[Question] Annual Passport First Payment

[LauraR]

I went through the process of purchasing a Southern California Annual Passport last week on the payment plan. Does anyone else find it misleading and confusing that they advertise the downpayment as $87 when in effect they take out $107.17 (downpayment + first monthly payment) on the date of purchase? (Yes, the contract does say that the first payment comes out on or about the date of purchase), but NOTHING before you get there says so, and I think a lot of folks might read that to mean the down payment and they've already sucked you in with the $87 advertised down payment, taken your credit card number, and put you through a zillion screens without even once EVER explaining that point of the contract?

$20 may not seem like much to people that can afford annual passes, but on the other hand, the payment plan is supposed to help bring in customers that can't pay the whole $329 at once.... (making Disney more money and essentially helping those with less money be passport holders). When you're a graduate student or college student, that $20 can make a difference especially if it comes out on a day when you're not expecting it.

No judgment, please.

[Juni]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

Yep, I got caught off guard by it the first year I did the payment plan. It especially sucked since I was in the midst of a vacation and had budgeted my money very closely and I was on a payment plan for 4 deluxe passes, so getting hit with that like 2 days after my initial payment sucked.

I checked my contract when I did it again this year, and even now the wording is not very clear at all that the first payment will be taken out the same month.

[1Disneylandfan]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

I can see how that can be a bit confusing and thinking that a possible mistake was made. Unfortunately the $87 is going to be used as a bit of draw, and then the fine print about the 1st payment being added along with that figure. Your typical marketing ploy.

Sorry you had that misunderstanding.

[bounty]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

I'm confused. When I got my AP, all I paid was the $87.. everything else was distributed over the 12 months. I never saw that $107 number on my statement.

[Juni]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

The very first payment goes out a few days after your deposit. Basically as soon as the contract is fully inputed in the system.

When you first sign up, a normal contract with a deposit would be you pay the deposit on the first day, and then 30 days later you make the first installment payment. With Disney's you pay the deposit, and your first installment comes out within a few business days.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

The first payment comes out when you first use it I believe, not 100% sure on that though.

I was never confused by it.

[Juni]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

The first payment comes out when you first use it I believe, not 100% sure on that though.

I was never confused by it.

Not first day, it's when they finalize processing the contract. So if you do it on like a Saturday, they will pull it on like Monday or Tuesday. For me this year, I made deposit on Jan 19th (thursday) and my first installment payment came out on Jan 20th.

I didn't actually physically go to the park until the 21st.

[Malina]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

When I bought my first AP at the ticket booth, the CM went over all of the charges with me, including when and how the first payment would be debited and how much in total I would be paying that month--so it was not a surprise at all. There was full disclosure.

If that didn't happen in your case, and there was a misunderstanding, I'm sorry. I know how it is to be hit with extra charges you are not expecting and I know that it can hurt.

[orbitalpunk]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

It is misleading.

[ghosty4]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

If you think THAT'S bad, when you renew the stupid thing a month early, like they pester you to do, they take out the payment for last year's ongoing contract AND they start the new contract as well! I thought they would actually start the new contract when the old contract expired. Oh, NO! That was really :!$#%: fun, let me tell you!!! Next year I will renew within 24 hours, and not two seconds sooner.

[miguelnator]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

I agree, however, the $87 down and the first month payment due right away is something that crossed my mind.

I got our (the wife, the 3 year old and mine) premium annual passes from work and saved $75.00. The only downfall is that it had to be paid in full. :thumbdown

[LittleLady]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

Its not clear at all. It only makes sense after they've withdrawn the down payment AND the first payment a couple days later and you're staring at the contract trying to figure out why....then you see it. Hopefully this thread will help people to plan ahead for their annual pass down payment/first payment better if Disney doesn't make the contract more clear.

[Jayce]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

Save up before hand, pay at once and eliminate any confusion in payment amounts. Problem solved.

[JerrodDRagon]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

Still better then paying it ALL upfront for some...

I'd say just make sure to have the first payment in your account just in case...and of course enough for 3 meals, when your going for your first time

[shaynese]

Re: Annual Passport First Payment

At least when you buy the pass at the gate they very clearly tell you that the first payment will be taken out of your pass within 24 hours. I wish they were as clear when you purchase online.