Upgrading Tickets/Price Bridging Confusion

[caselaw3]

Hi all - I read the sticky about tickets and how to figure out price bridging and all that fun stuff but I still don't understand...
I am considering upgrading to an annual pass on our next trip (if it goes as plans and we make it for Feb. 2015) so that we can go both in Feb and again in Dec.
When I look at it - I can't make any sense of what I am supposed to be figuring out - I get the difference between park tickets and the upgrade to the annual pass but the price bridging is really confusing me -

 

[Robo]

Hi all - I read the sticky about tickets and how to figure out price bridging and all that fun stuff but I still don't understand...
I am considering upgrading to an annual pass on our next trip (if it goes as plans and we make it for Feb. 2015) so that we can go both in Feb and again in Dec.
When I look at it - I can't make any sense of what I am supposed to be figuring out - I get the difference between park tickets and the upgrade to the annual pass but the price bridging is really confusing me -

No need to worry about what it is.
It is just an internal accounting practice for Disney.

Just be sure to USE a ticket at least one time BEFORE you upgrade it.

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The basic rules for ticket upgrades is that
you subtract the cost of the ticket that you HAVE from the cost of the ticket that you WANT. Pay the difference. (Plus 6.5% Florida tax.)

So, look at the price of the ticket you start with... and then, the price of a ticket outfitted with all of the options that you want.

Subtract the cost of your first ticket from the ticket that you want,
and the result is the cost for the upgrade.

IF the ticket that you HAVE was purchased from a ticket discounter, or as part of a Resort Package,
or from the Disney Store or before a Disney price increase,
you should actually USE your ticket to go into a theme park at least one time BEFORE you do the upgrade.

(Yes, you will still get full current gate value in an upgrade of a ticket that has been partially -or FULLY- used at WDW.)
All upgrades must be completed within the first 14 days following a ticket's first use.
You can even upgrade a ticket after it is "all used up," if you do so on the actual day that
the ticket is last used.
(If your ticket has your name printed on it BY DISNEY -as in, your resort key-card/ticket- you can even upgrade well after you have fully used up the ticket, as long as it is still within the 14 day limit.)
Any new and unused MYW ticket will remain fresh and valid "forever" until it is*used for the first time.

 

[cigar95]

Besides Robo's usual precise descriptions, one thing to be aware of is that increasing numbers of WDW cast members aren't aware of the price-bridging process, or don't know how to do it.

Even more disturbing are those who are misinformed and insist that it isn't done any more, or has "never been done", or may even make snarky comments about "cheating the system". Unfortunately, this even includes some supervisory staff.

Hence the need to be aware of how much any upgrade should cost, before starting the process. If you can't get the correct price, be prepared to come back later, or go elsewhere to get the upgrade done.

 

[Robo]

the need to be aware of how much any upgrade should cost, before starting the process. If you can't get the correct price, be prepared to come back later, or go elsewhere to get the upgrade done.

Ditto to this, for sure.

If anyone needs help on figuring any part of upgrades, please ask questions on this board.

Plenty of help here for guests to get the correct outcome from some "touchy" ticket situations.

 

[ars0525]

I upgraded my ticket I bought from Official Ticket Center to an AP. My advice so take it or leave it. Know your numbers & what you should be paying. Ask the person helping you if they know what price bridging is--if they give you a blank look or say it's not possible then walk away. Don't feel bad getting another CM to assist you. I finlly did get my AP at the proper price, but it took 2 times & having to get a refund from Disney after realizing I had been overcharged. And it took a lot of sticking to my guns & patiently explaining myself repeatedly. Make sure you dedicate at least an hour just to be safe when you go to do this--don't be in a hurry or rush.

