Upgrading to annual pass?

[Mom B]

I have seen mention that passes can pretty much always be upgraded, but I don't know the details. We've never done APs before but hope to be visiting more often so we thought we'd like to try it this time (plus probably get the TIW dining card). We've already purchased 7 day park hopper passes. So, when we get to WDW, can we upgrade to annual passes (with the DVC discount) at some point? Would we have to do it right away, or anytime during our stay? If we waited until we had been using the PHs for a few days, and then upgraded, what would be the AP expiration date? 365 days from the first use, or the date we upgraded? And what would be the cost?

Hope these aren't dumb questions...TIA!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I purchased (five months before) and USED my park hopper and was able to upgrade to an annual pass. We were purchasing our APs when I made a comment about "wishing I'd done this on our last visit. The CM asked if I had the CC I'd used for the purchase. She found the charge and pro-rated our passes. They expired on the date we first used our PHs.

 

[ljcrochet]

I just did that. We bought our 8 day park hoppers at AAA, used them all trip. Then on our last day before we left magic kingdom for the morning, we went into guest services and upgraded. It only cost DH and I $219 to upgrade both tickets since they are upgraded from what the gate ticket price is.
Double check the expiration date on the passes, it should be a year from when you first used the tickets. Ours were not and we had to get it fix.

 

[Tara]

I purchased (five months before) and USED my park hopper and was able to upgrade to an annual pass. We were purchasing our APs when I made a comment about "wishing I'd done this on our last visit. The CM asked if I had the CC I'd used for the purchase. She found the charge and pro-rated our passes. They expired on the date we first used our PHs.

Very lucky for you! I had a sort of similar experience back in 1999. I had a 5-day PH that I'd used 3 days of. I went to Guest Services to upgrade it to an AP and it scanned as having all 5 days on it. I told the CM that wasn't right but he assured me the computer doesn't make mistakes and wished me a magical trip.

Of course, my experience was back when you could upgrade a pass at any time, whether you'd used it or not. The current rule is that you can only upgrade a partially used pass within 14 days of first use, no matter what type of pass it is.

OP, you can upgrade at any time, but I'd recommend doing it the first day. Use your passes to go through the turnstiles, then go to Guest Services to upgrade. Using them once will ensure that they gain the current ticket value, regardless of what you paid for them. Upgrading immediately means you can begin reaping the benefits of being an AP holder and get your TIW card sooner and save money on dining sooner.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Of course, my experience was back when you could upgrade a pass at any time, whether you'd used it or not. The current rule is that you can only upgrade a partially used pass within 14 days of first use, no matter what type of pass it is.

When did this change? We just did this last December.

 

[Mom B]

Thanks! That was exactly what I needed to know.

 

[bookwormde]

Here is a link to the thread with very reliable information, check post #7

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

bookwormde