Annual Pass Questions

[jksgrammy]

Please forgive me if this is not correct forum to post this!

We are heading to Orlando in November and have decided to purchase annual passes for WDW.

1. Are there any discounts available for purchasing annual passes? I know I can purchase AP's directly thru Disney, but we also have a Disney store near us where I can purchase them. Are there other options/sellers for purchasing AP's?

2. Should I purchase annual passes on-line before going, or purchase the first day we go to Disney?

3. We are staying off site, so if I should purchase annual passes before we get there, do we get vouchers, or actual tickets if I order from Disney? If vouchers, are we allowed to show vouchers and get free parking (which I understand is one of the perks for getting AP's) the first day we go to WDW to turn in the vouchers, or do you need an actual AP in hand to get the free parking?

4. If we get vouchers, does our AP start the day we ordered the vouchers, or when we turn them in at WDW to redeem as actual tickets?

We plan on visiting WDW at least 3 times (5 days or longer each time) within the next year, so AP's would definately work for us. We are not DVC members at this time, but maybe sometime in the next couple of years. We do own two timeshares in Florida, so we can visit more than once a year, so renewing AP's is to our benefit.

Thanks for any and all comments.

 

[ArtsyPics]

I don't know about the rest of the questions, but when I forget to renew my annual pass and then do so at the parks, I have gone to guest services to be reimbursed for that day's parking fee.

 

[rie'smom]

I can help a little.
1.1. Are there any discounts available for purchasing annual passes? I know I can purchase AP's directly thru Disney, but we also have a Disney store near us where I can purchase them. Are there other options/sellers for purchasing AP's? As far as I know the only discount is for DVC members.You can only purchase a voucher at the Disney store,if they still sell them.

2.Should I purchase annual passes on-line before going, or purchase the first day we go to Disney? I purchased ours before,in fact,I just received mine but I will still have to redeem the voucher for the AP and I bought them directly from WDW.Any AP pre purchased has to be traded for the AP.

3.3. We are staying off site, so if I should purchase annual passes before we get there, do we get vouchers, or actual tickets if I order from Disney? If vouchers, are we allowed to show vouchers and get free parking (which I understand is one of the perks for getting AP's) the first day we go to WDW to turn in the vouchers, or do you need an actual AP in hand to get the free parking? You get a voucher. I would think that you'd be ok with parking as long as you have the voucher.

4. If we get vouchers, does our AP start the day we ordered the vouchers, or when we turn them in at WDW to redeem as actual tickets? It starts the day that you get the actual ticket.

 

[mill4023]

Everything above is correct.
If you order online, they'll send you the voucher in the mail. You can use the numbers on that voucher to log in to the passholders website and to order the DDE card if you want. Actually, as soon as you order (or at least by the next day), you can call Disney and they can give you your voucher or pass number to use on the passholders website.

When you get to WDW, you'll need to exchange your voucher for the actual pass. I know you can do this at the TTC, but I can't remember the other locations. When you get your actual pass, make sure the date is 1 year from the current date. Apparently, mistakes can happen and there have been reports of people having the pass expiration date set incorrectly.

 

[DisneyDad61]

You can also turn in your voucher at Guest Relations in DTD. It is to the right of Once Upon a Toy as you are facing the store.The lines there are most always alot shorter and therefore, spending less time in line then at any of the parks or TTC. The time table starts the day you exchange your voucher for the regular AP card.
Yes, and do check the dates of your AP expiration to make sure they are correctly noted.

 

[MouseyMin]

If you are eligible to stay at Shades of Green, there is a small discount there as well for ticket purchases (including Annual Passes).

 

[jksgrammy]

Thanks everyone for your replies! DH and I went to our local Disney store and purchased our AP vouchers this evening. 15 more days and we'll be in Orlando and on our way to visit the mouse!

 

[clkelley]

I know this won't help the original poster, but there is a way for the general public to get a discount on an AP.

Disney's current upgrade policies allow this.

Research with the various ticket brokers, TicketMania.com, Maple Leaf Tickets, Undercover Tourist, or any other licensed ticket broker, and find the best price on:

For a Regular AP - a MYW 10-day hopper, no expiration

For a Premium AP - a MYW 10-day hopper, with Water Park Fun & More, no expiration.

(This also applies to lower value MYW tickets, but the savings is smaller).

Order that ticket in advance and have it delivered to your home.

