Slightly frantic questions regarding AP renewals

[fractalpotato]

So, my AP expires today, September 2nd, and I have been waffling on the renewal. I am confused though, because I thought AP renewal could be up to 60 days prior to and up to 30 days after the expiration date. The renewal on the app though shows that the 15% savings is only if I renew before September 2nd. Did they change the 30 day window? Do I have to make the decision right now?

We have a trip in November, and then none more planned for a while, so I was planning to get Park Hoppers for the trip and put them towards my AP upgrade if I decided to go ahead with it at the end of this month, but now I guess I can't wait for that?

Speaking of, can I do that? Linking PH tickets to my MDE (probably from Undercover Tourist) and then renewing my AP for the difference in ticket value and renewal price?

I apologize for not posting this in the Tickets sticky, I wanted to make sure it got visibility given the short time frame I apparently have to work this out!

Matt

 

[CAS239]

Yes you can renew 60 days prior and up to 30 days after the expiration.

 

[fractalpotato]

Yes you can renew 60 days prior and up to 30 days after the expiration.

So, is the app just wrong in this case?

Also, can I use the UT tickets to get a ~$42 discount?

EDIT: here is a screen capture from the app: http://imgur.com/a/AurwLq3
Matt

 

[bumbershoot]

We have a trip in November, and then none more planned for a while, so I was planning to get Park Hoppers for the trip and put them towards my AP upgrade if I decided to go ahead with it at the end of this month, but now I guess I can't wait for that?

Speaking of, can I do that? Linking PH tickets to my MDE (probably from Undercover Tourist) and then renewing my AP for the difference in ticket value and renewal price?

I...don’t think you can renew from a ticket in the app. That sort of thing has traditionally been done in person, and some recent posts indicate it isn’t being done well by employees.

With a 2 month gap between now and your next trip, are you sure you want to renew?

 

[bryanb]

So, is the app just wrong in this case?

Also, can I use the UT tickets to get a ~$42 discount?

EDIT: here is a screen capture from the app: http://imgur.com/a/AurwLq3
Matt

Although the app is urging you to renew before the expiration date and telling that you'll get a discount if you do, but it does not say that you get the discount only if you renew by then. That can be confusing, but the app is not technically wrong. For completeness, they should probably put the actual date the discount expires (but they're trying to create urgency in this message, and telling people they have 30 days to act will cause many not to act). The Disney World website says this:

As a courtesy, we offer a discount for renewing your Walt Disney World Annual Pass up to 30 days after your Anniversary Date.
Source: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/passholders/standard-discount/

With a 2 month gap between now and your next trip, are you sure you want to renew?

This is a great question. Right now, there's one trip planned in November and none for a while after that. But if you're thinking of getting an AP, then certainly you are considering more trips in the future. Having a general idea of when those trips will be is important in deciding whether to renew and pocket the 15% discount now, or buying a new annual pass at full price, but having it expire in November 2019 instead of September 2019.

 

[estnh]

We renewed ours in April just under the 30 day window (three weeks after the original expired) using the app.

 

[fractalpotato]

Thanks everyone, it sounds like I've got some more time to deal with this then.

Does anyone know about using linked tickets to offset the cost of the renewal without being on site? The savings isn't much, but I'd like to get it if possible.

Matt

 

[OKW Lover]

Just for the benefit of anybody considering their AP renewal; if you are not local be sure you think about when your next trip to WDW will be. Renewing for the discount doesn't make sense if you next visit is more than ~3 months after your current AP expires.

 

[Robo]

Does anyone know about using linked tickets to offset the cost of the renewal without being on site? The savings isn't much, but I'd like to get it if possible.

On-site is "easier," but, you can always call and "ask nicely."

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Just for the benefit of anybody considering their AP renewal; if you are not local be sure you think about when your next trip to WDW will be. Renewing for the discount doesn't make sense if you next visit is more than ~3 months after your current AP expires.

Can you explain the math on this to me? I've never been able to figure our break even point on renewals.

 

[Robo]

Can you explain the math on this to me? I've never been able to figure our break even point on renewals.

Divide the cost of an AP (or renewal) by 12 months.

You want to purchase an AP (or renewal) that will actually be USED the most in its 12-month active period.
(Not just sitting in your account, unused.)

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Divide the cost of an AP (or renewal) by 12 months.

You want to purchase an AP (or renewal) that will actually be USED the most in its 12-month active period.
(Not just sitting in your account, unused.)

