Upgrading to annual pass

returnplanning · 18 Feb 19, 09:16 AM

Thinking ahead to 2020 and our proposed stay, at $25 per day, parking costs will mount up. This means that it might be worth upgrading to an AP. Is it possible to do that before the stay, or is it better to just buy the AP direct from Disney? We are planning to start our Disney trip with a few nights onsite, so ideally get free parking from day 1.

Secondly, if one of the party bought an AP direct, rather than upgrading, would the appropriate magic band etc be available at checkin to the resort?

Thanks

Hipstalike · 18 Feb 19, 10:16 AM

Can't answer all of your questions, but upgrading a ticket to an AP can only be done once you're there. There isn't really an advantage to upgrading instead of just outright buying an AP, unless you manage to get tickets at a discount without this discount being taking into account by the cast member that does the upgrade for you (i.e. them valuing your ticket higher than what you actually paid.) Apparently there is some luck involved there, so I've heard it said it's better to shop around for some quotes at different locations before doing the upgrade.

I'd say that if you plan on getting an AP anyway, it's easier to just get one because you'll know what you're in for budget-wise and you won't have to deal with the upgrading once you're there.

gismo1554 · 18 Feb 19, 12:37 PM

So the only advantage to doing it this way is if you have free dining as you have to buy the 14 day ticket for free dining. With regard to the parking side, if you purchase the AP in advance you get the parking fee for the first visit back as a gift card once you pick up your ticket. However that said the free AP parking is this at the hotels or just at the park? This suggests its just at the parks disneyworld.disney.go/en...lder-benefits/ which would mean actually you would still need to pay for hotel parking

Hipstalike · 18 Feb 19, 12:45 PM

Well the free parking for APHs is only valid at the theme parks, not the resorts. But if you're staying onsite, parking at the parks is free anyway, so you might not even need the AP?

YorkshireT · 18 Feb 19, 12:48 PM

Another advantage (I think, I hope) if you are a DVC Member you can buy a cheap gold pass, but it has Xmas and Easter blackout dates.
So instead if you are say going Xmas, then again the following summer, get the 14 day then on your last day upgrade to the Gold pass.
It should work I hope.

Nimbus · 18 Feb 19, 05:07 PM

The AP only covers parking at the parks, not at the resort. You'll get free parking at the parks if staying onsite anyway.

The cost to upgrade to the Platinum Pass will be around $450 (very approximately). If you were thinking of getting this purely to save on parking costs then you would need to park at the Disney parks on at least 18 days in order to save any money. Admittedly, there are other benefits to be gained from the AP - discounts on merchandise and food, for example.

returnplanning · 18 Feb 19, 07:45 PM

we are planning for Nov 2020, so I was following this:

disneyholidays/wal...d/faq/parking/

"Overnight resort parking charges are applicable to Disney Resort Hotel Guests who booked from 21st March 2018. Guests residing in the UK and Ireland will be charged for overnight resort parking from 1st January 2020. "

So in that case the parking is relevant - or do AP holders still have to pay resort parking?.

Hipstalike · 18 Feb 19, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by returnplanning

we are planning for Nov 2020, so I was following this:

disneyholidays/wal...d/faq/parking/

"Overnight resort parking charges are applicable to Disney Resort Hotel Guests who booked from 21st March 2018. Guests residing in the UK and Ireland will be charged for overnight resort parking from 1st January 2020. "

So in that case the parking is relevant - or do AP holders still have to pay resort parking?.

Yep, APHs only get free parking at the parks, not the resorts.
More info: disneyparksmomspanel.disney... -parks-368411/

Nimbus · 19 Feb 19, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by returnplanning

So in that case the parking is relevant - or do AP holders still have to pay resort parking?.

AP holders still have to pay resort parking.

It's only the theme park parking that AP holders get for free. And if you are staying onsite, then you get theme park parking for free anyway.

bighal · 19 Feb 19, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

Another advantage (I think, I hope) if you are a DVC Member you can buy a cheap gold pass, but it has Xmas and Easter blackout dates.
So instead if you are say going Xmas, then again the following summer, get the 14 day then on your last day upgrade to the Gold pass.
It should work I hope.

They take the date of upgrade from the first day of use. Therefore if you are they over the blackout period you won't be able to have a gold pass it would be the platinum pass. Also if you have used the water parks that is included with the 14 day ticket you have to upgrade to the the platinum plus pass.