Saving $$$

[bocaj1431]

I just. became a DVC member, So. excited for our first trip this Sept.

We have a 13 day stay. Originally I was planning to purchase the AP, because it was a better savings than purchasing park tickets through Disney. I recently read a post about undercover tourist that explained how long stays like mine would save more money if I purchased through them. They were right.

Now, I am reading posts about purchasing tickets and then upgrading at the gate to annual pass. Sorry, if I am slow at understanding this. . My question is, if upgraded to annual pass at gate, do they count the purchase cost as the disney cost of a ticket thus saving me money; or, do they know you paid less for your ticket and only count that amount paid toward the purchase price of the AP?

I would love to get the discounts you get with the AP.

 

[ccigliano]

I know there is a whole thread on this that I read before I purchased tickets but you essentially want to buy the ticket with the largest discount form UT that is less than the price that you will be upgrading to. So for the DVC annual pass that's usually the 5 day park hopper that saves something like $28 and then be sure to use the ticket once before you upgrade to lock in the gate price. I'm sure there are others who have more experience and hopefully you can find the original thread with all the information. Good luck.

 

[bocaj1431]

I know there is a whole thread on this that I read before I purchased tickets but you essentially want to buy the ticket with the largest discount form UT that is less than the price that you will be upgrading to. So for the DVC annual pass that's usually the 5 day park hopper that saves something like $28 and then be sure to use the ticket once before you upgrade to lock in the gate price. I'm sure there are others who have more experience and hopefully you can find the original thread with all the information. Good luck.

Thanks! I will look for the thread.

 

[mazoo77]

We did this last year. I purchased 5 day park hopper tickets from the Undercover Tourist website which was the best cost saving ticket. We used the ticket on our first day(happened to be @ Magic Kingdom) and when leaving Magic Kingdom that day, went to Guest Services right outside the park and upgraded to the Annual Pass. There were no issues, it's a piece of cake. Go to the UT website and buy your tickets ahead of time so you receive before your trip. Also purchased the Tables in Wonderland at that time, it was $75 at that time.

Like the previous poster mentioned, there are other threads on this so continue to read if you need more information. Have a great day.

 

[a742246]

When you upgraded to the AP did you still get the DVC AP discount?

 

[Lizard Valley]

Also, if you sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter, it contains a private link to the Undercover Tourist website. Those prices are a bit lower than the regular UT website.

Yes, you can upgrade to the DVC AP. But make sure the tickets you buy from UT are worth less than the AP you will be buying.

Ticket prices are to due go up in the next month or so. Buy soon before the ticket increase is announced.

 

[hakepb]

When you upgraded to the AP did you still get the DVC AP discount?

It's technically not a DVC discount. It is a different base ticket, that happens to have a lower MSRP than the normal AP. (Florida resident pass is the same way)

Disney does not allow you to stack discounts, but they do allow you to upgrade a discounted ticket to a more expensive base ticket (like the DVC AP )

 

[bakenatj]

I never did understand these types of post from DVC members. Buying DVC you know you are going to buy tickets every year. A lot of hassle to save a few bucks. Brings to mind the saying "tripping over dollars to save pennies."

 

[bocaj1431]

Thank you to everyone for all the helpful information! I am going to purchase the TIW card like you recomended and I was not aware of the price increases so, I will purchase the tickets next week.

 

[bocaj1431]

It's technically not a DVC discount. It is a different base ticket, that happens to have a lower MSRP than the normal AP. (Florida resident pass is the same way)

Disney does not allow you to stack discounts, but they do allow you to upgrade a discounted ticket to a more expensive base ticket (like the DVC AP )

Sorry, I am a little confused about this part of the upgrade.

So, when I go to GA after using the ticket that day, I ask for the DVC annual pass price, right? Thus I am saving money; because, even though I purchased the tickets at a discounted price, the tickets after being used in the park that day, are calculated as the price of a regular priced ticket toward the payment of the DVC AP.

Or, are you saying that the discounted price I paid for the ticket is the dollar amount that will be calculated toward the DVC annual pass. Thus I really saved nothing. Sorry I am slow to understanding this. Please help.

 

[vicki_c]

Sorry, I am a little confused about this part of the upgrade.

