No Renewal Discount if Downgrading AP?

[msteddom]

I currently have a Premier Annual Pass and would like to renew at the Gold level for my upcoming trip (I'm a DVC Member). The renewal discount is a significant savings (over $80). When I called the Passholder line to renew the CM stated that that renewal discounts were not applicable if you are downgrading your pass. She also said downgrade renewals could only be done in person at Guest Services.

The majority of my experience with APs is at Disneyland, where you can renew at any level and still get the renewal discount. However, I do realize that many things are different between Disney World and Disneyland. So is the lack of renewal discount on a downgrade true, or did I just get a misinformed CM? Thanks!!!!

Melissa

 

[Robo]

I currently have a Premier Annual Pass and would like to renew at the Gold level for my upcoming trip (I'm a DVC Member). The renewal discount is a significant savings (over $80). When I called the Passholder line to renew the CM stated that that renewal discounts were not applicable if you are downgrading your pass. She also said downgrade renewals could only be done in person at Guest Services.

The majority of my experience with APs is at Disneyland, where you can renew at any level and still get the renewal discount. However, I do realize that many things are different between Disney World and Disneyland. So is the lack of renewal discount on a downgrade true, or did I just get a misinformed CM? Thanks!!!!

Melissa

The CM was wrong.
Guests can change the "type" of AP at renewal time.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I don't think this is correct either whenever I have spoken to them about AP options they have been more than flexible. Try speaking to somebody else?

 

[lovethattink]

When I look online to renew mine. I'm in my window. The flyer we got in the mail says save up to 15%. I'm FL resident and my renewal rates show as follow:

Silver $351.45
Gold $496.29
Platinum Plus $659.24
Platinum $584.69
Epcot after 4 $224.72
Weekday Select $234.20

 

[GATORinaZ28]

I downgraded mine a few years ago and was able to use the renewal price. I would try again.

 

[Missyrose]

I currently have a Premier Annual Pass and would like to renew at the Gold level for my upcoming trip (I'm a DVC Member). The renewal discount is a significant savings (over $80). When I called the Passholder line to renew the CM stated that that renewal discounts were not applicable if you are downgrading your pass. She also said downgrade renewals could only be done in person at Guest Services.

The majority of my experience with APs is at Disneyland, where you can renew at any level and still get the renewal discount. However, I do realize that many things are different between Disney World and Disneyland. So is the lack of renewal discount on a downgrade true, or did I just get a misinformed CM? Thanks!!!!

Melissa

Everything that phone center CM told you was wrong. You can pay the renewal price when downgrading the pass. And you can absolutely renew by phone, I've done it for the last two APs I've had.

Call center CMs are notorious for giving out blatantly incorrect info. Call back and speak to someone else. I hope this round of CM roulette works better for you this time.

 

[msteddom]

Everything that phone center CM told you was wrong. You can pay the renewal price when downgrading the pass. And you can absolutely renew by phone, I've done it for the last two APs I've had.

Call center CMs are notorious for giving out blatantly incorrect info. Call back and speak to someone else. I hope this round of CM roulette works better for you this time.

Thanks everyone! I suspected that was the case.

Melissa

 

[HopperFan]

DS downgraded and got discount. He did it at GR.

 

[cvjw]

Just downgraded 2 regular AP's to the gold AP's this week. Just told the CM which renewal type I wanted and I paid for that type. Put the confirmation number in my MDE account and I am all set.

You got some bad info. Call back

 

[scrapquitler]

Hmmm.....I find this kind of interesting. I had a Platinum AP, and the rest of my family had 'regular' APs and they all expired April 19th, and we have never gotten ANY sort of solicitation or offer to renew (not mail, not email, nothing!) them from Disney either prior to their expiration or since. Is that normal?

 

[hawaiiangal]

I just did this 2 days ago.
I went to Guest Relations at Animal Kingdom. I downgraded from a Premier Pass to a Platinum Pass and I got the renewal discount. My total was $676.28.

 

[Missyrose]

Hmmm.....I find this kind of interesting. I had a Platinum AP, and the rest of my family had 'regular' APs and they all expired April 19th, and we have never gotten ANY sort of solicitation or offer to renew (not mail, not email, nothing!) them from Disney either prior to their expiration or since. Is that normal?

I got my "don't forget to renew" postcard from Disney about six weeks after my AP expired. I wouldn't rely on Disney to remind you of the dates.

 

[Anal Annie]

We always buy AP's but have never renewed - although are planning to this summer....I don't recall ever getting a renewal notice before from any method (mail or email).

 

[scrapquitler]

I got my "don't forget to renew" postcard from Disney about six weeks after my AP expired. I wouldn't rely on Disney to remind you of the dates.

Not relying on them to remind me, I don't plan on having an AP again until at least April 2017, so it's irrelevant anyway, but I was curious because everyone always mentions a renewal discount, and we have so far not heard anything at all from Disney.

 

[Robo]

Not relying on them to remind me, I don't plan on having an AP again until at least April 2017, so it's irrelevant anyway, but I was curious because everyone always mentions a renewal discount, and we have so far not heard anything at all from Disney.

To be clear, you don't need specific notice to renew in order to get a renewal discount.

You can renew a current AP (at the renewal discount) at any time from up to 60 days BEFORE the AP anniversary date, and up to 30 days AFTER the anniversary date.

That's a 90-day window to get the discount.

There are many times when it would be a better deal to NOT renew, but to let your AP expire and wait until you are nearing another trip to buy a brand new AP (not a renewal.) That new AP would then have a full year of privileges to use.

 

[Missyrose]

Not relying on them to remind me, I don't plan on having an AP again until at least April 2017, so it's irrelevant anyway, but I was curious because everyone always mentions a renewal discount, and we have so far not heard anything at all from Disney.

The renewal discount is a year-round thing, it's not a special offer or anything.

ETA: Oops, looks like Robo had that covered.

 

[msteddom]

I just did this 2 days ago.
I went to Guest Relations at Animal Kingdom. I downgraded from a Premier Pass to a Platinum Pass and I got the renewal discount. My total was $676.28.

That's good info to have. I thought it might have been the Premier Pass throwing a wrench in things. Thanks again!

Melissa

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with the others that the renewal discount applies even if upgrading or downgrading an AP. As long as you are within the renewal window you can select witchever level of AP you like at the renewal rate.

 

[msteddom]

Mission accomplished!!!! DVC Member Services was able to get it done for me no problem. Thanks for the reassurance everyone!

 

[Dashzap]

I think you have to go to Guest Relations if you want to upgrade your pass midyear...