 

[Minniekins]

I upgraded my 7 day hoppers to AP's on our first day of our Dec trip. We entered Epcot via the International gateway. Eventually we made our way up to Guest Services near the front of the park and decided to try there first. We were on our way to MK and if it didn't work in Epcot, we could just leave and try next in MK! I told them I wanted to upgrade to an AP and asked them if they new how to do price bridging. I was very happy because he said, "of course, I do it all the time". (I felt like I got lucky, lol, but would have just left if he said no)! But still cautious, I asked him to figure it first and tell me how much it would be before putting it thru and he said "no problem, I'll do that". He figured it out, gave me the price and it was exactly what I was expecting to pay, and I was very happy! So it all worked out very easily. But, I was prepared with what I needed to know and expect, and what to do either way. And it was nice that it worked out, as it should, so easily, I really appreciated the CM who helped us!

 

[mrocco90]

I upgraded my tickets this past December at the international gateway. I originally went there to turn my vouchers into tickets. i told the lady at guest service I be back after I enter the park to price bridge the tickets and upgrade them to annual passes. She was able to do it before even entering the park. I did the math a Tom of times before the trip and she got my exact amount. It pays to mention about price

 

[durhamites]

I am hoping someone might be able to confirm my understanding of how to save a little money by upgrading discounted tickets to an annual pass. Forgive me if there is another thread that already does this; I couldn't find one for 2014, and I also couldn't find one with actual numbers run all the way through.

We need five annual passes--two adults and three children. We would first use them in April 2014.

From what I've learned here, think the right move is to buy, from Undercover Tourist, two adult 7-day no expiration park hopper tickets (589.95 each) and three kids 8-day no expiration park hoppers ($608.00 each). The total cost of these these tickets is $3,003.90, which includes tax. Those appear to me to be the tickets that offer the greatest discount without bridging to a value in excess of the annual passes themselves.

Upon first use, the adult tickets will bridge to a value of $588 each. The kid tickets will bridge to $604 each. The total bridged value of the tickets is $2,988, and that is the credit that we could apply toward APs (assuming we do it in person, and in a timely fashion).

Annual passes are $609 each. The total cost of AP's is $3,045. Cost minus credit for bridged value is $57. Add tax and it's $60.71.

The total cost of the APs in the end (after tax) would be $3,003.90 (what we paid to Undercover Tourist) + $60.71 (what we would pay to Disney) = $3,064.61.

If we walked up to the counter at Disney and simply bought 5 annual passes, the cost would be $3,045, which is $3,242.93 after sales tax is applied. So the total savings obtained through this stunt is $178.32--or about 5.5%. Which is very close to my threshold of being worth the trouble...

Did I do it right? Is there a better option?

Thanks to anyone who might take the trouble to look at this!

 

[Robo]

1- From what I've learned here, think the right move is to buy, from Undercover Tourist, two adult 7-day no expiration park hopper tickets (589.95 each) and three kids 8-day no expiration park hoppers ($608.00 each). The total cost of these these tickets is $3,003.90, which includes tax.

2- Those appear to me to be the tickets that offer the greatest discount without bridging to a value in excess of the annual passes themselves.

Upon first use, the adult tickets will bridge to a value of $588 each. The kid tickets will bridge to $604 each. The total bridged value of the tickets is $2,988, and that is the credit that we could apply toward APs (assuming we do it in person, and in a timely fashion).

Annual passes are $609 each. The total cost of AP's is $3,045. Cost minus credit for bridged value is $57. Add tax and it's $60.71.

The total cost of the APs in the end (after tax) would be $3,003.90 (what we paid to Undercover Tourist) + $60.71 (what we would pay to Disney) = $3,064.61.

If we walked up to the counter at Disney and simply bought 5 annual passes, the cost would be $3,045, which is $3,242.93 after sales tax is applied. So the total savings obtained through this stunt is $178.32--or about 5.5%. Which is very close to my threshold of being worth the trouble...

3- Did I do it right? Is there a better option?

1- Yes.
2- I didn't check your research, but the ticket choices and prices can change.
3- I didn't check your math or prices, but that IS how it works.

