Purchasing DVC discounted AP's

[cslittle999]

Have trips planned for October this year and August next year, this will be the first time that AP's make sense for us. I know we can purchase AP vouchers through Member Services and then we take the vouchers to guest services at a park or DTD and get the actual AP. Is there a shipping charge? As an alternative can I get the same discount at a guest services location?

 

[airman]

I checked into this last Monday, MS when I booked our October trip. If you ordered the vouchers through MS they charge your credit card right then and you still have to go to customer service to exchange your voucher. MS suggested just buying the AP at customer service, you just need your DVC member card.

 

[CarolMN]

Just confirming - you can buy an AP or PAP on site and still get the DVC discount. As noted, you'll need your blue membership card and a photo ID to show the CM at Guest Relations.

There's no reason to go through MS and buy in advance unless:

1. You think the price will increase before you arrive on site. If you buy now and get a voucher, then even if the price goes up, you can still exchange the voucher for the actual pass.

2. You have several to buy and want to spread the cost out over a few months. Some members prefer to buy one a month or one every two months to avoid a huge outlay all at once.

 

[disneynutz]

Have we confirmed that buying in advance locks in your price. I read somewhere that pre-buyers were being charged the difference in price when they exchanged their vouchers.

We have purchased sometimes a year in advance and never had a increase. Has the policy changed?

 

[CarolMN]

Have we confirmed that buying in advance locks in your price. I read somewhere that pre-buyers were being charged the difference in price when they exchanged their vouchers.

First I ever heard of that. Where did you read it?

 

[DebbieB]

I bought mine last August before a price increase and then exchanged it in October after the increase and was not charged.

 

[Granny]

I know we can purchase AP vouchers through Member Services and then we take the vouchers to guest services at a park or DTD and get the actual AP. Is there a shipping charge?

Yes, there is a $3 shipping charge if they mail you the vouchers. I only know that because I ordered mine today.

There's no reason to go through MS and buy in advance unless:

1. You think the price will increase before you arrive on site. If you buy now and get a voucher, then even if the price goes up, you can still exchange the voucher for the actual pass.

2. You have several to buy and want to spread the cost out over a few months. Some members prefer to buy one a month or one every two months to avoid a huge outlay all at once.

There is at least one other reason. I bought my AP's today for our upcoming trip in July. Why didn't I wait until I went to purchase at Guest Services? I wanted to use my Disney Rewards dollars to make most of the purchase (didn't quite have enough to cover all the AP's) and when we tried this at GS one time they really struggled with it. So I bought through MS to make sure I got the DVC discount and use my Rewards dollars and had no problems with the transaction today.

Of course, it also protects us against a price increase which is an added benefit as noted by Carol.

But in general, I'd agree that it's just as easy to buy at GS since I have to take my voucher there anyway. At least all that "are all these people at this address?" stuff is out of the way.

 

[cslittle999]

Thanks for all of your answers.

 

[abbysmema]

I wonder if someone can answer a question for me. My AP expired in January. If I buy a new one from ms, will be the voucher they send be able to be used to order a new DDE card? I'll be going to WDW in June and wanted to have the DDE card before I leave. Thank you for any information. Marie

 

[DisneyPhD]

I wonder if someone can answer a question for me. My AP expired in January. If I buy a new one from ms, will be the voucher they send be able to be used to order a new DDE card? I'll be going to WDW in June and wanted to have the DDE card before I leave. Thank you for any information. Marie

We are getting new AP at the start of us next trip and I read online that you can get your DDE card at the same time as your AP at member services. This seems like a much easier thing to do. I started a thread here asking about it and many people said they did just that and it was super easy. So that is just what we are doing. Ordering both ahead of time and then having to worry about not forgetting or losing them seems like a lot more of a hassle. This way they both start and stop on the same dates.

 

[Granny]

I wonder if someone can answer a question for me. My AP expired in January. If I buy a new one from ms, will be the voucher they send be able to be used to order a new DDE card? I'll be going to WDW in June and wanted to have the DDE card before I leave. Thank you for any information. Marie

The answer to your question is yes, you can order the DDE card using the AP voucher.

But really since you have to go to MS anyway to get an AP, why not do the DDE at the same time?

Unlike the AP voucher, the DDE begins it's year (or 13 months) as soon as you order it. So there really is a benefit in waiting until you are at WDW to getting the DDE.

 

[abbysmema]

Thank you for your replies. If I understand this right, I can go to guest services to buy a new AP when I arrive and also purchase a new DDE card at that time? That would be easier. I guess since I always ordered the DDE card beforehand I thought that it took time to process or something. Buying both at the same time would be easier. Thanks again. Marie

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Thank you for your replies. If I understand this right, I can go to guest services to buy a new AP when I arrive and also purchase a new DDE card at that time? That would be easier. I guess since I always ordered the DDE card beforehand I thought that it took time to process or something. Buying both at the same time would be easier. Thanks again. Marie

You are correct you use to have to order them by phone during normal business hours.

However that has changed this year and now as others stated you can get them at the GR locations . So your not going crazy they just changed it.

Also another benifit of getting at least one voucher is you can get on the passholders sight and see whats going on there.

We bought one for our June trip and will get the rest as well as the DDE card when we arrive on-sight as long as no price increases are rumored

 

[abbysmema]

Thank you. Marie