AP Question PLEASE!!

[iKristin]

Okay I have called around the DL Resort for the past month and NO ONE can give me a straight answer. I am going to DL from October 18th til October 25th and will be purchasing two AP's for this trip. I know there is a date that they have to be processed in the park by. How far in advance can I purchase my AP's? Thanks to anyone that can answer this since you people seem to know more than the CM's at DL.

 

[l’amore bella]

When I purchased my annual pass online in 2008 the paper I printed said I must redeem it by 2010.

 

[imp&pixie]

My DH just purchased annual passes two weeks ago and they say they need to be redeemed by Jan. 31, 2011.

 

[bumbershoot]

Even if the time has gone, people have reported that CMs have honored them. If the price has gone up, they do have to pay that difference, but it's not like you threw that money away.

However, my question is, why do you want to be able to buy them far in advance? Although some people used to report that they are able to use the number on the voucher to get into the AP section of th site, I haven't seen that in ages. And you don't have to have an AP to get AP rate info from the CMs (some tell you you have to...just end the call, call back, get someone else), or even to book an AP rate. You just have to show the AP to them on the day of checkin.

 

[iKristin]

I want to buy them early because I love to plan ahead. I already bought my plane tickets as well but I'm going to purchase the AP's in August or September.

 

[aussietravellers]

Although some people used to report that they are able to use the number on the voucher to get into the AP section of th site, I haven't seen that in ages. And you don't have to have an AP to get AP rate info from the CMs (some tell you you have to...just end the call, call back, get someone else), or even to book an AP rate. You just have to show the AP to them on the day of checkin.

I was able to do that in December 2009. When we had definately decided to go and had booked our trip (with less than 2 weeks from planning to going) I bought an AP online and printed up the voucher. I was then able to enter the barcode on the voucher and go into the AP section of the disneyland site and did go in and out several times before we arrived at DL and I exchanged the voucher for the pass. So it can still be done.

 

[bumbershoot]

For me, the AP number when the AP was printed was a completely different number than that on the voucher. I already had an AP account from '07, this was a sort of renewal so I didn't try. But the number was completely different.


Aug/Sept is fine! Except for last year, they have been raising prices right around then, so you might want to keep an ear to the ground (or eye to the Dis) and buy just before that.

 

[aussietravellers]

For me, the AP number when the AP was printed was a completely different number than that on the voucher. I already had an AP account from '07, this was a sort of renewal so I didn't try. But the number was completely different.

Yes the barcode that is on the voucher is different to the barcode that eventually will be on your actual annual pass.

But, once you have purchased the annual pass and received the voucher by email. You enter the barcode from the AP voucher and it is recorded on your online login details and you can then enter the AP area of the Disneyland website. When you have exchanged your voucher and have your card, you can then go back to Disneyland website and login and edit your details and update the barcode you have registered from the one that was on the voucher to the one on your pass (or don't update it, the voucher barcode is still accepted and allows you access once you have actually got the card). I guess they do allow access with the voucher because even thought you don't actually have the card already you have paid the money for the pass, so you can access the AP area immediately.