Upgrading to Annual Pass?

[goofy4prez]

A few months ago I purchased a pair of 7 day park tickets with Park Hopper for our upcoming trip. When we arrive in June and activate them how do I go about converting it over to an annual pass instead if it is possible. I am eligible to purchase AP since becoming a DVC member last July, but going for our first trip as members this June.

 

[Princesspolly0110]

Anyone is eligible to purchase an annual pass. Not sure if DVC members get a special price or not. Before the last day of your pass go to guest assistance and upgrade. You'll be able to pay the difference between the ticket and the annual pass.

 

[goofy4prez]

Anyone is eligible to purchase an annual pass. Not sure if DVC members get a special price or not. Before the last day of your pass go to guest assistance and upgrade. You'll be able to pay the difference between the ticket and the annual pass.

Thanks for the reply. I should have worded it that we do get a discounted price as DVC members.

 

[bumbershoot]

Use the ticket at least once, go to Guest Relations at the parks. Upgrade to a "DVC AP". Not sure if you want the Premium or the normal one.

I'm assuming you didn't buy the tickets as part of a package. But did you buy them directly from Disney (like through the website)? If so, the price difference will be from what you paid to the cost of the DVC AP you choose.

If you bought from undercovertourist or another seller like that, it will be between the current (when you upgrade) gate price of your ticket in hand to the cost of the DVC AP.

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the reply. I should have worded it that we do get a discounted price as DVC members.

Actually, to keep things straight, DVC members don't get to buy an "Annual Pass" at a discounted price.
DVC members get to buy a "DVC Annual Pass" which has a lower cost than a regular AP.

(Seems like a distinction without a difference, but that's the way the ticket structure is designed.)

 

[hakepb]

And FYI, you will need to present your blue DVC card and photo ID's showing the same address as the DVC member to purchase/upgrade to the DVC AP.

 

[Aerinha]

Use the ticket at least once, go to Guest Relations at the parks. Upgrade to a "DVC AP". Not sure if you want the Premium or the normal one.

I'm assuming you didn't buy the tickets as part of a package. But did you buy them directly from Disney (like through the website)? If so, the price difference will be from what you paid to the cost of the DVC AP you choose.

If you bought from undercovertourist or another seller like that, it will be between the current (when you upgrade) gate price of your ticket in hand to the cost of the DVC AP.

Not to hijack the thread, but do you know if I have convention tickets from a magical deal if I can upgrade them at the gate (and pay the diff)? Not sure if they are different from what undercovertourist sells.

 

[Robo]

do you know if I have convention tickets from a magical deal if I can upgrade them at the gate (and pay the diff)? Not sure if they are different from what undercovertourist sells.

To allow us to offer a better answer...
Can you post exactly what assets these tickets offer (number of entries to theme parks, water parks, etc.)
Also, how much did the tickets cost?
Exactly from whom did you buy them? (website)
Do the tickets have an expiration date?

 

[Aerinha]

To allow us to offer a better answer...
Can you post exactly what assets these tickets offer (number of entries to theme parks, water parks, etc.)
Also, how much did the tickets cost?
Exactly from whom did you buy them? (website)
Do the tickets have an expiration date?

I do not believe I am allowed to mention the "magical" site here, but the tickets were part of a package I booked through them. They are 8 day park hopper passes (no water option). I believe they worked out to about $70/day, it was all part of the lump sum so that it my best cost guess for what portion was tickets. They will expire 14 days after first use. This was all done through the magical travel agency, not a separate ticket purchase.

 

[Robo]

I do not believe I am allowed to mention the "magical" site here, but the tickets were part of a package I booked through them. They are 8 day park hopper passes (no water option). I believe they worked out to about $70/day, it was all part of the lump sum so that it my best cost guess for what portion was tickets. They will expire 14 days after first use. This was all done through the magical travel agency, not a separate ticket purchase.

Then, these do not sound like "convention tickets," which are a special category unto themselves at WDW.
If the tickets are as you described, they can be upgraded to any kind of WDW ticket, including an AP.

You want to USE the tickets at least one time to actually go into a theme park, BEFORE you do the upgrade.
Anytime after that, you can take your tickets to any ticket booth or Guest Relations and upgrade to a "larger" ticket.
You will then be given the current full gate price of a new ticket of the kind that you originally purchased in the upgrade transaction.
(A new 8-day adult park hopper has the value of $435.59.)

