Annual Pass question

[mlholster]

Newbie here. Just purchased a week ago. I have a question about annual park passes. Is the discount better if you use your DVC membership discount or just renew it as an annual passholder? Also if we did purchase through our membership discount as DVC members how do you go about purchasing that way? Thanks

 

[robandkelly13]

You can compare the pricing and purchase through a link under member perks on dvcmember.com.

 

[mlholster]

Thanks off to check that out.

 

[thepops]

and to get the discount all you need to show is your DVC member card and a picture ID.

 

[vacationbug]

Hi gang, I believe that I am mostly understanding how the AP system works, it goes for one year from "activation" and renews the day following the expiration.

What I am a bit foggy on is 1) whether if one goes thru the DVC site or 2) calls MS and 3)whether that would make a difference.

I'd like to "purchase" the vouchers, but I don't want to actually get the pass activated until we arrive in a month or so and I'm not sure how that translates with the exchanging of the payment at the DVC site or whether it would be better to go thru MS?

TIA,

 

[Tara]

Hi gang, I believe that I am mostly understanding how the AP system works, it goes for one year from "activation" and renews the day following the expiration.

What I am a bit foggy on is 1) whether if one goes thru the DVC site or 2) calls MS and 3)whether that would make a difference.

I'd like to "purchase" the vouchers, but I don't want to actually get the pass activated until we arrive in a month or so and I'm not sure how that translates with the exchanging of the payment at the DVC site or whether it would be better to go thru MS?

TIA,

The only way to buy an active pass is to buy it onsite. If you order by phone or online you will get a voucher that must be redeemed onsite and will not activate until then. (I can't recall if the pass begins the day you activate or the day you use it to gain admission to the park - I think it's the day you activate because the expiration date appears on the pass.)

 

[vacationbug]

I was thinking that the clock wouldn't start ticking towards the expiration until activation, but wasn't sure what "started" the clock!
Finally some sunshine here today
Have a good one!

 

[circhead]

I believe, however, if you renew an annual pass they start it from the date of the expiration of your last pass. Depending upon how your vacation plans are set for the next year - your pass could start running before you get to use them.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I believe, however, if you renew an annual pass they start it from the date of the expiration of your last pass. Depending upon how your vacation plans are set for the next year - your pass could start running before you get to use them.

That is correct, and that is why we never renew our APs, but instead buy new vouchers that we will start using the next trip after an AP expires. We often have active APs and inactive vouchers in our posetion at the same time. We do this to save against the dreaded price increases that happen at least once and sometimes twice a year.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Newbie here. Just purchased a week ago. I have a question about annual park passes. Is the discount better if you use your DVC membership discount or just renew it as an annual passholder? Also if we did purchase through our membership discount as DVC members how do you go about purchasing that way? Thanks

If I understand your question. It's least expensive to renew your AP as a DVC member AP Renewal (yes there is a DVC AP Renewal price.)

You can purchase DVC APs/Renewals though the DVCMembers website, though member services or at the Guest Services at a park or DTD. You'll just have to show your DVC blue card, and a government issued ID for everyone over the age of 18 (or maybe 21.) Kids that are under 10 but don't look it might need a Birth Certificate, or some other proof of age.

Even when you buy the APs though the Website or MS, you really only get a Voucher for the AP/Renewal. You still have to go to Guest Services to get the passes issued.

johno

 

[Tara]

I believe, however, if you renew an annual pass they start it from the date of the expiration of your last pass. Depending upon how your vacation plans are set for the next year - your pass could start running before you get to use them.

Yes, this is most definitely true. The renewal rate is about $60 cheaper than the new rate, so you have to really consider when your next trips are happening to determine if renewal is the better option.

 

[jco_direwolf]

I believe, however, if you renew an annual pass they start it from the date of the expiration of your last pass. Depending upon how your vacation plans are set for the next year - your pass could start running before you get to use them.

The "clock" starts running on your AP when it's issued at Guest Services. It expires 366 days from when it's issued. So you can use it the day it's issued, and use it the day it expires.

When you renew they add 365 days to your old pass. So it expires a year from our old pass.

And yes if you aren't going to use it for a month or so after it expires. It's better to buy a new one.

johno

 

[Anal Annie]

I can't remember from when we ordered our PAP vouchers 2 years ago...how long does it take to get them in the mail? Like if I ordered them this week would I get them in 10 days or so??

ALSO, regarding price increases...do they usually announce those ahead of time & give a date for the increase or do they just raise them over night?? I know most of the tix & resort rates etc. go up in August as a rule....but other than that annual increase do they make an announcement & give you 30 days or something to buy them at the existing rate?

 

[CarolMN]

I can't remember from when we ordered our PAP vouchers 2 years ago...how long does it take to get them in the mail? Like if I ordered them this week would I get them in 10 days or so??

No guarantees, of course, but IIRC, I got mine in about a week. FWIW, I think 10 days would be cutting it too close if you needed to get them by a certain date.

ALSO, regarding price increases...do they usually announce those ahead of time & give a date for the increase or do they just raise them over night?? I know most of the tix & resort rates etc. go up in August as a rule....but other than that annual increase do they make an announcement & give you 30 days or something to buy them at the existing rate?

Disney does not announce price increases ahead of time. Occasionally, we on the DIS get wind of one a day or two prior, but you cannot count on that happening every time. The last increase may have happened in August, but there is by no means a pattern to the timing. There have been other times of the year when prices have changed.

 

[LisaS]

There is a ticket price chart here that lists the the price for a DVC AP and for a DVC AP Renewal: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tickets.htm#ap Since these prices are whole numbers, I assume they do not include sales tax.