Question about getting APs

[alvernon90]

This is a convoluted question, but I know the people here will have a good answer:

We will arrive at DLR on the afternoon of Sunday, May 17th around 3:00 pm, possibly a little later. We need to check into our rooms at the Disneyland Hotel and then we are hoping to catch one of the showings of Aladdin at DCA, which are at 4:15 pm and 5:50 pm.

Here is the catch - we will have Costco AP vouchers that we need to turn in, which I understand means a trip to the ticket booths and then another trip inside to the AP center at Disneyland.

Because of this we know that the 4:15 show is almost certainly out of the question, but is it possible to do all of this and still catch the 5:50 show? Must we get the regular APs with photos before we're allowed to go inside DCA? How long can we expect the process to take on a Sunday afternoon?

Also, any hints about how to do this most quickly would be greatly appreciated. For example, would it help to send a runner to at least stand in line at the ticket booths while everyone else check in at the hotel?

TIA!

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm pretty sure that you can go to the ticket booths, get your ticket-sized AP voucher and your giftcard, then go to DCA. But you will have to keep those ticket-sized vouchers SAFE, because if you lose them, you might be out of luck. Then after Aladdin you could head over to DL to get pix taken at the processing center.

I think the runner idea would be interesting, though perhaps sending as many as you can to wait, with as few as possible to check in, might be nicer for those in line behind you. One person vs several is nicer (though they could hop in after you're at the ticket counter and no one would care at that point, probably).

I don't know how long the lines are at the ticket booths by that time...the runner(s) might want to just hang out in the esplanade, then the checking-in person/people could call when they were on their way, and depending on the line length the runner could judge when to hop in line. Better than getting to the front and having to "after you, after you, after you" countless people, LOL.

 

[calicat]

Last year I used my eticket annual pass voucher at the CA Adventure entrance. They gave me a card that had to be processed at the bank of main street in disneyland by the end of the day. So unless the policy has changed since last year, you should be able to go to CA Adv first.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Ditto-go into DCA first, see Aladdin (great!) and process your AP at DL by the end of the day. As you enter DL go to the right-the AP center is first building you come to on the right after going through the small tunnel. You'll know it by the line.

Have fun!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Just a question......did you get the AP rate for the DLH?? We reserved by telling them we were getting them first thing & then when we got into town, we ran down to the park & got our APs & then checked in.....we saved a ton doing this!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Last year I used my eticket annual pass voucher at the CA Adventure entrance. They gave me a card that had to be processed at the bank of main street in disneyland by the end of the day. So unless the policy has changed since last year, you should be able to go to CA Adv first.

If you used disneyland.com to buy it, that's why there's a difference. The Costco AP thing is a voucher, not an e-ticket, and the costco vouchers seem to need to be redeemed at the ticket booths. Also, that's where you get the giftcard from the Costco voucher deal, so they have to go there anyway.


(I used the e-ticket too, from disneyland.com, for my last AP... it was so lovely and convenient! )

 

[pixiewings71]

You can use the voucher you're given at the ticket booths for admission, you just have to get your AP processed by the end of the day or you will have problems. Your plan will work, you should have plenty of time. Another option is to go to Guest Services instead of the ticket booths, the line there may be shorter and they can process your voucher for you.

 

[alvernon90]

Thanks for the info everyone!

Just a question......did you get the AP rate for the DLH?? We reserved by telling them we were getting them first thing & then when we got into town, we ran down to the park & got our APs & then checked in.....we saved a ton doing this!!

Actually we got the rooms with rented DVC points from the DVC rental board here. For our situation, renting the points ended up being a few hundred dollars less than the AP rate.

You can use the voucher you're given at the ticket booths for admission, you just have to get your AP processed by the end of the day or you will have problems. Your plan will work, you should have plenty of time. Another option is to go to Guest Services instead of the ticket booths, the line there may be shorter and they can process your voucher for you.

Two questions here: (1) Is the AP photo office open as late as the park itself (midnight) or does it close early? (2) Is there a guest services booth on the esplanade, or do I need to get inside the park?

 

[bumbershoot]

Guest services is outside the park...there's a window to the left of the DL gates, to the right of the lockers.

I was going to be amazed that renting the points was less, but then I did some estimated math and I can see where that could work. Good work!

 

[alvernon90]

Guest services is outside the park...there's a window to the left of the DL gates, to the right of the lockers.

I was going to be amazed that renting the points was less, but then I did some estimated math and I can see where that could work. Good work!

Thanks for the info. Renting points is not always the best way to go at DLH, but if the variables align (time of year, number of rooms, price paid per point) it can be a great deal, especially because you don't pay tax or resort fees. Plus, I love doing point rental deals on the DVC board, it's always a win-win situation!