AP - I'm confused!!

[Sally Bradley]

I know the policy was changed on AP passes this past year, but reading the boards I'm confused as ever.

If you order passes prior to at the Disney Store (and get the DC discount)...does the 1-year clock start running from the date of purchase, or from the time it is activated? I've seen responses that say you can hold onto it for months before you activate the voucher...then other responses say when you validate, the pass is dated to the date it was purchased. Does anyone know for sure which way it is???

 

[DisneyKidds]

We bought our AP vouchers at the Disney Store last April. We activated our AP's in November when we made our trip to WDW. Our AP's expire next November. Your AP is good for a year from the date of activation. It doesn't matter when you purchase the voucher.

 

[BrianD]

I think maybe you're confused because, you can purchase the AP directly without purchasing a voucher ahead of time.

You have two options:
1- You can purchase a voucher ahead of time and then when you arrive at WDW, turn in your voucher and activate your AP. At that point your 365 day clock starts running.

2- You can just purchase an activated AP at a ticket window at any of the 4 parks. Your 365 day clock starts running.


Now, for both cases, you can apply your DC discount towards the purchase the AP. You don't have to purchase the AP in advance to get the discount. (Just a note: for DC discount on PHP & UPH tickets, you do have to purchase them in advance.)

Hope this clears it up for you.

 

[Plan Man]

I thought the Disney Club was gone?

 

[Sally Bradley]

Technically it is...cards will not be renewed beyond 2003. But many cardholders (myself included) opted to pay for a partial year so the pass will run thru Dec 31.

 

[Sally Bradley]

Technically it is...cards will not be renewed beyond 2003. But many cardholders (myself included) opted to pay for a partial year so the pass will run thru Dec 31.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I have a question. If you book a room with the AP rate, and just get the voucher in advance, how do they know when you check in that you have the pass? do you show them the voucher? And where do you turn in the voucher to get the actual pass?

 

[pointandshoot]

I am in the same situation this February. From what I understand, you need an active AP at check-in. You can show them the voucher, but they may require you to return and show them an active AP to qualify for the rate.

All the parks will convert the voucher to an active AP but not the resort. It also seems like you do not get a discount from buying a voucher or AP in advance unless you are using DC. Since I am not a DC member, my best bet may to buy an active AP, along with a few other things, at the Belz Outlet in Orlando before I check in.

Disney vets, please let me know if I a missing something.

Regards.

 

[figmentvi]

You do not need an active AP at check in. A voucher will work. Sometimes the front desk CM will ask you to return and show your AP after activation, but I've never been asked to do that. In fact I've never been asked to show my AP at all when checking in. But, I wouldn't risk getting an AP discount and not really having an AP.

 

[puffkin]

I too am considering purchasing AP's for an upcoming trip. Here is my take on the policy...

- If you buy at the Disney Store, you will receive a voucher. Your 365 days will start when you activate it at a major theme park.

- Some websites and Disney will sell you an actual AP that is already activated. Your 365 days begins at the time of purchase. This is also true if you purchase an AP directly at the gates.

- When you renew your AP, you are no longer sent a voucher. Instead, your new "year" starts the day after your old AP runs out.

- You can book a room using AP rates without having an AP. Although the official policy is that you must show an activated AP at check in, this doesn't appear to be followed closely. Most people have no problems just showing the voucher. After all, why wouldn't you activate it if you spent almost $400 for it? We haven't used an AP rate yet (hope to in December) but this is what I have read on the boards.

Hope this helps!

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by puffkin
I too am considering purchasing AP's for an upcoming trip. Here is my take on the policy...

- If you buy at the Disney Store, you will receive a voucher. Your 365 days will start when you activate it at a major theme park.

This is true.

- Some websites and Disney will sell you an actual AP that is already activated. Your 365 days begins at the time of purchase. This is also true if you purchase an AP directly at the gates.

There are no web sites anywhere that can sell you an activated AP, not even the Disney web site. And AP's are only sold by Disney. They are not available from anyone else. You can only get activated AP's while in Florida (WDW gates, Orlando Airport shops, certain Disney outlet shops in malls, etc).

- When you renew your AP, you are no longer sent a voucher. Instead, your new "year" starts the day after your old AP runs out.

You will still receive a voucher to turn in for your renewal but you are correct that the time will be back dated to your old expiration date.

- You can book a room using AP rates without having an AP. Although the official policy is that you must show an activated AP at check in, this doesn't appear to be followed closely. Most people have no problems just showing the voucher. After all, why wouldn't you activate it if you spent almost $400 for it? We haven't used an AP rate yet (hope to in December) but this is what I have read on the boards.

This is correct.