Question about upgrading to AP after using my unique code

[leeserw]

When I booked our trip I found out I had a unique code for a free park hopper/water park and more (which we were going to purchase anyway). I was so excited! We've since decided to go ahead and upgrade to AP when we get to Disney but when I called to get a price on the upgrade I was told our ticket value would be base ticket value because the park hopper/water parks and more was free with the code. That makes perfect sense but this means we don't really get the discount at all if we upgrade because we have to pay it back when we buy the Annual Passes. Am I understanding this wrong? I feel so disappointed. I was so happy to have such a good code attached to my name only to find out it won't do me any good.

 

[Accident]

When I booked our trip I found out I had a unique code for a free park hopper/water park and more (which we were going to purchase anyway). I was so excited! We've since decided to go ahead and upgrade to AP when we get to Disney but when I called to get a price on the upgrade I was told our ticket value would be base ticket value because the park hopper/water parks and more was free with the code. That makes perfect sense but this means we don't really get the discount at all if we upgrade because we have to pay it back when we buy the Annual Passes. Am I understanding this wrong? I feel so disappointed. I was so happy to have such a good code attached to my name only to find out it won't do me any good.

Interesting question. My gut says its going to have no value but you might get luck. Use the ticket to enter a park and then go right to guest relations and see what price they quote you is. Dont' offer too much extra information like you got the ticket for free, just say something simple l like "we're thinking of upgrading our ticket to ap, can you find out what the price would be". I forget the technical term for what using the ticket first does but it basically locks in the price to what the ticket would have costed if purchased that day. It's used to get a wholesale ticket to be the retail price or if ticket prices when up since your purchase to be the new value for your upgrade. But your ticket is free and from disney, it may have no effect..

please let us know what happens if you try.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I forget the technical term for what using the ticket first does but it basically locks in the price to what the ticket would have costed if purchased that day

Price bridge.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with Accident. Use the ticket to enter your first park and then go to Guest Services and ask to upgrade to an AP (you don't have to go there immediately or even that day. Go at a time before your trip ends when it's convenient for you). My guess is they will "price bridge" the ticket. Typically with discounted tickets, if you enter a park once, that ticket then gains full retail value and that full retail value will be put toward the price of the new ticket (in your case, an AP). Honestly, I don't know if Guest Services will be able to see the unique code used to purchase this ticket, so I think price bridging could work. If I were you, I would calculate what you think the price should be when you upgrade by looking up the full retail price of the ticket you purchased and the full retail price of the AP - if price bridging works, that will be the cost to upgrade.

One caveat - because your ticket includes the water park option, you will most likely only be able to upgrade to the Platinum Plus Pass.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

My guess - and I can't guarantee this without seeing the actual ticket - is that it will show up in the computer system as a regular X-day PH with WPF&M. People on the phone don't have access to the ticketing computer system that we use in the parks, and they're wrong all the time, so I wouldn't worry about what they told you.

If you use a WPF&M visit before upgrading, you have to upgrade to the Platinum Plus AP. If you don't use any of those visits before upgrading, you can upgrade to any AP you're eligible for, but you'll lose the visits in the process.

You don't need to use the ticket before upgrading, but you can if you want, as long as you upgrade before the end of the final day on the ticket. Price bridging is dependent on the CM knowing how to do their job, not on usage of the ticket. Any Guest Relations location or park ticket booth can do the upgrade.

 

[leeserw]

So if I upgrade before I go to a water park I can upgrade to a regular AP but not use the water park feature of my unique code? We want to take the boys to the water parks but don't want to upgrade to the Platinum. Is that possible?

 

[3MFamily]

Curious to the answers to your questions. I wanted to upgrade my husband to an AP prior to our stay, but with the unique offer code package (w/ free hoppers), the CM said everyone has to have tickets the same way to stay in the room. CM said only choices would be to remove him from the room and add him when we check in or upgrade after first use. I am hoping to do the later.

 

[CarrieR]

The waterpark is part of your total ticket. So you'll either use waterpark and upgrade to Platinum Plus - or don't use waterpark and roll the value into the regular AP.

If you only want one waterpark visit, it might make sense to upgrade to regular AP - then just pay out of pocket for a day at the waterpark. I can't recall the price difference. I want to say AP might get a WP discount... but I also might be making that up.

 

[CarrieR]

3M - just do it immediately upon arrival. Did you need AP for a discount before you get there?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

So if I upgrade before I go to a water park I can upgrade to a regular AP but not use the water park feature of my unique code? We want to take the boys to the water parks but don't want to upgrade to the Platinum. Is that possible?

(Note: The Platinum Plus AP includes water parks, the Platinum does not.)

If you only want one day at a water park, don't use the option on your tickets. Upgrade them to the Platinum AP (no water parks) and then buy a single-day water park ticket with the AP discount (which isn't much but anything's better than nothing). If you want two or more days at water parks over the course of the year, Platinum Plus starts to be a better option.

 

[3MFamily]

3M - just do it immediately upon arrival. Did you need AP for a discount before you get there?

We already have rooms booked under UOC, but I wanted to see if I could get a better hotel deal with the AP. (I had to book one night at rack rate and the rest under UOC at the same hotel.) I think we will just wait and upgrade at the park for the discounts like the OP. Thanks!

 

[leeserw]

Thanks so much for all the info! Where would be the best place for me to try and do the price bridge? My resort? MK Guest Relations?? Is one place better than another?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would recommend a guest service location or a ticket window.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Thanks so much for all the info! Where would be the best place for me to try and do the price bridge? My resort? MK Guest Relations?? Is one place better than another?

Not at a hotel... Go to any theme park ticket or guest relations window or to dtd (ds)