Buying AP's - How far in advance??

[okjay88]

I just booked my trip for 5/6 - 5/13. My wife and I plan on buying AP's and making a few trips over the next year.

Being that the trip is about 2 & 1/2 months away, I don't want to buy the tix now and lay out over $1000 for something I don't need yet. I also understand that I need to purchase far enough in advance so that I receive the vouchers before I leave for WDW.

1) When should I buy AP's if I want the vouchers before I leave?
2) What happens if I purchase and they do not arrive b4 I leave for WDW?
3) Can I just wait till I get there to buy AP's?
4) If I can just buy AP's @ WDW, is there a price difference between buying them there or online in advance?

Thanks for your advice, experts.

 

[weluvpluto]

I would wait til you get there. You can buy an activated pass at:

- Any WDW major park ticket window
- Guest Relations at the major parks or at Downtown Disney and West Side
- 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

Here's some more info:
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm

 

[okjay88]

I also want to buy the DDE - If I bought the AP's in Orlando, would I just go to EPCOT then to buy the DDE?

 

[dcgrumpy]

You have to call the DDE number and order it, they'll leave a temporary card at Epcot. You can't just walk up and buy one. I'm not sure where you are staying but they just released AP discounts for those dates

 

[okjay88]

I'm Actually staying off-site, but I hope to use future AP discounts later in the year.

So..... If I buy when I get there, I need to then call for the DDE? At which point, can I just go right over and pick up the temporary? Do I have to have a valid AP or a voucher w/ some sort of # in order to purchase the DDE, or can I call and order it w/o the AP yet, and just show it when I arrive to pick up the DDE?

 

[dcgrumpy]

They ask for the numbers off of the voucher, they are open m-f 9-5. It should be available at Epcot the day after you order it.

 

[lorli]

How about if a DVC member is buying an AP with the $100 discount, can it be bought at the places listed above or does it have to be ordered?

 

[r5moores]

subscribing

 

[GoldenOldie]

How about if a DVC member is buying an AP with the $100 discount, can it be bought at the places listed above or does it have to be ordered?

A DVC AP cannot be purchased at the retail outlets listed in the above post. You have to get it at a theme park ticket window or at a Guest Relations location at a theme park or at DTD. If you order it from MS, you still need to go to one of these locations to pick it up or exchange the voucher.

 

[okjay88]

OK - so if I buy my AP's the 1st day I'm in orlando, then call and order the DDE at that time using the #'s on the back of the AP's, I would have to wait till the next day to pick up the DDE card from EPCOT? That first day, I would be unable to receive my 20% discount, should I decide to go to a sit-down dinner?

 

[SnackyStacky]

OK - so if I buy my AP's the 1st day I'm in orlando, then call and order the DDE at that time using the #'s on the back of the AP's, I would have to wait till the next day to pick up the DDE card from EPCOT? That first day, I would be unable to receive my 20% discount, should I decide to go to a sit-down dinner?

That's correct.

What you may be able to do is place the order for your annual passes a couple of days before you go. (A minimum of 24 hours in advance) You would place the order for Will-Call tickets, and you could pick them up at the theme parks.

You could then try calling DDE and explaining that you ordered them via-will call, and you don't have a voucher number to give, but you have a ticket order confirmation to give.

I don't know if they'd be able to issue a DDE with just the ticket confirmation number, but my guess is they'd be able to use that to track down your order to verify that you did order an annual pass.