Activating AP Voucher before checkin?!?

[DISNEYFOS]

Hi there! I have a question regarding the need to activate my AP voucher before i go to the resort to check in.

I just got a great AP resort rate at the BC. (AP ticket paid for itself right there and then ) but the reservation person said I would need to go to Downtown Disney before i check in to activate my voucher before I check in at the resort in order to keep the AP rate, otherwise it will go back up to rack rate.

I can try to do this but our plane lands at 6:30PM..probably won't get to resort til 7:30 at the earliest and I'm traveling with a 1 yr old...don't really want to shlep myself down to downtown that night, ya know?

Anyone try to check in with a voucher and still maintain the AP rate?

Or does anyone have an suggestions

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, DisneyFOS!

You should be able to check in with the voucher. If they don't let you check in, you could walk to the International Gateway at Epcot (about 5-10 minutes), and activate it there.

The Beach Club is a great resort! Have a great time!

Karen

 

[rkmassa]

We only had our voucher when we checked it. If they ask for it, just tell them you have not had time to activate it. Most likely they will suggest you do that and come back sometime to avoid being charged rack rate. I was not asked for our AP (had a voucher) at check in at all. Never showed it. Was given AP rate. I was stressed for nothing. As long as you have the voucher you will be fine. Most CMs are very understanding.

 

[Marty Joe]

Not to worry... We have been to the Poly many times and half of those times have been with a voucher. At the check-in desk I show them my reservations, vouchers, credit card, and ID and we were off and running! Never have they ashed me to redeem my vouchers...

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Thanks for the quick responses! and the welcome. I guess i should of proofread my post before I posted..(how many times can you say "check-in" in the same sentence)

Anyways, Can you really activate the voucher at the Epcot Int'l gateway? The reservation person said the closest was Downtown Disney. hmmmm. That would be great!

This will be my first time at the Beach Club, I'm thrilled!

Thanks for your help.

 

[mjmcca]

The last time i checked in at the POP with an AP rate I asked the CM if she needed to see the AP adn she said no its all here. I did have the AP with me however not the voucher.

 

[WillCAD]

AP vouchers can be activated at an theme park ticket window or Guest Relations window, including those at International Gateway. I have heard people tell of activating vouchers at Guest Relations at some of the Deluxe resorts, but in the past that was not possible so I don't know for sure that it can be done.

As to checking in with a voucher or an actual AP, the policy on this varies from resort to resort, and sometimes from CM to CM.

I wasn't asked for my AP at all when I checked into Pop Century in December, though I have heard of some folks who were asked for their APs when checking into Pop.

My take on it is this, however: An AP voucher is non-refundable. Once you have laid out your $400+ to get the voucher, you can't get it back no matter what you do. So in my mind, the voucher is a binding contract, and should be accepted just as the AP itself would be; after all, it's not a $4 off coupon from a magazine, it's essentially a $400 bill! What do they think, that somebody is going to spend all that money and pass the voucher around to a dozen friends to defraud Disney out of some hotel money? Hogwash!

So anyway, if you try to check in using the voucher and the CM gives you any guff, ask politely to speak to the manager and explain what I just ranted about in the preceeding paragraph. Maybe one day WDW will get it's act together and establish a coherent blanket policy for all the resorts.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Part of the reason I would guess they want to see a activated AP is that if you check in with a voucher some may never activate their AP. I've heard of people useing AP's that were several years old but never activated. A Ap voucher is goood forever until its activated. I really can't imagine them not letting you check in with a voucher but I would expect them to ask to see your pass at the desk within 24 hours.
As far as the Hogwash, well, I wouldn't do it either but in the short time I've been here here's a few of the things I've seen; People who feel they can use any resort pool, Even if their not staying at Disney, People who feel they can park at any resort, even if they have no intent of conducting any buisiness there, people who want AAA or AP rates but don't want to pay for a AAA membership or buy a AP and my personal favorite is those who want AP rates but just want to buy a childs AP. LOL !
It might be hogwash to you and I but it sure looks to me like a LOT of people will go to pretty great lengths to save a buck or two.

 

[TLinden16]

I have activated my AP at the International Gateway several times. Of course, it has to be during park hours, but you can do it there.

Karen

 

[LtlTee]

Do I need the actual AP (or voucher) when I call to make my reservation?

I'm not sure yet if I'm going to purchase an AP -- I'm waiting to see what AP resort discounts are offered for May. So, if the discounts are released, can I call immediately to get the AP rate and then buy my AP, as long as I have it in hand when I check in?
Thanks!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Thanks for all the info. I understand the logic in want to see an actual AP because the clock starts running once its activated, I just wanted to be able to do it the next day rather than when I arrive with all my luggage, sleepy baby and grumpy husband If its the int'l gateway, then thats a couple min walk, no problems!

LtlTee, I made my reservations a couple of months ago at the Rack rate, once I saw the AP discounts available, I called back and asked them IF I was to buy an AP, could I get a discount. The CM said most definitely yes, and the discount was more than the cost of the AP, no brainer. So he did the transaction for the AP right then, my credit card was charged and he said the voucher (the thing that needs to get activated) would be arriving in 7-10 days.

 

[LtlTee]

DISNEYFOS,
Great! Thanks so much for the info!

 

[WillCAD]

Part of the reason I would guess they want to see a activated AP is that if you check in with a voucher some may never activate their AP. I've heard of people useing AP's that were several years old but never activated. A Ap voucher is goood forever until its activated. I really can't imagine them not letting you check in with a voucher but I would expect them to ask to see your pass at the desk within 24 hours.
As far as the Hogwash, well, I wouldn't do it either but in the short time I've been here here's a few of the things I've seen; People who feel they can use any resort pool, Even if their not staying at Disney, People who feel they can park at any resort, even if they have no intent of conducting any buisiness there, people who want AAA or AP rates but don't want to pay for a AAA membership or buy a AP and my personal favorite is those who want AP rates but just want to buy a childs AP. LOL !
It might be hogwash to you and I but it sure looks to me like a LOT of people will go to pretty great lengths to save a buck or two.

Yep, you're absolutely right that some people will go to rediculous lengths to save a buck or two. Parking at resorts when you're not a Guest should be a hangin offense, and pool-hopping should be enforced more stringently. And anybody who thinks they're entitled to an AP or AAA rate without actualy being AP holders or AAA members ought to be laughed right out of the hotel.

But the idea of getting an AP voucher, which costs over $400, in order to save on resort stays, is a bit of a stretch. You'd have to save at least $400 just to break even, which means the possibility of AP fraud is almost non-existant.

And if you spent the $400+ to get the voucher, but didn't activate it, you'd have to spend an additional $200 or more for park passes anyway, when you already have a perfectly good park pass sitting there useless.

Only one person in a million would be that stupid.

 

[Docsknotinn]

LOL, I wouldn't want to argue with your logic.....But I bet it still happens. People just do some crazy things. I really would hope that no one would ever have a problem checking in with a voucher but they should have to show a activated pass within 24 hours. I bet there are a whole lotta people who can't get them activated before check in.

 

[DVCconvert]

but the reservation person said I would need to go to Downtown Disney before i check in to activate my voucher before I check in at the resort in order to keep the AP rate, otherwise it will go back up to rack rate.

No, that's not the case. At the very worse, you should be able to check-in at your hotel and if requested by the Front Desk, show them your actual AP within 24 hours of check-in to keep your rate.