Annual Pass Question

[ffindis]

Hello,
We are planning on being n Disney in just about a month. We want to take advantage of the new DVC discount on the annual passes. What is the best way to buy them? On line now or just buy them at the parks when we get there. Are they any pros or cons for each option? Also we want to get the DDE card. Will this be possible given our timeline?
Thanks in advance for all your help
Lisa

 

[DVC-Don]

I buy ours on the DVC web site and pick them up at one of the parks when we arrive.

 

[andrea9873]

We bought ours through the website and then picked them up at the Epcot ticket window when we were there last July, they are valid from the date you pick them up. As far as your DDE you'll need to call and find out what the process is to get your card(s) issued in time, I think there's a 4-6 week turnaround, we didn't get ours in time for our trip in July, we also had to pick that up at the Epcot window and they gave us "temporary" cards to use that were accepted, our official cards arrived after we got back home...

this was 7 months ago it may all be different, not sure. This time when we go in a few weeks we just need to upgrade my son's AP to adult vs. child...

 

[dianeschlicht]

Actually, at this late date, I would just buy them at one of the customer service windows. I reccomend Epcot, since the customer service inside Epcot is where you will need to go to get the temporary DDE card to use during that trip. Your permanent cards willl still be mailed to you, and the letter they give you works for the current trip.

 

[ffindis]

Thanks,
I guess I'll just wait and do everything at Epcot when we get there.
Lisa

 

[tyandbash]

Can you still get the DVC discount for AP's without purchasing them on-line??

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Can you still get the DVC discount for AP's without purchasing them on-line??

Yes...but make sure you have your blue membership card with you as they will ask to see it.

 

[CarolMN]

Can you still get the DVC discount for AP's without purchasing them on-line??

Sure. To get the discount, you'll need to show your blue membership card. Actually, even those that buy online have to show the membership card when they pick up their pass or when exchange their voucher for the actual pass.

Best wishes -

 

[zalansky]

I have another AP questions for you experts - DH and I just renewed our seasonal AP's in December. With the discount, wouldn't it be wise to get the regular AP's? Would they charge us the full amount to upgrade our current passes or do you think they'd apply the discount? What is the current discount anyway? I can't get online to the DVC site yet since we just purchased and have not rec'd our paperwork yet.
TIA

 

[BCV23]

To get the DDE card, you have to call or email that department once you have the AP or voucher. I think I've read that you can't get the temporary card until at least 5:00 pm on the day you call. So if you do elect to just buy APs at WDW, just buy at whatever Gust Services fits your morning plans. Then call the DDE department. That evening you should be able to collect your temporary DDE card at Epcot. Also DDE is not open on weekends.

I think I would give Member Services a call and ask how long it would take to get your AP voucher. It has never taken us a month to get them. Then once you get the voucher, make the DDE call.

 

[CarolMN]

I have another AP questions for you experts - DH and I just renewed our seasonal AP's in December. With the discount, wouldn't it be wise to get the regular AP's? Would they charge us the full amount to upgrade our current passes or do you think they'd apply the discount? What is the current discount anyway? I can't get online to the DVC site yet since we just purchased and have not rec'd our paperwork yet.
TIA

Here are the discounts from the Members' website:

2005 Member Savings

Walt Disney World® Resort Ticket Product / Discount Off Retail Price
Ages 10+ / Ages 3 - 9

Annual Pass $100.00 $85.00
Florida Resident Annual Pass $20.00 $17.00
Annual Pass Renewal $75.00 $64.00
Premium Annual Pass $125.00 $106.00
Florida Resident Premium Annual Pass $25.00 $21.00
Premium Annual Pass Renewal $95.00 $80.00

You should be able to upgrade your seasonal pass to the regular pass. Disney will charge you the DVC discounted price for the new pass. You will need to pay the difference in price (approx $106) between the seasonal and DVC-discounted pass to upgrade.

Is it wise? Depends on your plans for the coming year and how often you want to visit during hte "black out" periods.

Best wishes -

 

[LisaS]

Hello,
We are planning on being n Disney in just about a month. We want to take advantage of the new DVC discount on the annual passes. What is the best way to buy them? On line now or just buy them at the parks when we get there. Are they any pros or cons for each option? Also we want to get the DDE card. Will this be possible given our timeline?
Thanks in advance for all your help
Lisa

What I would do in your situation is purchase my APs now. I ordered mine online and it was very easy. The vouchers should arrive within 10 days or so. Once you have the vouchers, call and order your DDE card. I don't think you will have enough time for the DDE cards to arrive, so ask them to leave a temporary card for you at Epcot. When you get to WDW, go to Epcot's Guest Services window (outside the front entrance) and pick up your temporary DDE card.

If you wait until you get to WDW to purchase your APs, you will have to wait until you have your APs in hand to call the DDE office. They are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. If you call early enough in the day, they can have a temporary DDE card waiting for you at Epcot by 5:30pm that same day, otherwise your temporary card will be available at 5:30pm the following day. This option can work if you are arriving at WDW early in the day Mon-Fri. Otherwise, you will miss one or more days of use of your new DDE card.

 

[Princess Tess]

ddc ? help me out here

 

[sfibelko]

fyi... we ordered passes last saturday on member site - the arrived yesterday - 6 day turn around!

 

[Plutofan]

When we went we bought the AP over the website. Once we got the AP voucher we called DDE and get a card. WEe just took the AP voucher to the MK ticket window and exchanged it for an AP. If there is not enough time to get your DDE card before you leave they will fax you a letter to present at the restaurants to get the discount. You shoud call MS to confirm that nothing has changed and to ask their opinion. I would try to do everything before I went to Disney. Why waste a lot of time doing administratiive stuff when you can be going on rides.

 

[LisaS]

If there is not enough time to get your DDE card before you leave they will fax you a letter to present at the restaurants to get the discount.

The DDE office will not fax or email letters any longer. Now your only option is to have them leave a temporary card at Epcot's Guest Services (outside the front entrance to Epcot).

 

[dianeschlicht]

When we went we bought the AP over the website. Once we got the AP voucher we called DDE and get a card. WEe just took the AP voucher to the MK ticket window and exchanged it for an AP. If there is not enough time to get your DDE card before you leave they will fax you a letter to present at the restaurants to get the discount. You shoud call MS to confirm that nothing has changed and to ask their opinion. I would try to do everything before I went to Disney. Why waste a lot of time doing administratiive stuff when you can be going on rides.

It really doesn't take that much time, and they will NOT send you a temporary letter anymore. You will have plenty of time to get the voucher for the AP ahead of time, but you will still have to go to Customer service for the DDE anyway, so you might as well kill two birds with one stone, and buy both at the same time.

 

[BCV23]

You will have plenty of time to get the voucher for the AP ahead of time, but you will still have to go to Customer service for the DDE anyway, so you might as well kill two birds with one stone, and buy both at the same time.

Except you can't buy both at the same time. You have to call DDE after you have a voucher or AP and then wait until at least 5:30 that evening to pick it up at Epcot. If you arrive on a weekend as many do, you can't call DDE until Monday so Monday evening would be the earliest to pick up the temporary card..

 

[mathmagic]

Anyone know if you can redeem an AP voucher for an activated AP at the back entrance to EPCOT, or do you have to go to the front entrance? Can you purchase an AP at the back entrance, if you don't have a voucher?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Anyone know if you can redeem an AP voucher for an activated AP at the back entrance to EPCOT, or do you have to go to the front entrance? Can you purchase an AP at the back entrance, if you don't have a voucher?

Yes to both questions. APs can be both purchased and AP vouchers redeemed at International gateway.