Upgrading to Premier Pass

[RweTHEREyet]

I am wondering how it works if you have an annual pass that you pay for monthly and want to upgrade to the Premier Pass for both WDW and DL. Has anyone done this and what was the process?

 

[scion5220]

I did this. I had a WDW annual pass on the monthly plan as a FL resident. The monthly payments stayed the same and I had to pay the upgrade in one lump payment. (Actually two because I upgraded it to a higher FL resident WDW pass one month and then to the Premier Passport another month.) Obviously the expiration date for the Premier Passport was still the same as my original WDW pass.

 

[cmwade77]

I wonder if that works out here, that would be a nice way to get monthly payments on the pass.....I will have to check that out.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

While I've heard a few reports that people were told they had to pay off the original pass first, the contract (and CMHusband) states that you just pay the difference and the payments continue as usual. I'm already planning on getting a PAP and DH has a conference in Orlando in October. If I'm able to tag along I'll upgrade to the Premier.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We upgraded our DL PAP to a Premier AP in December, 2010. We paid the difference between the DL PAP and the Premier and continued to pay our monthly payments for the DL PAP. -- Suzanne

 

[scion5220]

I wonder if that works out here, that would be a nice way to get monthly payments on the pass.....I will have to check that out.

From what people have posted on here it should work the same for a DLR pass. You can't buy the Premier Passport on monthly payments but you could buy the most expensive DLR pass on payments and then pay the difference in one lump payment I would think. (Providing you qualified for the monthly payment plan...not sure who all can sign up for it out there. Thought it was only SoCal residents, but not sure if that has changed...and assuming all the DLR passes can be purchased that way.)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I did an on-line chat with a DL CM, Zina, and she said that the difference in the two tickets, about $250, would be due at the time of the upgrade, and the regular monthly payments would continue on the same until the end of the contract.

Looks to me like Premier is $749, but I am not sure if that includes tax or not.

If not, it would be cheaper to do the upgrade at WDW where I believe the sales tax is lower. Actually not sure of the rate, and I think the actual sales tax rate depends on what county you are in. , or maybe that is just the food tax. I just remember that we had receipts from one trip that showed different sales tax rates and when I asked, I learned that not all WDW restaurants are in the same county.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I did an on-line chat with a DL CM, Zina, and she said that the difference in the two tickets, about $250, would be due at the time of the upgrade, and the regular monthly payments would continue on the same until the end of the contract.

Looks to me like Premier is $749, but I am not sure if that includes tax or not.

If not, it would be cheaper to do the upgrade at WDW where I believe the sales tax is lower. Actually not sure of the rate, and I think the actual sales tax rate depends on what county you are in. , or maybe that is just the food tax. I just remember that we had receipts from one trip that showed different sales tax rates and when I asked, I learned that not all WDW restaurants are in the same county.

There is no tax for the CA portion but is for the FL part. It doesn't matter where you upgrade they'll charge the FL tax on half. I think it's an additional $27.71 in tax.

 

[cmwade77]

I did an on-line chat with a DL CM, Zina, and she said that the difference in the two tickets, about $250, would be due at the time of the upgrade, and the regular monthly payments would continue on the same until the end of the contract.

Looks to me like Premier is $749, but I am not sure if that includes tax or not.

If not, it would be cheaper to do the upgrade at WDW where I believe the sales tax is lower. Actually not sure of the rate, and I think the actual sales tax rate depends on what county you are in. , or maybe that is just the food tax. I just remember that we had receipts from one trip that showed different sales tax rates and when I asked, I learned that not all WDW restaurants are in the same county.

I just did the exact same thing and got the exact same answer, so this appears to be the official policy. It is also listed in the FAQ as the policy, so I would suggest printing it out or showing it on your phone, if anyone tries to tell you that you must pay off the contract first as this is NOT the case.

I confirmed with the person that this is indeed the only way to get monthly payments on even a portion of the premier pass, but that it would work.

The price listed does not include sales tax; however, California does not charge sales tax on Theme Park Tickets (unless the governor gets his way in September on the ballot). How they do this is they take the cost of the pass, divide it in half, then charge Florida sales tax on their 1/2 of the pass. I think the one they use is a 6% tax, so it doesn't matter which location you buy it at, the sales tax is the same because it is a Florida tax, not a California tax.

When it first came out, they were assuming that you would visit the park you purchased it at more often, so it was cheaper to buy here than at WDW, this is no longer the case though.

 

[CamoMama]

From what people have posted on here it should work the same for a DLR pass. You can't buy the Premier Passport on monthly payments but you could buy the most expensive DLR pass on payments and then pay the difference in one lump payment I would think. (Providing you qualified for the monthly payment plan...not sure who all can sign up for it out there. Thought it was only SoCal residents, but not sure if that has changed...and assuming all the DLR passes can be purchased that way.)

All California residents can do the payment plan, but only Southern California residents can purchase the two least expensive passes. I live in far northern California and bought the premium AP on payments this month. From what I understand if you don't live in CA you have to pay the full price at the time of purchase.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I just did the exact same thing and got the exact same answer, so this appears to be the official policy. It is also listed in the FAQ as the policy, so I would suggest printing it out or showing it on your phone, if anyone tries to tell you that you must pay off the contract first as this is NOT the case.

I confirmed with the person that this is indeed the only way to get monthly payments on even a portion of the premier pass, but that it would work.

