Tables in Wonderland - ordering card before trip?

[stitch34]

My card has expired.. figured would get a new one during our next trip. If you order one by phone/mail, however you do it.... do they just send you the card.... or is it like when you buy APs before a trip you get a voucher that you need to activate when there? Trip isn't till late June, so we certainly have time for the card to arrive. But will we be able to use it right away when we get to WDW, or do we have to go to guest relations or something to activate it (like when buying an AP would have to).
We arrive super excited and super HUNGRY and want to just take off to our dinner at DTD - so am hoping card is ready to use and not have to go to activate it at GR or something like that.
ALSO.... if ordering it phone/mail.... I'm guessing the date of issue of it would be when they sent it... as opposed to just buying it in the park in late June then it would be good for a longer timer period.

 

[jwfla422]

I started buying it there for that reason, so we have that extra time on it because it will expire from the time you receive it in the mail, usually they give you an extra month (ie. if you purchase it now, it would "usually" expire the end of March instead of Feb. of next year). They used to send the actual card but it's been a while since we've done it this way.

Like I said I prefer to wait until we get there (since you can do it this way as once upon a time it was only available by mail)...the only drawback to that is that you have to go to guest relations at the park or DTD so if you don't plan to go there the first day/night andyou want to eat at a resort restaurant you have to go out of your way to go get it so you can get your discount on that night's dinner.

 

[camsmomE]

I don't know if this will help you at all, but I called to order mine today and the lady all but begged me to wait and get it at GR at DTD or any of the 4 parks when I get there. She said the processing time was horrid right now...

 

[Uncleromulus]

We've found that getting the card AT Guest relations in DD is pretty fast and simple.
That's what I'd do rather than the mail business...

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I bought ours at GR inside AK in January. I was in and out in less than two minutes. In the past I've purchased at DTD and at the IG at Epcot -- same experience.