Using Points to buy/renew Sorcerer Annual pass

[DVC Gma]

Hi, looking for the "Pro's" thoughts on this. I need to renew my Pass in May for a May trip. We are using the annual pass discount on a cash stay. My question is is it worth $100 buck & 65 points to renew it? We will not be traveling again this year, probably. Definitely, would not be a points trip. "Maybe" next May before this new pass would expire.
Basically, I would be using 65 pts that I would not use until 2027. Sorry a little rambling....
Has anyone else used points to renew or buy the annual pass?

 

[Sandisw]

If you renew the pass, it will run from 2025 to 2026. If you don’t want to start the AP until 2027, then you want to buy new for 75 points.

That is what I am doing because not traveling as much this year and because my plans changed, it’s better to buy new vs renew!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi, looking for the "Pro's" thoughts on this. I need to renew my Pass in May for a May trip. We are using the annual pass discount on a cash stay. My question is is it worth $100 buck & 65 points to renew it? We will not be traveling again this year, probably. Definitely, would not be a points trip. "Maybe" next May before this new pass would expire.
Basically, I would be using 65 pts that I would not use until 2027. Sorry a little rambling....
Has anyone else used points to renew or buy the annual pass?

Thanks for asking this question. I don't plan to buy a new pass until 2026, and since the ability to use points to buy the Sorcerer's Pass is the main reason I was going to join, I figured I'd just wait until 2026 to pay the $100 (or by then maybe $105 or $110). But then I read in the eligibility that I might not even be eligible. I'm DVC Y, but I'm grandfathered because we initially bought in 2002. However, for Membership Magic Beyond (is that the right name?), it doesn't say anything about being grandfathered. It just says you have to own 150 points direct in order to be eligible. That made me sad since I have a Sorcerer's pass now, and would probably be able to buy a new one. But I can't use points? Has anyone here been grandfathered, not have 150 direct points, but MMB?

 

[DVC Gma]

Thanks for asking this question. I don't plan to buy a new pass until 2026, and since the ability to use points to buy the Sorcerer's Pass is the main reason I was going to join, I figured I'd just wait until 2026 to pay the $100 (or by then maybe $105 or $110). But then I read in the eligibility that I might not even be eligible. I'm DVC Y, but I'm grandfathered because we initially bought in 2002. However, for Membership Magic Beyond (is that the right name?), it doesn't say anything about being grandfathered. It just says you have to own 150 points direct in order to be eligible. That made me sad since I have a Sorcerer's pass now, and would probably be able to buy a new one. But I can't use points? Has anyone here been grandfathered, not have 150 direct points, but MMB?

Very good question.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks for asking this question. I don't plan to buy a new pass until 2026, and since the ability to use points to buy the Sorcerer's Pass is the main reason I was going to join, I figured I'd just wait until 2026 to pay the $100 (or by then maybe $105 or $110). But then I read in the eligibility that I might not even be eligible. I'm DVC Y, but I'm grandfathered because we initially bought in 2002. However, for Membership Magic Beyond (is that the right name?), it doesn't say anything about being grandfathered. It just says you have to own 150 points direct in order to be eligible. That made me sad since I have a Sorcerer's pass now, and would probably be able to buy a new one. But I can't use points? Has anyone here been grandfathered, not have 150 direct points, but MMB?

The actual statement specifies a date for the 150 point requirement. You’re fine being grandfathered.

The 2025 Membership Magic Beyond Option is part of Membership Extras which, effective June 3, 2021, requires having an ownership interest with 150 Vacation Points or more purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc.

 

[Chuck S]

IF they would change it to where it includes Photo Pass with the annual pass, it would definitely be worth it. On the other hand, 65 point with current dues is still a bit cheaper than paying cash, if you have enough extra points to do so, so I'm thinking of renewing with points in November.

 

[DeeCee735]

I did it. I used 75 points to buy an annual pass, which I have not had in years. I have three trips booked this year - February through October, with a possible fourth trip in December or January. Even if I'm in the park two days per trip (hoppers), it would cost more than the cost of a new Sorcerer's Pass. Some of those 75 points were banked, so that worked out as well. I received a Disney gift card for Christmas from my sister, so I didn't pay for the Membership Magic Beyond fee. I figure, why not try the AP, I don't have to renew it for next year if I don't have the points or don't plan to go as much, but I want to give it a try.

At first, I was pretty annoyed at the roll out of a fee for MMB and was thinking no way will I pay for it, but when I saw that gift card and knew I had three trips on the books already, I was quick to change my mind. with memory maker included in the MMB (I never bought that, not even sure how it differs from Photo Pass), and us bringing the grands, why not?

It's a personal decision based on one's own situation, but good luck with it and have a great time on your vacations!

Dee

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Thanks for asking this question. I don't plan to buy a new pass until 2026, and since the ability to use points to buy the Sorcerer's Pass is the main reason I was going to join, I figured I'd just wait until 2026 to pay the $100 (or by then maybe $105 or $110). But then I read in the eligibility that I might not even be eligible. I'm DVC Y, but I'm grandfathered because we initially bought in 2002. However, for Membership Magic Beyond (is that the right name?), it doesn't say anything about being grandfathered. It just says you have to own 150 points direct in order to be eligible. That made me sad since I have a Sorcerer's pass now, and would probably be able to buy a new one. But I can't use points? Has anyone here been grandfathered, not have 150 direct points, but MMB?

