Most accessible park to pick up AP?

[juandipr]

I need help with this issue; we got great AP room rates for December, but we bought the passes through the phone and only have confirmation numbers to pick up the actual passes in the parks. I was told by a CM that I had to go pick up the tickets before checking in, which changes our plans, which were getting to the hotel, rest after a long drive, and take a boat to Dowtown Disney to spend the evening.

I would like to know your opinions on which park is the most accesible in order to pick up our passes so we can get to the hotel ASAP. Or would it be wiser to visit a park for a couple of hours since we have to be there anyway? Wasting our passes wouldn’t be an issue since we bought AP, but I’m afraid we’ll be too tired and will end up not enjoying our first day.

Any advice, please?

 

[1HourAway]

Juan - Why not go to Guest Relations at the hotel, get your passes, then go check in?

I believe you can do this - just get in the line for guest relations first.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by 1HourAway
Juan - Why not go to Guest Relations at the hotel, get your passes, then go check in?

I believe you can do this - just get in the line for guest relations first.

You cannot exchange vouchers for APs at the resorts, only the parks and DD.
The following places will sell you an activated AP/PAP. No exchanging required:

- Any WDW major park ticket window
- Guest Relations at the major parks or at Downtown Disney and West Side
- The Ocala Information Center on I-95 in Ocala, FL
- Disney's EarPort at Orlando International Airport (2 locations)
- Character Warehouse at Belz Mall 2 in Orlando
- Character Premiere at Belz Mall 1 in Orlando
- Character Premiere at Orlando Premium Outlets Mall in Lake Buena Vista
All of the above locations will still honor your Disney Club discount on AP/PAP's EXCEPT www.disney.com. Note that AP/PAP's cannot be purchased at Disney resorts.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by juandipr
I need help with this issue; we got great AP room rates for December, but we bought the passes through the phone and only have confirmation numbers to pick up the actual passes in the parks. I was told by a CM that I had to go pick up the tickets before checking in, which changes our plans, which were getting to the hotel, rest after a long drive, and take a boat to Dowtown Disney to spend the evening.

I would like to know your opinions on which park is the most accesible in order to pick up our passes so we can get to the hotel ASAP. Or would it be wiser to visit a park for a couple of hours since we have to be there anyway? Wasting our passes wouldn’t be an issue since we bought AP, but I’m afraid we’ll be too tired and will end up not enjoying our first day.

Any advice, please?

Where are you staying? I do know that you can exchange vouchers at Guest Relations at DD. I have not heard of "will call" for Annual Passes, is this new?

 

[juandipr]

We are staying at PO Riverside. The CM told us that we need to pick up and validate our AP vouchers exclusively at guest relations at the parks. They are not available at the resorts (not sure about DD). She recommended this because probably our vouchers would not get to us on time for our trip if wanted to get them through the mail. Anyway, it changes our plans because we cannot get to the resort and settle in first...

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Maybe this information from Deb Wills will help you and others who read your post:
"The following places will send you a voucher for your AP/PAP. This voucher must be exchanged for the actual pass at any WDW ticket window or Guest Relations window or at the Guest Relations offices at Downtown Disney or Downtown Disney West Side:
- Most Disney Stores throughout the U.S.
- online at www.disney.com
- by calling 407-WDISNEY
The following places will sell you an activated AP/PAP. No exchanging required:
- Any WDW major park ticket window
- Guest Relations at the major parks or at Downtown Disney and West Side
- The Ocala Information Center on I-95 in Ocala, FL
- Disney's EarPort at Orlando International Airport (2 locations)
- Character Warehouse at Belz Mall 2 in Orlando
- Character Premiere at Belz Mall 1 in Orlando
- Character Premiere at Orlando Premium Outlets Mall in Lake Buena Vista"

Would it be practical for you to stop off at Guest Relations at Downtown Disney on your way to the hotel and pick up your APs before going to the hotel? You probably have already checked the park hours for the day that you are arriving. Depending on what time you arrive, you could visit a park for just awhile, if you aren't too tired, couldn't you? Or, you could spend awhile at Downtown Disney before going to the hotel, right?

I think the question that you have to answer is how tired you are from the drive into Orlando before you can decide what to do, right? And, it is not something that anyone but you can answer, right? And, I haven't heard about a "will call" for annual passes, either. Also, isn't is possible that you only need the confirmation number to check in at the hotel?

 

[juandipr]

They told me at the front desk that I only needed the confirmation number in order to check-in, and we could get the passes when we go to the park. Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I do not think an actual activate AP is needed for check in. A voucher or number should suffice.

 

[ead79]

I have exchanged AP vouchers for actual APs twice at Epcot's International Gateway entrance back by World Showcase. I didn't have to wait either time.

 

[Goofmeister]

I agree Epcot is the place to make the exchange.

 

[GoldenOldie]

The OP is not looking to exchange vouchers. They are looking to pick up an AP that was put on "will call". This can be done at any Guest Relations at the four major parks or at the Guest Relations offices in DTD. It cannot be done at Guest Services at the resorts.

juandipr:
You will not have a problem checking into the resort. Even if you have nothing at all to prove you have an AP, the worst case scenario you will encounter is that they will check you in and tell you to return later or the next day and show your AP to the front desk. Most times they will not even ask you for it. It will not be a problem.

 

[DebbieB]

I would try to check-in first and if they give you a problem then go to find a place to pick them up. I doubt you will have a problem, I've never been asked for the AP when I checked in. In fact, this past Sunday I checked into CBR with an AP rate and not only did he not ask me for the AP, he asked me if I needed to buy passes or tickets!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by GoldenOldie
The OP is not looking to exchange vouchers. They are looking to pick up an AP that was put on "will call". This can be done at any Guest Relations at the four major parks or at the Guest Relations offices in DTD. It cannot be done at Guest Services at the resorts.

juandipr:
You will not have a problem checking into the resort. Even if you have nothing at all to prove you have an AP, the worst case scenario you will encounter is that they will check you in and tell you to return later or the next day and show your AP to the front desk. Most times they will not even ask you for it. It will not be a problem.

Hi,
Is this will call for APs new? This is the first I have heard of it.
Well, my day is complete, I learned something new.

 

[pgjam]

I would say the quickest way is to go to the World Showcase entrance of Epcot. You could park your car at Boardwalk since you would only be a few minutes & walk to the Showcase entrance. It is always very quiet over there & should not take long at all.
pgjam

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Hi,
Is this will call for APs new? This is the first I have heard of it.
Well, my day is complete, I learned something new.

I guess we managed to keep it a well hidden secret from you, Gail. Way to go, DISers!

Disney started offering "will call" pickups of regular park tickets (PH's, PHP's, & AP/PAP's as well as hard ticket events like MNSSHP and MVMCP) back in September 2002. The primary use for it is if you are ordering your ticket less than two weeks prior to your arrival and don't want to chance the ticket or voucher not arriving before you leave.

The tickets, no matter what kind you order, can only be picked up at a Guest Relations location. Guest Services at the resorts cannot help you with these.

I have heard varying reports from people who have used this system. The general consensus seems to be that it isn't used very often and many (most?) GR CM's seem to lack the requisite knowledge on how to handle this quickly and efficiently. In other words, it takes a while at the GR window for the CM to figure out what to do. Longer than exchanging a voucher would take. But on the bright side, I haven't heard of anyone yet that hasn't been able to get their prepaid tickets eventually.

 

[Mich Mouse]

I think Downtown Disney is an easy place to pick up AP's, if you want them before going to a park. It is also a fun place to "kick off" a Disney vacation....The excitement just builds and builds. When I finally get to the parks.. I prefer to have that AP in my hand !