Some AP questions - and a few others

[aussiegirls]

Hi all

So I am thinking of making the trek to Disneyland again next Christmas but I have a few questions.

If I buy an AP and I want to go on a blockout date is there some way to do that or do I have to pay full entry for that day?

Do AP's last for 12 months from when you buy them?

How do you know which places give AP discounts, because when I was at DL before I don't recall seeing signs or anything saying you can use AP here or anything?

How busy is December? I know that it is holiday season but is it crazy busy? We were there in Halloween time and to be honest I didn't think it was too bad (well, weekdays anyway). So is it worse than Halloween time or pretty much the same?

Finally, how is it on Christmas day? Is it quiet because everyone is spending the day with their families, or do people actually go to DL?

Thanks

xxxx

 

[sonnyjane]

Since I've been an AP holder for all of three or four days now, I'll just answer the ones I know

It's 12 months from first use, not necessarily the day you buy them (if you buy them online, etc.)

It's $40 to buy a blackout ticket.

Here's a link to what offers discounts and how much. I believe for food it is a $10 minimum. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/ap/discounts?name=AnnualPassholderUngatedDiscountsPage

Everyone else should know the rest

 

[Ariel224]

Actually, the ticket for a blockout day has been raised to $45, according to the AP FAQ on Disneyland.com.

One way to get around some blockout days is to buy Parkhoppers for your first trip and upgrade to the annual pass on the last day of the ticket. You must upgrade before you leave the park on that final day. This way you can also take advantage of a Magic Morning if it occurs during your stay. If you exercise this option your AP expires one year from the date you first used the Parkhopper ticket. The trade off there is that you miss out on the AP discounts for food, etc. during that initial trip.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Hi all

So I am thinking of making the trek to Disneyland again next Christmas but I have a few questions.

If I buy an AP and I want to go on a blockout date is there some way to do that or do I have to pay full entry for that day?

Do AP's last for 12 months from when you buy them?

How do you know which places give AP discounts, because when I was at DL before I don't recall seeing signs or anything saying you can use AP here or anything?

How busy is December? I know that it is holiday season but is it crazy busy? We were there in Halloween time and to be honest I didn't think it was too bad (well, weekdays anyway). So is it worse than Halloween time or pretty much the same?

Finally, how is it on Christmas day? Is it quiet because everyone is spending the day with their families, or do people actually go to DL?

Thanks

xxxx

As posted above you pay $40/person to come on a blockout day. They give you a foldout thingy at the stand that will tell you where you get discounts (which I for AP is everywhere, just more of a discounts in certain areas over other places).

 

[iKristin]

If I purchase my hotel stay at the GCH before I buy my AP then buy my AP will they give me a refund for the amount I paid over the AP rate?

 

[bumbershoot]

iKristen, they won't give you an AP. But you can book at an AP rate even without the AP...you will have to show them the AP that first day, though.


I ask every single time I buy food if they have the AP discount. Only some places stand firm with the $10 minimum, and I can't ever remember which ones do so, so I ask every time.

I've never gotten a discount at Royal Street Veranda, no matter how much I'm spending. A trusted poster on mouseplanet, however, has gotten AP discounts there. They are not on the list of participating restaurants, so I don't know how she's doing that!

I've also noticed more and more CMs asking if I have an AP for a discount...there seems to be a theory that CMs don't like AP holders, but I haven't experienced any negativity, and they seem so happy when I pull out the AP for a discount...maybe the CMs I get are just happy that someone is getting that discount.


The APs are good for 365, well actually 366, days. Say you first use an AP (or use a ticket that you later upgrade to an AP) on Dec 5th. You can use that AP through Dec 5th of the following year. If you go through a Leap Year, it's actually 367 days.

 

[pixiewings71]

If you're buying an AP that has a blocked day upgrade ON the blocked day, you will be allowed to enter and hop on that day for no additional fee. And like Molly, I pull out my AP EVERYwhere for EVERY purchase, no matter what. Even if it's a $9.95 pin I pull it out, most CMs give it to you if you have the "right" AP. We have Premiums so we basically get discounts everywhere they offer them.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Finally, how is it on Christmas day? Is it quiet because everyone is spending the day with their families, or do people actually go to DL?..

Traditionally, it's slower than usual in the morning, but gets busy later in the day.

Those on vacation hit the Park like any other day. Locals hit the Park after family time in the morning.

- Dreams

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If you're even considering a blockout day, take a serious look at the premium pass. You get a 15% discount on most food purchases, 10% off most merchandise purchases, and parking included. Once you factor in the cost of the blockout ticket, it may be worth getting the premium.

