Resort checkin and annual pass

[skiwee1]

I've never been asked to even see my AP so I doubt it will be a problem. I don't know about this new rule as I have friends that have PAPs and weren't asked to see them and that was over Christmas.

 

[Dchef]

I bought my AP on the Disney web site--All I have is the printed out reciept which I guess is the voucher (correct?) Says: Will Call Pick up.

We are traveling all day long and I know the kids will want to check in soon--Maybe to be safe and to keep the whining to a minimum we should get our passes first then check in--AUGGGHHHH!

 

[Lesley]

I would think that if you're checking in at odd hours they would give you some leeway. We checked in at ASMo once and had not yet been able to buy our passes.....we had arrived by car at 6am after an overnight drive. They did let us check in....but of course our room was not yet ready. We hung out at the resort and made it over to MGM for early entry and then bought our passes.

I had promised that I would bring my pass back for inspection after we bought them....and before we got our room...but the check in cm wasn't concerned. Of course this was before the new rules. Then again, she could also see that we had held AP's previously by looking at our history.

Our thing was that we needed to get our room cards in order to get in for early entry...or we would have waited to check in until after buying the passes. I think it was almost 9am by the time we got our passes purchased though....their computers were down. Ah well...the best laid plans...

 

[Geoff_M]

MSlangen, I think if you buy it at the airport or any Disney store you are buying a voucher that has to be activated or turned in for a activated date stamped ticket.

You're partly correct... If you buy from a "Disney Store" retail store you get a voucher... but the stores at the airports aren't "Disney Stores". Those stores are part of the WDW merchandise operations just like in the parks. (One main difference is that in the airport stores you can buy "Walt Disney World" souvenirs, you can't do that in "Disney Stores".) The airport stores only sell activated APs.

 

[Divamomto3]

I just called these airport stores and was told that they do not sell or activate AP's by the person who answered the phone and she double checked with someone who "does all the tickets." She said I had to go to Guest Relations at one of the 4 major theme parks. I called my local Disney Store at the mall and they said they still sell all the park tickets except for AP's. The woman who answered told me AP's were taken away from all the stores and you have to go to one of the 4 major parks to purchase them.

I am arriving at the Wilderness Lodge at 9:30 pm with 3 kids and no DH. My voucher is going to have to do until the morning, unless they at least give me my room and the kids still have the energy to take the bus to Downtown Disney or the boat to the Magic Kingdom ticket window, since the MK is open until midnight on the night of our arrival.

 

[brando5111]

Our flight arrives @ 5:50am on 2/25 - I cannot believe they would give us an issue - If so, I guess we'll head over to DTD to activate. We want to get checked in as early as possible to hopefully obtain the view we really want. I paid extra for a courtyard view room - but want to be sure it's inner courtyard!

Anyway, I trust they would be understanding due to the early arrival time and the fact we've just been on a overnight flight from Los Angeles. I know the room will not be ready when we check in - so after check-in we can then head over to DTD to have some breakfast and activate. I just cannot believe they won't wait a "couple of hours" to see my activated AP.

Brando

 

[snowmouse]

Our plane arrives after 11pm. My resort is booked at an ap rate, so I have 2 questions.

First, what is the most efficient way to purchase my ap while still at home ?(and by the way last time I WAS able to buy and activate at the airport store contrary to info Divamom got on the phone).

Second, activation. We want to take advantage of the EE at MK the next morning. What do I have to do to activate? How long will it take? Will I waste my early morning on paperwork? This would drive me crazy, as I am a Disney commando!!!

 

[gepetto]

First, what is the most efficient way to purchase my ap while still at home

Second, activation. We want to take advantage of the EE at MK the next morning.

first, buy them online

second, it only takes a few minutes at guest relations

 

[FLORIDAFUNFAMILY]

I've always found disney to be very easy to deal with and while it is on a case by case basis. I would not expect them to be unreasonable in the cases everyone is talking about. I would be very polite to the CM's and they make exceptions on a daily basis for all sorts of things. The "RULES" aren't ever totally followed in most cases and I'm sure they would work with you on a reasonable time to return with your activated AP. The Magic really does exist and sometiimes you just have to smile and ask nicely for some pixie dust and it will come for you. What ever you do do not attempt to bully or command any of the CM's. I have watch people do this and get nowhere and I have been pleasant and humble and gotten every where . Magic doesn't happen for Grumpy People.

 

[dislover123]

I checked in at the GF at 6 pm and they never asked for my AP and we had 3 reservations under my pass. I had bought my AP at the local disney store so they would not of had the info in their system yet. I had the voucher in had ready to present to them and if needed I would of said I will go get this actviated and then come back. But they never asked for it and that was in Dec.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I just called these airport stores and was told that they do not sell or activate AP's by the person who answered the phone and she double checked with someone who "does all the tickets." She said I had to go to Guest Relations at one of the 4 major theme parks. I called my local Disney Store at the mall and they said they still sell all the park tickets except for AP's. The woman who answered told me AP's were taken away from all the stores and you have to go to one of the 4 major parks to purchase them.

Maybe they've changed their policies recently? I was able to buy an activated AP back in September. That's too bad if they don't sell them there any more... it was a pretty convenient location for me to pick them up.

 

[Divamomto3]

Maybe they've changed their policies recently? I was able to buy an activated AP back in September. That's too bad if they don't sell them there any more... it was a pretty convenient location for me to pick them up.

I agree. Maybe other DISers can check their local Disney stores for an answer. Or maybe somebody else wants to check those numbers for the Disney stores at the airport. Maybe somebody will get a better answer than I did.

 

[riu girl]

So let me get this right:

You can buy an unactivated AP on-line from WDW, and then activate it once yoy got to WDW? Stupid me, I assumed they were "activated" once you ordered it.

Is this correct?
Suzy V.

 

[Sammie]

So let me get this right:

You can buy an unactivated AP on-line from WDW, and then activate it once yoy got to WDW? Stupid me, I assumed they were "activated" once you ordered it.

Is this correct?
Suzy V.

Unless you buy your AP "at" Disney World, you get a voucher. You take the voucher to any park guests services or Downtown Disney and they activiate it them. It is good for one year from the date of activation.

As to the policy for checkin. Official policy is you need an activated AP at check in for discounts. However we all know that not every CM follows policy. The problem though you never know which CM you will get. The one that does not ask for it, the one that asks for it and allows you to activate it later and bring it back later, or the one that wants the activated AP at checkin.

 

[rcraw45425]

I took my AP voucher to the front desk at check in at the YC. Told them I'd activate it (did that night at the back gate to EPCOT). Called down to the desk to see if they needed to see the actual AP, guy says yes, please bring it down. I took it down and the girls there then say "oh, we trust you, you didn't have to show it to us!"

 

[Mickey's Girl]

Is it a fairly quick process to validate at the parks