Just make sure your math and numbers are correct and ASK at the ticket counter the total before
you agree to the deal. If the numbers are not quoted to you correctly, nicely
ask if the CM has "bridged the price."
If still no joy, nicely ask for your tickets to be returned and head to another ticket
booth location.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Did I do it right? Is there a better option? ....

I would say you did the steps correctly, durhamites.

Maybe take a look at doing the math for the adults on a 6 day hopper, water parks and more, no expiration. I did not do the math on the children. But look at similar (maybe different number of days) for the kids. This is assuming you do not want the water parks, and do not use the water parks or additional options before you do your AP upgrade.

If you get Mary's Mousesaver newsletter, you will save a few more dollars linking from her newsletter.

 

[PolyLover]

I would say you did the steps correctly, durhamites.

Maybe take a look at doing the math for the adults on a 6 day hopper, water parks and more, no expiration. I did not do the math on the children. But look at similar (maybe different number of days) for the kids. This is assuming you do not want the water parks, and do not use the water parks or additional options before you do your AP upgrade.

If you get Mary's Mousesaver newsletter, you will save a few more dollars linking from her newsletter.

I don't see where the "no expiration" ticket is available through Disney anymore. Therefore, I'm not sure how to price it plus I wonder if it would be honored in upgrading to the AP. I do see why you suggested it as it is a savings of $65 per ticket according to undercover tourist.
I've been thinking about doing the same thing so I'm intrigued!

 

[jimandami]

I don't see where the "no expiration" ticket is available through Disney anymore. Therefore, I'm not sure how to price it plus I wonder if it would be honored in upgrading to the AP. I do see why you suggested it as it is a savings of $65 per ticket according to undercover tourist.
I've been thinking about doing the same thing so I'm intrigued!

It is still offered from Disney just not advertised. That is the ticket with the biggest savings for adults (I didn't look at children) so it is the one we are planning to use in March.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don't see where the "no expiration" ticket is available through Disney anymore. Therefore, I'm not sure how to price it plus I wonder if it would be honored in upgrading to the AP. I do see why you suggested it as it is a savings of $65 per ticket according to undercover tourist.
I've been thinking about doing the same thing so I'm intrigued!

Disney does not sell it online as there is too much confusion as to what the 'no expiration' entails. It is sold at the parks where a CM can explain. It is also sold by UT.

 

[durhamites]

Thank you. I thought you couldn't bridge a water park ticket to a non-premium annual pass, but I now see that that is only the case if you have actually used the water park entitlement. I was inattentive to the ticket sticky:

"When upgrading to Annual Pass, if the Guest's original ticket included Water Park Fun & More Option, and any part of that option was used, then the Guest may only upgrade to the Premium or Premier Annual Pass. If none of the WPF&M options were used then upgrading may be done to a regular AP."

It really is my friend. And thank you for the reminder about Mary's newsletter.

 

[durhamites]

For the sake of completeness, here is the revised math using 6-day park hopper, water park and more, no expiration tickets--which indeed offer the greatest discount through Undercover Tourist, linked through MouseSavers:

We need five annual passes--two adults and three children. We would first use them in April 2014.

Buy, from Undercover Tourist, two adult 6-day, no expiration, park hopper and water park fun tickets ($544.25 each) and three kids 6-day no expiration, park hopper and water park fun tickets ($524.25 each). The total cost of these these tickets is $2,661.25, which includes tax.

Upon first use, the adult tickets will bridge to a value of $573 each. The kid tickets will bridge to $554 each. The total bridged value of the tickets is $2,808, and that is the credit that we could apply toward APs (assuming we do it in person, and in a timely fashion, and do not use the water park entitlements before bridging).

Annual passes are $609 each. The total cost of AP's is $3,045. Cost minus credit for bridged value is $237. Add tax and it's $252.41.

