Premier Pass

[pixarmom]

Just upgraded my WDW AP to a Premier Pass, and I'll use it at DL next month. My experience using the Premier Pass at WDW was excellent. Almost all the CMs knew about it, some were very excited to see it, and the only one who did not know about it asked another CM immediately and completed the transaction.

I've read that CMs at DL may not be as familiar with the pass, so I plan to carry a description of it from the Disney website at DL. I also found it helpful to say, "And this is for the 20% discount" when presenting it at WDW. Any other tips for using it at DL? Does anyone know if I need to do anything to "activate" it at DL? I'm hoping that we can get going at the parks right away when we arrive, but I heard that I will need a photo to use my pass at DL.

I'd appreciate any advice!

 

[Raindown]

While researching WDW, it seems passes have more opportunities for discounts at Disneyland especially for food. I think you'll fine DLR CMs quite familiar passes because they see passes often. Maybe not the premier one but a lot of others.

 

[DLR29]

You will be fine. I just returned from using my Premier Passport (that we got at WDW) at DL. No extra "activation" needed. I agree that many CMs at WDW were excited to see it. However, there are some CMs at DLR that didn't know how to use it, or they haven't completely upgraded all of their food kiosks to accept it yet. Anyway, we had no problems getting discounts eventually.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think the only confusion you may find is the "no picture" thing. DLR APs have photos on them.

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for all the helpful responses! Glad to hear that I don't need to do anything additional to activate the pass - we only have 3 days and were hoping to get going immediately when we arrive. Would love to hear from anyone else about their experiences!

Also, for any DL vets going to WDW with the Premier Pass, Raindown is correct that WDW has very few dining discounts included with the pass. But you can buy a Tables in Wonderland card for $75 and get 20% off almost all table service restaurants and a few counter service locations. That's 20% off everything you order at these locations, including alcoholic beverages. With 3 WDW trips this year and a family of 5, it's been a great deal for us.

 

[aan1701]

Since it sounds like you got yours in FL, you may need to go and take a Pic for the pass that will come up as you enter the park on the screen in front of cm at the turnstile. Other than that the kinks seem to be working itself out.

 

[pixarmom]

Since it sounds like you got yours in FL, you may need to go and take a Pic for the pass that will come up as you enter the park on the screen in front of cm at the turnstile. Other than that the kinks seem to be working itself out.

I did - upgraded my WDW AP at WDW last week. Do you know if I would need to get the photo taken right away to enter the park, and if so, where? DLR29 - did you have to do this?

 

[aan1701]

I did - upgraded my WDW AP at WDW last week. Do you know if I would need to get the photo taken right away to enter the park, and if so, where? DLR29 - did you have to do this?

You would have to go to one of the AP centers in one of the parks. I honestly can't tell you as I got my pass here and have yet to use it at WDW. You are right about TIW. I have had one for upwards of five years now and I love it.

 

[DLR29]

I did - upgraded my WDW AP at WDW last week. Do you know if I would need to get the photo taken right away to enter the park, and if so, where? DLR29 - did you have to do this?

Actually, we never ended up taking pictures. When I scanned my Premier Pass for the first time I noticed that they had my picture, which was weird. I think I figured out that they already had my picture on file because I had bought a Deluxe AP a couple of years ago. However, they never asked to take a picture of my mom who has never had an AP or her picture taken.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Quick question, has anyone had a WDW AP and upgraded it to the Premier Pass at DL? If so, how did you get into DL? Did you you get a temporary pass? Just curious on how that might work.

 

[purple figment]

Quick question, has anyone had a WDW AP and upgraded it to the Premier Pass at DL? If so, how did you get into DL? Did you you get a temporary pass? Just curious on how that might work.

When we upgraded our WDW AP to the Premier Pass at DL, we had to buy a 1 day DL ticket because the AP processing center is inside the park. Then the WDW AP and the price of the ticket were applied to the cost of the Premier Pass.

Next time we're going to simplify things and just buy the Premier Pass at WDW when it expires.

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW, I just got my first DAP at DLR last week. Not the Premiere but I did have to go thru the AP processing.

Everyone seems to know where the one is at DL but not so much at DCA. At DL it is on the left of the hub in Plaza Gardens.

At DCA it was recently moved to the place on the left as you enter the gates. Supposedly the lines at DCA or much less than DL for AP processing.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

When we upgraded our WDW AP to the Premier Pass at DL, we had to buy a 1 day DL ticket because the AP processing center is inside the park. Then the WDW AP and the price of the ticket were applied to the cost of the Premier Pass.

Next time we're going to simplify things and just buy the Premier Pass at WDW when it expires.

Your experience is interesting. We are trying to do the opposite.

We are trying to upgrade a DL AP to the Premier Pass at the International Gateway at Epcot, which apparently does not have the correct printer to do such a upgrade. That means we need to get to the front entrance of Epcot (or one of the other theme parks at WDW) to do the upgrade.

I have been told that I cannot apply the value of a WDW ticket to the Premier if I am also upgrading a DL AP. They have a a very strict rule at WDW which does not allow more than 1 ticket to be applied to an upgrade. This is true even if 1 ticket is for DL and 1 ticket is for WDW. No one has yet been able to tell me how I can get in the IG at Epcot without a WDW ticket so that I can get to Guest Services to do the upgrade!

Its nice having the option of the Premier Pass, but it sure seems like they didn't think the logistics through. -- Suzanne

 

[pixarmom]

Your experience is interesting. We are trying to do the opposite.

We are trying to upgrade a DL AP to the Premier Pass at the International Gateway at Epcot, which apparently does not have the correct printer to do such a upgrade. That means we need to get to the front entrance of Epcot (or one of the other theme parks at WDW) to do the upgrade.

