Tickets and Annual Pass Questions - Please add your ticket questions to this thread

[thanxfornoticin]

My AP expires in Sept immediately following my trip. My next trip following the Sept trip won’t be until March 2026 so would it make more sense to pass on the 15% renewal discount and just wait until March 2026 to renew at full price?

It probably depends on when you 'next' trip after March of 2026 is. If you're going again in September of 26, it might make sense to renew this September and get 2 trips out of the renewal. If your next trip is beyond that, it might make sense to wait and rebuy. It really depends on how far out you're planning to decide how to best use the APs.

 

[lanejudy]

Bridging Question:
DW has been a TA for a year now for something on the side. We just bought 150 pts Direct and planning to get Sorcerers Pass.
DW mentioned that she has been told by other TAs to buy 10-day PH passes (commissionable) then bridge them to the AP.

I have spent too much time trying to answer my questions so I wanted to come here and just ask.

Questions:
- If we buy a 10 day PH for October and only use 8 park passes, on our last day when we are leaving (passes still active) can we bridge and still get then full value of the 10 day PH taken off the AP price?
- If so, would the AP be activated from the first day we used that 10 day PH .... OR .... will it not activate until we tap into our next park which for us wouldn't be until June? (Loophole? Feels too good to be true..)

It's not so much a "bridging" question as an upgrade. Yes, regular 10-day PH tickets can be upgraded to Sorcerer AP. Other than whatever commission she may receive, the only savings is if you purchase discounted tickets through a third-party authorized reseller (which probably eliminates the commission -- so do the math). The credit towards upgrade will be the price that WDW sold that same ticket on the date you purchased yours. You can upgrade prior to using the tickets or at any point before park close on the date you use the last entitlement (or expiration). Your AP will be back-dated to the first date you used the multi-day ticket and expire in Oct. 2026. It will not be a new voucher that starts on your next trip. Do the math and decide if it's better to have an AP that isn't used for 7 months vs buying 2 sets of multi-day tickets. It may be worth it since you are eligible for the DVC Sorcerer AP but be sure to take into account the discount or commission she won't get on a second set of multi-day tickets.

 

[disneydad7281231]

It's not so much a "bridging" question as an upgrade. Yes, regular 10-day PH tickets can be upgraded to Sorcerer AP. Other than whatever commission she may receive, the only savings is if you purchase discounted tickets through a third-party authorized reseller (which probably eliminates the commission -- so do the math). The credit towards upgrade will be the price that WDW sold that same ticket on the date you purchased yours. You can upgrade prior to using the tickets or at any point before park close on the date you use the last entitlement (or expiration). Your AP will be back-dated to the first date you used the multi-day ticket and expire in Oct. 2026. It will not be a new voucher that starts on your next trip. Do the math and decide if it's better to have an AP that isn't used for 7 months vs buying 2 sets of multi-day tickets. It may be worth it since you are eligible for the DVC Sorcerer AP but be sure to take into account the discount or commission she won't get on a second set of multi-day tickets.

Thank you! When someone said the AP wouldn't be activated until your next visit I thought that sounded too good to be true. So we might as well upgrade prior to the trip or anytime during.

If I bought from Undercover Tourist (if discount is better then commission) Disney will still allow upgrading to AP and take the price off that Disney was charging the day we bought? Does this work with Shades of Green too?

AP (Sorcerers Pass) is definitely worth it for us we will have 20+ park days a year!

 

[lanejudy]

If I bought from Undercover Tourist (if discount is better then commission) Disney will still allow upgrading to AP and take the price off that Disney was charging the day we bought?

Yes, UT tickets can be upgraded. Credit value will be Disney's online price the same day you buy from UT.

Does this work with Shades of Green too?

It may have changed now that SoG is selling regular date-based Theme Park Tickets and not the old MYW tickets, but in the past the discount was lost in the upgrade. Since WDW doesn't directly sell military discounted tickets, the credit has only been the price paid, with a small savings because the system assumes you paid tax.

 

[dolewhipp]

Hi, I have an opportunity to purchase conference tickets. The checkout offers only "Will Call" as a delivery option. Will those tickets immediately have a reservation number that I can link to my account, or will I have to physically visit a location to receive that information?

 

[WDWfantasy]

I’m pretty sure tickets purchased through Undercover Tourist code as travel with Chase. Does anyone know how tickets purchased through Unlocked Magic code?

 

[Lsdolphin]

It probably depends on when you 'next' trip after March of 2026 is. If you're going again in September of 26, it might make sense to renew this September and get 2 trips out of the renewal. If your next trip is beyond that, it might make sense to wait and rebuy. It really depends on how far out you're planning to decide how to best use the APs.