The price listed does not include sales tax; however, California does not charge sales tax on Theme Park Tickets (unless the governor gets his way in September on the ballot). How they do this is they take the cost of the pass, divide it in half, then charge Florida sales tax on their 1/2 of the pass. I think the one they use is a 6% tax, so it doesn't matter which location you buy it at, the sales tax is the same because it is a Florida tax, not a California tax.

When it first came out, they were assuming that you would visit the park you purchased it at more often, so it was cheaper to buy here than at WDW, this is no longer the case though.

I had no idea about the sales tax and that CA does not charge it. Thanks for the lesson. I can now figure out exactly what the difference will be. Now if only someone had a crystal ball that could tell us when they are going to raise the ticket prices this year.

 

[cmwade77]

I had no idea about the sales tax and that CA does not charge it. Thanks for the lesson. I can now figure out exactly what the difference will be. Now if only someone had a crystal ball that could tell us when they are going to raise the ticket prices this year.

Looking into my Crystal Ball and I am finding a strange green glowing lady that tells me that price increases at Disneyland will happen around June 8th and Disney World probably around August.

Now, as for the Premier annual passes, who knows what will happen at those times.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Looking into my Crystal Ball and I am finding a strange green glowing lady that tells me that price increases at Disneyland will happen around June 8th and Disney World probably around August.

Now, as for the Premier annual passes, who knows what will happen at those times.

LOL, thanks for the heads up.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I just did the exact same thing and got the exact same answer, so this appears to be the official policy. It is also listed in the FAQ as the policy, so I would suggest printing it out or showing it on your phone, if anyone tries to tell you that you must pay off the contract first as this is NOT the case.

I confirmed with the person that this is indeed the only way to get monthly payments on even a portion of the premier pass, but that it would work.

The price listed does not include sales tax; however, California does not charge sales tax on Theme Park Tickets (unless the governor gets his way in September on the ballot). How they do this is they take the cost of the pass, divide it in half, then charge Florida sales tax on their 1/2 of the pass. I think the one they use is a 6% tax, so it doesn't matter which location you buy it at, the sales tax is the same because it is a Florida tax, not a California tax.

When it first came out, they were assuming that you would visit the park you purchased it at more often, so it was cheaper to buy here than at WDW, this is no longer the case though.

OK, so based on this information, here is what I calculate, and someone please tell me if I have any of this stuff wrong:

$749 is the cost of the Premier Pass
$374.50 is half the cost of the Premier Pass for calculating Florida sales tax
$22.47 is 6% sales tax for the $374.50

$749 plus the $22.47 tax totals $771.47

The DL Premium Pass is the one that includes parking, correct? That would be what they have already, and that cost is $499.00

So the $771.47 Premier minus the $499.00 DL PAP leaves a $322.47 difference.

If I have done this correctly, I can get a 5-day WDW ticket from Undercover Tourist for $253.00 for the 5 days they will need in Florida in September, and I am thinking that might be the best way to go.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Your math is off. It's $272.47 difference.

Without factoring in AP discounts in WDW, yes. Does that 5 day pass include PHing or would you not want to park hop. WDW AP discounts is pretty limited for food unless you are planning a lot of sit down meals then you can purchase the Tables on Wonderland card. There is merchandise discounts though and their hotel discounts seem to be better than DLs.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Your math is off. It's $272.47 difference.

Without factoring in AP discounts in WDW, yes. Does that 5 day pass include PHing or would you not want to park hop. WDW AP discounts is pretty limited for food unless you are planning a lot of sit down meals then you can purchase the Tables on Wonderland card. There is merchandise discounts though and their hotel discounts seem to be better than DLs.

I think my typing is off, I think the DL AP is 449, not 499, which would make the diff to be $322.47 if all else is correct.


Thanks for the suggestions. We won't be park hopping, slow time of the year and 2 of the 4 parks close early each day and the MK will close on the nights of MNSSHP. The way our itinerary is set for the moment, each day will end with a nice dinner somewhere that will probably close the park.

You are right about the merchandise discounts--pitiful at WDW. We love to shop at DL and are always amazed when the CMs ask if we have an AP or some other discount. At WDW, they never ask and you usually have to fight to get any you may be due--they make it a hassle.

Mom and Dad have the Tables in Wonderland, and will be paying for the meals anyway, and we own DVC, so no hotel is necessary. I just didn't see much else that having the Premier would help with. We will be traveling with others that will only have one-park passes for the length of our stay, so having additional days entrance wouldn't help, and the Premier would expire before they another trip to WDW is planned.

 

[scion5220]

Your math is off. It's $272.47 difference.

Without factoring in AP discounts in WDW, yes. Does that 5 day pass include PHing or would you not want to park hop. WDW AP discounts is pretty limited for food unless you are planning a lot of sit down meals then you can purchase the Tables on Wonderland card. There is merchandise discounts though and their hotel discounts seem to be better than DLs.

Not only would the Premier Passport include park hopping, but also both waterparks and DisneyQuest...and one of the golf courses. And currently the Premier Passport gets you a 20% discount on merchandise in Disney owned stores.

So if any of those benefits are of interest it might be worth the price difference.

 

[CamoMama]

I think my typing is off, I think the DL AP is 449, not 499, which would make the diff to be $322.47 if all else is correct.

It depends on which AP you get. The Premium Disneyland AP is $499.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

They have which ever one gets them free parking.

 

[CamoMama]

That's the premium pass, the same one I purchased. So the difference is $250 plus applicable taxes. I'll be upgrading to a premier when I go to WDW in March of next year, as I'll be taking a second trip to WDW in May. I'm not activating my AP until late May.