Annual Pass question: what to do and when to do it ?

[sydneysmom]

Sorry if this has been asked before, I cannot find the answer. We are going in June 2017 for 8 days, so I'm thinking of getting AP's. Is it better to get them now or wait ? If I get them now, will they still be good in 2017 ?
The only thing that worries me is if I get the Power Pass, the 2017 blackout dates aren't released. I'm just so confused about the tickets and what is best...... my other thought was the Orlando Flex ticket, (to do a day at Sea World) but the 2017 tickets aren't out yet. What does everyone else usually do ? Do you wait ?

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally would wait. I don't want to hang on to tickets/AP for almost a year. I'm running the definite/absolute risk of a price increase, but that's OK.

 

[macraven]

You can buy the AP anytime

When you first activate the AP, that is the date the one year clock starts ticking

I have a friend that bought the AP a year ago
She has not used it yet but when she does, the voucher will an active AP
And will be good for one year at that time

 

[PoohIsHome]

If an AP is purchased now, can it be used to secure the APH rate at HRH if the AP voucher won't be redeemed until the HRH check-in date?

 

[macraven]

yes

you will get a voucher, or email of a form to take to guest services to exchange for the plastic generic ap card.

as long as you show the hotel your ap sometime after you get it, your ap room rate will be honored.

you do not have to have the ap in hand when you book a room with the ap rate.

you can't get on the ap website though until you have the actual ap card as they have a number that is needed to enter the ap site.
this is minor as there is nothing on the ap site that you can't find in the UO website.

 

[PoohIsHome]

yes

you will get a voucher, or email of a form to take to guest services to exchange for the plastic generic ap card.

as long as you show the hotel your ap sometime after you get it, your ap room rate will be honored.

you do not have to have the ap in hand when you book a room with the ap rate.

you can't get on the ap website though until you have the actual ap card as they have a number that is needed to enter the ap site.
this is minor as there is nothing on the ap site that you can't find in the UO website.

Thanks, mac. Working on dates/rates for June to celebrate son's 16th. Thinking AP's will be the way to go in the hopes that we can also squeeze in a Christmas break visit to my Central FL snowbird parents.

 

[bumbershoot]

If an AP is purchased now, can it be used to secure the APH rate at HRH if the AP voucher won't be redeemed until the HRH check-in date?

You do not need to have an AP, not even a voucher, to book an AP rate. Just enter APH into the code field on the loewshotels website. If there's an AP rate that shows up for your dates when you do that, then there's an AP rate. If not, check in the future. If you get an AP rate, ask at checkin when you'll need to show the AP. Easy.

you can't get on the ap website though until you have the actual ap card as they have a number that is needed to enter the ap site.
this is minor as there is nothing on the ap site that you can't find in the UO website.

Oh that AP website. I have been able to get on, like, twice in the whole time we've had APs, since 2011. It just doesn't work. And the times I was able to get on it was useless.

 

[macraven]

I must be lucky as I did not have issues like you did on the site

Peeps can also use the AP hotline with questions regarding the ap's

I have called them before with questions and have to say those TMs are smart and on the ball with helping

 

[sydneysmom]

Great advice everyone!! I think I will wait and keep checking the AP hotel rates as we get closer.... then I'll know if we need an AP or not. It's odd not buying EVERYTHING in advance, like we did with Disney. I'm not used to that yet, but we do have the room booked w/ the stay more/ save more rate, so I'll just hang in there on the tickets. I appreciate your help macraven and bumbershoot..... you both, along w/ schumigirl, are the reason we chose Universal for our trip. You probably have no idea how much you help people..... but you really do. Especially someone ( ME!!) who has NO clue about Universal..... you all make the process so much fun and make us so excited to go.

 

[macraven]

So many peeps are always ready to jump in with our experiences to share with all

Sometimes I feel like a mom here.
I give info and advice if it is wanted or not
Lol

 

[PoohIsHome]

You do not need to have an AP, not even a voucher, to book an AP rate. Just enter APH into the code field on the loewshotels website. If there's an AP rate that shows up for your dates when you do that, then there's an AP rate. If not, check in the future. If you get an AP rate, ask at checkin when you'll need to show the AP. Easy.

Thanks, bumbershoot! I'm going to go ahead and book HRH now for our June dates (and hold my breath that our unpredictable February weather doesn't wreak havoc with the last day of school). I've been a DIS lurker for enough years to know that I can keep tweaking with the rate. If we can manage to pull this off as a 16th birthday surprise......we're gonna have one gobsmacked kid.