PAPs...should we get vouchers ahead of time?

[MaryAnnDVC]

We're going to WDW towards the end of May, and getting PAPs. What's the best way to get them with the DVC discount? Is it faster to have the vouchers in hand (ordered from Member Services?) and exchanging them for passes at Guest Services, or just as fast to show up at Guest Services without them and purchase them at that point?

TIA

 

[CarolMN]

IMHO, there are only two advantages of buying an AP/PAP in advance:

1. To avoid a price increase if you think there will be one before you arrive (unlikely if you are going in May, since the prices just increased in January).

2. To spread the cost out over several months if you need to purchase more than one.

I do not think it save lots of time to buy them in advance. You still need to exchange the voucher for the actual pass and provide all the info (name, address, DVC card, etc.) for the CM to process and set up your AP/PAP in the system. I suppose the voucher saves a little time - the time it would take to process the credit card or check transaction. But I don't think that takes much time. JMHO. YMMV.

Best wishes -

 

[tjkraz]

The only reason I would buy them early is if you want to get the Disney Dining Experience discount card. For that you need to be an AP holder--they will let you purchase with the ID from your voucher.

Other than that, you stand in the same line to trade-in the voucher as to purchase the entire pass. Keep the money in your bank for another month.

 

[CarolMN]

The only reason I would buy them early is if you want to get the Disney Dining Experience discount card. For that you need to be an AP holder--they will let you purchase with the ID from your voucher.......

Forgot that one, LOL.

However, you can also chose to call Dining from WDW after you have your AP/PAP and they will fax a temporary "authorization" letter to your resort. You can use that in lieu of the card until the actual card(s) arrive in the mail. I plan to do that - mostly because I want my DDE card to last for two trips - just like my annual pass. We'll take our next trip just before our APs expire.

Best wishes -

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Thanks for the info. Not I have to find out what this is...

Disney Dining Experience discount card.

 

[tjkraz]

DDE is a discount program that gives you 20% off at most restaurants at WDW. You pay $50 up-front for the card, so the breakeven point is $250 in food and drink expenses over the one year period.

The card cannot be purchased directly at WDW, but as Carol mentioned, you can buy on short notice and have temporary membership proof emailed or faxed to you prior to your trip.

Full details here: http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Thank you! Definitely something that might work for us.

 

[lllovell]

You just have to remember to use it, unlike me who often forgets to ask about discounts, etc.

I swear this trip this weekend, I am going to get a special hat and poke all my cards in there and hopefully a help CM will see and say "oh, I see you get a discount." I am sooooo bad!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

You just have to remember to use it, unlike me who often forgets to ask about discounts, etc.

I swear this trip this weekend, I am going to get a special hat and poke all my cards in there and hopefully a help CM will see and say "oh, I see you get a discount." I am sooooo bad!

You sound like us! I've forgotten a few times to use discount cards, like AAA at Universal, DVC/AP at Disney...it just kills me!

 

[disney4me4ever]

We will be going to WDW in 2 weeks. As I see it, there is probably no advantage to prepurchasing APs. We don't plan on doing DDE. If I purchase at Guest Services, can I use my Disney Visa rewards to pay for the AP?

TIA,
Nancy

 

[Disneyaholic]

If I purchase at Guest Services, can I use my Disney Visa rewards to pay for the AP?

Sure can! We did that last December -- helped offset the fact that we were buying our APs before the DVC discount became effective. Then we put the balance right back on our Disney VISA to earn more rewards!