DVC MS call - AP vouchers and Member ID cards - I didn't know

[mickeymom629]

Maybe I'm the only one who didn't realize that my AP vouchers bought in 2018 and not activated are going to expire at the end of this year. I was hoping to save them for a few years so that DH and I can enjoy them when we retire in a couple years.

Back story - there are a couple of threads that I have been commenting on about DH not having a smart phone and needing his membership card to prove discounts. So, I sent an email to MS today and a CM called me back this evening.

The CM said that DH could set up his own DVC account with his email and pw and print out the temporary membership card when we take our trip in October. I told her that I had just activated my Google wallet and added my DVC membership card and noticed the temporary card but that it expires in 30 days. So, I thought it was going to be obsolete after that, meaning that I thought if we were traveling after the expiration date that I saw yesterday, that DVC was doing away with it and only accepting digital cards. BUT she said that, right before we go on our trip in October, DH should print out his temporary membership card that will be good for 30 days (and thus show a new expiration date). Am I the only one who didn't realize that?!

She said that he does need to call MS to open a DVC online account with his email and pw but he doesn't need his own MDE account since he is my "friend and family" and I can manage his account.

Then I said that I have APs that I bought in 2018 but we don't plan to use them in October but, when we do use them, will he have an issue since they are DVC APs. She them told me that the vouchers I bought in 2018 will expire at the end of this year because they are the Gold Pass and that we should use them when we go in October 2023. (I planned to use old 7-day tickets that I bought in 2012 and have on a card I converted on our last trip at GS.) She said that if we go to GS to activate them properly, the DVC AP will all be on his magic band and he will have no issue - which was the answer I was hoping for - not the part about the AP voucher expiring.

In October, we are staying 7 nights DVC with our kids and grandkids. So, I am using our 2022, 2023 and 2024 points. DH and I were going to go a couple nights prior and stay at POP to be able to use the 7 day passes without feeling rushed. Now, I'm thinking I need to add even more nights if we are going to use our APs which, btw, were cheaper than the 4 day pass on UT currently!

I have been getting discouraged with Disney and the expense and wondering if we should sell our DVC. But I had been thinking I'd hold on long enough to enjoy our APs. Now, if I have to use them this year...

So, some questions:

1. Did you know you could print out the temp pass to show and that the expiration date is different depending on when you print it out?
2. Did you know that AP Gold vouchers will expire at the end of 2023 even though nothing says that? I still have my confirmation email.
3. If we activate the Gold AP voucher in October, is it good for 365 days or will it expire 12/31/2023? I don't plan to take another trip but....
4. Will my old tickets, that I converted to hard cards at GS and are not on any MDE accounts, expire if they have not been used, except for the 2 that are partially used but non-expiry?

I will be contacting MS again to confirm these answers and, also, for DH to set up his DVC online account.

So upsetting, but glad I know now. And I thought I had been keeping up on stuff.

 

[Straulin]

Annual passes generally last for 365 days upon first activating. Not sure if your special gold ones from several years ago will operate differently.

The temporary card is confusing. I noticed it changed after I looked back at it a few times when I first joined last year.

No idea on the other questions.

 

[Sandisw]

The temporary cards that are on the website have always had a short life...but that 30 days changes each day. I realize that the MS agent told you the digital card could be printed and used, be aware that CM's in the park may not always accept them because they are being trained to use only the digital.

My suggestion is to email MS again about that and ask them to provide you with the rule in writing that a temporary printed card from the website is indeed valid for discounts...just to have something in case you do get CM's who say it has to be digital.

In terms of vouchers, since the Gold AP no longer exists, I think that they can expire them and require you to convert it into a Sorcerer Pass. You will never lose the value, but they won't be an AP voucher if what the CM tells you is correct....

Sorcerer Pass did come out in 2021 so they have given people two years to get old Gold vouchers activated. The new vouchers that are bought are only good for one year and then revert to just its value. I would still want this to be confirmed in writing that as of the end of the year, the voucher is only worth what you paid.

If you activate the voucher, it will be a Sorcerer Pass and then be good for one year from the date you activate it in October, so until October 2024. If they are indeed going to lose status as a pass, since those no longer exist, and only be worth what you paid for them in 2018, then it may be better to just use that and save the 7 day tickets for another time.