Upgrade multi day ticket to AP when first day ticket used would be blackout

[Meghanmeghanmeghan]

I received a 2 day 1 park ticket for Christmas that I would like to upgrade to a Southern California select annual pass. But I would like to go to the park tomorrow, and APs (or at least the socal select) are blocked out. If I wait to upgrade until after I used a day in the parks tomorrow will they still allow me to apply the full cost to a Southern California select AP? Or will they say no since I would not have been able to use it tomorrow since it's a blackout day?

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

They should. My understanding has always been that you get admission on the day you buy your AP.

 

[ParkHopper1]

If you upgrade it tomorrow, you can use your AP tomorrow even though it is blacked out. If you upgraded today, then no...you would be blacked out. DL allows entrance on the day an AP was purchased or upgraded even though that day may be blacked out.

On you second question, you must upgrade before the end of the last day of use of your multi day ticket to get the full value of the ticket applied. On a two day ticket, you can upgrade any time through the end of the operating day of the second day of use and apply that value to an AP. If you wait till day three it has zero upgrade value, but you can use both days on the ticket then still upgrade before you leave.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

Yes, and so it's probably to upgrade when you get to the parks rather than at the end of the day if you plan on buying anything to take advantage of the discount.

 

[Meghanmeghanmeghan]

Thank you folks-- your replies were so helpful! Now I just need to decide if I am going to bite the bullet and go for the AP. Thanks for all your help!

 

[SMD]

You have to tell them when you upgrade that you're going back into the park. If they don't print an exception pass for you, the AP alone won't get you in. If you wanted to, you could use it tomorrow, and then go back on Saturday or Sunday, which are also blocked out for So Cal Select, and upgrade then. You'd get 2 block outs out of the ticket that way.

 

[mistyinca]

You have to tell them when you upgrade that you're going back into the park. If they don't print an exception pass for you, the AP alone won't get you in. If you wanted to, you could use it tomorrow, and then go back on Saturday or Sunday, which are also blocked out for So Cal Select, and upgrade then. You'd get 2 block outs out of the ticket that way.

This is, IMO, the best way to buy an AP, and this is what we did this year by design. I bought a 2-day 1 park per day so I could go on two blackout dates and then upgraded to an AP. I would do it again next year instead of renewing except that since the AP is a 13 month, it won't expire until mid January now, so I'll be subject to December blackouts next year .

 

[SMD]

This is, IMO, the best way to buy an AP, and this is what we did this year by design. I bought a 2-day 1 park per day so I could go on two blackout dates and then upgraded to an AP. I would do it again next year instead of renewing except that since the AP is a 13 month, it won't expire until mid January now, so I'll be subject to December blackouts next year .

You can still get 1 block out exemption if you renew at the ticket booth up to 40 days before it expires. You just have to tell them you'd like to go in that day before you renew. Assuming the policy doesn't change before next year.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

If I upgrade a multi-day park hopper to a Deluxe AP when I'm in the parks at the end of March/beginning of April and then decide during the next year (e.g. June or October) that I need a Signature, is it possible to "upgrade" a second time?

 

[ParkHopper1]

If I upgrade a multi-day park hopper to a Deluxe AP when I'm in the parks at the end of March/beginning of April and then decide during the next year (e.g. June or October) that I need a Signature, is it possible to "upgrade" a second time?

Yes, you can always upgrade up...but when upgrading from one AP to another AP you pay the difference in APs but you still retain the expiration date of the original AP. An upgrade to a better AP does NOT reset your annual AP clock.

If you get an AP this March then need a possible upgrade next June...unless you have a trip planned between next March and June, just let it expire then get a new AP in June. I always let my APs expire then just got a new one on my next trip which often had a few month gap. Never understood the logic in paying for an AP during months it would not be used just to renew at the expiration date. Over 5 years I saved at least one full years payment.

Another tactic for your June trip is if your new AP expires late March and you let it lapse, for your June trip buy a 3, 4 or 5 day ticket over the blackout dates then just upgrade that to the lower tier AP on the last day.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Yes, you can always upgrade up...but when upgrading from one AP to another AP you pay the difference in APs but you still retain the expiration date of the original AP. An upgrade to a better AP does NOT reset your annual AP clock.

Perfect. I figured it wouldn't ever be an issue to upgrade, but nice to hear it from someone more knowledgeable about APs. I figure a Deluxe will be enough, but I wanted to make sure I kept my options open in case my family plans another trip that might fall in a Deluxe block out period.

 

[Angrose]

Perfect. I figured it wouldn't ever be an issue to upgrade, but nice to hear it from someone more knowledgeable about APs. I figure a Deluxe will be enough, but I wanted to make sure I kept my options open in case my family plans another trip that might fall in a Deluxe block out period.

Also, you can do the upgrade over the phone, which is super convenient.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Also, you can do the upgrade over the phone, which is super convenient.

I'm guessing you can upgrade the AP (not the multi-day ticket) from one classification to another over the phone? I'd love to be able to upgrade the park hopper ticket over the phone, but I'm assuming they need to have it in hand to get the pricing information.

 

[Angrose]

I'm guessing you can upgrade the AP (not the multi-day ticket) from one classification to another over the phone? I'd love to be able to upgrade the park hopper ticket over the phone, but I'm assuming they need to have it in hand to get the pricing information.

Oh, yes, I believe it is just the AP you can upgrade over the phone. I've only ever upgraded a PH ticket to an AP once and that was at the ticket booth. They take your ticket and replace it with the AP.

 

[Jkpark]

I think this has all the answers I have been wondering about. My plan is to be in the parks May 6/7 (6th is blackout date for deluxe) and then be there a weekend in November. I think I will buy a two day hopper now (in case there is a price increase in February). Then the morning of the 6th, upgrade those tickets to APs, let them know I'm going into the park that day.

Question: If I plan on staying at a Disney hotel and having early entry - is it worth me trying to upgrade before that? I know it can take a while - wondering if I do early entry and when we are ready for a lunch break, leave and upgrade. If I try to book with an AP discount, when do I need the AP in hand? At check in or can I tell them I'm buying that day and just come back with it?

 

[ParkHopper1]

If I try to book with an AP discount, when do I need the AP in hand? At check in or can I tell them I'm buying that day and just come back with it?

You just ned to present the AP to the front desk before the last night of your stay. The bills are precessed the overnight of your checkout day.

 

[Wahlee]

I think this has all the answers I have been wondering about. My plan is to be in the parks May 6/7 (6th is blackout date for deluxe) and then be there a weekend in November. I think I will buy a two day hopper now (in case there is a price increase in February). Then the morning of the 6th, upgrade those tickets to APs, let them know I'm going into the park that day.

Question: If I plan on staying at a Disney hotel and having early entry - is it worth me trying to upgrade before that? I know it can take a while - wondering if I do early entry and when we are ready for a lunch break, leave and upgrade. If I try to book with an AP discount, when do I need the AP in hand? At check in or can I tell them I'm buying that day and just come back with it?

Why don't you upgrade on May 7th, after the blackout day? Then you don't have to worry about the blackout day at all.

 

[SMD]

Why don't you upgrade on May 7th, after the blackout day? Then you don't have to worry about the blackout day at all.

Probably to get discounts on the first day.

 

[Jkpark]

Probably to get discounts on the first day.

yes - I will likely be booking dinner for the night of the 6th. Thanks for the feedback!