I think it's been answered, but we are DVC-Y through grandfathered points, we do not have 150 direct, and we purchased MMB. I'm now DVC-BY.

 

[DVC Gma]

I think it's been answered, but we are DVC-Y through grandfathered points, we do not have 150 direct, and we purchased MMB. I'm now DVC-BY.

DVC-BY?

 

[RickNJane]

Ok some bad planning on our part. Our pass expires October , but the have trips in May and November! We plan on using points for the pass as we won't be traveling much in 2026 so have points to burn.
As to the other point. As long as you are DVC-BY you should be good to go.

 

[RickNJane]

DVC-BY?

DVC-BY is the new designation if you bought MMB. If you bought it and don't see the BY, then contact MS and get it straightened out.

 

[CarolynFH]

DVC-BY?

As above, for MMB: DVC - BeYond, I’m guessing.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

As above, for MMB: DVC - BeYond, I’m guessing.

I'm thinking Y for "Yes - Blue Card" and B for "Beyond"! Or maybe they're just messing with us!

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm thinking Y for "Yes - Blue Card" and B for "Beyond"! Or maybe they're just messing with us!

Or else - "Beyond just Y"!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think it's been answered, but we are DVC-Y through grandfathered points, we do not have 150 direct, and we purchased MMB. I'm now DVC-BY.

If it's been answered I missed it. So thanks so much for giving an example-good to know you got one. And Congratulations! I just got a Sorcerer's Pass last fall and love the ability to Park-hop again. Last month I spent the morning at AK, had dinner at the French Bakery in Epcot, then scootered over to DHS to ride TSMM. Staying at BCV, it's so nice to have bus-free access to 2 parks.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If it's been answered I missed it. So thanks so much for giving an example-good to know you got one. And Congratulations! I just got a Sorcerer's Pass last fall and love the ability to Park-hop again. Last month I spent the morning at AK, had dinner at the French Bakery in Epcot, then scootered over to DHS to ride TSMM. Staying at BCV, it's so nice to have bus-free access to 2 parks.

One of our favorite resorts and locations, too! Sounds like an awesome day there!

 

[Tatebeck]

Continuing this thread with my experience:

I called today and renewed our Sorcerer's passes that just expired in February. Used MMB and BOGO OTUP towards them. We aren't going back until October, then December and January after that. But we decided to renew instead of get new passes because we will basically need a pass every year. We could have paid 20 more points and had them expire later, but if we renew every year we may never have to pay those extra points.

But upon renewing I noticed that our old passes are still in the app, just expired and the new passes show up separately with new numbers, the only difference is that they say renewal on the new passes.

Here is my question though. On the renewal passes it doesn't say active from Feb 2025 to Feb 2026. It says that we must "activate" by Feb 2026 sort of like how a new pass would. When we go in October and they are "activated" will they still expire in Feb 2026 or will they be good for 1 year after activation? Did we get extra time out of the renewal somehow? Has anyone else renewed via points and had this happen? Or is this just how all renewals go? It is our first renewal. Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

Yes, they will expire on the same day as the original pass, + 1 year. They are already active, but the system wants you to enter the parks and do your finger scan by February 2026.

 

[Sandisw]

Continuing this thread with my experience:

I called today and renewed our Sorcerer's passes that just expired in February. Used MMB and BOGO OTUP towards them. We aren't going back until October, then December and January after that. But we decided to renew instead of get new passes because we will basically need a pass every year. We could have paid 20 more points and had them expire later, but if we renew every year we may never have to pay those extra points.

But upon renewing I noticed that our old passes are still in the app, just expired and the new passes show up separately with new numbers, the only difference is that they say renewal on the new passes.

Here is my question though. On the renewal passes it doesn't say active from Feb 2025 to Feb 2026. It says that we must "activate" by Feb 2026 sort of like how a new pass would. When we go in October and they are "activated" will they still expire in Feb 2026 or will they be good for 1 year after activation? Did we get extra time out of the renewal somehow? Has anyone else renewed via points and had this happen? Or is this just how all renewals go? It is our first renewal. Thanks!

Renewals always work this way but once you go in and use it, the date will update correctly.

 

[js]

Continuing this thread with my experience:

I called today and renewed our Sorcerer's passes that just expired in February. Used MMB and BOGO OTUP towards them. We aren't going back until October, then December and January after that. But we decided to renew instead of get new passes because we will basically need a pass every year. We could have paid 20 more points and had them expire later, but if we renew every year we may never have to pay those extra points.

But upon renewing I noticed that our old passes are still in the app, just expired and the new passes show up separately with new numbers, the only difference is that they say renewal on the new passes.

Here is my question though. On the renewal passes it doesn't say active from Feb 2025 to Feb 2026. It says that we must "activate" by Feb 2026 sort of like how a new pass would. When we go in October and they are "activated" will they still expire in Feb 2026 or will they be good for 1 year after activation? Did we get extra time out of the renewal somehow? Has anyone else renewed via points and had this happen? Or is this just how all renewals go? It is our first renewal. Thanks!

Thank you for your post.
So, I can pay the $100 fee or whatever it is, then use OTUP, which I can then get as BOGO towards the pass? If so, I will be doing this in October if this stays the same.

Thank you.