My current AP expires 9/10 and my trips after that probably will be 2026 mid--March, Mid-May, June, Sept. so trying to decide whether to take the 15% discount and renew in Sept or wait…

 

[thanxfornoticin]

My current AP expires 9/10 and my trips after that probably will be 2026 mid--March, Mid-May, June, Sept. so trying to decide whether to take the 15% discount and renew in Sept or wait…

It's a tough call. Something else to consider - Oct of 2024 was the last AP price increase. There's likely to be another later this year (not a certainty, but a probability), so your renewal might save you a bit more if you do it before any increases.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

My current AP expires 9/10 and my trips after that probably will be 2026 mid--March, Mid-May, June, Sept. so trying to decide whether to take the 15% discount and renew in Sept or wait…

You do have one other potential option to consider. You might look to allow your current AP to expire 9/10. Then shortly after, you can go out and purchase a new AP certificate (not a renewal, but a new one) at the current pricing. Then you have 1 year from purchase to activate it while it sits in your MDE account. You can even use that to make park reservations. If you activate mid-March of 26, it's good from 12 months from then (unlike a renewal would be for you). Just in case you didn't have enough options to consider!

 

[CarolynFH]

You might look to allow your current AP to expire 9/10. Then shortly after, you can go out and purchase a new AP certificate

You can purchase a new AP certificate (with plan to activate it within the next 12 months) even if the current AP hasn't expired yet.

 

[Road_Dog]

Looking for advice from the community—especially other DVC families with young kids—on whether Sorcerer Passes make sense for us. I’m mostly wrestling with the value and timing. Here's our situation:

---

Family Details

• New DVC members as of October ’24 (October UY).
• Two kids: daughter (3 years old), son (20 months).
• We banked our 2024 points and are planning:
  • March 2026 – WDW for daughter’s 4th birthday (5 nights)
  • May 2026 – Aulani (5–6 nights)

---

March 2026 Trip Plan

• Planning for 3 park days, mostly MK, with Park Hopper.
• One planned resort/rest day.
• Considering the flexibility to add time in parks on arrival or rest days.

---

Why I’m Considering APs

• Flexibility: Being able to hit a park for a few hours on arrival or departure day without wasting a day ticket sounds awesome.
• Convenience: Easier to pivot plans if we suddenly want to pop into Epcot for dinner or catch a show after a resort day.
• Future Trips: We may go back in Oct ’26 (before next UY), which would help us get two trips out of one AP cycle, but after doing WDW and Aulani trips in two months, we may just be exhausted and wait until Oct '27 for my son's 4th birthday. Hard to predict right now! When we bought into DVC, our original plan was 1-trip every 18-months (rotating the kid's birthdays) but I think if it makes financial sense, we'd love to go once a year (or do the two-in-12-months strategy, buying AP every other year).

---

Ticket Cost Breakdown

Option	Total (2 adults + 1 child)	Notes
4-day PH tickets	$2,359.98
3-day PH tickets	$1,877.03	Current plan
Sorcerer Passes	$3,447.42	For all 3 of us
Sorcerer Passes (adults only)	$2,298.28	We’d “risk it” for our 3yo

We’re aware we might need to buy a day ticket for our daughter if we don’t include her on the AP—so we’re prepared for that if it comes up. But we know some families likely get away with "sneaking" their 3+ year old in on a stroller if the park security isn't actively checking their age.

---

Main Questions

1. Does it make financial or logistical sense to get APs if our only planned WDW trip is March ’26?
2. If we do the APs, what’s the best timing or second trip to make it worth it?
3. Can anyone confirm: If we buy APs now, we have 12 months to activate them—so the clock wouldn’t start until March ’26, meaning they’d be good through March ’27?

If we do fit in another trip before March ’27 (even a short one), the APs seem like a smart no-brainer move. If not, we’re just paying more for a bit of added flexibility on one trip. For example, if we did 3-day PH tickets for 2 adults and 1 kid, that's $1877. We could buy SP for two adults at $2,300. If it works in our favor (and she passes as being a 2.5 year old) then we'll have paid an extra $450'ish for the ability to squeeze in some half days at the park. That being said, if we did buy AP, I bet we'd be more inclined to make a return trip before the AP expires, rather than sticking to the original plan of returning in October '27.

Would love to hear how others with small kids and DVC approach this—especially when you're still figuring out your vacation rhythm. Thanks in advance!

 

[CarolynFH]

Looking for advice from the community—especially other DVC families with young kids—on whether Sorcerer Passes make sense for us. I’m mostly wrestling with the value and timing. Here's our situation:

---

Family Details

• New DVC members as of October ’24 (October UY).
• Two kids: daughter (3 years old), son (20 months).
• We banked our 2024 points and are planning:
  • March 2026 – WDW for daughter’s 4th birthday (5 nights)
  • May 2026 – Aulani (5–6 nights)

---

March 2026 Trip Plan

• Planning for 3 park days, mostly MK, with Park Hopper.
• One planned resort/rest day.
• Considering the flexibility to add time in parks on arrival or rest days.

---

Why I’m Considering APs

• Flexibility: Being able to hit a park for a few hours on arrival or departure day without wasting a day ticket sounds awesome.
• Convenience: Easier to pivot plans if we suddenly want to pop into Epcot for dinner or catch a show after a resort day.
• Future Trips: We may go back in Oct ’26 (before next UY), which would help us get two trips out of one AP cycle, but after doing WDW and Aulani trips in two months, we may just be exhausted and wait until Oct '27 for my son's 4th birthday. Hard to predict right now! When we bought into DVC, our original plan was 1-trip every 18-months (rotating the kid's birthdays) but I think if it makes financial sense, we'd love to go once a year (or do the two-in-12-months strategy, buying AP every other year).