 

[Aerinha]

Then, these do not sound like "convention tickets," which are a special category unto themselves at WDW.
If the tickets are as you described, they can be upgraded to any kind of WDW ticket, including an AP.

You want to USE the tickets at least one time to actually go into a theme park, BEFORE you do the upgrade.
Anytime after that, you can take your tickets to any ticket booth or Guest Relations and upgrade to a "larger" ticket.
You will then be given the current full gate price of a new ticket of the kind that you originally purchased in the upgrade transaction.
(A new 8-day adult park hopper has the value of $435.59.)

Ok, thanks. The TA called them convention, so that is what I thought they were. Have never booked this way before, usually I just do it myself through MDE. Friend suggested the AP since I may do two trips in a year. Thanks again!

 

[DaisyFoote]

We are planning on buying an AP. We are getting 10 day park hopper tickets from Undercover Tourist. We were planning on going to Down Town Disney on our first day to upgrade before going to Epcot. The reason is because we are staying off site and want to save on parking right away. I noticed Robo you said

You want to USE the tickets at least one time to actually go into a theme park, BEFORE you do the upgrade.

Why? Will that save me money? more than the cost of parking?

 

[kmb584]

We are planning on buying an AP. We are getting 10 day park hopper tickets from Undercover Tourist. We were planning on going to Down Town Disney on our first day to upgrade before going to Epcot. The reason is because we are staying off site and want to save on parking right away. I noticed Robo you said
Why? Will that save me money? more than the cost of parking?

If tickets are purchased from a discount site, like Undercover Tourist, you want to use them prior to upgrading in order to save the most money. If you upgrade first you'll pay the difference between the discounted price and AP price, whereas if you use them first you'll pay the difference between the Disney gate price and AP price.

 

[msmama]

Piggybacking on this question. If I am upgrading for my son (7 years old) and I does he have to be with me? Is he expected to have ID (could take his passport but would rather not)? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Piggybacking on this question. If I am upgrading for my son (7 years old) and I does he have to be with me? Is he expected to have ID (could take his passport but would rather not)? Thanks!

Guests under 18 years of age do not need to show ID, and do not need to be present when activating an AP.

 

[Robo]

Use the tickets BEFORE upgrading.

Will that save me money? more than the cost of parking?

You will have to pay for parking that day.

BUT, you can get that parking fee REFUNDED (that same day) by showing your parking receipt at the same Guest Relations when you are doing your ticket upgrade to AP.

So, you will not lose the parking fee by using your original ticket.

 

[ah1126]

What happens if the AP cost is less than the ticket cost?

 

[Robo]

What happens if the AP cost is less than the ticket cost?

TECHNICALLY:
A. The "upgrade" will not be allowed.
B. If they do allow the "upgrade," there will be no refund of the difference to the guest.

HOWEVER:
A. It is quite possible that if a ticket CM has some "pixie dust" for the guest, the CM will allow the upgrade.
B. If the ticket CM has a LOT of "pixie dust" for the guest, a refund of the amount MIGHT
be given in the form of a Disney Gift Card.

(It never hurts to ASK... NICELY.)

 

[ah1126]

TECHNICALLY:
A. The "upgrade" will not be allowed.
B. If they do allow the "upgrade," there will be no refund of the difference to the guest.

HOWEVER:
A. It is quite possible that if a ticket CM has some "pixie dust" for the guest, the CM will allow the upgrade.
B. If the ticket CM has a LOT of "pixie dust" for the guest, a refund of the amount MIGHT
be given in the form of a Disney Gift Card.

(It never hurts to ASK... NICELY.)

Thank you Robo! Right now we are booked with Free Dining and the 3 day ticket with hoppers and waterparks for about $388, we are FL residents, so we can get the Seasonal Pass for $329. Of course this could all change when the FL resident discounts come out . The more I look at Free Dining, the more it looks like it will be cheaper without it!

 

[Robo]

The more I look at Free Dining, the more it looks like it will be cheaper without it!

I've found that to be true for our party ever since the program came out, years ago.

So it's been no "free" dining for us, ever.