Qs-Renewing DVC APs to Gold & Timing

[keishashadow]

I strive to schedule our WDW trips so that we can 'work' an AP with at least four trips. This year ours will expire mid May.

I've never renewed an AP, let it lapse and start a new one, usually 5 months later. Running the numbers in the past, have usually save $$$ using this format.

Believe it's time to to revisit this strategy. Need a few things verified, please:

Can I renew at the DVC Gold rate?

Can I purchase a renewal voucher now from DVC, even though we don't need until May?

I've purchased & held 'new' vouchers in the past, is that still permitted?

In lieu of purchasing a voucher from DVC, thought to again obtain discounted tickets from UT to bridge & upgrade to APs as needed. (October is next scheduled trip this year but have two weeks to play with of vacation, might get talked into taking family this summer.)

IMO little predictability as to Disney's ticket pricing, especially after the recent individual day increase. Getting a feeling that multi-day & APs will likely increase (possibly dramatically) before October.

I rely on stretching my travel budget for multiple trips, but now wonder if I should just renew in May and be done with it at this point. Anybody else rethinking things this year?

 

[hayesdvc]

If I can add a question also, I know when you buy an AP, you get a voucher and the expiration date is 365 days when you activate the voucher. When you buy a renewal voucher as mentioned in the OP prior to the expiration date, does the AP renewal date simply automatically start at the end of the original AP or does the renewal AP begin the new 365 day period when you activate the renewal AP?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I haven't followed up on this but by all appearances the renewal prices for AP's was increased recently, so if you haven't checked with MS or ticketing on what the prices are it may not be as advantageous as with the old numbers you are using.

I haven't done this myself but have read it's possible to get a multi-day ticket and bridge that towards a renewal. It might be the best option if it otherwise makes sense to not lapse and get a new AP.

 

[DebbieB]

I strive to schedule our WDW trips so that we can 'work' an AP with at least four trips. This year ours will expire mid May.

I've never renewed an AP, let it lapse and start a new one, usually 5 months later. Running the numbers in the past, have usually save $$$ using this format.

Believe it's time to to revisit this strategy. Need a few things verified, please:

Can I renew at the DVC Gold rate?

Can I purchase a renewal voucher now from DVC, even though we don't need until May?

I've purchased & held 'new' vouchers in the past, is that still permitted?

In lieu of purchasing a voucher from DVC, thought to again obtain discounted tickets from UT to bridge & upgrade to APs as needed. (October is next scheduled trip this year but have two weeks to play with of vacation, might get talked into taking family this summer.)

IMO little predictability as to Disney's ticket pricing, especially after the recent individual day increase. Getting a feeling that multi-day & APs will likely increase (possibly dramatically) before October.

I rely on stretching my travel budget for multiple trips, but now wonder if I should just renew in May and be done with it at this point. Anybody else rethinking things this year?

I never renew either, especially because I alternate with Disneyland. I activated my WDW AP last December, my first trip there in over a year. I bought a voucher at the end of 2014 and saved 2 price increases. In 2017 i'll probably do Disneyland.

If I can add a question also, I know when you buy an AP, you get a voucher and the expiration date is 365 days when you activate the voucher. When you buy a renewal voucher as mentioned in the OP prior to the expiration date, does the AP renewal date simply automatically start at the end of the original AP or does the renewal AP begin the new 365 day period when you activate the renewal AP?

A renewal continues with the same date.

 

[keishashadow]

I haven't followed up on this but by all appearances the renewal prices for AP's was increased recently, so if you haven't checked with MS or ticketing on what the prices are it may not be as advantageous as with the old numbers you are using.

I haven't done this myself but have read it's possible to get a multi-day ticket and bridge that towards a renewal. It might be the best option if it otherwise makes sense to not lapse and get a new AP.

Didn't know APs went up in price since last oct. Will make sure to double ck

 

[DizDaD7]

Bridging does save a lot of money....Only you can crunch the numbers to see if it works for you to do it that way, or just buy renewals...But with renewals, remember you are limited in that next 12 mos....buying new won't be activated therefore stretching it out a lil further.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Didn't know APs went up in price since last oct. Will make sure to double ck

Not a new AP but it seems like the renewal did.

 

[DVC4US]

Not a new AP but it seems like the renewal did.

AP prices increased in Oct, both new and renewals, and the prices are still the same today. I renewed DD pass in Oct(after increase) and mine in Dec and the prices right now are exactly what I paid.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

AP prices increased in Oct, both new and renewals, and the prices are still the same today. I renewed DD pass in Oct(after increase) and mine in Dec and the prices right now are exactly what I paid.

In the past week there have been 2 reports of a renewal price that was greater than it was raised to in Oct. One person had a post card with the price from Oct so when they called MS adjusted the price without explanation of what the new price was when they tried to renew online. Perhaps a glitch but it wasn't the Oct price.

 

[drusba]

You can renew to Gold at whatever the DVC renewal rate is but you can renew only between 60 days before and 30 days after your current expiration date. Thus, if there is an increase in price before that period, you will be paying the new price. The renewal begins same day as expiration as old one and thus you cannot delay activiating it. You can buy new ones, get receipt (voucher) number and hold until you first use them, and one year period begins after first use. You can do that via the underground tourist route of getting a discounted ticket and then upgrading to an AP but, since you can do that upgrade only when you arrive, you need to assure the underground tourist ticket covers your stay so you can do FP+.

 

[keishashadow]

You can renew to Gold at whatever the DVC renewal rate is but you can renew only between 60 days before and 30 days after your current expiration date. Thus, if there is an increase in price before that period, you will be paying the new price. The renewal begins same day as expiration as old one and thus you cannot delay activiating it. You can buy new ones, get receipt (voucher) number and hold until you first use them, and one year period begins after first use. You can do that via the underground tourist route of getting a discounted ticket and then upgrading to an AP but, since you can do that upgrade only when you arrive, you need to assure the underground tourist ticket covers your stay so you can do FP+.

thank you!

I linked unused MYW tickets to our accounts when the system started. Had on-hand, they were intended to be used for future family usage.

There they still sit, but when we don't have a current AP, I am able to book FP+ since I assigned them to myself & DH. Was told as long as we don't actually use them, can reassign to 'whomever' when/if needed down the road.

Had somebody mention it was 'a waste' to let them sit in our MDE account. Perhaps, but IMO it's akin to money in the bank. Ticket prices rising faster than any interest i'd earn on the money I paid. lol I can justify most things related to Disney.

I do have to switch usage over to 'new' AP vs the MYW tix at the time upon arrival via a visit (or two, I always check to make sure proper tix is being used mid-way during trip and again on our last day since I've found it's easier to fix any issues when there).

Lots of hoop jumping but have been able to bridge UT tix, then convert to the DVC discounted AP.

 

[DVC4US]

In the past week there have been 2 reports of a renewal price that was greater than it was raised to in Oct. One person had a post card with the price from Oct so when they called MS adjusted the price without explanation of what the new price was when they tried to renew online. Perhaps a glitch but it wasn't the Oct price.

Either this was a glitch or an error by CM. Considering the outrage when prices went up in Oct, I am sure it would be all over the DISBoards(internet) if the price had increased again and not just one or 2 reports of a price increase. Also, the DVC Member page still shows the same prices for new and renewal APs.