So if my trip is end of August -- I can buy AP's now??

[Kallison]

Please help me -- I'm new at the AP game. Just read the thread about prices going up. If I buy AP now, they won't be activated until I get down there end of August? Is this correct?

 

[Kallison]

I just called my TDS -- they said prices are definitely going up at the gate, but she couldn't tell me if AP's would be going up or staying the same in the store.

 

[Kallison]

I just called the Disney Club line and she said they have had many calls about price increases and to the "best of our knowledge" prices are not going up at the gates. I mentioned to her that I just called TDS and they said they had the info. in front of them that they were. She said "Well we are better informed than TDS". I told her that I get conflicting information from CM's all the time and three phone calls can result in three different answers and usually the info. on the internet is more accurate. (She also questioned where the internet posters would get their info.) She was not happy with me. I was nice and polite, just said I beg to differ.

 

[CamColt]

To answer your question, yes.
We arent going until the end of August either, but we just bought our APs last weekend. They wont begin until they get activated at a park.

 

[caitycaity]

yep we held on to our vouchers for 9 months before activating them.

 

[pmurphy713]

Yes, Kallison, you can buy your AP vouchers whenever you get ready to. They are not activated until your first day in the park. We have already purchased the 2 adult AP's and are now working on buying the children's AP's. Our next trip isn't until November, and then in February . . . and then again in ???

Ah, the perils of having an AP!!!

 

[OregonDucks]

We are also going at the end of August and are pre-purchasing our AP's. Each month I go online and buy one so that the cost is spread out. This way the cost impact of the trip seems to hit us less and I have a better idea of the amount of "fun money" we will have to spend. Everything is paid for except for food and gifts.

Another benefit it that I get to get excited every month when the AP comes in the mail! SO EXCITING!

 

[ktglads]

You can prepurchase at TDS to get your DC discount. It was a lot easier that way for me to do it. I believe the savings was $16 over gate price. Instead of buying an already activated pass, you get a voucher that you activate the first day you use the pass. It takes less than 5 minutes at the guest relations window to process and it makes it easier for you to prepay for things and having everything all set. I bought my AP in Feb before I went in May, so as long as your local TDS has them in stock, you can get those right away. Otherwise, it make take them a week to order them

 

[MicheleC]

Hello all. I am considering buying APs this year. I have never
done so before. We will be there in October for 9 nights and
when looking at the prices it seems that the AP is the one to
go for even if we don't make it back again before the year is
up (not sure if we will since DD is starting kindergarten in
Sept so our usual October trips may be coming to an end unless
we pull her out of school yearly). Anyway, if I buy the vouchers
at teh Disney store, where can they be activated...usually I
buy the UPH right at check-in and don't have to worry about lines
or anything. Is it a pain to get the vouchers validated?? Thanks for any help/advice.

 

[pmurphy713]

It's very easy to have your AP's validated. There is a window outside of each park. They will scan adults fingers to validate the adult AP's and then they will do any children. There is also a place to have them activated at Downtown Disney, I believe.

I think you would be correct about AP's being the best buy for 9 days. From what I understand anything over your 7th or 8th day is free.

Have great fun on your trip!

 

[djm99]

What are AP's?

 

[pmurphy713]

AP's are Annual Passes. They are your ticket for unlimited admissions to the four major parks for 365 days from the date of first use. If you are interested in the water parks, etc. you can purchase a Premium Annual Pass which gives you entry into all of the major parks plus the water parks.

Annual Pass holders also (sometimes) get better rates on their rooms and some meals than with other discounts.

It all depends on how much time you are going to spend at the parks whether it's worth it to you or not. If you're going for 5 days this year and then not again for 2 or 3 years, AP's are not worth it. If, however, you plan on spending more than 8 days a year at WDW, they are well worth the price you pay.

Hope this helps!