They came! The tickets came! Now I have questions...

[Musky]

Oh frabjous day, calloo, callay!! (Any Lewis Carroll fans out there?) Our annual pass vouchers came today! I ordered them exactly a week ago (to beat the price increase) and was really surprised that they arrived already. I just can't believe that we bought annual passes...we"ve talked about it but I didn't really think we'd ever do it. So now I have some questions. I must admit I was really disappointed that there was no information with the vouchers, just the one sheet of paper that said to activate them at a ticket booth. I expected a little booklet outlining our passholder benefits, etc. Now of course I've read all that on wdwig.com, but I still expected to get the info in black and white from Disney. How is anyone whose not familiar with the internet supposed to know what their benefits are, how to activate them, etc.? Do they give you any info when you activate them? If they do, I suppose it's better than nothing, but if you're activating them right before entering a park, who wants to take time to sit down and read stuff then? And It would also be a little late to take advantage of lodging discounts, etc., if you didn't know such things existed. Or are you not eligible for them until you activate your passes? If this is so, then the perks are pretty much worthless, IMO. Also, I read something somewhere about having to have ID to activate your passes...I have a 14 yo and a 9 yo and they don't have any ID. And how long does it take to activate them? Do they take your picture? Also, does anyone know how late the booths at the TTC are open? I hate to waste time our first morning activating our passes, I was wondering if we could do it the night we get in? Also, I believe Disney's site said they send out a quarterly magazine, can anyone tell me what months it comes out? Does it have the info you need to know in it? We haven't decided for sure when we're going this summer, and I'm wondering if we'll even receive a copy of the magazine before we go.I'm really pretty disgusted with Disney for just sending these vouchers with absolutely no information. Will I receive any more explanation from then at a later date or are you just expected to somehow know all this stuff? Sorry for rambling, but any info you AP holders can give me would be greatly appreciated.


Musky

 

[DisKim]

I just got my vouchers too. Good questions, but I can't answer any of them for you. I'm wondering the same things. I hope someone out there can answer them!

 

[ccaler]

have the annual passes had there increases yet?

 

[zurgswife]

How is anyone whose not familiar with the internet supposed to know what their benefits are, how to activate them, etc.?

I guess they would have to call and find out.

Do they give you any info when you activate them?

Yes they give you a sleeve to keep them in and this sleeve has pages they describe the benefits

If they do, I suppose it's better than nothing, but if you're activating them right before entering a park, who wants to take time to sit down and read stuff then?

Want to probably hasn't anything to do with it the print is so small it is very difficult to sit and read.

And It would also be a little late to take advantage of lodging discounts, etc., if you didn't know such things existed. Or are you not eligible for them until you activate your passes?If this is so, then the perks are pretty much worthless, IMO.

my guess is that somebody that has done enough research to know about AP's knows that you can get lodging discounts.

Also, I read something somewhere about having to have ID to activate your passes...I have a 14 yo and a 9 yo and they don't have any ID.

The adult needs ID childrend don't ...even though they have adult passes.

And how long does it take to activate them?

This is a tricky one...depends on the line and how the computers are behaving and how efficient and competent the CM at the computer is. I've had it take 15mins to do 6 passes to taking well over 40 mins...

Do they take your picture?

No, picture

Also, does anyone know how late the booths at the TTC are open?

Depends on the park hours I would assume. But I would suggest depending on where you were staying and arriving, you also can activate them at any of the 4 parks...I have found that the International Gateway at Epcot usually has the shortest lines...but there are only 2 booths so if somebody slows things up your stuck.

I hate to waste time our first morning activating our passes, I was wondering if we could do it the night we get in?

I should have read the entire question....see above...but I think TTC might close earlier then the parks.

Also, I believe Disney's site said they send out a quarterly magazine, can anyone tell me what months it comes out?

Not sure as ours sometimes comes and sometimes doesnt'

Does it have the info you need to know in it?

Usually fluffy stories...but every now and then it might have info about AP benefits..though they usually seem to happen when I don't have a trip planned...LOL

Enjoy your AP's

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We bought our passes last Satuday also and haven't got the vouchers. I'll start to panick by Tuesday.

Thanks for all the information. I didn't know you could activate your passes at the TTC. I'd like to go to TL on our first day so we need our passes activated somewhere else first.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Wow Kim, that sums it all up in a nutshell!

 

[DebbieB]

You can activate them at Downtown Disney Guest Relations, I believe they are open until 11:00pm. It's back by Once Upon a Time Toystore, by the restrooms, on the parking lot side. I heard there's also an office on the West Side.

