f-LORI-da
If the DC card is like most cards, I assume it is good until the end of 09/03, not the beginning. But I can't be 100% certain. Now if I booked a room at WDW for Dec 2003, and used my DC card for a discount, I would need to renew the card prior to going to WDW for the discount to apply (because the card would expire in Sept).
I applied on-line for the card August 31st and got the card within 2 weeks, faster than I thought would happen. But my member number was sent in an email on Sept 1st, so I could use it to make reservations, buy stuff, etc. right away.