So, when I go to GA after using the ticket that day, I ask for the DVC annual pass price, right? Thus I am saving money; because, even though I purchased the tickets at a discounted price, the tickets after being used in the park that day, are calculated as the price of a regular priced ticket toward the payment of the DVC AP.

Or, are you saying that the discounted price I paid for the ticket is the dollar amount that will be calculated toward the DVC annual pass. Thus I really saved nothing. Sorry I am slow to understanding this. Please help.

You will pay the difference between the gate price of the ticket you have and the AP you are buying. You are saving whatever amount it said you were saving on the UT page where you ordered the ticket.

 

[bocaj1431]

You will pay the difference between the gate price of the ticket you have and the AP you are buying. You are saving whatever amount it said you were saving on the UT page where you ordered the ticket.

Thank you!

 

[disfountainofyouth]

I've been reading this post with interest as I have a July trip coming and
I'm looking at a DVC annual pass. So if I buy the 5 day discounted pass,
go into the park to lock in the gate price, leave going to guest sevices to
upgrade my ticket, what do they credit me for? the full 5 days since the
day is not over or 4 days since I went through the gate? Only savings I
see is if they give you credit for 5 days.

 

[hakepb]

I've been reading this post with interest as I have a July trip coming and
I'm looking at a DVC annual pass. So if I buy the 5 day discounted pass,
go into the park to lock in the gate price, leave going to guest sevices to
upgrade my ticket, what do they credit me for? the full 5 days since the
day is not over or 4 days since I went through the gate? Only savings I
see is if they give you credit for 5 days.

Yes, they give you credit for all 5 days. Even if you used the 1st 4 days on the ticket (they will not upgrade a ticket after all days have been used)
A ticketing CM created an excellent FAQ:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

#7 is upgrading to an AP

 

[hakepb]

I never did understand these types of post from DVC members. Buying DVC you know you are going to buy tickets every year. A lot of hassle to save a few bucks. Brings to mind the saying "tripping over dollars to save pennies."

It doesn't matter as much now that the resort concierge can issue new AP's
But it is nice to already have a UT ticket in hand, so the first morning you can go straight through the gate and hit rides, then save your time in the guest relations line for a less critical afternoon while you are leaving the park.

 

[vicki_c]

It doesn't matter as much now that the resort concierge can issue new AP's
But it is nice to already have a UT ticket in hand, so the first morning you can go straight through the gate and hit rides, then save your time in the guest relations line for a less critical afternoon while you are leaving the park.

I've seen some other recent posts that resorts are no longer issuing APs due to issues they had. But no personal knowledge.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I never did understand these types of post from DVC members. Buying DVC you know you are going to buy tickets every year. A lot of hassle to save a few bucks. Brings to mind the saying "tripping over dollars to save pennies."

Clearly you have money to burn then. It's not a lot of work at all, and if you have a family of 4 or more, a $28 savings per person is over $100. Right there, the savings will get you a TIW card to add to more savings.

Not really sure why you feel the need to criticize anyone else.

 

[hakepb]

Clearly you have money to burn then. It's not a lot of work at all, and if you have a family of 4 or more, a $28 savings per person is over $100. Right there, the savings will get you a TIW card to add to more savings.

Not really sure why you feel the need to criticize anyone else.

I'm like you and feel the savings is worth it...but it is more work, and there are a few CM's that don't bridge with the correct price and/or try to deny you the savings...so you have to know what you are doing and be willing to go back for a good Hub policy following CM.

 

[bakenatj]

Clearly you have money to burn then. It's not a lot of work at all, and if you have a family of 4 or more, a $28 savings per person is over $100. Right there, the savings will get you a TIW card to add to more savings.

Not really sure why you feel the need to criticize anyone else.

I'm not criticizing, I'm stating my opinion, which I'm allowed to have. Like the post below states it takes time and can be a hassle. I prefer to spend my time enjoying myself not saving $75.

 

[bocaj1431]

Yes, they give you credit for all 5 days. Even if you used the 1st 4 days on the ticket (they will not upgrade a ticket after all days have been used)
A ticketing CM created an excellent FAQ:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

#7 is upgrading to an AP

Thanks for pointing this out!