Annual Pass-When to Buy?

[momdisney]

We just booked POFQ for May18th - 28th with AP rate.
I know we need to have the annual pass for check in but can we buy it at the resort desk or should we stop at the parks before going to the resort?

Thanks:happy1:

 

[karebear1]

IF you have a local Disney store, you can buy it there- it won't activate until you use it. Otherwise- I'd buy it BEFORE you get to the check in desk. Chances are they won't ask for it, but ya never know!

 

[jaysue]

AP's are not for purchase at resort desks. You need to buy at a Park Gate or Disney Store or Downtown Disney

thanks
jaysue

 

[momdisney]

Thank you both for your info. I didn't know I could get it at my local Disney Store. Will do that before we leave. Thanks again

 

[denman007]

Just a note about the Disney store purchase....

Don't wait til the last minute. It could take up to 2 weeks for the Disney store order to come in. Give yourself ample time.

 

[Buzzfanmom]

Heard through the grapevine that ticket prices are going up next week. Might want to buy your tix at the Disney Store this week to save a couple bucks!!!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by Buzzfanmom
Heard through the grapevine that ticket prices are going up next week. Might want to buy your tix at the Disney Store this week to save a couple bucks!!!

How reliable is your source? Now I'm really concerned!

 

[tinawv]

You can also order the tickets off of the WDW's web site and save a little money. They are a little cheaper than buying them at the gate. We used "Will Call" to order our tickets in December and they were waiting for us when we arrived. The only downside is that you have to pick them up at one of the parks before you check in with the AP rate. I think they can be picked up at Downtown Disney also. Does anyone know if you purchase your tickets at a Disney store if they charge the gate price or the same price that is listed on WDW's web site?

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Buzzfanmom
Heard through the grapevine that ticket prices are going up next week. Might want to buy your tix at the Disney Store this week to save a couple bucks!!!

FWIW, I heard the same thing from a usually reliable source. It's certainly no surprise if they do as advance PH's/PHP's and AP/PAP's haven't been raised since September 2002. That's almost a record for Disney.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by tinawv
...Does anyone know if you purchase your tickets at a Disney store if they charge the gate price or the same price that is listed on WDW's web site?

As of today, Disney sells AP's for the same price no matter where or when you get them. Currently it will cost you $392.99 for an adult and $334.41 for a child (tax included). That could always change.

 

[PamNC]

We stopped at Downtown Disney marketplace at Guest Services to buy ours. They did not ask to see our AP's at check-in, but sometimes they do. So, to be safe and avoid any hassles, we did it this way.

Plus, the passes are activated when you purchase them there.

PamNC

 

[mezmom]

Without having to order it 2 weeks ahead? I am coming in from Europe with complete jet lag and it would be a help to know.
As well, it looks like the only discounts available for my travel dates (oct 13-18) can be had with AP.
Thoughts anyone??

 

[thelees385]

If I purchase AP's thourgh the WDW website, don't I receive vouchers instead of the actual AP's ? If so, can I present the voucher when I check-in or will I need to have the actual AP in hand ?

 

[SnackyStacky]

Yes, if you order through the WDW site, you will receive vouchers.

Official Disney policy is that you must have an activated AP in order to check in, and keep your AP rate.

The four stories I've heard about check in are:

1.) an activated annual pass was required

2.) An activated pass was required, but the guest didn't have it. They had to activate and show the pass at the front desk within 24 hours.

3.) a voucher was enough

4.) nothing had to be shown

 

[Buzzfanmom]

My source is pretty reliable, its my store manager at the Disney Store. I'm a cast member. Saturday is the last day you can buy tickets at the current price.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by mezmom
Without having to order it 2 weeks ahead? I am coming in from Europe with complete jet lag and it would be a help to know.
As well, it looks like the only discounts available for my travel dates (oct 13-18) can be had with AP.
Thoughts anyone??

According to Deb's AllEarsNet.com you can buy your APs at the Disney Earport stores at the Airport (MCO) without having to order ahead. For a full discussion of AP benefits, breakeven point and purchase locations, check out AllEarsNet.com.

 

[vicandmick]

Just to let you know, I just purchased my park tickets at the Disney Store, the one in my area does not sell the annual passes. I have heard that you can purchase them in advance, but they do not start the "year" until it has been activated.
Disney, here we come!!!!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Originally posted by Buzzfanmom
My source is pretty reliable, its my store manager at the Disney Store. I'm a cast member. Saturday is the last day you can buy tickets at the current price.

Any word on how much of an increase is planned?
I mean, if it's going up by 5%, you're saving maybe $20 per adult pass. Now 5% is lower than my mortgage but higher than my Home Equity line, and we are going in November, so prorate that by 234/365ths worth of interest, and you're still ahead, but by not even $10 per pass (or $37.75 for the 4 of us). Plus I guess we'll get the $15 rewards dollars six months earlier too.

So for me, I would rather hold on to my cash for another 7+ months, than save possibly $40 and risk misplacing our AP vouchers in the interim.

 

[bru_ellman]

Originally posted by vicandmick
Just to let you know, I just purchased my park tickets at the Disney Store, the one in my area does not sell the annual passes. I have heard that you can purchase them in advance, but they do not start the "year" until it has been activated.
Disney, here we come!!!!

My "local" Disney Store doesn't sell Annual Passes and it's the flagship store on Fifth Avenue in NYC!

We bought our APs for our last December trip over the phone last August (because I speculated that prices would go up after Labor Day). We activated our APs at Downtown Disney's Customer Relations before checking in at the CBR. In retrospect, and since prices didn't go up, I would have preferred to have waited until we landed at Orlando and bought them there at the Mouse Earport.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

As long as we are speculating...
Is it just the annual passes that are increasing or the Hoppers too?