AP question...

[DLSean22]

If I were to purchase an annual pass now, would it be effective now or when it is first actually used? We are not coming down to DL until August and I was wondering if it would be advantageous to purchase early or would I be starting the clock now, effectively losing a couple months of use. I may end up purchasing park-hoppers and just upgrade when we get there since I believe it could save a bit of money if I can get a discount on the PH's through a package. Any thoughts?

 

[Girimama33]

Your effective date on the pass will be the day you use it and activate it in the parks, not the day you purchase it (unless you are in the parks and using it).

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

You won't necessarily save any money by buying parkhoppers first because usually you are credited with what you paid for the passes not what the price on the website is. So discounts are often lost when upgrading. I say "often" because there is always the occasional report of certain types of tickets that people manage to upgrade without losing their discount, but I wouldn't count on retaining a discount. If you want to take advantage of early entry at DL though and aren't staying onsite, then buying 3-day tickets ahead of time, using your early entry first, and then upgrading to APs is a good idea.

 

[SMD]

If you want to be sure you'll get a discount on the APs, then look for discounted APs. Try AAA, or work perks discounts if any are available to you. As PP said, you often lose any ticket discounts when upgrading.

 

[DLSean22]

Thanks for the response. I've booked my previous trips through getawaytoday.com and I don't believe there was ever a price paid on the PH's, so I wasn't sure how they would know how much I paid. It's not that much of a discount anyway...maybe $20 per PH, but it adds up. We don't really take advantage of the early entry since we are always there until close, so that probably wouldn't be a factor. I still need to find out when the clock starts when you buy an AP. Do you know if it starts at purchase date, or when it is first used for entry?

 

[DLSean22]

Your effective date on the pass will be the day you use it and activate it in the parks, not the day you purchase it (unless you are in the parks and using it).

That's what I was hoping...Thanks!

 

[mgd]

I've heard that if you actually get your parkhoppers first and then upgrade them, it goes off face value, but if you have some vouchers that haven't been converted to real park hoppers yet, it might only get you discounted value.

But you can just buy APs directly from way.com for a $15-$20 discount right now. You'll get a voucher that gives you a temporary day AP at the gates, which you can bring to the ticket booths later to get your actual AP.

 

[DLSean22]

One more question...If I were to purchase an AP now but not be technically activating it until we arrive in August, could I try to book a hotel using the AP discount? In other words, would I be able to sign in to see the AP rates now so I could book at those rates, or would I be effectively activating the pass by doing so?

 

[SMD]

You won't be able to log in until you have the bar code on the back of the actual AP. But you can call them to book the rate and show the active AP at the hotel once you have it.

 

[figment_jii]

One more question...If I were to purchase an AP now but not be technically activating it until we arrive in August, could I try to book a hotel using the AP discount? In other words, would I be able to sign in to see the AP rates now so I could book at those rates, or would I be effectively activating the pass by doing so?

Yes and no...you can book with the AP rates, but you cannot sign-in to the see the rates. You will have to call to make the reservation. Then you will need to present a valid AP at check-in (or very soon thereafter) to retain the discounted room rate.

 

[DLSean22]

Yes and no...you can book with the AP rates, but you cannot sign-in to the see the rates. You will have to call to make the reservation. Then you will need to present a valid AP at check-in (or very soon thereafter) to retain the discounted room rate.

So basically I need to call to book as opposed to looking online...got it. Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

Yup...as SMD said, you need to have a valid AP to register for the Annual Passholder website. Unfortunately, the barcode on the voucher is not the same as the barcode on your AP, so until you exchange your voucher for the actual AP, you won't be able to sign-up for and access the Annual Passholder website.