Question about purchasing an AP

[Shrfleen]

I am thinking about purchasing an Annual Pass because I will be visiting Disney multiple times (December 2017 and February 2018 and maybe another random weekend). Now for my questions:

1) If I purchase an AP now, will it only be valid December 2016 to December 2017 or will it be active once I use it (which would be December 2017)?

2) We are planning a large family trip in February 2018 and plan on staying in a 2 bedroom villa on property with dining plan. If I have an AP, how can I be on the room/dining plan reservation but not have tickets?

3) Can I book our large family vacation using an AP discount?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Robo]

To answer another (implied) question...
You do not have to actually OWN an active AP (or even an unactivated AP voucher)
in order to BOOK an AP room deal (if one is offered by Disney.)

 

[Robo]

I am thinking about purchasing an Annual Pass because I will be visiting Disney multiple times (December 2017 and February 2018 and maybe another random weekend). Now for my questions:

1) If I purchase an AP now, will it only be valid December 2016 to December 2017 or will it be active once I use it (which would be December 2017)?

2) We are planning a large family trip in February 2018 and plan on staying in a 2 bedroom villa on property with dining plan. If I have an AP, how can I be on the room/dining plan reservation but not have tickets?

3) Can I book our large family vacation using an AP discount?

1) APs can only be activated by intentionally going, in-person, to a WDW ticket booth or Guest Relations and having the AP activated.
Just purchasing an AP voucher does not activate it.

2) It's called a "ticketless" package/ Dining Plan.

3) There is no general "AP discount" for rooms or other trip options.
An AP discount must be offered by Disney (hopefully to coincide with your vacation dates) and then you can book it.

 

[Shrfleen]

1) APs can only be activated by intentionally going, in-person, to a WDW ticket booth or Guest Relations and having the AP activated.
Just purchasing an AP voucher does not activate it.

2) It's called a "ticketless" package/ Dining Plan.

3) There is no general "AP discount" for rooms or other trip options.
An AP discount must be offered by Disney (hopefully to coincide with your vacation dates) and then you can book it.

Thank you. I can purchase an AP now and activate it when I visit next December, sounds great! I'm assuming I could need to call Disney to reserve a ticketless package?

 

[Robo]

I'm assuming I could need to call Disney to reserve a ticketless package?

That'll work.

 

[figmentedfollies]

You can definitely book rooms for a large family vacation using an available AP discount! I was in the process of booking a 9 adult vacation earlier this year (before plans ended up changing) and as an AP holder you can book up to 3 rooms at one time included in the offer. For example, the Passholder Spring into 2017 Offer included the following Resorts/Rooms:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney's Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites only
• Disney's Beach Club Resort
• Disney's Beach Club Villas
• Disney's BoardWalk Inn
• Disney's BoardWalk Villas
• Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney's Contemporary Resort
• Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney's Old Key West Resort
• Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Studios only
• Disney's Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge
• Disney's Yacht Club Resort
• The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
• The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

However, it also EXCLUDES the following:

• Offer excludes the following room types: campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort – The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.

Since you are looking to book a 2 bedroom villa you should be fine. However, depending on the make up of your party/the number of beds required booking multiple rooms at a moderate might be preferable to a 2 bedroom villa.

As an AP passholder you also have the ability to obtain a Tables in Wonderland card, which may save you money over the dining plan. Your mileage may vary depending on your group's eating habits. You can't beat the convenience of the dining plan when its a large group.