No one has yet been able to tell me how I can get in the IG at Epcot without a WDW ticket so that I can get to Guest Services to do the upgrade!

Its nice having the option of the Premier Pass, but it sure seems like they didn't think the logistics through. -- Suzanne

Are you staying at BC/YC/BWI/Swan or Dolphin?

Last month, I double-checked at IG first - just in case they got the right printer. They confirmed that I had to go to the guest relations outside the park at the EPCOT front gate. It was a lot easier than I expected.

But I would think that if you go to IG and ask them how to get through EPCOT to the front gate for the purpose of upgrading your DL AP, they would have a way to accomplish that. The good news about IG is that there are hardly ever any lines at the guest relations/ticket windows. I've been there first thing in the morning, middle of day, peak season, value season, and it's the same deal. No lines, super helpful CMs, so I would think they could help. But to be sure, I bet Cheshire Figment, doconeill or other ticket experts on the WDW boards could offer advice.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Everyone seems to know where the one is at DL but not so much at DCA. At DL it is on the left of the hub in Plaza Gardens.

At DCA it was recently moved to the place on the left as you enter the gates. Supposedly the lines at DCA or much less than DL for AP processing.

The AP center at DCA is currently in Greetings from California store right next to the pin section. When I was in the GfC and saw the AP center, there was barely anyone in the line. But that was in the afternoon and it could have been crowded at night after WoC.

I can't wait to upgrade my premium pass to the premier when I return to DLR.

 

[cccdisney]

When we upgraded our WDW AP to the Premier Pass at DL, we had to buy a 1 day DL ticket because the AP processing center is inside the park. Then the WDW AP and the price of the ticket were applied to the cost of the Premier Pass.

This is interesting and I hope it works in our situation as well!
I currently have a Premier and love it, btw!

Anyway, I do have a question that hopefully someone will know the answer to!
We have a 10 day trip to WDW planned in November and I've already purchased 10 day MYW park hoppers for my kids (right before the prices went up!).
Now we have decided to make a quick trip to DLR later this month! I really would like to upgrade the unused 10 day MYW PH's to a Premier Pass for my two older kids since we are paying adult prices for them anyway and we go to DLR frequently. HOWEVER I'm concerned they will NOT be able to upgrade WDW tickets at DLR! Anyone know???
I have a question into DLR but haven't heard back yet.

 

[aan1701]

This is interesting and I hope it works in our situation as well!
I currently have a Premier and love it, btw!

Anyway, I do have a question that hopefully someone will know the answer to!
We have a 10 day trip to WDW planned in November and I've already purchased 10 day MYW park hoppers for my kids (right before the prices went up!).
Now we have decided to make a quick trip to DLR later this month! I really would like to upgrade the unused 10 day MYW PH's to a Premier Pass for my two older kids since we are paying adult prices for them anyway and we go to DLR frequently. HOWEVER I'm concerned they will NOT be able to upgrade WDW tickets at DLR! Anyone know???
I have a question into DLR but haven't heard back yet.

You can. They have a way to figure out how many days are left on your ticket and what it is worth. Just take them to one of the AP centers and they will figure it out. One word of advice, be very understanding when you are there. This process may take you some time, but it can be done.

 

[cccdisney]

You can. They have a way to figure out how many days are left on your ticket and what it is worth. Just take them to one of the AP centers and they will figure it out. One word of advice, be very understanding when you are there. This process may take you some time, but it can be done.

Thank you! Thank you!
The WDW tickets will not have been used at all. I just wasn't sure they had the means to "read" how much the WDW tickets are worth - I think I'll bring my receipt of purchase (bought them from Undercover Tourist last week!) just in case.
I suppose I WILL have to buy them each one day tickets to even get to the AP center, right? And then they will credit the one day DL ticket AND the WDW hoppers toward the Premier AP?
Yes, I've been to DLR twice with my Premier and know all about the patience involved with it (I was one of the ones that was upgraded in March). I was with my sister when she purchased a Premier in June and the initial CM didn't even know how to sell her one! They had to get a supervisor.
It's a good thing I'm a patient person. Thank you for your advice!!

 

[Califgirl]

Thank you! Thank you!
The WDW tickets will not have been used at all. I just wasn't sure they had the means to "read" how much the WDW tickets are worth - I think I'll bring my receipt of purchase (bought them from Undercover Tourist last week!) just in case.
I suppose I WILL have to buy them each one day tickets to even get to the AP center, right? And then they will credit the one day DL ticket AND the WDW hoppers toward the Premier AP?
Yes, I've been to DLR twice with my Premier and know all about the patience involved with it (I was one of the ones that was upgraded in March). I was with my sister when she purchased a Premier in June and the initial CM didn't even know how to sell her one! They had to get a supervisor.
It's a good thing I'm a patient person. Thank you for your advice!!

Wait! You don't need to buy a ticket to get into Disneyland. The CM's at the gate can exchange one day of your WDW tickets to give you a Disneyland ticket to get into the park. You'll have used a day of your WDW tickets, but since you are upgrading to the Premier that day anyway, it shouldn't matter.
It should be one less step for you. No stopping at the ticket booths. And since you are upgrading the same day you use your WDW ticket, you should be credited for the entire value of the WDW tickets.

Enjoy your 'golden tickets'!

 

[cccdisney]

Wait! You don't need to buy a ticket to get into Disneyland. The CM's at the gate can exchange one day of your WDW tickets to give you a Disneyland ticket to get into the park. You'll have used a day of your WDW tickets, but since you are upgrading to the Premier that day anyway, it shouldn't matter.
It should be one less step for you. No stopping at the ticket booths. And since you are upgrading the same day you use your WDW ticket, you should be credited for the entire value of the WDW tickets.

Enjoy your 'golden tickets'!

You're right! Thank you!