Annual Pass Question

[SharonZ]

I called CRO to inquire about reservations using an annual pass that I plan on purchasing prior to my trip. He informed me that the annual pass must be purchased before making the reservations. Has this policy recently changed? It doesn't make sense to activate an annual pass a long time before you can use it.

 

[jakenjess]

I don't think I needed to provide any proof I had an AP at the time I booked a room with the AP discount the last time I did it, but that was about a year ago. You probably wouldn't need an activated AP, just the voucher number. Then when you arrive at WDW you activate the voucher, which starts the year running.

 

[grimley1968]

Don't the terms "purchase" and "activate" mean different things with APs? I can understand why they'd want you to spend the money on an AP before getting the benefits of one, but I thought they were good for one year from the time you "activated" them (enter a park). I could certainly be wrong, as I've never been able to justify an AP purchase.

 

[smep013]

I booked an AP rate for October on about August 14 - and told the CM that I was buying the AP on my trip in two days (August 16, which I did). She booked it for me and told me I'd have to present my card at check-in.

 

[agnes!]

Unless Disney has changed their policies recently (and they might have), that initial CM was *wrong*. As grimley1968 posted, there seems to be a bit of confusion about the terms "purchase" and "activate". What you initally purchase/buy is a voucher, not the actual AP. You will then take the voucher to Guest Services at one of the parks or DTD and they will activate the AP. The clock will start ticking on the AP's "year" from the date of activation.
Different check-in CMs ask for different things, I'm not sure if they always accept the voucher. Usually, they do, but then sometimes say that you have to bring your AP in to show them within 24 hours.
And then, sometimes, the check-in CMs don't even ask to see my AP.

agnes!

 

[disnut8]

You can book your resort stay with an Annual Pass discount. If you are asked for the Annual Pass at check in, just tell them that you will be buying it that day (or the next day, whenever you first visit a park). Or you can order a voucher and present that. Either way, all you need to do to get the discount is to go back to the front desk with your valid Annual Pass and the discount will be applied. If you don't present a valid Annual Pass, you wlll be charged the rack rate.

So if you don't have a voucher and you don't plan to buy your annual pass until you get to Disney World, you still can make your resort reservation with the Annual Pass discount. Just make sure you show that valid pass as soon as you get it.

 

[cherylvl]

Just booked Dec trip to AKL this week with AP discount code. Wasn't asked for any #. Just told that I would need to have AP at check in. I received email confirmation that says at the bottom "Eligible annual/seasonal pass required at check in."

Call again & good luck!
Cheryl

 

[tinkerbell60]

You can book your resort stay with an Annual Pass discount. If you are asked for the Annual Pass at check in, just tell them that you will be buying it that day (or the next day, whenever you first visit a park). Or you can order a voucher and present that. Either way, all you need to do to get the discount is to go back to the front desk with your valid Annual Pass and the discount will be applied. If you don't present a valid Annual Pass, you wlll be charged the rack rate.

So if you don't have a voucher and you don't plan to buy your annual pass until you get to Disney World, you still can make your resort reservation with the Annual Pass discount. Just make sure you show that valid pass as soon as you get it.

I just did this in AUgust. I booked with the AP rate in June - ordered the AP - and activated it when I got there. I was never asked to see the AP - even at check in, although I had my voucher ready.....