Strategy for room discounts & Annual Pass?

[baseballnut]

We're in Michigan but would like to get the Annual Pass when we go to WDW in February. I was hoping to get the AP room discount, but I know we have to activate the AP first (so we'd hit the parks or something before we check in).

But, I'm realizing now that we won't be able to do Fastpass+, because we won't actually have real admission tickets, correct?

So, would this work: If we book a regular package, tickets and room, now (or when hopefully a discount comes out in the next week or so?! LOL) - and then upgrade to an AP when we get to the park? Then we just pay the difference in ticket prices to AP price, correct?

OR should I call to book an AP discounted room (provided there are discounts soon) and just get separate MYW tickets now -- and then when we get there, go right to the park and upgrade the tickets to an AP? Could this possibly give us a better room discount?

Thanks if you made it through this, and thanks even more if you can give me any tips/insight/suggestions!

 

[baseballnut]

anyone?

 

[DopeyDame]

You don't need to wait to buy your APs - your year doesn't start ticking until you actually walk through the gates. So buy an AP (either through Disney or through AAA) and then you can link the AP voucher (or real ticket, depending on what you buy) with your MDE and make your fastpasses.
Once you get to WDW, if you got a voucher, you just go to guest relations and they activate you and get you all set.

 

[baseballnut]

You don't need to wait to buy your APs - your year doesn't start ticking until you actually walk through the gates. So buy an AP (either through Disney or through AAA) and then you can link the AP voucher (or real ticket, depending on what you buy) with your MDE and make your fastpasses. Once you get to WDW, if you got a voucher, you just go to guest relations and they activate you and get you all set.

Oh! That's great! I didn't think I would be able to link the AP to MDE. Thanks so much.

Also, since we still have magic bands from the last trip, I can link the AP to those, correct?

 

[Raenstoirm]

Also, since we still have magic bands from the last trip, I can link the AP to those, correct?

MB are not linked to any room/tickets/etc. They are only linked to your MDE. They are interchangeable. If you get an AP, you will get an AP band as well as as new band for staying onsite. Dh and I got 7 bands last month. We did a spilt stay so 2 bands each (one for each resort) and then we did the food and wine VIP package so that had a band for each of us and then I had to buy the HM band. They are all interchangeable until the batteries die.

 

[baseballnut]

MB are not linked to any room/tickets/etc. They are only linked to your MDE. They are interchangeable. If you get an AP, you will get an AP band as well as as new band for staying onsite. Dh and I got 7 bands last month. We did a spilt stay so 2 bands each (one for each resort) and then we did the food and wine VIP package so that had a band for each of us and then I had to buy the HM band. They are all interchangeable until the batteries die.

Thank you!