DDE info

[lsutigger2]

Thought maybe others might want to know that it is taking about 8 - 10 weeks to get the DDE cards. So plan accordingly.
We leave on Sunday to go to WDW. We ordered the DDE card on March 4, 2005 but it has not arrived yet, so I called today. Was told our order would be in the next batch to go to Philadelphia (?) and should arrive in two weeks. We had already gotten an email letter to use, but it was going to expire 4/30/05 - I didn't even notice this on the letter.
Any how, the CM will going to have a new letter for us at the Epcot Guest Relations (outside of the park) when we arrive on Sunday, May 1. So guess that will be our first stop after getting settled. She did say the expiration date will be 5/31/06.
Glad I called!

 

[Plus4206]

I ordered my DDE on 4-20. I was told I would get the card in 6-8 weeks but I would receive a letter stating I was a DDE member. I received my letter today, the 25th. The letter is good till June 15th and my DDE card won't expire till May 31 2006. I don't leave for BWV until 5-20 and I'm still not convinced I won't have the card by then. I mean, how long can it take to punch out a bunch of plastic cards ??

 

[kathleena]

Due to a bunch of address snafus, I have yet to receive my card ordered in January. When I called last week to find out what happened to them, the CM told me that one of the reasons it takes so long is that their mail goes out in some sort of mailbag-processing-central-sorting-whatever nightmare that makes everything slow down to a crawl. She said it could take 2 weeks just to get my confirmation letter.

And she said she would put my card order "on the top of the pile" to get it out quickly.

Sounds like they are really, really busy still. Although there was no wait on the phone this time.

They are being very accomodating, I think. Every instance of a problem, I have heard/read about satisfactory solutions.

 

[CarolA]

Update two... they have also cracked down on faxing the letters to your resort so order in advance.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I ordered mine mid to late March and of course I haven't received mine yet either. Can I still use my email letter they sent to me? It doesn't expire until May 31st and our trip is April 30th-May 7th. The reason I ask is that there was some talk on the Dining board about them not accepting the letters anymore. They are issuing temporary cards that have to be picked up at the front entrance of EPCOT. If no one knows for sure I'll call but I'd rather not tie up the phones if someone here already has an answer. Thanks!

 

[paslea_pooh]

for our trip in late November/early december. My question is - I haven't purchased the AP yet, saving up right now. If I purchase my AP in September, when should I order my DDE card and will it have the same expiry as my AP card? Does the DDE card get "activated" on the first day of use like the AP.

Thanks
And how do I order the AP card and DDE card, do I call MS?

 

[athenna]

for our trip in late November/early december. My question is - I haven't purchased the AP yet, saving up right now. If I purchase my AP in September, when should I order my DDE card and will it have the same expiry as my AP card? Does the DDE card get "activated" on the first day of use like the AP.

Thanks
And how do I order the AP card and DDE card, do I call MS?

Order the DDE card as soon as you receive your voucher for the AP. They need the #'s off of the back of the voucher to prove you're an AP holder.
They will not have the same expir date.
For example:
I ordered my DDE card 2/17 and received it 4/15, the expir date is 4/30/06 (not 2/30/06 because it took so long to receive). Your AP is not activated until you physically get to WDW to do so.
For example, I activated my AP last Monday at DTD and it is good until exactly 1 year- 4/18/06.
I am drawing a blank of the DDE phone # but I'm sure someone will send it.
And I ordered my AP w/the DVC discount through the link at the DVC members website.
HTH!

 

[paslea_pooh]

One more ? - How long does it take to get the AP voucher ? I also thought that Disney was now sending the actual AP cards and not vouchers anymore, am I mistaken about that.

thanks again

 

[Plus4206]

I had my AP voucher in a week.

The voucher is actually a lime green card - at least mine was - stuck to a letter. The card is all you need to redeem for the actual AP.

 

[NMW]

We did not get actual AP's either. We ordered last month and got plastic lime green vouchers. They are effective when you exchange the voucher for the AP at Disney. We ordered the DDE card this month even though we are not going until Dec. The CM was very clear that even though our vouchers will get activated in Dec, our DDE card will be effective from May 05 until May 06. She said I could wait until Dec to order it and pick up the card in DTD or Epcot IG. She said they are not faxing/emailing letters anymore. She also told me to not expect the card for about 8 weeks.

We decided to just get the DDE now so we have in plenty of time. The CM said they have been having trouble with some of the letters. She didn't say what exactly the trouble was though. I had considered waiting until Dec so we can use it for our Oct 2006 trip also. I decided I'd rather pay the $50 each year and have the card in my hand before we go. I just feel better knowing it's done!

BTW, we got our green AP vouchers in about 6 days.

 

[athenna]

One more ? - How long does it take to get the AP voucher ? I also thought that Disney was now sending the actual AP cards and not vouchers anymore, am I mistaken about that.

thanks again

I got mine in about a week or so.
They are still sending out the vouchers. As others have mentioned, they are lime green attached to a letter.
Just noticed your making your 1st trip home 11/27! I'll be making my 2nd trip home that same day!

 

[jennz]

Another question about the timing on the DDE card - I'm ordering our APs Friday. We'll be at WDW May 29th. Can I order the DDE as soon as I order the APs? Is there a place I can order in person when we arrive? By ordering 3 or 4 weeks before we leave will I still be able to use the card (I guess I'm asking, will I get a confirmation of it?)

Thanks!!

 

[Plus4206]

Jennz, you cannot order your DDE right away. When you order your AP you will be sent a letter with a lime green plastic card - this is your AP Voucher. On the back of the Voucher is a number. Call DDE @ 407-566-5858 (m-f, 9 am- 6 pm) , and order the DDE, they will ask for the info on the back of your voucher. They will then Snail Mail you a confirmation letter that you can use in place of the actual card. Last week I was told the card will arrive in 6-8 weeks. Others are being told 8-10. Don't count on having your card. I got my letter last week. It is good till June 15th. My DDE card will expire 5-31-06.

 

[paslea_pooh]

We're going to be there 11/27 my daughter Erin's birthday. She's turning 9, one more year until Disney considers her an adult and we have to buy her an adult ticket, ugh!

 

[DebbieB]

I ordered mine mid to late March and of course I haven't received mine yet either. Can I still use my email letter they sent to me? It doesn't expire until May 31st and our trip is April 30th-May 7th. The reason I ask is that there was some talk on the Dining board about them not accepting the letters anymore. They are issuing temporary cards that have to be picked up at the front entrance of EPCOT. If no one knows for sure I'll call but I'd rather not tie up the phones if someone here already has an answer. Thanks!

They are not e-mailing the letters anymore, they are either mailing them or have you pick them up in person at Epcot. It was too easy to alter an e-mailed word doc. If you already have the e-mail you can use it.

 

[athenna]

We're going to be there 11/27 my daughter Erin's birthday. She's turning 9, one more year until Disney considers her an adult and we have to buy her an adult ticket, ugh!

That's a great birthday present for her! I'll be there for my birthday on 11/30, but I'll be turning 34!

 

[DaveH]

I order our DDE about 2 weeks ago. I said I will be there before the card would get here. I was told to go to EPCOT Guest services at the entrance. A few days later I got a letter to use. I was told they needed only 24 hours for you to be able to pick up something to use for DDE. I am going Monday and will find out.

 

[jennz]

DaveH - thanks for the info! Ordering 24 hours in advance is definitely something I can do! Enjoy your trip!