 

[sonnyjane]

I ask every single time I buy food if they have the AP discount. Only some places stand firm with the $10 minimum, and I can't ever remember which ones do so, so I ask every time.

Just got back from a little visit today, and you were right, I even got the 15% off my $4.00 cinnamon roll

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

We are going at the end of this month. The rest of my group with have PH's, but I am going to buy a Premium Annual Pass. Now they all have one early entry on their passes, can I use my Annual Pass to get in Early? Thanks

 

[sonnyjane]

We are going at the end of this month. The rest of my group with have PH's, but I am going to buy a Premium Annual Pass. Now they all have one early entry on their passes, can I use my Annual Pass to get in Early? Thanks

No. Unfortunately the only two ways to get in early for Magic Mornings is to have at least a 3-day park-hopper, OR to be staying at a Disney on-site hotel. If you're not staying on-site and just have an AP, you will not be allowed in for MM.

You did however say you are *going* to buy an AP? You can buy a regular PH and upgrade your ticket to an AP on the last day of your visit if you like, and then you'd be allowed early entry, you just wouldn't get the discounts during this trip.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We are going at the end of this month. The rest of my group with have PH's, but I am going to buy a Premium Annual Pass. Now they all have one early entry on their passes, can I use my Annual Pass to get in Early? Thanks

No. Unfortunately the only two ways to get in early for Magic Mornings is to have at least a 3-day park-hopper, OR to be staying at a Disney on-site hotel. If you're not staying on-site and just have an AP, you will not be allowed in for MM.

You did however say you are *going* to buy an AP? You can buy a regular PH and upgrade your ticket to an AP on the last day of your visit if you like, and then you'd be allowed early entry, you just wouldn't get the discounts during this trip.

Or....

Buy a 3-day PH, get the Magic Morning, use it on your first day, upgrade to your AP, and use the AP discount for the rest of your trip.

(Yes, technically you will lose 2 days, but you will get MM, AP discounts, and they credit the cost of your PH towards your AP. Depending on how much in-Park spending you plan on doing, it could be worth it to you.)

- Dreams

 

[Flitterific]

Or....

Buy a 3-day PH, get the Magic Morning, use it on your first day, upgrade to your AP, and use the AP discount for the rest of your trip.

(Yes, technically you will lose 2 days, but you will get MM, AP discounts, and they credit the cost of your PH towards your AP. Depending on how much in-Park spending you plan on doing, it could be worth it to you.)

- Dreams

Wow...what a great suggestion! I didn't even think of that when DBF and I got our Premium APs in August. We had originally purchased 3 day PH (and got 2 days free) but I really wanted to use the AP discount on things so we just ended up upgrading when we picked up the tickets.

OP - I do agree that you might want to consider getting the Premium AP if you are going on a blackout date. All the national holidays are blacked-out along with the weekends attached to them so it's definitely not worth spending $45 for every blackout day you go. Plus, it just gives you another excuse to return again

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

Thanks for the info.....13 sleeps!!!!!

 

[Lalaboops]

Hi there!

My friend and I are heading down in Jan. I have 2 x 1day/1park passes for the each of us through my work. I am interested in upgrading to an AP (I had one years ago).

My question is, can I upgrade using both tickets? I'm thinking I can only use one ticket for an upgrade.

Thank you!

 

[bumbershoot]

Our moderator Sherry E has been able to successfully put more than one entirely UNused tickets towards the AP purchase.

 

[pixiewings71]

Lala, as long as your tickets have a value assigned to them then yes, you can use them and upgrade to an AP. If the tickets do not have a value assigned to them (as many gifted tickets do not) then you will not be able to upgrade them. So, if you purchased them thru work you will be fine, if they were gifted you may not be fine.

 

[Lalaboops]

Thank you so much for your replies!

Yes, the tickets have a value assigned to the backs. I will try upgrading them to an AP at the booths before entering. Is that the correct procedure since they're unused?

Thanks again....

 

[pixiewings71]

Thank you so much for your replies!

Yes, the tickets have a value assigned to the backs. I will try upgrading them to an AP at the booths before entering. Is that the correct procedure since they're unused?

Thanks again....

You can upgrade at the AP center inside DL. No need to stop at the ticket booths at all since you will need to go to the AP center for photos anyway, why wait in 2 lines? Just use the tickets to enter DL and head on back to the AP center, there you can pay for the upgrade and process your photos.