Does your AP have to be activated to get AP rates

[El&Asmom]

Dh and I will be getting APs for a trip in Jan. I will buy the APs before the Aug price increase. I want to book a room for Jan before our DVC check in, and then another room for a girls weekend for the Princess half in Feb. I would like to book the rooms when the AP rates come out. Can I do this, or does my AP have to be activated for me to get the AP rate?
Thanks

 

[free2div]

I booked our rooms in Nov for our April trip with AP rates and my pass wasnt activated until we got there. So I think not as long as you have them at check in

 

[shopn24seven]

I never had to show my AP on check-in. Although, after check-in, we RAN to the parks and had to activate them. Only had to show them at the parks.

 

[tkldisney]

Dh and I will be getting APs for a trip in Jan. I will buy the APs before the Aug price increase. I want to book a room for Jan before our DVC check in, and then another room for a girls weekend for the Princess half in Feb. I would like to book the rooms when the AP rates come out. Can I do this, or does my AP have to be activated for me to get the AP rate?
Thanks

No they do not have to be activated to get AP rate. When you check in they may ask to see it. (had it happen only once) If you have your voucher with you that should work. You can also go to guest services at DTD and purchase or activate your AP before checking in.

 

[wdwobsessed]

We stayed at two different resorts in June on an AP rate and neither asked for the AP.

I was like ... ooook.

 

[raven69david]

The advice already given is correct. You do NOT need to have your AP activated. In fact, you don't even need to have an AP to get the rate. All you do is call and tell them that you're AP and that you'd like the rate.

***DISCLAIMER***
While not illegal (at least I don't think it is), this is unethical and I do not condone this practice; that is, if you do not plan on purchasing an AP.

I don't think that there is a way for CRO to check if you are in fact already an AP holder. Book your rooms as soon as AP rates come out. Just make sure to have your AP in hand (not the voucher) when you show up to check-in.

My experience has been this: out of the many times we've gone, they have only asked to see my AP once. If I was a dishonest person (which I'm not), I could have used it without purchasing an AP. While I have NEVER done this, nor would I ever do this, I wish that Disney would close this loophole by simply requiring that all AP reservations show their AP passes 100% of the time when checking in.