When you arrive at WDW, go to any ticket window and ask that this ticket be upgraded to an AP or Premium AP.

The current policies state they will give you the current full gate price, no matter what you paid for it as credit towards an AP or PAP.

If the MYW ticket is not used, your AP will start on the day you upgrade, if your MYW ticket has been used the following will apply:

If it is an expiring ticket, you must do this within 14 days of first use, and your AP will be backdated to start on first day you used your ticket

If it is a nonexpiring ticket, you can do this within 1-year of first use, and your AP will be backdated to the first day you used the original ticket.

I've researched it, and for a regular AP, that savings can be about $48.00, for a premium AP, the savings can be about $71.00.

 

[DenverVal]

I ordered an AP through Disney's website last year in September and activated it at DTD guest services in November. When the cast member handed me my pass, the expiration date said September, not November. I pointed out that it was supposed to be one year from the date of activation, and he insisted that it was from the date of purchase. I didn't have any documentation with me to prove him wrong, but I will go armed with the terms and conditions printout when I return in a few weeks and get it set straight. Both the purchase date and the activation date are on the pass, and the mistake is obvious, but they won't straighten it out over the phone. So, checking the expiration date is good advice!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Disney's current upgrade policies allow this.

Unfortunately, now that people are labeling it a "trick", it's doubtful this statement will remain true for very long.

NED

 

[jksgrammy]

I think I read on another post that you should have your AP's laminated because they are not the hard, credit card, style cards anymore. If so, then does anyone know if there is anywhere within WDW that this can be done?

Or if anyone can stear me in the right direction to a previous post, then I will look there.

Hopefully this question makes sense to someone!

 

[ArtsyPics]

I have to put my annual pass through the scanner upon entrance to each park, so I would think that lamination would deter it from being read properly.

 

[jksgrammy]

Think I didn't have enough coffee before I posted my question about laminating AP's! What people were suggesting was to use lanyards with the plastic holders to keep their AP's in.

Any other suggestions for keeping AP's safe and dry? Or am I being too concerned over this issue?

 

[rapriebe]

Any other suggestions for keeping AP's safe and dry? Or am I being too concerned over this issue?

Yes, you are worrying about it too much. If you have a problem with your annual pass not working correctly (due to water, creases, rips, etc), you can go to any Guest Relations and they will issue you another one. Even if you lose it, they can issue you a replacement. AP's are probably the safest, easiest passes to replace if there is ever a problem.

 

[DenverVal]

In case of loss, you will need the entire number on the back of the pass to get a replacement, so record it and keep it somewhere safe.

There is no need to laminate the pass. I was told by member services that the plastic cards have a higher rate of getting de-magnetized than the paper ones.

 

[MouseyMin]

In case of loss, you will need the entire number on the back of the pass to get a replacement, so record it and keep it somewhere safe.

Actually, you don't need anything except proof of ID to get an annual pass replaced. They will have your records in their computer and can look up your pass.

 

[Hawk]

Actually, you don't need anything except proof of ID to get an annual pass replaced. They will have your records in their computer and can look up your pass.

MouseyMin - are you sure?

My son lost his PAP last year and I was required to write a statement of loss, show my credit card statement for proof of purchase and provide identification.

Tim/Hawk

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

MouseyMin - are you sure?

My son lost his PAP last year and I was required to write a statement of loss, show my credit card statement for proof of purchase and provide identification.

Tim/Hawk

MouseyMin is correct.

It sounds like you talking about a PAP voucher, not a PAP.

Once you have an AP/PAP, all a CM has to do is look up your name, check your ID, and one is printed. I've done it many times - even just for the heck of it so I get an extra scrapbook piece.

If you lost a voucher that had not yet been turned in, then yes, you'd need all that other info. But once a voucher has become an actual AP/PAP, you're golden.

NED

 

[clkelley]

Think I didn't have enough coffee before I posted my question about laminating AP's! What people were suggesting was to use lanyards with the plastic holders to keep their AP's in.

Any other suggestions for keeping AP's safe and dry? Or am I being too concerned over this issue?

I do that during my trip, not so much to protect the AP, but to keep it handy as I'm always dragging it out for FastPasses, park hopping, etc. I keep that and my room key in the pouch as I'm also always using the room key for purchases and food.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Yeah, I have mine on a lanyard as well, even though I don't usually have any pins on it (maybe one or two, I'm not a trader). It just keeps it and FP's handy.

NED