Another question about AP room rate

[disneymom1]

I will be taking ME to my hotel and have not yet purchased my Annual Passes. If my flight is on time, I will arrive mid-afternoon. Is there any chance that I can check into my hotel without actually having the AP yet? After we check in I was planning on going to Downtown Disney to do some shopping and to purchase the passes. Will they check me in without the passes if I show them my AP when I return to the hotel in the evening, or will I have to wait to check in until I return from shopping with the AP? I would really rather get checked in and get my luggage to my room before I head out shopping.

Has anyone ever done this before?

I am trying to make things convenient for us, but I don't want to lose the AP rate. The last thing I want is for them to tell me I have to pay the rack rate because I did not have my AP when I made the ressie or have them tell me I forfeited the AP rate because I did not have the AP when I arrived at the hotel.

 

[RachelTori]

The worst case, they would ask you to stop by the front desk again within a day or 2 to show them an AP. I've heard of that happening, and it's never been a problem.

 

[Miss Kelly]

You shouldn't have a problem. I checked in in April without an activated AP. In fact, the CM didn't even ask for me to show it to her. Have a magical trip!

 

[Michelina]

You could purchase your AP at the Earport Disney store in the airport. I did this in January and it took less than 5 minutes.

 

[catnik]

We activated our AP at the Orlando airport; checked in at Beach Club 7/1 and did not have to show anything for AP rate. When you check in, if asked, let them know you will be activating pass later in day......

 

[Princess Mommy]

You could purchase your AP at the Earport Disney store in the airport. I did this in January and it took less than 5 minutes.

This is a great tip- even if you don't need it at check-in this takes less time most likely then if you did it at the gate.

 

[swilphil]

I'd buy your AP voucher over the phone (or online), then activate it when you get to DTD. I think the hotel has a record on the computer that you have purchased the voucher.

 

[sanjoe]

Similar situation except we are flying into Tampa airport. Will have rental car but we planned on visiting parks immediatly after checking into CBR. Just wanted to be sure that it would be O.K. to get into the hotel using the voucher and get the A/P right after when we would enter the park? Does anyone have any comments on lines at parks waiting to get this done? I am looking to get this done as quick as possible as we only have one of these to do and the others will be itching to get into the parks.

Where exactly are the places that you can turn the voucher into a ticket again?

 

[philaround]

Sanjoe an AP voucher is now perfectly acceptable for check in. You can trade your voucher for an activated AP at any park ticket or guest services window [including International gate at Epcot] and at guest services in the Team Disney store in DTD.

 

[LisaS]

You could purchase your AP at the Earport Disney store in the airport. I did this in January and it took less than 5 minutes.

We did this, too. DH stopped in to the Earport to purchase an AP. I continued on to baggage claim. He managed to buy the AP and catch up with me at baggage claim before our bags ever made it to the carousel, so the whole process was pretty quick. I felt better knowing we had the AP with us when we checked in at AKL.

On a previous trip to WDW, again staying at AKL with an AP rate, the CM asked to see the AP when we checked in but we hadn't purchased it yet. We had arranged the trip on short notice so didn't have time to purchase the AP in advance and didn't know about the Earport back then. We planned to head to a park right after checking in to purchase the AP. The CM hesitated a bit but then decided to go ahead and check us in without it. She told us to get the AP ASAP and then show it to someone at the front desk once we had purchased it, which we did.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I would at least have the voucher in hand. I know others are saying that they never had to show it, but why take the chance. The AP rate stipulation is that you have one and need to show it. Now if they don't ask to see it...they don't ask, but if they do & you have nothing it could be a pretty embarrising situation.

 

[LakeAriel]

I would at least have the voucher in hand. I know others are saying that they never had to show it, but why take the chance. The AP rate stipulation is that you have one and need to show it. Now if they don't ask to see it...they don't ask, but if they do & you have nothing it could be a pretty embarrising situation.

and expensive too!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

and expensive too!

How true..... and that it would be!