AP prepurchase?

[robandkelly13]

Does it make a difference if we prepurchase our APs with our DVC discount or if we wait and purchase them at the park? Is there an advantage to doing it one way over another?

 

[drusba]

Only one advantage to buying in advance: price might go up before you arrive at WDW. Note, we had this year's price hike a few months ago.

 

[Granny]

Even if you buy in advance you still have to go to Guest Relations to convert your AP voucher that they mail you into a real AP. And you have to bring your blue DVC membership card. So it doesn't even save you time if you buy in advance.

As drusba said, the only reason to do so is to lock in the price of the AP. Or, in some cases, to make the purchase before that money is spent elsewhere....

 

[jodifla]

Even if you buy in advance you still have to go to Guest Relations to convert your AP voucher that they mail you into a real AP. And you have to bring your blue DVC membership card. So it doesn't even save you time if you buy in advance.

As drusba said, the only reason to do so is to lock in the price of the AP. Or, in some cases, to make the purchase before that money is spent elsewhere....

One other reason: If you have an AP voucher number, you can buy a DDE card and have it waiting for you at guest relations. If you come in on the weekend, you can't get the DDE card other than this route, you have to wait until Monday, leaving those precious weekend meals uncovered!

 

[doconeill]

One other reason: If you have an AP voucher number, you can buy a DDE card and have it waiting for you at guest relations. If you come in on the weekend, you can't get the DDE card other than this route, you have to wait until Monday, leaving those precious weekend meals uncovered!

I'm not aware of any M-F requirement. It used to be that if you wanted to get it in person, you had to do it at the inside Guest Relations at Epcot, but now you can do it at ANY Guest Relations.

 

[BCV23]

One other reason: If you have an AP voucher number, you can buy a DDE card and have it waiting for you at guest relations. If you come in on the weekend, you can't get the DDE card other than this route, you have to wait until Monday, leaving those precious weekend meals uncovered!

Fortunately, that's no longer true. The DDE/TiW card can be purchased at any Guest Services now. No need to order it at all.

 

[CarolMN]

In addition to locking in the price (if you think there will be one before you arrive), some families have several passes to buy. They can spread the purchase out over several months if they buy in advance.

Other than those two reasons, there really isn't any advantage to buying in advance.