Advice on Annual Passes and Tables in Wonderland

[PixieNorth]

We are going to the World in August this year and because we plan on returning in February and possibly in July, we want to get an annual pass to save money. We also have decided to forego the dining plan this time and get Tables in Wonderland instead.

We want to wait as long as possible to purchase our annual pass so that it can be used in August, February, and July, but we also know that we need an annual pass to get Tables in Wonderland. We've heard that you can buy an annual pass voucher ahead of time and turn it in for an annual pass once you get to DisneyWorld.

Would it be a better to purchase the voucher ahead of time and then validate it when we get to the World in August, or wait to do everything when we get to the World. We live pretty far away, so we'd need to buy it quite a bit ahead of time if we're going to buy it and get it sent to us.

We have a couple of other questions:
How long does it take to buy and activate Tables in Wonderland if you’re already in the parks?

Also, if we decide to buy or get the annual pass and/or Tables in Wonderland when we’re in DisneyWorld, where do we do this and what time of the day can we do this?

 

[Telcogirl]

Why don't you buy them both at the same time? You can do that from any Guest Relations booth at any of the Parks or at Downtown Disney. You can not purchase AP's or TIW at the resorts.

The whole process should take less that 15 minutes.

 

[Snow Shoe]

We've purchased both AP's and the TIW card, as well as renewed them both at Guest Relations.

 

[stitchlet]

I agree with the previous posters - we bought both our AP's & TIW card at Guest Relations (we used DTD) and it was a great experience!

Have a wonderful trip & enjoy!

 

[dopeynme]

I agree with purchasing both at the first park you go to......plus, to save a little money.......you can buy Magic-YOur-Way passes thru Undercover Tourist at a discount. Then use them to enter 1 park. At that time, you can go to Guest Services to upgrade to APs. They will give you credit for the full price of the ticket, even tho' you did not pay that.

You can buy TIW at the same time.

Remember to ask about AP discounts whenever you shop. It is at least 10% at most places and at certain times, it might be 20%

DH and I did this in Feb. It worked great, was very quick and easy and between AP discounts and TIW, we saved some money.

Have a great time!

 

[PixieNorth]

Thanks for the advice. I can't wait to tell DH. He'll be glad that he doesn't have to deal with it being mailed, we don't always trust snail-mail. Also, the tip for saving by doing the upgrade is great.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Do you qualify for free dining this trip? I'd still do that. You can always get your TIW card later, or still get it now and use it for incidentals. Free dining is going to save you a heck of a lot more than the TIW card.

(We have APs but don't think we'll save enough over our two planned trips to make TIW worthwhile.)

 

[Tinkerbell58]

For the past several years, ticket prices have gone up in August. There's usually a notice here on the Dis when it happens. If you can swing it, purchase your tickets (or vouchers) before August. When you go to WDW, you can have your vouchers validated, as well as purchase your TIW card at the same time at guest services.

 

[PixieNorth]

This advice has been great. Since we're going Aug. 3 to 17 we're not really going to be able to do the free dining.

I'm wondering about ticket prices going up in August. I think that getting the voucher would be worth it and save us a few bucks. Thanks for the advice.