Taking advantage of two offers. Ticket question!

[kapeppy]

Ok, I admit it. I am obsessed! Thankfully I have a loving husband who accepts me as I am and allows me to do these crazy, crazy things! I will be going to WDW on 12/15 for five days to take advantage of the Disney Visa free dining. My package includes only a 4 day base ticket for each of us as we will also be attending MVMCP one of those days. Now here's the crazy part. My aunt recently received a pin code for the $500 gc when you stay 5 nights. Both our birthdays are in May so we thought what better way to celebrate? (Unfortunately, the dates we were both available to go does not include either of our actual birthdates but that's ok) I called my TA and gave her the pin code and our dates were available so she held a reservation for us at POP Century at the very rate that was on the pin code e-mail and that amount is $1070. This rate includes the five nights and a 5 day base ticket for each of us. My question is should I upgrade my ticket during my first stay and then just get a 1 day base ticket during the second stay assuming that is an option? Maybe the pin code requires me to buy a 5 day ticket? Would I even be saving anything? TIA!

 

[mbanks21]

I would get the one day base on the second stay. Theres never any required ticket length to an offer. Everyone on the second stay though would have to have a one day base and whoever needs longer can just upgrade theirs at check in

 

[Cmbar]

I was wondering something similar on this. I was wondering if I could book my reservation for a 1 day ticket and then upgrade the tickets with the $500 gift card after we get there. I dont' know if they would allow us to do that but that would help us use the $500 towards the package more. We are not big eaters and will usually just do one or maybe two at most in sit down meals. Last summer we simply used our Disney reward points for dining. I suppose it could be done either way now that I think about it!

 

[rt2dz]

Please keep one thing in mind. You will need a 9 day ticket *with no expiration* on the first trip. Don’t forget to add the no expiration. Also, if you think you might go back a third time by 12/15, you might want to consider an AP.

 

[kapeppy]

Ok, if I understand correctly the 4-day base ticket is $219 out of the total package price that I paid for my first trip and the 5-day base ticket is $222 out of the total package price that I will be paying for my second trip. This brings the total to $441. According to WDW's website (I subscribe to Mousesavers and know that I could save a few bucks that way but I can't find the link right now so I will use Disney's prices for comparison) the cost of a 9-day base ticket with no expiration is $404 amounting in a savings of $37 dollars. I do not have a future trip planned but I might have promised my nieces a trip next year so the annual pass might be the way to go but that price is $469 which is $47 more than I would be paying if I just stick with the package prices or an increase of $65 dollars if I upgrade to the 9-day with no expiration. Do I gamble on the annual pass and just eat the $65 if I can't swing another trip? My aunt is afraid that if I book the second trip with only 1 day base tickets for each of us they will refuse us the $500 gift card. I have until Friday to make the deposit so if I leave the second trip as is with 5-day base tickets for each of us and decide to change my mind before final payment is that possible? Sorry for all the questions! I'm usually a pro when it comes to WDW but these discounts and pin codes are all new to me as I usually stay offsite. TIA!

 

[Cmbar]

Call Disney and make sure you won't have any problem with a one day ticket on the $500 pin code. Once you have that answered you can make your decision. I agree that if for some reason the 1 day makes you lose the $500 gift card (WHICH I HIGHLY DOUBT) then you should stick with just buying the tickets with each package. Again, just call because I really think you can buy a 1 day ticket. When I went to book our PIN for $500 deal the CM asked how many days I wanted. I picked five because we need five so I don't know if she would have had problems giving us the 1 day tickets.

And seriously consider if you can book another trip before a year from your first trip. If you can I would definitely go with the Annual pass which you would purchase from your first package tickets once you get them. Obviously on a package everyone has to have the same and you don't want to upgrade everyone's ticket on the first trip. Good luck!!

 

[cocowum]

I used the $500 off pin code and only purchase a 1 day base ticket (we have AP's) no problem.

 

[rt2dz]

Keep in mind there are other perks with an AP that might make it considerable worth it even if you don't go again (but there is a good chance of 80% or more) since it is only $65.

You can purchase a TIW (formally DDE) card for $60 and receive 20% off your TS meals at most places & CS at AK. You can get 10% off many TS places (especially in Epcot) for lunch with just the AP. These discounts cover things that the dining plans do not. Of course, you have free dining for the first trip and if you have the dining plan for the second trip, this might not be a worthwhile purchase (TIW) card and AP food discounts would be of limited benefit.

But, you still receive 10% at certain retail places, but you get some of those with the Disney Visa too.

You get discounts on Disney Quest and water parks tickets. You get discounts at the DtD movie theater. You get discounts on tours (Disney Visa too--just trying to give you all the facts) and miniature golf.

If you stay offsite for the 3rd trip, you'd get free parking.

Anyhow, HERE is a link to the AP Benefits.

And, yes, you may change your mind and downgrade tickets at any time. If lowering the total package price after the 45 day mark, there will be a $50 change fee. If upping the package total, no change fee.

 

[kapeppy]

Ok, since I am going with my sister on the first trip and we are on a package does that mean that we would both have to upgrade our tickets to annual passes or can I do that just for me? If we both have to do it then I will just have to stick with paying for the base tickets each trip because there is no way that she will be able to take advantage of the ap. Thanks again!

 

[rt2dz]

Everyone on the package has to be on the same ticket. However, after check-in, tickets may be upgraded individually.

 

[Cmbar]

Ok, since I am going with my sister on the first trip and we are on a package does that mean that we would both have to upgrade our tickets to annual passes or can I do that just for me? If we both have to do it then I will just have to stick with paying for the base tickets each trip because there is no way that she will be able to take advantage of the ap. Thanks again!

You can stay with the same tickets for the package. When you check in they will give you your tickets and you can then do with them what you want- meaning add days and the no expire option or put them towards the purchase of an annual pass. Since you are going 12-15 I believe in order to use the pass again you must use it prior to 12-14-09. So just see if you think you might want to use the pass again prior to next December (other than your May trip). I think you have a wonderful husband to let you go to Disney with your sister and your Aunt. Lucky girl!

Oh and while the deals for Disney this year seem great and may indeed be better as the economy struggles, you can also use the Annual Pass for better rates for rooms. Not sure how that has been working out for people these days though!

Good luck and have a blast on both trips!

 

[kapeppy]

Thanks for all the quick responses. I made my deposit today for the second trip with my aunt and my final payment isn't due until the middle of March so at least I know we are good to go with her pin code . I have four weeks until I'll be in WDW with my sister so that gives me time to talk to my SIL to find out for sure if I will make that third trip with my nieces. DH and I took them last December and promised them if they kept their grades up we would take them again in two years which means next December. Well, they are doing their best in school this year and continue asking so it looks like it's a very real possibility that I could go before 12/14/09 which means I could take advantage of the AP. I'm sure if I call and verify that we only need to purchase 1-day base tickets in order to receive the $500 gc I will go ahead and do that, upgrade my ticket to an AP next month and then worst case scenario I am only out a few bucks if I don't make the third trip. I'm afraid I will freak my aunt out when I tell her we might need to change our current reservation to 1-day base tix and then she can upgrade when we get there but I will put it all on paper so she can understand it and then I will be good to go! Thanks again for the input! And yes, I do have a wonderful DH. I just wish he had been bitten by the Disney bug too. He's a good sport when we are there together but he is just as happy when I'm able to find someone else to go with me!