Lots of questions...APs and DDE?

[MaryAnnDVC]

Last time we had APs (actually, PAPs), we got the vouchers at The Disney Store, and then activated them at the main entrance to EPCOT.

We'll be heading to BCV soon, and purchasing PAPs when we get to WDW. Where do we do that? At BCV? Or do we have to do it at EPCOT (where we plan to go first)? Or do we need to get them somewhere else? Are we still purchasing a voucher in one place, and turning it in for passes at the park? And, can we do any of this at the International Gateway? If not, how would we get to the main entrance of EPCOT from BCV?

We plan to rent a car, so we can stop at DTD if we really have to.

Once we have the PAPs, can we then immediately apply for the Disney Dining Experience card wherever we're getting our PAPs activated (as I understand it, they'll fax something to BCV for us to use until the card arrives later at home)? Is the DDE card worth it, when we already have the DVC card and discounts? We're going for 5 days, eat a lot of sitdown meals, and this won't be our only trip in the next year.

If you've gotten this far...TIA.

 

[lllovell]

You can get your annual passes with the discount at any of the guest service windows at WDW or at DTD (not at the place in Ocala though). Just need to bring your DVC membership card and identification. They will gladly take care of it at the Int. Gateway at EPCOT. Also, time permitting, you can order your tickets by phone and they will mail you a voucher that can also be exchanged in all the places you could buy them straight out as well. I ordered mine through the link on the DVC member website.

The DDE has gotten to be a bit more tricky since it was first introduced at the lower AP rate. You have to call them M-F during normal business hours and then go to the Guest Relations area of EPCOT to pick up temporary cards. (I dont know if there are alternate pick up sites or not....EPCOT is the only one I have heard mentioned). If you are arriving and would need the card BEFORe MOnday at 9 am, then it would be in your best interest to preorder your PAPs, have them send you a voucher and then call DDE and sign up. You wont be charged until your DDE card is processed, but I believe you still have to go to EPCOT Guest Relations to pick up your DDE temporary cards. If your trip is close, you will NEVER get your actual cards in time - for some reason they take forever.

(one note, you WILL be charged for your PAP's when you order them, but the charge for the DDE doesn't go through until your cards have actually been set for printing and they usually show up quickly after that.)

Have fun!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

We're going VERY soon. No time to get anything in the mail.


As far as PAPs...by "any Guest Services window at WDW", does that include at the resorts, ie, BCV? We'll be checking in noon-ish on a weekday (altho, not getting into our room, of course), and then heading straight to EPCOT. How soon would we be able to get the DDE temporary card? We plan to eat lunch at WDW ASAP that day.

 

[gracelrm]

We're going June 5 - 12th. Haven't ordered DDE yet, because I'm not at home to call during their business hours - but I'll just have to call from work tomorrow. Anyway, I realize that we won't get the actual cards before we go, but in this short of time are we able to pick up the temp. card from Epcot. Or have I not allowed enough time for that either?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I just talked to DVC Member Services. The woman I spoke with said that I can get the PAPs at any Guest Services at the parks, including the International Gateway, as well as two locations in DtD. This is good.

When I then asked about getting the DDE, she said that since I need the PAP to get the DDE, then we need to go to Plan B...and Plan B is that she's going to have someone call me tomorrow.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Member services called back. I ordered the PAPs, and will pick up the vouchers at Guest Services at either DtD or at the International Gateway. She also put a notation that we wanted to purchase the DDE and to please expedite the process when we arrive to pick up our vouchers, by sending our information to DDE when we get there. She suggested that if we went to DtD first to get the vouchers, that after we checked in at the BCV, and headed to EPCOT, the DDE card (or fax...whatever) MIGHT be available to pick up at the International Gateway when we arrive.


We'll decide what to do when we get there. If we have to dine in EPCOT with just our DVC card for a discount (I think we can get the DVC discount for lunch at most sit-downs there??), then that's what we'll do.