Tickets to APs

[bmr1591]

So my wife and I let our APs expire a couple months back because we had no more trips planned in November. We plan to renew when we return, but we’re trying to do it for the cheapest price. Obviously, we plan to use gift cards from Target/Sams to cut real costs, but another idea I had was purchasing a 10 day Park Hopper from Undercover Tourist, which would save me $80 per person compared to Disney prices. But my question is this: when I arrive in November and ask to upgrade my tickets to an AP, will they simply see “He purchased a 10 day park hopper, which is listed at X price in our system” and do the math to find the difference I owe? Or will they somehow be able to see I purchased the 10 day ticket at a discounted rate and I need to pay the difference.

In essence, would purchasing discounted tickets and upgrading them to an AP actually save me money or does it not work that way?

 

[dreamfinding]

So my wife and I let our APs expire a couple months back because we had no more trips planned in November. We plan to renew when we return, but we’re trying to do it for the cheapest price. Obviously, we plan to use gift cards from Target/Sams to cut real costs, but another idea I had was purchasing a 10 day Park Hopper from Undercover Tourist, which would save me $80 per person compared to Disney prices. But my question is this: when I arrive in November and ask to upgrade my tickets to an AP, will they simply see “He purchased a 10 day park hopper, which is listed at X price in our system” and do the math to find the difference I owe? Or will they somehow be able to see I purchased the 10 day ticket at a discounted rate and I need to pay the difference.

In essence, would purchasing discounted tickets and upgrading them to an AP actually save me money or does it not work that way?

It kind of works that way.

Disney will take the value of the ticket (let’s say the 10 day park hopper is valued at $900 for sanity’s sake). They will take the value of that ticket and apply it to the purchase of an annual pass, with you paying the difference. The value of the ticket depends on what dates the ticket is for, base theme park vs. hopper, and how many days.

Edit to add: you would be better off paying for an AP with gift cards or just flat out using a credit card with reward points. Use a Disney Visa to purchase said gift cards. That way, you earn Disney reward dollars + save some with discounted gift cards (Sam’s, Costco, BJs, Kroger would be nice because specials for more fuel points).

 

[nickys]

Remember that when you upgrade you will need to make park reservations (unless they get rid of their stupid system).

Check those before upgrading. Also double check applicable blackout dates if you’re going around Thanksgiving.

 

[bmr1591]

Yeah we’re doing wine and dine weekend. I’m just thinking if I can purchase from UT for $80 cheaper per ten day park hopper ticket, then I’ll inevitably save $160 upgrading those tickets than just buying an AP with no ticket.

 

[DVC Ted]

Yeah we’re doing wine and dine weekend. I’m just thinking if I can purchase from UT for $80 cheaper per ten day park hopper ticket, then I’ll inevitably save $160 upgrading those tickets than just buying an AP with no ticket.

I’m skeptical it works the way you want. When I did a similar upgrade some years ago, Disney could tell that I had purchased a discounted 10-day ticket, and gave me only my UT purchase amount toward my AP.

 

[bmr1591]

I’m skeptical it works the way you want. When I did a similar upgrade some years ago, Disney could tell that I had purchased a discounted 10-day ticket, and gave me only my UT purchase amount toward my AP.

That may be true. I’ll have enough gift cards to pay the difference if so.

 

[RememberWhen]

I don’t know if this is still possible, but I have used this method in the past. I purchased UT discounted tickets. We used them (at least tapped in the first day). Then went to ask about upgrading. My understanding (which is limited and may no longer be accurate) was that tapping in was key to getting them to use the system value vs what we paid. YMMV.

 

[anchorman314]

I don’t know if this is still possible, but I have used this method in the past. I purchased UT discounted tickets. We used them (at least tapped in the first day). Then went to ask about upgrading. My understanding (which is limited and may no longer be accurate) was that tapping in was key to getting them to use the system value vs what we paid. YMMV.

This was my experience as well back in 2022. We needed to add a day to tickets purchased from UT. About halfway through our stay, we went to the ticket center at DS, and in a few short minutes were all set having to only pay about $30 per person. Just don't try to do an upgrade at a hotel front desk -- we tried that first and it did not go well.