Buying Annual Passes

[sookie]

I everyone. I'm considering upgrading the tickets we have purchased to Disney Annual Passes. We are coming in October, so I would like to do this change effective at first use so I can get a full year out of them (we love to travel in October). However, I'm also watching for room only discounts - so having the AP become active before our arrival may be on our favor.

Any advice? Are APs valid 1 year from purchase or first use?

Thanks!!!
Sookie

 

[JanaDee]

I everyone. I'm considering upgrading the tickets we have purchased to Disney Annual Passes. We are coming in October, so I would like to do this change effective at first use so I can get a full year out of them (we love to travel in October). However, I'm also watching for room only discounts - so having the AP become active before our arrival may be on our favor.

Any advice? Are APs valid 1 year from purchase or first use?

Thanks!!!
Sookie

First use and you can only get an AP in person, at WDW.

Though I would assume you have a voucher and I'm not sure how that works in regards to being able to use discounts.

Someone will know, though.

 

[PPFDDisneyLover]

I'm also toying with the thought also of upgrading to an AP. My question is, can I upgrade them at my resort when I check in or do I have to do it at one of the parks when I'm arriving there?

 

[erionm]

I'm also toying with the thought also of upgrading to an AP. My question is, can I upgrade them at my resort when I check in or do I have to do it at one of the parks when I'm arriving there?

The resorts are unable to do anything related to Annual Passes. You will need to go to a Park Ticket Window or Guest Relations Location.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I everyone. I'm considering upgrading the tickets we have purchased to Disney Annual Passes. We are coming in October, so I would like to do this change effective at first use so I can get a full year out of them (we love to travel in October). However, I'm also watching for room only discounts - so having the AP become active before our arrival may be on our favor.

Any advice? Are APs valid 1 year from purchase or first use?

Thanks!!!
Sookie

What passholder discount are you seeing for October?

I see a room only discount until Oct 2 of up to 30% but isn't that for the general public?

 

[ses1230]

I everyone. I'm considering upgrading the tickets we have purchased to Disney Annual Passes. We are coming in October, so I would like to do this change effective at first use so I can get a full year out of them (we love to travel in October). However, I'm also watching for room only discounts - so having the AP become active before our arrival may be on our favor.

Any advice? Are APs valid 1 year from purchase or first use?

Thanks!!!
Sookie

As mentioned, Active at first use.

For an AP room discount, the AP has to be provided at check in, not booking.

I'm also toying with the thought also of upgrading to an AP. My question is, can I upgrade them at my resort when I check in or do I have to do it at one of the parks when I'm arriving there?

At the parks, resorts can not do a ticket upgrade to an AP.

 

[TimothyG]

If you are upgrading a MYW ticket, then the AP will be valid 1 year from the first use (when you activate it). The same is true for a voucher (which you would get it you bought online at DisneyWorld.com or from a TA).

If you bought an actual AP, it would be active for 1 year from purchase.

To upgrade a MYW ticket to an AP, you would need to do this in person at one of the ticket windows outside the parks or at Downtown Disney. It cannot be done over the phone or at your resort.

If you purchase a voucher ahead of time and would like to book a room only discount, you need to make your reservation over the phone with Disney or a travel agent. You cannot currently make a reservation over the website.

Again, the resort will not be able to exchange your AP voucher for an AP. I would first visit the Guest Relations office at Downtown Disney to exchange it before check-in. I believe you have a 24 hour grace period to present your AP to the front desk; however, I wouldn't risk it (things happen, it's easy to forget, etc.).

 

[Goofygirl17]

If you end up upgrading from another ticket be sure to ask them the expiration date is your AP. I did that last year and they mistakenly put the purchase date as the expiration date. They should have put the first day of use.

 

[wdwrich]

...If you purchase a voucher ahead of time and would like to book a room only discount, you need to make your reservation over the phone with Disney or a travel agent. You cannot currently make a reservation over the website.

You do not have to be in possession of an AP or a voucher to make a discounted room-only reservation. You just have to show the AP within 24 hours of actual check-in at the resort.

 

[countryblonde314]

The way we did it when we got our annual passes was that we got the room, tickets and free dining (if this is available during your stay) then we took our tickets to Downtown Disney guest relations and they changed our ticket over to the annual pass which we had to then pay the difference from what our tickets costed to the annual pass. This saved us a lot of money in the long run. After that we could get discounts for room only for your upcoming trips.

 

[sookie]

What passholder discount are you seeing for October? I see a room only discount until Oct 2 of up to 30% but isn't that for the general public?

Right now I'm on the lookout for any AP discounts in October, but not counting on it. It would be a nice perk! I also only see discounts for AP holders only until Oct 2.

 

[ericstac]

you can also get or upgrade to AP's at the Transportation Center next to the Poly. Be sure to have your magic bands with you.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Do TAs earn commissions on AP vouchers purchased through them, or does it depend on the agency? I'm wondering whether to purchase through Disney's website or to go through a friend who is a TA...

 

[TimothyG]

You do not have to be in possession of an AP or a voucher to make a discounted room-only reservation. You just have to show the AP within 24 hours of actual check-in at the resort.

Right, but you can't make that reservation online because the system doesn't support it (unless something has changed). You will have to call Disney directly or call a travel agent to book an AP discounted room with a voucher.

 

[wdwrich]

Right, but you can't make that reservation online because the system doesn't support it (unless something has changed). You will have to call Disney directly or call a travel agent to book an AP discounted room with a voucher.

Yes, you have to call. However, you do not need to have a voucher when you call. On two separate trips I called and was able to make an AP-discounted reservation without an AP or a voucher. You just have to show the AP within 24 hours of check-in.

 

[sookie]

You guys are great! Thank you for all the amazing information.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Right now I'm on the lookout for any AP discounts in October, but not counting on it. It would be a nice perk! I also only see discounts for AP holders only until Oct 2.

Where?

I see the general public discounts until 10/2.

 

[ericstac]

Where?

I see the general public discounts until 10/2.

I saw the room only discounts for then when planning our fall trip last night. I had to login to MDE so it would recognize my AP.

 

[jrjankowski8]

I got my AP voucher last month through the Disney website, which automatically linked the tickets to MDX.

I haven't activated them yet, but will for the first time tomorrow.

I am able to book and view the AP hotel discount on the website when I'm logged in. So it's good to go if it is linked to your account.