Confused About AP and TIW

[MamaBear58]

Do these memberships get activate when ordered, or can I wait to activate them when I arrive? While I'd love to have everything set up before I go (and it looks like I can buy 1 annual pass on the Disney site and then call for the TIW card) I'd obviously prefer not to have the 1-year memberships start until our first day in WDW.

Also, is it a hassle to do this? Are Guest Relations lines long? I'd be going in Nov (but not Thanksgiving week), if it matters.

Finally, it's just one TIW card, correct? So if DH and I split up with the kids, only 1 of us can take advantage of the discount, correct?

I'm not really sold on the Dining Plan, plus there's no guarantee that it will be offered in Nov., so I'm leaning toward the AP (hoping for a RO discount on a deluxe resort) and pay OOP with food, using the TIW card.

Thanks.

 

[PCFriar80]

Do these memberships get activate when ordered, or can I wait to activate them when I arrive? While I'd love to have everything set up before I go (and it looks like I can buy 1 annual pass on the Disney site and then call for the TIW card) I'd obviously prefer not to have the 1-year memberships start until our first day in WDW.

Also, is it a hassle to do this? Are Guest Relations lines long? I'd be going in Nov (but not Thanksgiving week), if it matters.

Finally, it's just one TIW card, correct? So if DH and I split up with the kids, only 1 of us can take advantage of the discount, correct?

I'm not really sold on the Dining Plan, plus there's no guarantee that it will be offered in Nov., so I'm leaning toward the AP (hoping for a RO discount on an deluxe resort) and pay OOP with food, using the TIW card.

Thanks.

Activation is different for both. New APs become active on the first day you use them. So, you could purchase an AP [ie. voucher] now and when you arrive at WDW redeem the voucher at any ticket booth or guest relations.
TIW on the other hand is active once you purchase it. As an example, we purchased our last TIW at guest relations on 10/24/13 and it is good through 11/14. You will also need your AP or voucher to purchase the TIW at the $100 price. I have included a helpful link which outlines all of the parameters for TIW, including the extra $50 if you want to get second card for your husband. Hope this helps.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/tables-in-wonderland/

 

[MiramarQE]

Do these memberships get activate when ordered, or can I wait to activate them when I arrive? While I'd love to have everything set up before I go (and it looks like I can buy 1 annual pass on the Disney site and then call for the TIW card) I'd obviously prefer not to have the 1-year memberships start until our first day in WDW.

Also, is it a hassle to do this? Are Guest Relations lines long? I'd be going in Nov (but not Thanksgiving week), if it matters.

Finally, it's just one TIW card, correct? So if DH and I split up with the kids, only 1 of us can take advantage of the discount, correct?

I'm not really sold on the Dining Plan, plus there's no guarantee that it will be offered in Nov., so I'm leaning toward the AP (hoping for a RO discount on an deluxe resort) and pay OOP with food, using the TIW card.

Thanks.

Your pass is activated when you pick it up (you don't get a pass, just a voucher when you order on-line) - same with TiW. If you were doing a pass RENEWAL then it would start when the previous pass expired.

For TiW if you order by phone they actually mail you the pass - I haven't done this but that would seem to mean it starts that month - and I don't know if you can do this with just the voucher.

Guest relations lines typically aren't that long - we've never had to wait more than about 10 minutes (typically much less) for passes/TiW, etc.

You can get a second TiW card for $50 - on the TiW webpage look under "Join Tables in Wonderland now!" for the details. This is important if you intend to split up as reading the boards it appears Disney is getting a little more attentive to the TiW holder actually paying for the meal - bring your ID with you!

 

[MamaBear58]

Thanks to both of you. This is very helpful.