AP & DDE

[fspbt2]

I decided to call DVC Member Services today to get exact instructions on how to signup for both AP & DDE & activate them at the same time. I don't want them to be active until my 5/14 arrival, but I want my DDE card effective starting that same day. Well, they couldn't accommodate me. They suggested I could buy my AP anytime, get a voucher, and then activate upon arrival. They will sell me the DDE card using the voucher #, but the DDE card would be effective when sold & not when activated. As an alternative, I can buy both the AP & DDE upon arrival, and a temporary card or letter will be fax'd to my resort so that I can use it during my stay. This sounded like the best solution, but she reminded me that they are ONLY open M-F. I arrive Saturday, so I wouldn't be able to get the DDE until Monday. I guess that's what we'll do because the alternatives are less desirable, but I was disappointed that Disney didn't make this simpler. It seems to me a very likely thing that many people would want their AP & DDE to be activated effective the same day.

 

[KristiKelly]

I agree. We are looking into both for a Sept. trip, maybe if enough people question this, they will come up with a way to make them both effective the same day. Maybe they could come up with an AP Plus and a Premium AP Plus type pass that would automatically include this ("Plus" of course would include the dining). I don't know, just a thought.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

People ordering the DDE card now are getting them with an expiration of 3/31/05. DDE is giving them a grace period maybe to compensate for the potential 6-8 week wait for the physical card.

I ordered my DVC AP voucher for our end of April trip and when March rolls around I will call to order the DDE and ask to make sure that the card expires 4/30/06. If not I will wait to order it closer to the trip in April and ask for a faxed confirmation to bring with me.

The last thing I want to do is spend time on the phone when I get to WDW.

Good luck.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Here's a thought:

Why not get your AP voucher as planned.

Then, on May 1, call Disney Dining and sign up for the card. Have them FAX or email you a confirmation letter to show to restaurant CMs when you go on your trip May 14. The DDE card that you receive in the mail will have the same expiration date (05/31/06) regardless of whether you order it on May 1 or May 14.

 

[LeftCoaster]

They key thing to remember here is that the DDE card expires at the end of the month and not exactly one year after activation. So, if the DDE were to be good for only a "year", then you buy it May 1st-ish and then it'd expire May 31 of the following year.
I know we're seeing conflicting reports about the expiration dates. However, the one constant is that the expiration dates of the DDE card are ALWAYS the end of the month.

 

[poohj80]

Since APs and DDE are handled by completeing different divisons of Disney (DVC being yet a 3rd division), I am not surprised that they cannot be purchased at the same time but find the grace period on the DDE as adequate compensation. I honestly don't think it's that big of a deal and don't really plan to bother DVC MS with any of it as I'll just take care of it when I arrive - no biggie to me.

 

[fspbt2]

I didn't realize the DDE card expires at the end of the month in which purchased. That does help quite a bit. I'll probably go ahead & purchase my AP passes early May, use the voucher # to buy the DDE card, and then have them e-mail or fax me the DDE purchase lettter or card. Just when I think I've exhausted all the options, someone on DIS has a better idea. Thanks.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I too called them today and asked the same exact questions and got the same answers. I am actually glad I can wait until the day we arrive (Friday) to get the DDE, since that is the date it will expire next year. I am buying AP's as we will be back next summer, the week prior to this years and I want my DDE to be good for that trip as well!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

They key thing to remember here is that the DDE card expires at the end of the month and not exactly one year after activation. So, if the DDE were to be good for only a "year", then you buy it May 1st-ish and then it'd expire May 31 of the following year.
I know we're seeing conflicting reports about the expiration dates. However, the one constant is that the expiration dates of the DDE card are ALWAYS the end of the month.

Hmm, I asked this today and they said it was THE day you order it. Works the same either way for me, so not a big deal.

 

[caribear]

DH and I are going to Disney next weekend, 2/27, so I ordered my DDE card today. They immediately emailed me the confirmation letter to take with us. My card will expire on 3/31/06 and the CM said it would take 6-8 weeks to receive the actual card. I would call the week before you go and get everything taken care of then. Plus, the card does not expire till the end of the month....so you aren't really losing any "time" on the card.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Hmm, I asked this today and they said it was THE day you order it. Works the same either way for me, so not a big deal.

I think the people at DDE need to look at the back of the cards.
I purchased mine on 2/7 and it'll actually expire on 3/31. Don't ask about THAT. It's a big discussion that no one really knows the answer on. But, everyone who posted their expiration date all had the expiration date as the last day of the month.

 

[Renate_do]

....add the DDE option to the AP? so you can choose when buying the AP if you would like to have the option or not?

Okay think that would be too easy *lol*

At DLRP you get a 10% discount on food and boutiques when buying an AP. The only thing to do is to show your AP and you will get the discount.

Greets from Germany
Renate

 

[poohj80]

At DLRP you get a 10% discount on food and boutiques when buying an AP. The only thing to do is to show your AP and you will get the discount.

There are some restaurants at WDW that work the same way, but the DDE card offers a 20% discount at many more restaurants than offer the 10% with the AP.