It will be good for one year from when you order it. If you order it on Monday it most likely will be good until May 2008. It's not like the AP voucher where it doesn't start "ticking" until you turn it in. The DDE starts as soon as the card is mailed to you. So you should not get it until at least a month befor your trip (my last card took less than 3 weeks to arrive). Remember that the DDE office is a business office and is only open Monday to Friday, business hours. No weekends. You can order last minute and pick up a temp card from guest relations, EPCOT inside. I personally like have my plastic card with me on my trips. There is more information about this on the passholder website, plus a form you can fax if you don't want to call (I always call), plus the prices and a list of places that accept the card.