AP tickets and rates?

[kaygela]

I've seen so many posts about AP rates, etc and was wondering how that works. What are the strategies for getting the best discounts?

 

[Dan Murphy]

www.mousesavers.com

 

[juliesue]

We have APs for several years. The CMs will tell you that if you are going to be at WDW more than 7 days in one year, that you would be better off buying an AP.

The way they work is that you can buy the ticket anytime before you go, or when you get there. If you purchase before you go, either at Disney store or online, you will get a voucher for the tickets. When you arrive at the park the first day, you will have to go a ticket counter to get the actual passes.

The timer on the tickets does not activate until the first time you use them. Then they are good for 365 days after that date. So, if you plan your trips carefully, it is easy to get more than one trip per ticket. If you decide you love them and want to renew the next year, however, the anniversary date stays as the first time you used the ticket.

The ticket does come with some special discounts, etc. These usually include special room rates as well. However, they are not enough to justify spending the money if you are only on a short trip and do not plan to return within a year! Also, there are several times when they have special passholder events. My experience with these is that they are usually PACKED!!


You can view the actual rates on the disney website. We will be buying one for my MIL, even though she probably won't be visiting again within a year. We will be staying for eight days, and financially, this ticket is the cheapest for that long of a stay.

Have a great trip!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

The timer on the tickets does not activate until the first time you use them. Then they are good for 365 days after that date. So, if you plan your trips carefully, it is easy to get more than one trip per ticket. If you decide you love them and want to renew the next year, however, the anniversary date stays as the first time you used the ticket.

If you purchase your tickets at the following places:

The following places will sell you an activated AP/PAP. No exchanging required:

- Any WDW major park ticket window
- Guest Relations at the major parks or at Downtown Disney and West Side
- The Ocala Disney Information Center on I-75 in Ocala, FL
- Disney's EarPort at Orlando International Airport (2 locations)
- Character Warehouse at Belz Mall 2 in Orlando
- Character Premiere at Belz Mall 1 in Orlando
- Character Premiere at Orlando Premium Outlets Mall in Lake Buena Vista

They are already activated and the clock has started to tick the minute you pay for them, not at first use.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Gail,

If you buy them at the Earport, do they need to be activated at a theme park? I'd like to go the TL our first day in FL with our PAP but to do so means a trip to one of the 4 major Theme parks before TL.

TIA!

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by MaryKatesMom
If you buy them at the Earport, do they need to be activated at a theme park? I'd like to go the TL our first day in FL with our PAP but to do so means a trip to one of the 4 major Theme parks before TL.

The PAP you purchase at Earport is already activated. You get the actual ticket, not a voucher.

Now here's something that you may not have realized:

If you buy a PAP voucher ahead of time and your first stop is a water park rather than a theme park, they can exchange the voucher for you at Guest Relations at the water park. They cannot do a regular AP exchange, only a PAP.

 

[johnvree]

Anyone know whether the resorts can sell you APs?

 

[Shells9]

I don't believe so -- I think Gail listed all of the possibilities.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by johnvree
Anyone know whether the resorts can sell you APs?

The resorts can neither sell AP's or activate pre-purchased vouchers.