Upgrade tickets to AP

[SantiJB]

Hi,

I have read some threads about this question but I would like to know what is your opinion about an information provided by a CM by phone.

Now, I have a reservation of a package with hotel, 10-day tickets and free QS DDP (I made my reservation with the Delicious free offer). I am thinking about upgrade one of my 10-day tickets to AP in order to obtain the benefits of passholders. So I phoned to Disney and asked about that option.

The CM said that It is not possible to upgrade only one of my tickets to AP before arriving to the parks (in the parks it seems that it is possible, but not now).

Considering that I am interested in upgrading now my ticket in order to buy hard tickets events (ie after hours parties) with the AP discount, the CM said that it is possible to remove all the tickets of my reservation (remaining only in my reservation: the hotel room and the free DDP) and after that buy the tickets that I want for every member of my family (10-day ticket for my wife and my sons and one AP for me).

In fact, the CM calculated the price of my package once the tickets were removed and the total price was equal to my previous price without the value of the tickets.

It is the first time that I hear something like it, but if it was possible withouth any doubt it is the better solution of my request, because I would remain my free DDP and at the same time I can buy one AP and the tickets that I prefer for the rest of the members of my family.

Does it make sense? Is it possible?

Thank you!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Does it make sense?

Yes.

And what’s even better is to Remove the tickets from the package and purchase discounted, actual Disney tickets from a Ticket Seller such as Undercover Tourist, Boardwalk Ticketing, Park Savers, etc.

 

[siren0119]

They are correct.

Your tickets are a part of the free dining package (you had to purchase parkhoppers to get the free dining) so when you remove the tickets, you are then paying for the full cost of the dining package. I believe that in order to be eligible for the Free dining, every member of the party has to have tickets in the package, but if that is incorrect I'm sure someone will chime in.

Once you are at the parks, you can upgrade the tickets to AP and just pay the difference between the value of the ticket and the AP cost.

Disney is pretty well set up so that you can't "double" dip using multiple discounts at the same time when you are buying direct from them.

As a PP mentioned, you can get your tickets from a 3rd party seller to save a little money, but you will lose the "free" dining. It might be worth checking to see if the AP discount on your room and paying full price for the dining plan/getting 3 tickets from a reseller works out to the same/close to the price of your current package.

 

[SantiJB]

Thank you for your answers but it seems that I didn’t explain me well.

The CM gave me the option to remove the tickets from my reservation but remaining the free DDP offer without changes. Is it possible?

In fact as mentioned before the total price of the new reservation that the CM calculated as an estimation was the value of the hotel room (considering the QS dining plan free)

 

[Robo]

Thank you for your answers but it seems that I didn’t explain me well.

1. The CM gave me the option to remove the tickets from my reservation but remaining the free DDP offer without changes. Is it possible?

2. In fact as mentioned before the total price of the new reservation that the CM calculated as an estimation was the value of the hotel room (considering the QS dining plan free)

1. It unclear what you are saying the CM said, but...
You are required to have the "minimum" tickets in order to get "Free Dining."

2. Don't worry about what a CM said on the phone.
You will be able to upgrade your tickets after you arrive.
And, you will get the full value that is posted on the WDW ticket page, including tax (for those same tickets) for the purpose of upgrading.

Check out Post#6 in the "All About Tickets & Upgrades" Sticky thread at the top of this forum.

 

[SantiJB]

Sorry CM stands for Cast Member, but excuse me if the person who attends you at phone is not a cast member

I understand what you explain me, I am going to try to call back again to confirm.

On the other hand I understand that without changing my reservation once I will be in Orlando I am going to have the option to upgrade one of my tickets to AP (paying the difference from the price of the ticket and the price of AP) but this alternative does not allow me to buy in advance hard tickets events with AP discounts doesn’t it? Or to book a room only night with the special rate for AP?

However I have read that it seems to be possible to call and book a room with AP discount without having bought any AP, the only requirement would be to have your AP at the moment of the check in. Does it correct?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You are required to purchase tickets as part of a package to qualify for a dining promotion. If the CM indicated you could remove the tickets from your package and retain free dining, the CM was incorrect. WDW does not give out free dining plans with room-only reservations.

If you are interested in purchasing an AP now what you COULD do is call WDW back, inquire about AP rates for your travel dates and, if available, then calculate what the best cost savings would be. The free dining package you currently have OR an AP discounted room (with or without dining added at full cost) plus your AP and any other tickets you may need for other travelers purchased separately. Keep in mind, with an AP, you will get dining and merch discounts and you will also be eligible to buy TIW for $150 which will give you steeper TS dining discounts. If the package you currently have is most cost effective and you choose to keep it, your only option is to upgrade your package ticket when you arrive at WDW.

 

[Robo]

I have read that it seems to be possible to call and book a room with AP discount without having bought any AP, the only requirement would be to have your AP at the moment of the check in. Does it correct?

Yes.

 

[Robo]

Sorry CM stands for Cast Member, but excuse me if the person who attends you at phone is not a cast member

I understand what you explain me, I am going to try to call back again to confirm.

I caution you to NOT call back, as the information you get on the phone can be WRONG,
and you won't have any way to know.

If you want "Free Dining" do not cancel your current tickets.

 

[SantiJB]

Thank you very much! Very clear explanation. That is what I believed before calling to Disney and that is what makes sense according Disney rules.

I am going to try to call back (i have the number of the cast member) and I am going to ask again

 

[SantiJB]

I caution you to NOT call back, as the information you get on the phone can be WRONG,
and you won't have any way to know.

If you want "Free Dining" do not cancel your current tickets.

Sorry I can’t understand you, why i can’t call again?

 

[Robo]

Sorry I can’t understand you, why i can’t call again?

You can.call as many times as you like.
But, each time you call you can get a different answer to your question.
Many of those answers can be wrong.
Many of the CMs on the phone do not have correct training.

 

[SantiJB]

Thank you for your advice. What does it suppose that I have to do if I can’t trust what the cast member tells me by phone? Ask for speaking with a supervisor ?

 

[SantiJB]

Another question: according to your experiences what it is not possible is upgrade to Annual pass only one ticket of a package before travelling to Orlando isn’t it?

 

[Robo]

Another question: according to your experiences what it is not possible is upgrade to Annual pass only one ticket of a package before travelling to Orlando isn’t it?

Can’t be done.
All guests on the reservation must have identical tickets up until check in.

 

[vinotinto]

Another question: according to your experiences what it is not possible is upgrade to Annual pass only one ticket of a package before travelling to Orlando isn’t it?

Just to Recap:

• Package tickets are required for Free Dining. And not just any tickets. They have to be PH tickets and they need to be a certain number of days.
• Everyone on that FD reservation must have the same tickets.
• You can't upgrade package tickets to an AP before the package start date. They are simply not active tickets yet.
• You won't be able to book the DAH with a Passholder discount until you have an AP or an AP voucher. Once you are onsite and it's your package start date, you can then book the DAH tickets with a Passholder discount.
• There is a max number of Passholder discounted tickets you can buy. I think it's 4?
• You can call and find out what the AP room rates are before having an AP.

 

[mamapenguin]

You cannot have free dining and an AP room discount. It’s one or the other. FD is now closed, if you cancel you will not get it back.

 

[SantiJB]

Thank you very useful comments. It seems that the informaction provided by CM yesterday was incorrect. I will have to wait until my arrival to the parks to try the upgrade.

However that fact makes not so interesting to me the upgrade. I can’t obtain the only room discount for AP because I would need it for a previous only room stay