Annual pass changes coming........

[rfc0001]

Why wouldn't I be able to get the new renewal rate if, ordinarily, I'm able to renew within x (30?) days of expiration?

You can still get the renewal rate within 30 days, but the renewal rate went up, effective today.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Two questions:

1. Are these being "turned into" Gold or Platinum passes?
2. You said non-renewal certificates -- any idea about renewal certificates, specifically DVC renewal certificates?

Thanks!

1) Seasonal is the equivalent of Silver. Annual is the equivalent of Platinum. Premium is the equivalent of Platinum Plus. There is no equivalent to the Gold pass - it's entirely new.
2) As I said, I'm not comfortable commenting on renewal certs because I haven't actually processed any, and I don't want to give anyone an incorrect piece of information!

 

[stitch1269]

We have weekday select passes, that were just renewed a week ago with no free parking. So far from phone calls I've made they said you have to wait until you renew next year because it is the same pass, but check with Guest Services in the park they MIGHT be able to do something. So if I waited 4 days to renew I would have free parking, but because I renewed on time, we get screwed out of it? I sure hope that's not the case, my principles will make Disney something I USED to do..... It's to illogical to not be able to pay the increase difference and have free parking.

 

[bumbershoot]

our entire Easter trip is blocked out from the TiW discount for 4 out of our 6 ADR's

Youch. That's unfortunate. We've only been to two of them and don't plan to go to them again.

 

[freediverdude]

Hi,

Wow!

I upgraded to a Premier Passport in DL at the Start of September ( $1130 or so)and just seen on the page it is going up to $1439+tax. That is a very large increase even with the addition of the photpass downloads ( I have not used photopass before)

Yes, I understand that because the DL passes increased so much, that the premier pass also has to be higher, but $1500 for 1 theme park ticket is getting into the absurd category. You would have to REALLY be using both DL and WDW quite a bit during the year to make that worth it over getting just an annual to one location and regular tickets to the other. Maybe if you were doing deluxe resort stays in both locations, no DVC, and were getting big discounts on the rooms in both locations due to the premier, might justify it.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

We have weekday select passes, that were just renewed a week ago with no free parking. So far from phone calls I've made they said you have to wait until you renew next year because it is the same pass, but check with Guest Services in the park they MIGHT be able to do something. So if I waited 4 days to renew I would have free parking, but because I renewed on time, we get screwed out of it? I sure hope that's not the case, my principles will make Disney something I USED to do..... It's to illogical to not be able to pay the increase difference and have free parking.

You are 100% welcome to pay the difference and upgrade to the 'new' weekday select, at least according to the training I had at 7am this morning.

 

[gmi3804]

You can still get the renewal rate within 30 days, but the renewal rate went up, effective today.

OK, that makes sense. I was reading that as having to pay the "new" pass (not "renewal") figure.

Thanks for your help.

 

[rfc0001]

1) Seasonal is the equivalent of Silver. Annual is the equivalent of Platinum. Premium is the equivalent of Platinum Plus. There is no equivalent to the Gold pass - it's entirely new.
2) As I said, I'm not comfortable commenting on renewal certs because I haven't actually processed any, and I don't want to give anyone an incorrect piece of information!

Thanks for confirming! If you see a renewal (or DVC renewal even better) come through, please do share! It makes a huge difference whether I get the old AP, new gold AP (in which case I have to cancel by vaca -- which is during blackout), or plantinum (in which case I need to know so I don't buy MM). It would be nice If DVC MS was talking with ticketing to know what was going on, and even better post a FAQ (preaching to the choir I know)

OK, that makes sense. I was reading that as having to pay the "new" pass (not "renewal") figure.

Thanks for your help.

Sorry, if that was unclear -- the renewal prices have gone up $100pp (old "Annual Pass" > new Platinum). Or you can downgrade to the Gold for $18pp -- but have March/Dec blackout dates. Both Gold and Platinum include PP downloads.

 

[gmi3804]

Sorry, if that was unclear -- the renewal prices have gone up $100pp (old "Annual Pass" > new Platinum). Or you can downgrade to the Gold for $18pp -- but have March/Dec blackout dates. Both Gold and Platinum include PP downloads.

Looks like the Gold will work for us; we never travel around Christmas or Easter.

 

[rfc0001]

Looks like the Gold will work for us; we never travel around Christmas or Easter.

In that case it's a minor increase with the added benefit of year-round photopass downloads, which can save $150/trip

 

[RachaelA]

The information posted up-thread about AP certificates is different than what was actually happening in the ticket booths today. If someone brings in a certificate for a non-renewal 'old' pass type, the computer automatically turns it into a 'new' pass type. No difference is paid. Renewal certificates are a bit different and I'm not comfortable commenting on how they work because I didn't do any today.

So if I went today and brought in 3 DVC AP Vouchers that I paid $485ish each for (before taxes) for back before the February renewal. What would they be giving me? What I bought but that doesn't exist anymore? Gold? Platinum?

 

[SarahInMN]

1) Seasonal is the equivalent of Silver. Annual is the equivalent of Platinum. Premium is the equivalent of Platinum Plus. There is no equivalent to the Gold pass - it's entirely new.

So, does that mean if someone comes in with a DVC AP voucher (not a renewal but a new ticket) purchased pre Oct 4th, then it gets turned into a Platinum ticket? Or a gold? Platinum makes more sense since the voucher purchased originally had no blackout dates.