I think the reason they don't mail the sleeves with the vouchers is it would increase mailing cost. Plus the benefits change every year, if you would hold the vouchers until next year, the information would be outdated.

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by Musky
I must admit I was really disappointed that there was no information with the vouchers, just the one sheet of paper that said to activate them at a ticket booth. I expected a little booklet outlining our passholder benefits, etc. Now of course I've read all that on wdwig.com, but I still expected to get the info in black and white from Disney. How is anyone whose not familiar with the internet supposed to know what their benefits are, how to activate them, etc.? Do they give you any info when you activate them? If they do, I suppose it's better than nothing, but if you're activating them right before entering a park, who wants to take time to sit down and read stuff then? And It would also be a little late to take advantage of lodging discounts, etc., if you didn't know such things existed. Or are you not eligible for them until you activate your passes? If this is so, then the perks are pretty much worthless, IMO. Also, I read something somewhere about having to have ID to activate your passes...I have a 14 yo and a 9 yo and they don't have any ID. And how long does it take to activate them? Do they take your picture? Also, does anyone know how late the booths at the TTC are open? I hate to waste time our first morning activating our passes, I was wondering if we could do it the night we get in? Also, I believe Disney's site said they send out a quarterly magazine, can anyone tell me what months it comes out? Does it have the info you need to know in it? We haven't decided for sure when we're going this summer, and I'm wondering if we'll even receive a copy of the magazine before we go.I'm really pretty disgusted with Disney for just sending these vouchers with absolutely no information. Will I receive any more explanation from then at a later date or are you just expected to somehow know all this stuff? Sorry for rambling, but any info you AP holders can give me would be greatly appreciated.


Musky [/B]

No you are not entitled to all the benefits other than making reservations are for Passholders until they are activted there are no benefits. They figure you are buying the annual pass and you get the relevant info when you GET the Pass. They sell the vouchers as a courtesy. allowing the res to be made before you have the Pass in your hands is a courtesy as well.

Go to guest services at the parks to activate takes a few minutes, they do not take pictures they do a scan of your finger tip instead, you then must insert the same finger when you enter a park and the scan has to match.

they don't expect you to know all this stuff ahead of time because there is nothing to Know until you have the pass.

 

[leebee]

Musky-

We just bought AP's too and I understand your joy, awe and excitement! I bought ours at WDW and knew what to expect as DSis and her family have had them for years.

You need to go to Guest Relations at the parks to have them activated. Don't waste time standing in regular ticket lines as they will just pass you on (no pun!). ID needed for adults, not kids. All adult-priced passes are identified by finger scan; they scan the index and middle fingers of your right hand simultaneously. When you use the pass, you slide the pass into the machine at the gate (like any WDW pass) and then but the tops of your two fingers into a scanner and VOILA! You are in! Child's passes do not have finger scan, I believe (but am not 100% sure).

DID YOU KNOW that annual pass holders park for free at all WDW locations? If you are driving, make sure to show your AP voucher to the parking attendant. He should let you park for free, even tho you don't have the actual pass with you on that first trip. Other benefits of AP are listed on the sleeve that the passes are issued in, and most won't do you any good ahead of time (ie, lunch discounts at various restaurants). However, both Alamo and National give discounts to AP holders. You need the code (call 407-560-7277 for code before you have the passes) for AP holders. I don't think this code is so great, but it is better than nothing!

 

[Musky]

Thanks much for the info guys. But I'm still confused (I must be really thick). Aren't Guest Relations INSIDE each of the parks? If you have to go to guest relations to activate your passes, how do you get into the park without a pass? It sounds like a Catch-22 to me!

Leebee - No I didn't know about the car rental discount. We will be driving so won't be needing it, but we may fly next summer, so it's good to know. I also didn't know there was a special section on the Disney website for AP holders, which I saw on someone else's thread tonight (someone else who was pretty much saying the same things I had said about the appalling lack of information that Disney sends with these vouchers).

ccaler - yes, the annual passes increased last Sunday.

McCall - there is nothing to know until you activate the pass? Well, EXCUSE ME, but I beg to differ! I want to know if I can use an AP discount to book a room before I activate the pass, which you yourself indicated is possible. I want to know what restaurants offer AP discounts, so I can plan my meals before I'm walking through the turnstiles! I want to know exactly how and where to activate the darned things, which I am still unclear on - the ONLY information that came with the vouchers said to take them to a ticket booth, but everyone here is saying take them to guest relations. I want to know if I have to bring my kids' birth certificates with me for ID! So there is PLENTY to know and I thought your reply was rude.

