Annual pass question

[parker720]

In learning I could save a lot more money on the Wilderness Lodge resort by going with the annual passholder rate, I called and secured the much-lower discount rate with a credit card. I thought I could simply go to my local Disney store and purchase an annual pass, but of course, I now realize this is only a voucher, which apparently will do me no good at resort check-in until it's activated. They want the photo ID at check-in. We are arriving at the airport at 6:44 p.m. in November (assuming no delays), potentially too late to activate a voucher at one of the theme parks. Does anyone have advice on the easiest way to get a voucher activated with two kids and luggage in tow at 9 p.m.?

 

[campingcorgi]

More than likely they won't even ask to see your ap. If they do, show them the voucher. If that doesn't make them happy, you will be checked in at the regular rate until you activate your ap and go back to the front desk to show them at which time your rate will be adjusted.

I've never had them ask to see the ap (and it doesn't have a photo on it).

Enjoy planning!

 

[GEM]

When we checked in at the AKL in May it was about 1:00a.m. and all I had was the voucher which I was planning to activate in the parks the next morning. All I had to do was show them the voucher and then I had to come by sometime before we checked out and show them the actual pass. They said that if I didn't do that I would be charged the full rate upon check-out. So, that's what I did and it worked out fine.

 

[parker720]

It's good to hear stories from people who have shown up bearing only a voucher. I've been a little worried because according to the Central Reservations Office you have to provide the actual photo ID pass at time of check-in. Otherwise the resort doesn't have to give you the rate. I had read on various websites that as long as you have the voucher at time of check-in and convert it over before you check-out, you'll still get the rate. But after making a number of phone calls, the official line is you have to have the Photo ID. You'd think the voucher would be enough since it's proof that you paid, but apparently some of the lodges do not honor that. It will be more tricky to activate a pass in the evening when we're arriving. I had heard about the store in the airport, which sells activated passes, but if our flight gets delayed at all, we might not beat the store's 9 p.m. closing. I don't know if I'm better off buying the voucher here in St. Louis ahead of time and falling on the mercy of the resort when I get there, or waiting till I get to Orlando to try to buy an activated pass at the airport or at Downtown Disney (again, a challenge when you're arriving with luggage and two children by way of taxi).

 

[Skylarr29]

Everytime I have checked in I have NEVER been asked to show one. I don't know if that is odd or if that is the norm. I even got my pass out one time and showed the guy and he asked me why I was showing it to him and looked at me like I was an idiot! Also from what I know ( have never done yet but plan on doing in sept) you can exchange your vouchers right at the hotel itself. Thats the plan for WL in 3 weeks. I don't think you will have a problem with the voucher. You can also exchange them at downtown disney .

 

[parker720]

Skylarr, are you saying that the resorts are going to be able to give you activated passes in exchange for vouchers in the near future? Don't you have to use that finger scan machine to get the pass activated? I hadn't heard anything about the resorts being able to do this.

What do you think of the Wilderness Lodge? We debated between Animal Kingdom Lodge and WL for a while. Both look like they have awesome themes. This is our first trip to Disney for our family and my first since I a little kid.

 

[ASFCurly]

The Disney Store Earport at MCO actually closes at 10, not 9, and they sell activated passes, I got my last AP's there, and plan on doing it again in Dec.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by campingcorgi
More than likely they won't even ask to see your ap. If they do, show them the voucher. If that doesn't make them happy, you will be checked in at the regular rate until you activate your ap and go back to the front desk to show them at which time your rate will be adjusted.

I've never had them ask to see the ap (and it doesn't have a photo on it).

Enjoy planning!

You may have never been asked to see it because it was activated & they have you in the system as having it???

 

[parker720]

I called this past week and talked to an employee and she said that Earport closes by 9 p.m., and that if I can get there by 8:45 p.m., I should be OK.

 

[campingcorgi]

Originally posted by A Mickeyfan
You may have never been asked to see it because it was activated & they have you in the system as having it???

Perhaps, but at least a couple of times we have only had the vouchers.

Remember--this is Disney and getting a straight answer can be very difficult. I think most people's experiences have been that it isn't a problem but if you can get your voucher exchanged before you arrive then you won't even have to worry.

Can you exchange a voucher at Pleasure Island?

 

[Tinkerbell04]

As far as I know, you can not exchane the voucher at Pleasure Island. I have been asked for my pass and my id numerous times at check-in. I have one time checked-in with a voucher and was told the same thing about showing the activated pass prior to checking out to guarentee the rate. The worst case is that they would charge you the regular rate until you activate it then they would change it back to the ap rate for you. My only concern about purchasing from the airport is this...what if you plane is delayed for some reason...any reason...and you don't make it there by 8:45? Then when you check-in you won't even have a voucher...I would not take chances...buy the vouchers before you get there. Also, it will make one less stop with kids after a flight. Good luck!

 

[parker720]

Tinkerbell, I'm thinking the exact same thing. Thanks for your input.

 

[disneyag]

We only had our vouchers and that was good enough for the AP discount.

 

[parker720]

Disneyag, where did you stay? I get the impression this can vary from resort to resort. But a number of people have wrote to say they only had a voucher and didn't encounter any problem. So, hopefully, I'll have similar luck.

 

[StitchGirl]

I don't even have a photo ID on my pass-- it's just the paper pass...

...That said, I haven't been asked for it in checkin-- I just had the voucher this last time, and wasn't asked for anything-- made me think of the debates on these boards where people argue over whether or not there are people that go buy the voucher, not get asked for it, and then return it to the store (which, is pretty bad)

You'll be ok with the voucher-- if they do ask, they'll ask you to activate it and bring it back sometime during your stay.

 

[minivan3]

Does the Disney Earport store at the airport activate passes or just sell them?

 

[parker720]

When I called them they said they sell activated passes that are ready to go. They do not activate passes that have already been purchased elsewhere.