Upgrading a 10 day hopper to AP, how do we get our Magic Bands?

[TayjaDanger]

Hi there! I was just reading another thread about upgrading our MYW tickets (purchased through my buddy's union, so slightly discounted) to Annual Passes. Sounded like some people had some unfortunate experiences in regards to being charged the incorrect amounts for upgrading, but from what I gleaned, it can be worked out. So my fears about that assuaged, I started to wonder when we should do our upgrades. Now looking for some advice here, after some very unsatisfactory reading of official Disney's FAQ pages about magic bands.

First off, we got these slightly discounted tickets through the union, before the prices went up, and I'm assuming they are similar in price to what we could get from Park Savers/Undercover Tourist. Looks like I was right in my thinking that we'll only be charged the difference between current ticket prices at the gate and current AP prices, yay! But the voucher says it can't be used until Oct 19, and we arrive the 18th (we originally didn't want to waste park admission on a partial or travel day). I was hoping we could upgrade the MYWs on the 18th and go right into the parks. That shouldn't be a problem, right?

BUT THEN I read that they can't give you your MBs while you're at the ticket counter. Really? We would have to buy MBs? Or just use the card they give us, obv. Bummer, but not life altering. But then I started thinking about the other benefits of APs-- namely, the discounts for things we want to do such as picking up MNSSHP tickets and scheduling our FP+ 60 days out vs 30 days out.

So should we call to upgrade our tickets now so we can get the MBs and other perks? And also, I'm the major trip planner, but my buddy--who knows nothing about WDW and is pretty much just letting me and his GF take the reins here--is the union member. So would he have to call to upgrade them or can one of us do it? (He would be so clueless, honestly, and he hates making calls and making arrangements).

I would be so grateful for some advice or help in this arena!

 

[hakepb]

You have to stay on-site to book FP+ at 60 days.

If you are off site with an AP you can only book (a rolling) 7 days of FP+ 30 days out (so you may want to wait a few days before upgrading, unless the discounts are worth more)

 

[Chickkypoo]

In order to be credited for the current gate price for the 10 Day Park Hopper against an AP, you will have to use the tickets at the gate at least once prior to upgrading. If you try to upgrade beforehand, they will only credit you for what you paid for the Park Hopper.

Are you staying at a Disney resort? If so, you can tie your tickets to your resort magic band ahead of time on My Disney Experience, and you will receive your Magic Band when you check into the hotel.

If you are not staying at a Disney resort, you will have to use the Annual Pass Card they will give you this trip, and then order your Annual Pass Magic Band on My Disney Experience.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

In order to be credited for the current gate price for the 10 Day Park Hopper against an AP, you will have to use the tickets at the gate at least once prior to upgrading. If you try to upgrade beforehand, they will only credit you for what you paid for the Park Hopper.

Are you staying at a Disney resort? If so, you can tie your tickets to your resort magic band ahead of time on My Disney Experience, and you will receive your Magic Band when you check into the hotel.

If you are not staying at a Disney resort, you will have to use the Annual Pass Card they will give you this trip, and then order your Annual Pass Magic Band on My Disney Experience.

It was discussed in a couple other threads that you don't actually have to use the tickets first before upgrading

 

[hakepb]

While you don't have to first use the tickets, you do have to upgrade in person.
Your AP's clock will start the earlier of the day you upgrade, or the day you first used the orginal ticket

 

[TayjaDanger]

In order to be credited for the current gate price for the 10 Day Park Hopper against an AP, you will have to use the tickets at the gate at least once prior to upgrading. If you try to upgrade beforehand, they will only credit you for what you paid for the Park Hopper.

Are you staying at a Disney resort? If so, you can tie your tickets to your resort magic band ahead of time on My Disney Experience, and you will receive your Magic Band when you check into the hotel.

If you are not staying at a Disney resort, you will have to use the Annual Pass Card they will give you this trip, and then order your Annual Pass Magic Band on My Disney Experience.

We're staying off site, looks like we're going to have to just use the cards. Oh well, that's not a huge deal to me, except for the convenience of not having to dig in my purse every time I need to scan it. Glad to have one less thing tracking my movements around the park in all honesty. (I know the cards have a short-range chip but not the long range chip. phew!)

It was discussed in a couple other threads that you don't actually have to use the tickets first before upgrading

Yeah, that was what I gleaned too. Good to know, thank you!

While you don't have to first use the tickets, you do have to upgrade in person.
Your AP's clock will start the earlier of the day you upgrade, or the day you first used the orginal ticket

Aww bummer, was hoping to upgrade now, I'm so impatient! Oh well, I suppose I can live with that. It won't be too much of a problem as long as the party isn't sold out by then! Thank you!

 

[TayjaDanger]

You have to stay on-site to book FP+ at 60 days.

If you are off site with an AP you can only book (a rolling) 7 days of FP+ 30 days out (so you may want to wait a few days before upgrading, unless the discounts are worth more)

Ahh, see there's the major perk I was wanting to get the AP's for, since we're staying off-site! But if I can't get the AP until the day we show up anyway, and I can't book the FP+ any sooner than I could with the regular passes, then the MBs and slight discount on party tix aren't that big of a deal. Now I just have to be patient, the hardest job of all!
Thanks for the input!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

After you upgrade to the AP and *use* it, your MDE will give you the opportunity to personalize MBs and they are then sent to you. So for your *next* trip you will have MBs for park entry, FP+, and photos. (you can only charge to them if you stay onsite)

Remember that lanyards were *made* for cards. That's why they exist. So there's zero need to dig for cards in a purse; just use lanyards like many of us did pre-MB.