Annual Pass & Dining Experience

[Callum]

Just thought some of you might like to hear about a change to Dining Experience membership.

Just spoken with the DDE people who explained that, as of Monday, anyone using their exchange certificate to pick up an annual pass can pay for DDE membership at the same time.

This should give an extra 4 to 6 weeks on each membership as they will be valid from the date of pick up rather than the date of purchase/despatch.

 

[UKDEB]

That's really useful to know, Callum. Thanks for posting. Could you also post on UK Trip Planning - I'm sure it would help a few people over there, too.

 

[mark&sue]

thanks for passing on that great news


susan

 

[Claire L]

So I take the DDE card will run for exactly 12 months from collection, rather than the 13 or so months it used to due to ordering in advance??

Claire

 

[TinkTatoo]

......Just spoken with the DDE people who explained that, as of Monday, anyone using their exchange certificate to pick up an annual pass can pay for DDE membership at the same time......

I wonder if you have to activate your AP when you pick the pass up. We were hoping to get our DDE card with our voucher but not activate the voucher until later on in the trip so we can also use it again next year

 

[Callum]

Debbie - It was only a brief call with one of the DDE team last night, but the girl did confirm that the DDE membership could be picked up at the same time as your annual pass. There is now no need to apply for it in advance.

Claire - not quite sure what you mean about the 13 months validation. On the DDE application form it states".....The validation period starts from the date when the card is mailed to the recipient." So, if I am guessing correctly, under the "old" scheme, you would "lose" the time between the card being sent to you and it's first use in WDW. Under the new arrangements, the 12 months starts from the day you actually pick it up at Guest Services.

TinkTatoo - I don't see a problem with this. Picking up your AP and DDE at the same time means that only the DDE will be validated from that date. As far as I know, your AP is validated for 12 months from first use at one of the parks. (Now, I might be completely wrong on this latter point and, if so, I am sure someone will put us both right

 

[Claire L]

Claire - not quite sure what you mean about the 13 months validation. On the DDE application form it states".....The validation period starts from the date when the card is mailed to the recipient." So, if I am guessing correctly, under the "old" scheme, you would "lose" the time between the card being sent to you and it's first use in WDW. Under the new arrangements, the 12 months starts from the day you actually pick it up at Guest Services.

DDE cards always used to have a bit extra time on them as dated til the end of the month. Also if purchased after I think it is the 11th of the month they were valid until the end of the following month in the following year. I ordered mine in late Nov 2006 and it is valid until end of Dec 2007. Also if the card hadn't got to you by the time of your trip you could pickup a temporary card at Epcot Guest Services, so could in theory order the day before you arrived!

Claire

 

[Claire L]

TinkTatoo - I don't see a problem with this. Picking up your AP and DDE at the same time means that only the DDE will be validated from that date. As far as I know, your AP is validated for 12 months from first use at one of the parks. (Now, I might be completely wrong on this latter point and, if so, I am sure someone will put us both right

When you swap your AP voucher for the AP proper that is the date it is valid from, not from the date first used at a park, although these are often the same.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

DDE thread.

Claire

 

[Callum]

Claire - Thanks for putting me right about the DDE membership. Disney were obviously thinking ahead when they added the extra month to the validity of the membership. I had no idea they actually did this.

The big advantage with the new arrangements seems to be dispensing with the need to call, write or fax before your visit. Much easier just to pick it up.

Thanks also about the AP details. As I said, I wasn't 100% sure about the validity arrangements and it will certainly keep it simpler (for me!) to have both the AP and DDE valid for exactly the same period

 

[TinkTatoo]

When you swap your AP voucher for the AP proper that is the date it is valid from, not from the date first used at a park, although these are often the same.

Claire

That's what I thought Claire - thanks