Upgrading from a PH to an AP

[Speechphi]

First of all, I live in CA.

We are going to DLR this Dec. Dh & I are planning on upgrading our PH to a premium AP while we are there; we booked thru Costco for the dining vouchers. I was under the impression that when we upgrade, since we live in CA, we can use the payment plan. But I keep reading on here that that's not the case? Can any CA resident verify that when we upgrade our PH tix if we'll have to pay in full? Because if that's the case, we need to plan a bit differently!

 

[DizMe]

When I went to DL ticket booth last month, I specifically asked this question and was told that you cannot upgrade from a PH and use the payment plan. It's in their terms and conditions, as I looked it up. I think they either used to do it until the recent change in passes and ticket costs or they didn't always enforce the rule, because I know it has been done before. Just know that you can't count on it!

One thing I will mention is that if you call Costco and tell them you have annual passes, they will remove the ticket cost from your package. I've done this before with my family. However, it may be necessary to keep at least one ph to qualify for the package. You'll have to call to find out. You could price it out and see if having, say, a 1-day ph for one person and then buying your aps at the gate under the payment plan would work out better financially. They might even let you use the ph at the booth to upgrade, but who knows?!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

You should definitely call and find out. I upgraded mine and my DGD's 5-day hoppers to APs on the payment plan in May of this year. I initially just wanted to add an extra day, but the CM said that wasn't an option unless I wanted to purchase two one-day hoppers, and then the CM suggested the APs.

 

[Speechphi]

When I went to DL ticket booth last month, I specifically asked this question and was told that you cannot upgrade from a PH and use the payment plan. It's in their terms and conditions, as I looked it up. I think they either used to do it until the recent change in passes and ticket costs or they didn't always enforce the rule, because I know it has been done before. Just know that you can't count on it!

One thing I will mention is that if you call Costco and tell them you have annual passes, they will remove the ticket cost from your package. I've done this before with my family. However, it may be necessary to keep at least one ph to qualify for the package. You'll have to call to find out. You could price it out and see if having, say, a 1-day ph for one person and then buying your aps at the gate under the payment plan would work out better financially. They might even let you use the ph at the booth to upgrade, but who knows?!

So I just replied to you on another thread...because I just called & was told I could use the payment plan. But if you couldn't a month ago at the gate...ugh! We're going in Dec, when it's busy, and the last thing I want to do is spend time going from gate to gate until I can get the payment plan.

But...if I can call Costco & take 2 of the 5 parkhoppers away, I will do that. I don't need to get a $1000 bill at DLR a week before Christmas (or any time that I haven't planned on it!).

Thank you so much for your info DizMe

 

[SMD]

I did it in June. Of course, last month is more recent. Did you ask for a lead and verify, or was it just possibly the misinterpretation of someone at the ticket window?

 

[DizMe]

I did it in June. Of course, last month is more recent. Did you ask for a lead and verify, or was it just possibly the misinterpretation of someone at the ticket window?

The terms and conditions were updated July 2nd, so either this is a very recent change or they don't always enforce the rule. And yes, my CM was on his first day so I asked him to get a lead to clarify for me and that was the answer I got from the lead as well. I really don't see why they care

 

[DizMe]

Here is the pertinent part of the terms and conditions:

A Guest who chooses to upgrade to a Passport from another form of eligible Theme Park admission media must choose a Passport of equal or greater value than the original Theme Park admission media retail price, and the difference in prices shall be due on the day of the upgrade.

I was thinking, though, that you could possibly interpret that in another way. You could maybe argue that signing up for the payment plan when you upgrade is paying the difference that day .

 

[SMD]

The terms and conditions were updated July 2nd, so either this is a very recent change or they don't always enforce the rule. And yes, my CM was on his first day so I asked him to get a lead to clarify for me and that was the answer I got from the lead as well. I really don't see why they care

It definitely sounds like they changed the rules. Between this, not prorating when you upgrade to a higher level AP and getting rid of blockout day tickets, I think the message is, by the type of pass you want to start.

I hope the OP can cancel 2 of the PHs and sign up for the payment plan.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

If you are a California resident, you can upgrade your park hopper to an Annual Passport by park closing on the last day you use your ticket. You will be able to use the payment plan, and the cost of the monthly payments will be prorated, based on the value of the original tickets.

In August, I upgraded my 4-day Park Hopper (purchased from Orbitz) to a Premium AP. The $289 from the original ticket was deducted from the $699 AP price, and my monthly payment is now $34. I had actually paid for a 3-day hopper, and got the 4th day free. But because the actual tickets you get from Disney don't recognize where you bought the tickets from, they applied the gate price towards the AP. The $289 credit also covered the down payment for the AP.

 

[DizMe]

If you are a California resident, you can upgrade your park hopper to an Annual Passport by park closing on the last day you use your ticket. You will be able to use the payment plan, and the cost of the monthly payments will be prorated, based on the value of the original tickets.

In August, I upgraded my 4-day Park Hopper (purchased from Orbitz) to a Premium AP. The $289 from the original ticket was deducted from the $699 AP price, and my monthly payment is now $34. I had actually paid for a 3-day hopper, and got the 4th day free. But because the actual tickets you get from Disney don't recognize where you bought the tickets from, they applied the gate price towards the AP. The $289 credit also covered the down payment for the AP.

I'm glad you were able to do this. I'm just pointing out that you can't count on it--you may or may not be able to now. When the change in terms is recent, CMs are apt to go with the old rules. I did not have your experience and I'd hate for the OP to be caught off guard.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Oh no.... I didn't realize they changed the rules! I was going to upgrade a 1 day ticket to an AP and use the payment plan... Anyone know if this is allowed? It's not a park hopper!

 

[dedwards]

I upgraded my one day one park tickets just last week at the park and did the payment plan.

 

[AmberStar]

I sure hope upgrading to payment plan is still an option. After purchasing 9 5 day hoppers there are 6 of us wanting to upgrade to an annual pass. We would need to use the payment plan though as paying the different upfront as a family of 5 would put a huge hole in my wallet all at once. ough!

 

[jina]

we upgraded our 3 day park hoppers we bought via AnyPerk to Deluxe AP's at the ticket booth in August and we were asked if we wanted to use the payment plan. We didn't but it was an option. We live in NorCal. I think something on the DL web site says which zip codes qualify for the payment plan. I don't think all CA zip codes will work.