I just thought I should add up the cost of my tickets over the next 12 mos and see if thr aP is cheaper? I don't understand the part about using it in the first 3 mos?

 

[Robo]

I just thought I should add up the cost of my tickets over the next 12 mos and see if thr aP is cheaper? I don't understand the part about using it in the first 3 mos?

The "3 months" comment is directly about AP RENEWALS.

Just for the benefit of anybody considering their AP renewal; if you are not local be sure you think about when your next trip to WDW will be. Renewing for the discount doesn't make sense if you next visit is more than ~3 months after your current AP expires.

If you don't use an AP RENEWAL in the first 2-3 months of it's active life, there is little reason to RENEW the AP.
(The 15% "savings" will simply evaporate (in most cases,) if not USED in the first 2-3 months
of the renewal's life. Because, after that, the renewal will only have 9-10 months if "use" before it, too, expires.)
An alternative is to just wait and buy a NEW AP when you DO want to use it for the first time.
That new AP will THEN be vaiid for the next full year from it's date of activation.

 

[estnh]

I understand what you are saying, but that doesn't necessarily apply to every situation. For example, we renewed our APs in late April knowing that we were scheduling trips for September, December, and February. We have no idea what our schedules will be after that, but those three trips more than justify the down months between May and September. To let our passes expire and wait until September to renew at full price would have cost us an additional $ 272.64 (136.32 x 2). Don't know what next year will bring, but this year the APs more than paid for themselves even though they were unused from May through September.

 

[Robo]

I understand what you are saying, but that doesn't necessarily apply to every situation. For example, we renewed our APs in late April knowing that we were scheduling trips for September, December, and February. We have no idea what our schedules will be after that, but those three trips more than justify the down months between May and September. To let our passes expire and wait until September to renew at full price would have cost us an additional $ 272.64 (136.32 x 2). Don't know what next year will bring, but this year the APs more than paid for themselves even though they were unused from May through September.

Yes.
That's why I said, "in most cases."

The 15% "savings" will simply evaporate (in most cases,) if not USED in the first 2-3 months
of the renewal's life...

 

[OKW Lover]

I understand what you are saying, but that doesn't necessarily apply to every situation. For example, we renewed our APs in late April knowing that we were scheduling trips for September, December, and February. We have no idea what our schedules will be after that, but those three trips more than justify the down months between May and September. To let our passes expire and wait until September to renew at full price would have cost us an additional $ 272.64 (136.32 x 2). Don't know what next year will bring, but this year the APs more than paid for themselves even though they were unused from May through September.

On the other hand, if you do make a trip between next May and next September you will have to purchase another AP at a cost of ~$1,800 for the two of you.

 

[estnh]

OKW-- Yes and no. Should we ultimately decide to make a trip in that time frame, we simply renew again at the end of April at the lower rate. For us, one of the huge advantages of an AP is the ability to have spontaneity. We go (too!) often, but don't have to plan that far in advance.

But regardless, the 2018 pass paid for itself on its own, even though we renewed it on April 28 but didn't happen to use it between May and September.

 

[TJA]

So, my AP expires today, September 2nd, and I have been waffling on the renewal. I am confused though, because I thought AP renewal could be up to 60 days prior to and up to 30 days after the expiration date. The renewal on the app though shows that the 15% savings is only if I renew before September 2nd. Did they change the 30 day window? Do I have to make the decision right now?

We have a trip in November, and then none more planned for a while, so I was planning to get Park Hoppers for the trip and put them towards my AP upgrade if I decided to go ahead with it at the end of this month, but now I guess I can't wait for that?

Speaking of, can I do that? Linking PH tickets to my MDE (probably from Undercover Tourist) and then renewing my AP for the difference in ticket value and renewal price?

I apologize for not posting this in the Tickets sticky, I wanted to make sure it got visibility given the short time frame I apparently have to work this out!

Matt

I just did your scenario last week. My AP expired on July 29. I booked a FD package for August which included a 6-day hopper. So when we arrived on August 25, I went to a window at the International Gateway in Epcot and explained I'd like to renew AP's and put our 6-day hoppers towards the renewal cost. The CM was pretty confused and made 2 phone calls while trying to figure it out. I did have a price calculated and it didn't match what she charged me, so beware of that. (1) We didn't have time to wait around and question the cost, and (2) I was thinking how could they be wrong after 3 CM's worked together on coming up with the final cost. However, now I'm home and worked through it in Robo's sticky thread, so my plan is to call tomorrow and hopefully speak with a CM who comes up with the same cost as I did.

Good luck!