---

Ticket Cost Breakdown

Option	Total (2 adults + 1 child)	Notes
4-day PH tickets	$2,359.98
3-day PH tickets	$1,877.03	Current plan
Sorcerer Passes	$3,447.42	For all 3 of us
Sorcerer Passes (adults only)	$2,298.28	We’d “risk it” for our 3yo

We’re aware we might need to buy a day ticket for our daughter if we don’t include her on the AP—so we’re prepared for that if it comes up. But we know some families likely get away with "sneaking" their 3+ year old in on a stroller if the park security isn't actively checking their age.

---

Main Questions

1. Does it make financial or logistical sense to get APs if our only planned WDW trip is March ’26?
2. If we do the APs, what’s the best timing or second trip to make it worth it?
3. Can anyone confirm: If we buy APs now, we have 12 months to activate them—so the clock wouldn’t start until March ’26, meaning they’d be good through March ’27?

If we do fit in another trip before March ’27 (even a short one), the APs seem like a smart no-brainer move. If not, we’re just paying more for a bit of added flexibility on one trip. For example, if we did 3-day PH tickets for 2 adults and 1 kid, that's $1877. We could buy SP for two adults at $2,300. If it works in our favor (and she passes as being a 2.5 year old) then we'll have paid an extra $450'ish for the ability to squeeze in some half days at the park. That being said, if we did buy AP, I bet we'd be more inclined to make a return trip before the AP expires, rather than sticking to the original plan of returning in October '27.

Would love to hear how others with small kids and DVC approach this—especially when you're still figuring out your vacation rhythm. Thanks in advance!

Well, you could just buy the hopper tickets and wait to see what your experience is. You can always go to GR and upgrade the PH tickets to Sorcerer APs during that visit, as long as you do it no later than the day you use the last admission. That lets y'all have so much fun in March that you realize you do indeed want to return before March 2027!

 

[Road_Dog]

Well, you could just buy the hopper tickets and wait to see what your experience is. You can always go to GR and upgrade the PH tickets to Sorcerer APs during that visit, as long as you do it no later than the day you use the last admission. That lets y'all have so much fun in March that you realize you do indeed want to return before March 2027!

Thanks. What's GR?

You're saying I can pay the cash rate for PH tickets, and before my trip is up, I can essentially roll the cost of of the PH tickets towards the cost of Sorcerer APs and just pay the difference?

 

[Mle8308]

Thanks. What's GR?

You're saying I can pay the cash rate for PH tickets, and before my trip is up, I can essentially roll the cost of of the PH tickets towards the cost of Sorcerer APs and just pay the difference?

GR is Guest Relations. And yes, you can upgrade as long as you do it before your PH tickets expire, so before your last park day. Your AP's will start on whatever day you used your first day of your PH ticket.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks. What's GR?

You're saying I can pay the cash rate for PH tickets, and before my trip is up, I can essentially roll the cost of of the PH tickets towards the cost of Sorcerer APs and just pay the difference?

GR = Guest Relations. There's one outside each park entrance as well as one in Disney Springs (there's also an Official Ticket Center in DS that can also upgrade tickets).

And yes, Disney will credit you whatever the Disney online price was for the tickets you have on the day you bought them and apply that to the cost of the Sorcerer APs. The AP start dates will be the first date you used the PH tickets to enter a park.

So it would be a way to see how your family enjoys WDW. With kids that young, you may or may not want to take another trip within the year.

 

[Road_Dog]

GR = Guest Relations. There's one outside each park entrance as well as one in Disney Springs (there's also an Official Ticket Center in DS that can also upgrade tickets).

And yes, Disney will credit you whatever the Disney online price was for the tickets you have on the day you bought them and apply that to the cost of the Sorcerer APs. The AP start dates will be the first date you used the PH tickets to enter a park.

So it would be a way to see how your family enjoys WDW. With kids that young, you may or may not want to take another trip within the year.

Thanks. We took the kids in September '24 when they were 2.5 and 11 months. The oldest loved everything while the 11-month old was, well, an infant haha. We purposefully delayed our next trip until our youngest would be 2.5 just so he could enjoy the park as much as our oldest did. So we have at least got a taste of what WDW is like with young ones, what with mid day breaks and taking things a bit slower.

I think the only downside to the "buy the PH first" method is the inability to go to the park at-whim on arrival day. We will probably be fine just staying at Poly and watching the fireworks there, or even going the arrival day free water park incentive. But it's good to know this is an option. I can't imagine a more perfect opportunity to decide "hey should we do this again in 6 months?" than when we are in the throes of dealing with our kids at WDW haha.

 

[lanejudy]

I think the only downside to the "buy the PH first" method is the inability to go to the park at-whim on arrival day.

Keep in mind APs still need theme park reservations. Generally that isn’t an issue but spring break could be. A dated 3-day ticket that starts on your check-in day can be used at any park any of 5 days, plus you can upgrade to a 4-day if you want and/or upgrade to the AP.