Question for frequent AP holders

[jimmytammy]

We have APs now and can use them until Dec 2. We are taking another trip in Oct but wont be back in WDW before they expire after that trip.

Here is the question with a little explanation first.

We will be going back Jan 7th. We will purchase APs again for that trip but we hope to take a trip in Dec 05 also. Has anyone ever purchased vouchers for APs while holding current APs?

We know we can get the discount if we renew early but the trip for Dec 05 wouldnt work on renewal passes. We are thinking if we buy vouchers before obvious price jump in Oct we will save a few $$s. Hope this all makes sense.

 

[4thof52003]

I was looking up on that as well and read that when getting the renewal AP, it starts on the day your old one ends. So if your old one ends after the days of your trip you should be fine. Not 100% posative though.

 

[B'rer Karen]

There is no restriction that says you cannot buy a new AP voucher while you still have an active AP. My AP expires in early September. I just bought my new voucher today. Of course I'm paying the price of a new AP, not a renewal, but in my case it makes more sense since I am going for two week in oct/nov, a short trip in March, and 9 days in September. This sounds like the same situation you have.

Technically you could buy 20 AP vouchers now and just use one every year for the next 20 years. I would jinx myself by doing that, but I have considered buying 2. In the past I've bought the voucher months in advance because I heard of a price increase. I'm pretty bummed that I didn't find out about the increase this past spring until it was too late.

 

[katypop]

"obvious price jump in Oct" ??
is there going to be a price hike for sure? i was going to wait until my dec trip to get another AP, but maybe should get one now?
thanks
katypop

 

[B'rer Karen]

I missed that in the original post. I believe prices just went up this spring so I would be shocked if they went up again. I also have not seen anything on these boards about a price increase and usually increases are only announced a few days in advance. Last time there was about 24 hours notice.

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey all!! Thanks for the quick replies.

Katypop
I couldnt stand firm on the Oct deal but it seems historically that WDW has had a price increase every year since 99 right as Oct is approaching. This is when there next year prices come out and it seems their year starts in Oct rather than Jan. Birnbaums official guide will be coming out mid sept and will have the new prices in them.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by jimmytammy
...I couldnt stand firm on the Oct deal but it seems historically that WDW has had a price increase every year since 99 right as Oct is approaching. This is when there next year prices come out and it seems their year starts in Oct rather than Jan. Birnbaums official guide will be coming out mid sept and will have the new prices in them.

Two misconceptions need clearing up. First is the fact that AP's already went up in March of 2004 and you will not see another price increase until 2005. The information has already leaked out about UPH's going up in 2005 and you can bet that AP's will follow shortly after, not before.

Second is your idea that Disney releases their ticket prices in October. Not true. Here's their price increases since '98:

March 2004 - PH/PHP's (Gate & Advance), AP/PAP's, FL Seasonal
February 2004 - UPH's (Gate & Advance)
June 2003 - all gate prices except AP/PAP (no advance prices raised)
September 2002 - across the board
January 2001 - across the board
January 2000 - across the board
May 1999 - non-AP increase
September 1998 - AP increase

You can see the AP's did not go up at all in 1999 or 2003. In the other years when they did go up they went up in January twice, September twice and March.

One thing about Disney tickets that can be counted on is this: since they switched from a long standing pattern of raising AP/PAP prices in the fall and all others in the spring back in the '90's, they have strived to be as unpredictable as they can when doing their price increase. They have even resorted to raising only some prices during an increase rather than all or even most prices.

And to answer your other question, an active AP holder can buy and hold as many AP vouchers as he wants while he has an active AP. They will have no effect on the current AP nor will the use in the future of those vouchers be treated as a renewal.

 

[jimmytammy]

Golden Oldie

Thanks for that info. Im not sure where you got it from but I will take your word for it. As I said I couldnt stand firm on my idea of what seemed to be. It seems everytime I purchse tickets of any kind at WDW, the prices are ALWAYS up. But thats nothing unusual for me. Im the day late, dollar short poster child

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by jimmytammy
Golden Oldie

Thanks for that info. Im not sure where you got it from but I will take your word for it. As I said I couldnt stand firm on my idea of what seemed to be. It seems everytime I purchse tickets of any kind at WDW, the prices are ALWAYS up. But thats nothing unusual for me. Im the day late, dollar short poster child

Question ye not GoldenOldie.

She's the admission media guru.

 

[katypop]

oh good, sounds like a price hike isn't a definate at all i would like to wait until i get there in dec to buy a new one, mine expired in may. since i have to pay the credit card companys a fee over and above the current exchange rate and then shipping , i would rather wait until i get there. they closed our disney store a few years ago and i don't think i'll be near one before then.
katypop

 

[jimmytammy]

GoldenOldie

Since you are the ticket media guru will you give us a heads up if APs are going up? I can get to TDS if I know in enough time.

 

[4thof52003]

You are right about Disney's year starting in October. They like to start their year off well with Christmas. Just thought I'd share that little tidbit.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by jimmytammy
GoldenOldie

Since you are the ticket media guru will you give us a heads up if APs are going up? I can get to TDS if I know in enough time.

Oh don't worry, you'll see it posted all over these boards 3 or 4 days before it happens. You won't be able to miss it.