How to Buy a DDE Card?

[kathymac]

I just bought an Annual Pass online with an expected delivery date to my home on April 25th. Is there some way I can also buy the DDE card online before my next trip to WDW which starts on May 10th? Do I need to wait until I get to WDW to purchase the card?

Thanks.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I bought mine at Guest Services at Epcot. You can buy the DDE now at Guest Services at the theme parks. It certainly takes a lot of the guesswork out being able to just buy it at the parks now. You used to have to juggle how soon to order it before your trip to get the most out of your "year" (it's good for a year) but still get it in the mail before your trip.

It's wonderful being able to just get it at the parks.

 

[MomtoGKC]

Is there a Guest services at the entrance to AK? That's where we're going our first day and I'll have to activate my APs at the gate - it would be nice if I could get a DDE there at the same time.

 

[patink]

I just bought an Annual Pass online with an expected delivery date to my home on April 25th. Is there some way I can also buy the DDE card online before my next trip to WDW which starts on May 10th? Do I need to wait until I get to WDW to purchase the card?

Thanks.

There is a form online to order a DDE card, but I am planning to wait because the form specifically states the year on the DDE card starts when they issue it. NOT when you use it for the first time. Since I want my AP and DDE to be valid the same amount of time, I will get my DDE when I validate my AP.

 

[kathymac]

So the DDE card "use year" starts the day you buy it? It's not like the AP where as I understand it the "use year" starts the day you start using the card?

 

[kathymac]

Patink,

Thanks for the info. It looks like you and I were both posting at the same time.

Where is the form online? Do you have to have your AP pass # to be able to access it?

 

[sandisuze]

if you fill in the form and send it in -it can take up to 6-8 weeks to get it in the mail.
If you have an annual pass voucher you will have to exchange it at a ticket booth. after that you can get into the park-
AK Guest services is to your left - right after you get into the Park
Getting a DDE card is super easy and you have to show ID and your AP

We get ours On Property as mailing it in takes forever to get it back

 

[patink]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/offerDetail?id=PassSODiningExperienceDetailPage

Here is the link, but it is from the Passholders section of the WDW website so I don't know if it will work for you. I purchased a voucher for my AP and have not activated the AP yet, but I can get into the Passholders section of WDW website with the voucher #.

I can PM you the .pdf if you want to take a look at it.

Yes you need an AP # to put on the form, but I assumed if I wanted to preorder my voucher # would work.

 

[BCV23]

There is a form online to order a DDE card, but I am planning to wait because the form specifically states the year on the DDE card starts when they issue it. NOT when you use it for the first time. Since I want my AP and DDE to be valid the same amount of time, I will get my DDE when I validate my AP.

The DDE is valid when it's issued but doesn't expire a year after date of ordering. There's a built in grace period. If you order it somewhere after the ( 8, 10th, second Monday...different things have been posted), it will expire on the last day of the following month of the next year. So if you ordered it on the 10th of April, it will expire on the 31st of May, 2009.

Thankfully, the same grace period seems to apply to DDE purchased at the parks. I purchased our new DDE cards in Feb at GS and they expire 3/31/09.

The only difference seems to be that those ordering by mail are still getting the plastic credit card type DDE. If you buy at GS, the DDE cards are TYvek just like APs. Some people like the plastic cards. I think both have advantages. The Tyvek slip easily in the AP sleeve so take less room to carry. However, they look so much like the APs that I have to pay attention.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We bought ours at DTD at guest relations

 

[kathymac]

Thanks to all for the information. I will definitely wait and buy the card when we arrive. It sounds like a great deal.

At Disneyland (California) where I go all the time there is a percentage off discount for dining with the Premium AP. I am not used to having to buy a separate card. I'm glad to learn from these boards about how things are done at WDW.

 

[Chedstro]

If you want to get it an Animal Kingdom, just vear to the left after entering to Guest Services - easy

 

[mudman]

I'm not an AP holder, however, I'd like to know more about this DDE card.
Cost
Benefits
etc...