Upgrading 3 day PH to AP-interesting info

[Dizneydaz]

Okay so my DSis bought a 3 day PH ticket back in June to go to DLR with the rest of us on my birthday. I explained to her that by buying a 3 day PH she would be able to get into the parks 3 different times during the So Cal black out days and she thought this made sense (and it does). The PH she bought (I believe it is/was only available to So Cal residents) was good for 45 days.

So since she first went on June 23rd, she needed to go by this weekend to do the upgrade. We went yesterday after DD11 got out of school.

We went into DCA first and I checked with GS about doing the AP in DCA and they said they no longer do the AP is the parks and you need to go to a ticket booth and get it and then go to any PP photographer to get your pix taken-which as most of us know are no longer on your AP, only in the system.

So as we crossed over to DL Dsis got her 3 day PH upgraded to a So Cal AP. Since yesterday was a blacked out day she was given a separate card (size of parking receipt) to gain admittance to the parks. Since her last AP expired earlier this year she didn't have to get her photo retaken by PP.

She said what she found very interesting was that the CM at the ticket window asked her quite a few questions about when she used her PH. What was the first day you used it? Approx. when was your 2nd visit? What park did you enter first today and approx. what time? I'm glad they do this so as to keep those who try to cheat the system and give a used ticket to someone (or sell it) so they can save on their AP. Otherwise what would keep someone from going into the parks and using their days up and then selling their tix to someone to upgrade to an AP? Disney is not stupid, especially when it comes to money.

Anyway, I wanted to post about the change in the processing of AP. This may have already been posted before but when I got my new AP at the end of Dec. they still had the AP Processing Center inside DL.

 

[sonnyjane]

Yes, the last day of AP processing centers was actually Sunday, so it is a VERY recent change. As of Monday, both the center in DL and the one in DCA were closed.

 

[MickeyMoush]

Okay- so I have the 3 day So Cal passes that are NOT park hoppers and I plan to go to CDA on first and second day and then to DL the third day. I think I am doing my upgrade on the third day (so I can go on a Saturday). I *might* be able to upgrade at the end of my 2nd day at CDA if I can go on a weekday for my third visit in Oct.

In any case, where is it that I will have to go to upgrade at either park? Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Okay- so I have the 3 day So Cal passes that are NOT park hoppers and I plan to go to CDA on first and second day and then to DL the third day. I think I am doing my upgrade on the third day (so I can go on a Saturday). I *might* be able to upgrade at the end of my 2nd day at CDA if I can go on a weekday for my third visit in Oct.

In any case, where is it that I will have to go to upgrade at either park? Thanks!

You will just go to a ticket booth since there are no longer AP centers. This is unrelated, but can I ask why you plan to spend two of the three days at DCA? I only ask because that's unusual - I'd think most people would choose to spend the majority of time at Disneyland, especially with so much construction happening at DCA.

What you have written about visiting is a little confusing to me though. Are you going for three consecutive days, or spreading out the three days? Either way, make sure you use the days before the expiration date and also make sure you upgrade before the end of your third day. You will not receive any upgrade credit after that.

 

[auntiegem]

She said what she found very interesting was that the CM at the ticket window asked her quite a few questions about when she used her PH. What was the first day you used it? Approx. when was your 2nd visit? What park did you enter first today and approx. what time? I'm glad they do this so as to keep those who try to cheat the system and give a used ticket to someone (or sell it) so they can save on their AP. Otherwise what would keep someone from going into the parks and using their days up and then selling their tix to someone to upgrade to an AP? Disney is not stupid, especially when it comes to money.

This happened to me last November when I upgraded. Fortunately I knew the questioning was a possibility (thanks Disboards!), and was prepared. The CM was pretty impressed with my memory, especially since I had used my park hopper for 5 days before I upgraded and had done a lot of coming and going!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I read a while ago that this was because some people buy these kinds of park hoppers (or any kind of parkhopper) off of Ebay for a reduced rate, then use them to upgrade them to an AP. Or they just use them as a parkhopper--even if they didn't pay for them originally.

