How to buy DVC APs

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Do you recommend we buy our annual passes online or over the phone with member services?

 

[n2mm]

I've always purchased on line and printed the vouchers. Keep in mind that once the increase is a done deal the website will be busy. Last year there was very little notice.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

I'll buy them today then! Thank you!

Edit:

I have a few shipping options-

Do I want to do will call and just pick up the tickets when we get there in May

or

Standard Shipping at no extra charge?

I will want to load them into MDE before March 16th for my FP+ and standard shipping says they will arrive by 2-22

 

[n2mm]

I need to buy 4 myself. I just hope if there is a special released later we are able to upgrade.

 

[ccbloom]

I just did this on December 29 for our January 26th trip. I bought them online and printed the receipt/vouchers. Once you have your AP number, which you should get right away on the electronic voucher, you can plug that into MDE and make your FP+. They also sent us something via regular mail in plenty of time. Then, on our way into the first park, we just activated them at the Guest Services window.

 

[nalajms]

Do I want to do will call and just pick up the tickets when we get there in May

If you buy them online from Disney, they will automatically link to your MDE. My MDE is a different account from my DVC, not linked. When I bought them online it linked to non-existent people on my DVC account. I ended up having to call IT and have them link it to my regular MDE account.

Not sure if it's changed, but when we activated the passes last May, they still needed the confirmation code! I couldn't understand why they couldn't just scan my MB???

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Update! I went ahead and purchased the APs- I chose the standard shipping option. I printed out the confirmation then logged into my MDE account. I had to link the tickets to my account by typing in the confirmation number. Then it had me select which pass belonged to which member of my family. I think we are good to go now.

So they are shipping me what? the voucher? Then in May I take that with our DVC membership cards to guest services to activate the pass?

 

[drusba]

Update! I went ahead and purchased the APs- I chose the standard shipping option. I printed out the confirmation then logged into my MDE account. I had to link the tickets to my account by typing in the confirmation number. Then it had me select which pass belonged to which member of my family. I think we are good to go now.

So they are shipping me what? the voucher? Then in May I take that with our DVC membership cards to guest services to activate the pass?

The only thing they are shipping to you is the same receipt that you printed out with a confirmation number but it will look a little nicer.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Ha! So I bring that with me to activate the pass at guest services?

 

[ccbloom]

The only thing they are shipping to you is the same receipt that you printed out with a confirmation number but it will look a little nicer.

Actually, I received paper cards to bring with us...is this new?

 

[erionm]

So they are shipping me what? the voucher? Then in May I take that with our DVC membership cards to guest services to activate the pass?

With standard shipping, they will mail you exchange certificates (aka Vouchers) which are actually plastic cards. You should take the exchange certificates with you when you activate the passes, which can be done at any Park Ticket Window or Guest Relations Location. You will also need your DVC Member Card and all adults (ages 18+) need to show a photo id that has the same address as the member.

 

[bluecruiser]

Actually, I received paper cards to bring with us...is this new?

Last week I bought an AP through the DVC website and yesterday I received a green plastic card that says Walt Disney World Exchange Certificate. The letter it came with serves as my receipt and it also says the following:

Congratulations! You've taken your first step in becoming a Walt Disney World(R) Passholder. Enclosed is your Annual Exchange Certificate(s). To receive your new Pass, please present the attached Annual Exchange Certificate(s), your Disney Vacation Club Member ID Card and a valid photo ID for each adult showing they reside in the same household at any Walt Disney World(R) Theme Park ticket window.

While you're at the ticket window, don't forget to pick up your Pass sleeve. The sleeve protects your Pass all year long, and it includes a list of all of your Passholder benefits like discounts on dining, merchandise and more!

Your new Annual Pass will be valid for one year from the date the certificate is redeemed.

On the plastic card it says it can be redeemed at any of the ticket sales locations at the 4 theme parks.

Regarding MDE, I had the same/similar issue that nalajms had. Initially the pass didn't show in my MDE account - it said tickets were linked, but when I tried to view them it said no tickets were linked. When I tried to link the pass using the number on the back of the card it told me the pass was already linked to another account. I called MDE and they talked with a ticketing agent who was able to fix it so the ticket was visible on my account.

 

[twinklebug]

If you buy them online from Disney, they will automatically link to your MDE. My MDE is a different account from my DVC, not linked. When I bought them online it linked to non-existent people on my DVC account. I ended up having to call IT and have them link it to my regular MDE account.

Not sure if it's changed, but when we activated the passes last May, they still needed the confirmation code! I couldn't understand why they couldn't just scan my MB???

I think this is what happened to me. I bought online and just got our DVC AP vouchers in the mail today. When I went in to my MDE to attach it to my profile it told me the pass was already attached to another person... but it's not showing up anywhere I can see. I'll have to call them.

 

[disneyhutson]

I'm in the process of purchasing a resale..can I ask how much the AP's are? Adults vs Kids?

Thank you

 

[nalajms]

$516.53 (renewal $435.59) total. Premium AP is $644.33 (renewal 542.09). Same price for Adult and child.

 

[huey578]

When does the annual pass start on day you buy it or when you convert voucher at guest services? TIA

 

[twinklebug]

When does the annual pass start on day you buy it or when you convert voucher at guest services? TIA

The day you exchange the voucher.

Note to those without vouchers, if you're converting a pre-used 14 day expiration pass at the window into an AP it will be backdated to start the day you first used that pass to enter a park.

 

[huey578]

Thank you ,Twinklebug

 

[huey578]

Thank you ,Twinklebug

I bought my APs!!

 

[n2mm]

I bought mine online one ticket at a time. I used a gift card with each (only two forms of payment for each transaction). Each time it asked me to assign a person from my friends and family to that ticket. I was buying for myself and my daughter, her husband and my granddaughter. I choose will call as I've always done and was able to print out the will call certificate and save it to my file in case I need to print it again. We have to select our fast passes in two weeks, so I really didn't have the option of waiting too much longer.