Anybody up for teaching AP101???????

[anniet]

I'm planning a trip for next January and next September, so we will be purchasing an AP for 2005. I've never used one before and I have some questions.

We are DVC members and plan on checking into DVC on January 9, 2005, but we want to fly down on Jan 7 and stay at a Disney resort on Jan 7 and 8. Now we probably won't use the pass to get into a park until after 1/9/05. So how does this work?

Can I get the AP discount on a pass that hasn't been used for a park yet?

If so, will the pass activate as of the day we get the room discount?

And how exactly do I GET an Annual Pass?

Anything else I should know about AP's?

If anybody feels like teaching AP101 I'm up for the course.

Thanks!

 

[Sammie]

You can book a room with discount if available, before purchasing your pass. You will need a pass that has been activated when you check in to get the discount.

You can purchase your pass from Disney through the mail or at a Disney store. If you get the pass in advance you get a voucher. Once you arrive at WDW, you will have to get your voucher changed to the pass and activated at the Guest Service locations.

Or you can wait and get it as soon as your arrive at any Guest Services at the parks or Downtown Disney. If you purchase it when you arrive, it is activated upon purchase.

Some resorts have let guest checkin with just a voucher, then go get the pass activated and bring the activated pass back to them later that day. But it would need to be done that day to get your discounted rate or you could be charged regular rates.

Hope this helps.

 

[mco-missy]

Not to start a big arguement here but....we have never been asked to show our annual pass when checking in. I'm not saying that you won't need it, but I would go ahead and get the voucher and if they ask for it show them the voucher. Then if they want an activated annual pass go and get it activated. Otherwise just wait until the first day that you plan on using the pass to activate it.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by mco-missy
Not to start a big arguement here but....we have never been asked to show our annual pass when checking in. I'm not saying that you won't need it, but I would go ahead and get the voucher and if they ask for it show them the voucher. Then if they want an activated annual pass go and get it activated. Otherwise just wait until the first day that you plan on using the pass to activate it.

Although I have read many reports of people who have not been asked for an AP at check-in - just want to mention that I have!!

Every time we have booked an AP discount we have been asked to show the AP. My experience is at the CR, CBR, CSR and the Dolphin so don't count on not having the pass to get the discount. As it was explained to me by a CM - if you don't have the pass they will enter your room as rack rate, when you return with the pass they will return the reservation back to an AP rate. This was august 2003 at the CR.

For the OP - you can book the AP rate and then purchase the AP when you arrive or via Disney Store or even via mail from WDW. If you get lucky and have the voucher you could probably get the rate and activate the AP a couple days later. If not go ahead and activate the voucher as the price difference is usually worth it. The AP starts the day you buy or activate it and is good (obviously!) for a year.
TJ

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Annie. I wouldn't think it would be a big problem if you activated your pass on the 7th. Are you planning another trip other than the Jan one and the Sept one? If not, then I wouldn't worry about the date of activation. Unless you are going to try to squeeze in a trip the end of Dec. 2005. Or I could be misreading you and what you are concerned about is...you just don't feel like going to the parks to activate them. If so, head on over to DD on your arrival day. Or, if I remember correctly, can't you buy the already activated AP right at MCO?? That would save you from going anywhere to get it activated.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

annieT -

Check out allearsnet.com, there is a very good FAQ about AP's. When you open the site, go to "Planning" and you will find a section for AP's.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by mco-missy
Not to start a big arguement here but....we have never been asked to show our annual pass when checking in. I'm not saying that you won't need it, but I would go ahead and get the voucher and if they ask for it show them the voucher. Then if they want an activated annual pass go and get it activated. Otherwise just wait until the first day that you plan on using the pass to activate it.

We have always been asked or had the CM comment we were in the computer as having the pass. I have also checked in after someone that the voucher was not enough.

 

[goofyandmore]

Does anyone know anyplace to get a discounted ap that is reliable?

 

[aesalsa]

Just go here: http://allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by goofyandmore
Does anyone know anyplace to get a discounted ap that is reliable?

Disney is the only one that sells the AP/PAP's. You cannot get them from any wholesaler. The only discounts currently available on them is for Florida residents or military personnel. If you live outside of Florida and aren't in the military, you will pay $392.99 no matter where you buy them.

 

[Momto8]

You can purchase your pass from Disney through the mail or at a Disney store. If you get the pass in advance you get a voucher. Once you arrive at WDW, you will have to get your voucher changed to the pass and activated at the Guest Service locations.

I just went yesterday to order my PAPs at the Disney Store and I was told that they don't order them anymore. They now keep the passes in stock and they are not vouchers. They are the actual pass and they activate them at the time of purchase. I've been buying PAPs since 1998 (ours expired last June) and this is something new for me. I know that the clock keeps ticking when you renew your passes, but now she said that they are automatically activated when you buy them. Since I don't want ours to start until June, I didn't buy them. She also told me it was $20 less to buy them at the Disney Store than buying them at WDW.

Has anyone else heard this?

 

[Augustheather97]

I just went yesterday to order my PAPs at the Disney Store and I was told that they don't order them anymore. They now keep the passes in stock and they are not vouchers. They are the actual pass and they activate them at the time of purchase. I've been buying PAPs since 1998 (ours expired last June) and this is something new for me. I know that the clock keeps ticking when you renew your passes, but now she said that they are automatically activated when you buy them. Since I don't want ours to start until June, I didn't buy them. She also told me it was $20 less to buy them at the Disney Store than buying them at WDW.


They are the actual pass and they activate them at the time of purchase. Is this true?????



She also told me it was $20 less to buy them at the Disney Store than buying them at WDW.
Is this correct too?????

 

[corndog]

I know for a fact that we didn't even buy our APs until after checking into the hotel, going to our rooms to change, and then going to the Magic Kingdom (where we bought the APs) and we were staying on AP rates that trip.