How do you usually do it? AP's and DDE

[lazydazy8]

Do you buy your AP when you get down there?

Can you still buy the DDE card while down there, too?

The DDE card is good for one year, so I want it to start when our trip starts. Our rep from DVC told me to order the DDE a month b/f we go. But then, it won't work for our 2008 trip that is 11 months and 2 weeks b/f our AP's (that will be purchased in Nov. of 2007) expire.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think you get an extra month with the DDE card. We bought our first AP in August, '05 and bought the DDE on site that same trip, and it expired in Sept. '06..this year it expires October 31, '07. We had renewed our AP's in August and then renewed the DDE in September.

Bobbi

 

[castleri]

You can buy both while you are there but the DDE office is only open for calls Monday through Friday so that can make a difference.

In April 2005 the first time I got one I activated the AP voucher at guest services in DTD in the morning and then called and ordered the DDE. They had a temporary card delivered to EPCOT guest services by 5 that day.
I ordered my second AP in November 2006 and had the voucher sent to my home, A couple of days before the December trip I called the DDE number and ordered my DDE card using the number off the voucher. I asked to have a temporary card available when we got to WDW. I was able to pick it up at the guest services window outside EPCOT main entrance. It is good through 1/31/2008. My permanent card arrived a week or so after we got home and is ready for the next two trips. You have enough time to decide and then you can use either method that works best for your plans.

 

[JimMIA]

The DDE card is good for one year, so I want it to start when our trip starts. Our rep from DVC told me to order the DDE a month b/f we go. But then, it won't work for our 2008 trip that is 11 months and 2 weeks b/f our AP's (that will be purchased in Nov. of 2007) expire.

Actually, that's not precisely correct.

The DDE card is valid for 13 months from some nebulous date around the time you order it. That's the bad news.

The good news is the Disney Dining kids know exactly what the expiration is, and they are very good about saying, "You know what...why don't you wait until the 9th to do this? You'll get an extra month."

Tell them when you're planning trips and they'll tell you when to buy the DDE. We got three trips on ours...in 13 months.

You don't want to wait until you arrive, because if you miss the office hours of the DDE folks, you could miss paying for the whole thing on the first day. Seriously...don't wait until you arrive.

We like DDP, but DDE is a better alternative for many families.

 

[lazydazy8]

The DDE card is good for 13 months!? Then, I should be fine. I will be sure to tell them when my trips are planned when I call to get it.

As for the AP, I don't HAVE to buy them down there? Castleri, what do you mean by voucher? (I would rather pay for them b/f we get down there.) Is that what you did? Who do you order the vouchers from? Will you be able to pick up the AP's when you arrive at ANY guest services?

If I purchase the AP voucher, can I use a confirmation # from that order to order the DDE card?

Also, is the AP a card just like the regular passes? Will we still be able to charge to our room with it?

I appreciate all the help!

 

[bobbiwoz]

...If I purchase the AP voucher, can I use a confirmation # from that order to order the DDE card?

Also, is the AP a card just like the regular passes? Will we still be able to charge to our room with it?

I appreciate all the help!

You can order the DDE using the AP voucher confirmation #.

We charge to our room on the room key. The AP is a ticket you have to bring with you to use, but it doesn't have charge privileges.

Bobbi

 

[castleri]

The DDE card is good for 13 months!? Then, I should be fine. I will be sure to tell them when my trips are planned when I call to get it.

As for the AP, I don't HAVE to buy them down there? Castleri, what do you mean by voucher? (I would rather pay for them b/f we get down there.) Is that what you did? Who do you order the vouchers from? Will you be able to pick up the AP's when you arrive at ANY guest services?

If I purchase the AP voucher, can I use a confirmation # from that order to order the DDE card?

Also, is the AP a card just like the regular passes? Will we still be able to charge to our room with it?

I appreciate all the help!

If you order your APs from MS before you go and there is enough time they will send you a bright green card that looks like a credit card. This is your voucher- it will have a number on it that you can then use to order the DDE when you are ready, When you get to WDW you can take the green voucher to any guest services and they will trade it for your actual AP. The start date for the AP is the date you turn that voucher in and it is good for one year from that date. I ordered mine ahead of time so I could have it paid for before the trip and because I wanted to beat a price increase that I thought was on the way when I ordered it. I know you can redeem the vouchers at any guest services at the parks and DTD. Don't know if you can do it at the resort but don't think so. I just used DTD services because we were there and there was no line either time. The reason I had to do both the first trip was that I waited until just a week before the trip to order the AP and they gave me a will call number to use to pick it up when I got to Disney so I had no voucher number to give DDE. It worked out because it was a weekday and I called at 9am and the temporary card was at EPCOT by 5 and we used it for a 6PM dinner at Mama Melrose. You will need a photo id to get your AP and if you wait until you get there you will need you blue membership card to get the discount. If your AP gets lost or doesn't work you need to show the ID to get a new one issued. Mine has become demagnetized several times and I just had to show my drivers license to get the new one. I would suggest following your plan and getting the APs whenever you can and then call DDE and ask when you should order so that it will be valid through your 2008 trip to be able have it sent before you leave for the 2007 one. That way you can get the APs activated at any park or DTD if EPCOT is not the one you planned on going to first.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I think you get an extra month with the DDE card. We bought our first AP in August, '05 and bought the DDE on site that same trip, and it expired in Sept. '06..this year it expires October 31, '07. We had renewed our AP's in August and then renewed the DDE in September.

Bobbi

That's been our experience, too.