With all of the crowds in Disneyland and the price of a standard Deluxe AP, I am glad they are cracking down on this. I think it use to be a common crack in the system for dishonest people to slip thru.

 

[MickeyMoush]

To SonnyJane- sorry I didn't say details, but I have in other posts so didn't want to say a bunch here... but I do plan to go on three separate days spread out. The reason why two days at DCA is because I want to take my 6 year old (soon to be 7) to DCA and DL each for a full day by ourselves, and then one day I am going to take along my toddlers (aged 21 months and 25 months) to DCA because from what I've heard, there is more there for small kids their size. I will be the only adult- DH not with me, so I am sort of experimenting that day to see if I can handle all three kids on my own. I'm a bit nervous about that- but in another thread, got encouraged by other people that have gone it alone with their kids. If that works, then I'll upgrade to an AP. I really, really, hope to do so.

Yes, I will use them up before the 45 days and I will upgrade before the end of the third day. If it works for me to go with my daughter on a different day than a Saturday (depending on my husband's schedule to watch the toddlers) then I will upgrade on day 2 if it goes well. Does that make sense?

Thanks! Love this forum. Typing this half asleep- so please forgive any typos!

 

[nunzia]

so...to renew my still active AP I would go to a ticket booth also?

 

[Dizneydaz]

so...to renew my still active AP I would go to a ticket booth also?

Yes, all AP processing is being handled at the ticket booths.

 

[scion5220]

Wonder what happens if you can't answer the questions? or if you say you don't remember?

 

[Dizneydaz]

Wonder what happens if you can't answer the questions? or if you say you don't remember?

I don't know. I guess most people would know the first day they went especially if they are upgrading a regular ticket which gives less days to do upgrades (I think it's 14?)

 

[TeddiBarra]

Wonder what happens if you can't answer the questions? or if you say you don't remember?

They could decline your request to upgrade.

You should be able to provide verification/proof of purchase (receipt, credit card or banking statement, etc).

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

She said what she found very interesting was that the CM at the ticket window asked her quite a few questions about when she used her PH. What was the first day you used it? Approx. when was your 2nd visit? What park did you enter first today and approx. what time? I'm glad they do this so as to keep those who try to cheat the system and give a used ticket to someone (or sell it) so they can save on their AP. Otherwise what would keep someone from going into the parks and using their days up and then selling their tix to someone to upgrade to an AP? Disney is not stupid, especially when it comes to money.

I also had to answer these questions at the end of June when I upgraded. I couldn't figure out why, but this explains it, I forget that people sell unused days on Park Hoppers. I was able to upgrade in DL AP center, though. Is the closing of the AP centers inside the parks temporary?

 

[skiingfast]

I don't know. I guess most people would know the first day they went especially if they are upgrading a regular ticket which gives less days to do upgrades (I think it's 14?)

I suspect if you can't answer the simple questions, the questions will get a lot harder to weed out the cheaters.

They could decline your request to upgrade.

You should be able to provide verification/proof of purchase (receipt, credit card or banking statement, etc).

The only problem I've had is I would never walk around DL with a bank or credit card statement. Those are too valuable to loose or have stolen. And of course I was upgrading off my Etickets so the reciept is in my email somewhere.



Not that it's been a problem. When did I first use my ticket, well I got to Anahiem on Thursday and went into the park on friday. It was that simple for me. But could be trickier for the Socal summer passes that may of been used 40 days ago.

 

[scion5220]

I suspect if you can't answer the simple questions, the questions will get a lot harder to weed out the cheaters.



The only problem I've had is I would never walk around DL with a bank or credit card statement. Those are too valuable to loose or have stolen. And of course I was upgrading off my Etickets so the reciept is in my email somewhere.



Not that it's been a problem. When did I first use my ticket, well I got to Anahiem on Thursday and went into the park on friday. It was that simple for me. But could be trickier for the Socal summer passes that may of been used 40 days ago.

Yeah...I just wonder how confrontational DL wants their employees to be. Unless they're making it clear somewhere that you have to remember all these details I could see some people not really knowing.

This is why I have an annual pass and just renew every year like clockwork.