Strategy for Annual Pass?

[map330]

We are planning a trip down to Disney in early December (haven't booked yet, at this point waiting for the room discounts). Anyway, crunching numbers based on when we go and what we do, I think the Annual Pass combined with Tables in Wonderland might be worth it for us (just DW and I). However, I have some questions about the best way to go about this.

1) I know the annual pass clock doesn't start ticking until it's activated ( I assume when I first enter the park on December 1, let's say). However, how would that work with a room discount? Could I still use that with the AP voucher before it's activated? Essentially if I just use the regular room discount, I think it would be fine. Still, just curious.

2) As I understand it, I can apply the cost of the tickets in the package I book toward the price of an AP? So If I book us each a 6-day ticket, I can apply that full cost toward the cost of 2 APs, and only have to pay the difference? If so, when would be the best time to do that...when I get down there or ahead of time?

3) As far as Tables in Wonderland, I know I need the AP to get that since I don't live in Florida and am not DVC. Following the theme of my first question, can I purchase this before the AP is "activated"? If not, would I be able to buy a TW pass when I arrive for my trip and still be able to use it on that trip?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's easy to buy the TIW card when you pick up your activated AP. If you purchase the TIW card ahead of time, the clock starts ticking on that as soon as you purchase it.

 

[Sue M]

We are planning a trip down to Disney in early December (haven't booked yet, at this point waiting for the room discounts). Anyway, crunching numbers based on when we go and what we do, I think the Annual Pass combined with Tables in Wonderland might be worth it for us (just DW and I). However, I have some questions about the best way to go about this.

1) I know the annual pass clock doesn't start ticking until it's activated ( I assume when I first enter the park on December 1, let's say). However, how would that work with a room discount? Could I still use that with the AP voucher before it's activated? Essentially if I just use the regular room discount, I think it would be fine. Still, just curious.

2) As I understand it, I can apply the cost of the tickets in the package I book toward the price of an AP? So If I book us each a 6-day ticket, I can apply that full cost toward the cost of 2 APs, and only have to pay the difference? If so, when would be the best time to do that...when I get down there or ahead of time?

3) As far as Tables in Wonderland, I know I need the AP to get that since I don't live in Florida and am not DVC. Following the theme of my first question, can I purchase this before the AP is "activated"? If not, would I be able to buy a TW pass when I arrive for my trip and still be able to use it on that trip?

Thanks in advance for your help!

1. You can book AP room discount without having an AP, you just need to produce it at check in. They will give you some grace time, I was told I could stop by front desk after returning from parks later, after I got my AP.

2. Yes, if you buy tickets as part of a package deal, you can actually use tickets and convert to AP anytime during your stay and you will receive full price of tickets toward AP. even if you used tickets for 3 days. Just do it before last day! Obv. If you're booking room with AP discount, you'll want to convert tickets the first day. Has to be done onsite at any Guest Relations kiosk in front of park.

3. I'm not sure if you can purchase TIW before with AP voucher.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, you do not have to have the AP to book a room only discount. You just have to produce a valid AP when you check in or soon thereafter. If you don't need to purchase a package (let's say you're not interested in the dining package), I would look into getting the room only reservation and then buying your tickets from a discounted third-party vendor (like Undercover Tourist). Then use those tickets on your first day (e.g., December 1) and upgrade them to the AP at that point. As long as you've used the tickets once, the price should be bridged to the current gate price, so you might be able to save a little bit of money. You can buy the TiW at the same time you upgrade your tickets. My family did this last year (room only discount, bought tickets through Undercover Tourist, and then upgraded to AP after first use).

 

[map330]

Thanks all! I appreciate the advice. One more question...how would I book a room at the AP rate without an AP? Ideally, I would love to book the room at the AP rate when they're released and then just get the AP as soon as I get down there. But I don't see where that is online...

 

[figment_jii]

I think you have to call to make the reservation. Without an AP, I don't think you can make the reservation online because you can't access the AP portion of the website.

 

[Sue M]

You'd have to phone reservations. Sign up for Mousesavers.com news letter, and check their site freq. they post when AP discounts are released. Keep track of discount board on Dis, people usually post when discounts are released.

 

[map330]

Thanks again...and one more question (sorry). How does setting up fast passes work with the AP, whether it be my scenario or in general? If I did the phone thing, would I be able to select at 60 days before my arrival for all applicable days?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks again...and one more question (sorry). How does setting up fast passes work with the AP, whether it be my scenario or in general? If I did the phone thing, would I be able to select at 60 days before my arrival for all applicable days?

As long as you were staying in a Disney resort, you can set up FP+ with an AP at 60 days out. Without a ticket assigned to your MDE, you can't book any FP+.

Once the ticket you are using shows up as an AP, it stays there and tells you when it expires.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'll be doing exactly what you want to do. I've booked an AP discount rate for my room. I'll be getting TiW when I get there. I'll be activating my AP the night I arrive, even tho I won't be going to a park. I'll buy the TiW at the same time. Then I'll just show the AP (on my MB) to the front desk at the resort do they know I actually should get that rate.
If you buy the TiW card before you go, you may not get quite as much time usage on it.
If you buy an AP voucher now, you can add it to your MDE account and be able to book a room with the AP discount.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

an AP doesn't activate the first time you use it to enter a park. You have to activate it before you enter the park (at Guest Services, I think you can do it at a ticket booth also)

if you do it at Guest Services, you can buy TIW at the same time as you get it activated.

 

[prgal0715]

Let me see if this will help you out: Last year, I purchased my AP's online and was immediately given a ticket number that was associated with my MDE account. Since I had that number, I could book a room-only reservation right away with a discount and then make all of my FP+ selections 60 days out. I brought my AP vouchers to guest services at Epcot, received my hard tickets and purchased TIW at that time. (They even gave me an extra month on TIW!) It was all seamless and very easy to do. Happy to answer any other questions you might have!

 

[map330]

Thanks for the advice! I greatly appreciate it. It sounds like the best strategy for me will be to book my standard MYW package (either by phone for the AP discount or online for the regular discount....not sure which because I know AP is released after the general discount and I don't want to be left out). Then once I get down there, I can go to go Guest Services, pay the upgrade for my AP, add the TIW, and I'm set.