to upgrade.
My total out of pocket price, is 650 + 340 = 990

The savings then, if buying gate hopper, then Deluxe AP upgrade is 206, which is also the face value of the three vouchers.


Does that sound right?

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

I can not imagine that they will give you the FULL value of the PH IF you use your GAD to upgrade to it. If you can, that would be AWESOME! I have to renew my AP with mine...Which is still soo cool! I just wonder if they will still give me the $20 off down there at the booth with my GAD voucher too!

 

[gethane]

well, if they don't, what's the point of the vouchers? It's cheaper to just buy online tickets (if you are going in March, as I am) Or, really anytime. If they don't give the face value of the (gate) PH tickets when upgrading to AP, its a lose/lose deal for everyone with vouchers who want a PH, and then an upgrade to AP.

 

[CelticBelle]

i have always understood when upgrading tickets that the value is conserved. if you lost the value of the first ticket you upgraded, then its not really an upgrade...its more like buying a new ticket. I have previously upgraded a lower ticket and then upgraded it to an AP and the value was conserved. As you guys said, there really wouldnt be a point to the voucher if the value is lost when you upgrade it.

I figured in the end it wont matter for me anyway, i decided to upgrade straight to a PAP and then the blackout date doesnt really matter anyway.

 

[joeysmommy]

My plan is to just use the GAD vouchers and spend one full day in DL.
Before we leave I will purchase 3 day park hoppers at my Credit Union at $134.10 each.
**Adults get in for the price of Kids on 3-Day, 4-Day, and 5-Day tickets Expire 5/12/10**

We usually spend 4 days in the parks.

I'm not upgrading to an AP this time, my AAA card and Disney Visa gets just as many discount perks as the AP.
We've been staying at Hojo's and the kids prefer it over GCH so I don't need the hotel discounts an Ap gets.