(also thanks Ravenclawtrekkie for posting your info)

 

[linzbear]

Ok, I currently have a $399 DVC Premium AP that's due to expire in Nov. How much does it cost to upgrade to the Platinum plus? Is it $80 or $250? I don't buy MM because I never get enough that I feel it's worth the $160, but I would pay $80 for it.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

So if I went today and brought in 3 DVC AP Vouchers that I paid $485ish for back before the February renewal. What would they be giving me? What I bought but that doesn't exist anymore? Gold? Platinum?

If you bought NON-RENEWAL certificates for standard Annual passes, you'll get Platinum passes when those certificates are 'activated' by the computer.

So, does that mean if someone comes in with a DVC AP voucher (not a renewal but a new ticket) purchased pre Oct 4th, then it gets turned into a Platinum ticket? Or a gold? Platinum makes more sense since the voucher purchased originally had no blackout dates.

(also thanks Ravenclawtrekkie for posting your info)

Yes, standard Annual certificates are being activated to Platinum passes.

Thanks for confirming! If you see a renewal (or DVC renewal even better) come through, please do share! It makes a huge difference whether I get the old AP, new gold AP (in which case I have to cancel by vaca -- which is during blackout), or plantinum (in which case I need to know so I don't buy MM). It would be nice If DVC MS was talking with ticketing to know what was going on, and even better post a FAQ (preaching to the choir I know)

I sent a couple of texts to people who are still at work, and the answer I got back was that renewal certificates are being applied to the renewal of an equivalent pass (seasonal = silver, annual = platinum, premium = platinum plus) and the price difference is being 'vouchered off' meaning the guest pays nothing additional. This makes sense to me since it's how we handle other renewal certificates that are worth less than the actual renewal, like AAA discounted renewal certs.

 

[RachaelA]

If you bought NON-RENEWAL certificates for standard Annual passes, you'll get Platinum passes when those certificates are 'activated' by the computer.



Yes, standard Annual certificates are being activated to Platinum passes.



I sent a couple of texts to people who are still at work, and the answer I got back was that renewal certificates are being applied to the renewal of an equivalent pass (seasonal = silver, annual = platinum, premium = platinum plus) and the price difference is being 'vouchered off' meaning the guest pays nothing additional. This makes sense to me since it's how we handle other renewal vouchers that are worth less than the actual renewal, like AAA discounted renewal certs.

Thanks for this info! Now I'm going to cross my fingers and hope this doesn't change between now and 8 weeks from now when we check in. (Who knows with Disney )

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

If you bought NON-RENEWAL certificates for standard Annual passes, you'll get Platinum passes when those certificates are 'activated' by the computer.



Yes, standard Annual certificates are being activated to Platinum passes.



I sent a couple of texts to people who are still at work, and the answer I got back was that renewal certificates are being applied to the renewal of an equivalent pass (seasonal = silver, annual = platinum, premium = platinum plus) and the price difference is being 'vouchered off' meaning the guest pays nothing additional. This makes sense to me since it's how we handle other renewal certificates that are worth less than the actual renewal, like AAA discounted renewal certs.

So, I have a non premium annual pass and would probably want to see if I could upgrade to the new platinum pass in order to get the photo benefits. My pass doesn't expire until late May. So would I pay the full cost difference ( or a pro-rate of some kind?) between my renewal for this and a new renewal? or between a new purchase of a regular "old" AP and the new platinum? Trying to figure out what that would cost but I am overthinking and getting confused..

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Believe me, I have my fingers crossed right there with you. I worked at Epcot today and all of us were so frazzled by all this new information! Even our leaders were confused. If I find out anything new and I'm allowed to share it, I definitely will.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

So, I have a non premium annual pass and would probably want to see if I could upgrade to the new platinum pass in order to get the photo benefits. My pass doesn't expire until late May. So would I pay the full cost difference ( or a pro-rate of some kind?) between my renewal for this and a new renewal? or between a new purchase of a regular "old" AP and the new platinum? Trying to figure out what that would cost but I am overthinking and getting confused..

Unfortunately, upgrades aren't pro-rated. So, you'd pay the difference between the value of your Annual and the non-renewal cost of the Platinum. Your expiration date would stay the same. (Edit - if your current Annual was a renewal, you MIGHT pay the difference between that and the renewal cost of the Platinum - this is a question that didn't come up in my training!)

If you wait until May and renew to the Platinum, then you'd pay the renewal rate at that time.

 

[tinkerhon]

The child AP has been the same cost as an adult at least for a year. did not occur in this price increase.

Well aware of that--- my point is that the renewal price is now higher, and I never thought it made any sense when they started charging the same price for 3-9 and adults, when the lil ones obviously could not have the same experience as the adults do ( ride height restrictions, etc)

DW and I have passes that don't expire until 8/16 ---DDs expires in 7/16 --- DS4 is the one we have to renew ( expires 11/15) ---- for our Thanksgiving trip --- just don't think the addition of the Photopass ( only) is worth the $86 renewal increase --- A little late in the game to not renew, but next year will be a different story.

 

[North of Mouse]

I am confused. I have the normal annual pass right now. Am I forced to switch it over or what? I'm going to the park this weekend and need to figure out what I have to do beforehand.

Had an email from Disney today - no changes for current AP's. Mine & dh's AP's expire in 2/16, and we have another trip in Feb. '16 with those. After that, with the insane price increase for APs w/Photo Pass, we will be taking a loooong break from Disney and go elsewhere. We don't need any more pics and anyway, we prefer being out own photographers!

By the way, the extra perk of the photo pass, reminds me of the 'refill mugs' you get for 'free' with the DDP. They're 'forcing' you to get their extra perks - each person, at that, and whether you want it or not! No, thanks Disney!!