Question About Upgrading to APs

[HsvTeacher]

Before my DH and I bought at DVC last month, we bought two 4/3 tickets with park hoppers. We're planning to upgrade to APs at the DVC price. I keep reading in the theme park/strategies area about how people are adding the non-expiration option to their 4/3 tickets to get the best value.

Would it be possible to add the non-expiration option to just 7 days? Would they give you full credit for the 7-day park hopper with non-expiration? If I did this, then I would only have to pay a difference of $9 (Well, technically $100 for the non-expiration upgrade and $9 to upgrade to APs) and have DVC APs. (Compared to $247 out-of-pocket.)

If I can do this, would I need to add the non-expiration option before I arrive on Saturday? Would I need to use one day of the ticket to get the full pricing benefit?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, you can just upgrade to the 7 day non-expiring ticket. Once you arrive at WDW, you want to USE the ticket so that it will be worth the value of a full admission ticket.

If you upgrade without using it, then you will only receive credit for what you paid, which defeats the purpose.

Once you use it, then go to Guest Relations with your DVC card and upgrade to your AP!

Have fun!!!!

 

[iluveeyore]

I did the 4/3 deal in January and upgraded to my DVC AP when I got there. I was advised on the DIS to use the pass once to lock in the full value of the ticket, which I did at HS my first full day there. Just went to Guest Services by the exit on my way out - not busy at all, and she upgraded me with my photo id and DVC member card with no problem. You can ask them the difference in price to go from non-expiry to AP if you like - not sure about prices. It cost me $151 to upgrade, but I had the $200 gift card with my package so I used that!

 

[HayGan]

There would be no benefit to upgrading your tickets to no expire first. Others may have mentioed that because some of the no expire tickets have higher savings when you purchase them from UT or other ticket brokers.

You can upgrade your ticket to a DVC AP. You do want to use it first so that you get the full gate price towards your AP. If you do not use it at least one time before upgrading it to an AP you will only get the price that the broker paid for it (not even what you paid for it.)

 

[HsvTeacher]

There would be no benefit to upgrading your tickets to no expire first. Others may have mentioed that because some of the no expire tickets have higher savings when you purchase them from UT or other ticket brokers.

You can upgrade your ticket to a DVC AP. You do want to use it first so that you get the full gate price towards your AP. If you do not use it at least one time before upgrading it to an AP you will only get the price that the broker paid for it (not even what you paid for it.)

Okay, this is what I have:

$538 - (2) 4 day ticket w/Park Hoppers (The extra three days are free, so this is what I've already paid.)

If I add the non-expiring option, I would have to pay $100 out-of-pocket, but I would get $776 toward two APs.

If I don't add the non-expiring option, I would get $556 toward two APs. (I would have (2) 7-day Park Hoppers.

Two DVC APs are approximately $785.

If I have (2) 7-day Park Hoppers that don't expire, I would only have to pay the $9 + the $100 for upgrading to non-expiring. (Total=$109)

If I didn't upgrade to non-expiring, I would have to pay $229 out-of-pocket.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[HayGan]

Okay, this is what I have:

$538 - (2) 4 day ticket w/Park Hoppers (The extra three days are free, so this is what I've already paid.)

If I add the non-expiring option, I would have to pay $100 out-of-pocket, but I would get $776 toward two APs.

If I don't add the non-expiring option, I would get $556 toward two APs. (I would have (2) 7-day Park Hoppers.

Two DVC APs are approximately $785.

If I have (2) 7-day Park Hoppers that don't expire, I would only have to pay the $9 + the $100 for upgrading to non-expiring. (Total=$109)

If I didn't upgrade to non-expiring, I would have to pay $229 out-of-pocket.

Am I doing something wrong?

Yes, your numbers are actually wrong. You would have to pay $110 per ticket ($117.50 with tax) to upgrade. Disney will charge you the no expire option based on the numbers of days the ticket is for (7 not 4.) Although you are receiving 3 days free, it is still a 7 day ticket and all upgrades will be based on that.

 

[wishiwereindisney]

sorry to hijack the thread momentarily i am going in may and as a new DVC member interested in an AP. what is the benefit of doinga 4/3 ticket option and upgrading as it relates to an AP?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[HayGan]

sorry to hijack the thread momentarily i am going in may and as a new DVC member interested in an AP. what is the benefit of doinga 4/3 ticket option and upgrading as it relates to an AP?

Thanks!!!!!

If you buy a discounted ticket and use it at least once, you can then upgrade that ticket to a AP (for DVC members a discounted AP) and get the gate price of your original ticket applied to the cost of your AP. It can save you around $15 -$25 per ticket depending on what kind of ticket you buy and where you buy it from.

 

[HsvTeacher]

Yes, your numbers are actually wrong. You would have to pay $110 per ticket ($117.50 with tax) to upgrade. Disney will charge you the no expire option based on the numbers of days the ticket is for (7 not 4.) Although you are receiving 3 days free, it is still a 7 day ticket and all upgrades will be based on that.

Okay, now I get it! I forgot you have to pay based on the number of days on your ticket. For some reason, I thought it was a $50 flat fee. Thanks for clearing that up for me!

 

[HsvTeacher]

I just wanted to update this thread about upgrading to APs. We ended up upgrading to non-expiring tickets before we left and paid a total of $116.50 for two tickets. Yesterday, we went into Magic Kingdom to lock in the 7-day rate. Then we went to guest relations and upgraded to DVC APs. Not only were we given a credit for the 7-day non-expiring park hoppers (even though we only paid for 4 days), but we also received a refund of $40.26!