The total cost of the APs in the end (after tax) would be $2,661.25 (what we paid to Undercover Tourist) + $252.41 (what we would pay to Disney) = $2,913.66.

If we walked up to the counter at Disney and simply bought 5 annual passes, the cost would be $3,045, which is $3,242.93 after sales tax is applied. So the total savings is $329.27, which is a little over 10%.

Thank you again for those who took a look!

 

[PolyLover]

For the sake of completeness, here is the revised math using 6-day park hopper, water park and more, no expiration tickets--which indeed offer the greatest discount through Undercover Tourist, linked through MouseSavers:

We need five annual passes--two adults and three children. We would first use them in April 2014.

Buy, from Undercover Tourist, two adult 6-day, no expiration, park hopper and water park fun tickets ($544.25 each) and three kids 6-day no expiration, park hopper and water park fun tickets ($524.25 each). The total cost of these these tickets is $2,661.25, which includes tax.

Upon first use, the adult tickets will bridge to a value of $573 each. The kid tickets will bridge to $554 each. The total bridged value of the tickets is $2,808, and that is the credit that we could apply toward APs (assuming we do it in person, and in a timely fashion, and do not use the water park entitlements before bridging).

Annual passes are $609 each. The total cost of AP's is $3,045. Cost minus credit for bridged value is $237. Add tax and it's $252.41.

The total cost of the APs in the end (after tax) would be $2,661.25 (what we paid to Undercover Tourist) + $252.41 (what we would pay to Disney) = $2,913.66.

If we walked up to the counter at Disney and simply bought 5 annual passes, the cost would be $3,045, which is $3,242.93 after sales tax is applied. So the total savings is $329.27, which is a little over 10%.

Thank you again for those who took a look!

If only YOU were the one working at the ticket counter at Disney to make the purchase! I'm still a little bit afraid of spending so much up front without the absolute guarantee that it would work. Thanks for doing the calculations, that is what I came up with too (except we are a family of 4). It sure is tempting...........

 

[tebookie]

I have 10-day pass that I purchased as part of a package several years ago. I never used the tickets as I had an annual pass at the time.

I should get that ticket turned into the new RFID pass, use it, then upgrade to annual pass correct?

Anyway I can find out what the price of my ticket that was part of a package 5 years ago should have cost?

For example for argument sake say the pass cost $250 5 years ago and now same ticket cost $300. Annual pass costs $609. I should have to pay just the $309 and not $359 correct?

 

[tebookie]

Is there a better guest services location to do the upgrade at?

 

[cleighc]

I have 10-day pass that I purchased as part of a package several years ago. I never used the tickets as I had an annual pass at the time.

I should get that ticket turned into the new RFID pass, use it, then upgrade to annual pass correct?

Anyway I can find out what the price of my ticket that was part of a package 5 years ago should have cost?

For example for argument sake say the pass cost $250 5 years ago and now same ticket cost $300. Annual pass costs $609. I should have to pay just the $309 and not $359 correct?

Yes your are correct. You should pay $309 plus tax. But you need to have used the ticket to enter a park at least once prior to upgrading otherwise they would charge $359 plus tax.

If possible try to find out what your original ticket cost was so you have the numbers before upgrading. We upgraded 7d MYW tickets to AP's when we went in December but it took about an hour because they kept giving me the wrong price. I eventually showed the CM the sticky post and then he figured it out. Know your numbers, be prepared to show them the info from this board and if you are still having trouble find another CM to help you.

 

[Robo]

Is there a better guest services location to do the upgrade at?

Nope.

There are as many stories, both good and bad, at any given location that
there is no reason to specifically pick one spot over another.

Whenever someone posts that they had a bad experience at "X" location, someone else will reply
that they had a great CM and no problems at that same desk on another day.

The reason is that the CM's will not always be the same at each location.
It is the particular CM (or manager) with whom you are dealing who makes the difference
in the ability to get the upgrade done correctly and efficiently.