Thanks again to those who did try to help and if anyone could clear up that Catch-22 for me on activating the passes, I would be extremely grateful.

Musky:happy1:

 

[unclescroogefan]

I was wondering the same thing that you are. I purchased my tickets last week at the Disney Store. When is the next time that you are going? I called Disney direct with these ? The resort discounts so far are only in effect until July. We are going in November. The cast member that I spoke to told me to call back in 2 months.We can not get the newsletter sent to our home until we actually activate the PS. A discount is offered for Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest, & the water parks. 10 % discounts are offered during lunch time at some restaurants at the parks and the resorts. I would just ask at the restaurant before you got the bill.A 10% discount is also offered at some shops at DD.15% discount off tours. 50% off mini golf.Hope this helps.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Musky
...Aren't Guest Relations INSIDE each of the parks? If you have to go to guest relations to activate your passes, how do you get into the park without a pass?...

There are Guest Relations windows outside each park. They are located to the right of the entrance turnstiles and the MK and Epcot and to the left of the turnstiles at MGM and AK.

...I also didn't know there was a special section on the Disney website for AP holders, which I saw on someone else's thread tonight (someone else who was pretty much saying the same things I had said about the appalling lack of information that Disney sends with these vouchers).

There's actually a lot of information on AP's available if you know where to look online. The worst place is Disney's web site. Probably the best place is Deb's web site.

...I want to know if I can use an AP discount to book a room before I activate the pass...

Yes you can.

...I want to know what restaurants offer AP discounts, so I can plan my meals before I'm walking through the turnstiles!

See the link to Deb's web site above

...I want to know exactly how and where to activate the darned things, which I am still unclear on - the ONLY information that came with the vouchers said to take them to a ticket booth, but everyone here is saying take them to guest relations.

It can be done at either location. During the busy morning park openings, the ticket booth CM's will often send you to Guest Relations since it takes longer to activate your AP than it does to do a normal ticket sale. You are always better off to go to Guest Relations in the first place to save yourself the trouble.

...I want to know if I have to bring my kids' birth certificates with me for ID!

No birth certificates or ID of any kind is are required for children.

 

[McCall]

Originally posted by Musky
Thanks much for the info guys. But I'm still confused (I must be really thick). Aren't Guest Relations INSIDE each of the parks? If you have to go to guest relations to activate your passes, how do you get into the park without a pass? It sounds like a Catch-22 to me!

Leebee - No I didn't know about the car rental discount. We will be driving so won't be needing it, but we may fly next summer, so it's good to know. I also didn't know there was a special section on the Disney website for AP holders, which I saw on someone else's thread tonight (someone else who was pretty much saying the same things I had said about the appalling lack of information that Disney sends with these vouchers).

ccaler - yes, the annual passes increased last Sunday.

McCall - there is nothing to know until you activate the pass? Well, EXCUSE ME, but I beg to differ! I want to know if I can use an AP discount to book a room before I activate the pass, which you yourself indicated is possible. I want to know what restaurants offer AP discounts, so I can plan my meals before I'm walking through the turnstiles! I want to know exactly how and where to activate the darned things, which I am still unclear on - the ONLY information that came with the vouchers said to take them to a ticket booth, but everyone here is saying take them to guest relations. I want to know if I have to bring my kids' birth certificates with me for ID! So there is PLENTY to know and I thought your reply was rude.

Thanks again to those who did try to help and if anyone could clear up that Catch-22 for me on activating the passes, I would be extremely grateful.


I thought your origiinal post was rude however the guest reltions is outside the park entrance gates.
and most of the benefits apply after you have the pass and that was the point.
There is free parking once you have the pass, discount of ten percent on lunches in a handful of places , epcot world showcase mon - fri during lunch hours.
discount on merchadise at Disney store in DTD onlly, 20% dicount on National or ALamo car rentals and of course the AP rates when available at the resorts. also the tour you get 15% off
there may be a couple of other things I forget but those are the gist of them.
Go back and read the Tone of your own first post, you were disgusted? etc. anyway sorry you think I was rude.
Musky:happy1:

 

[lindajo]

I skimmed through this thread and saw where someone asked when the price increases would start, but I didn't see an answer. Sorry if it's in there, but some of these posts were long. Thank you for the info....

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by lindajo
I skimmed through this thread and saw where someone asked when the price increases would start, but I didn't see an answer. Sorry if it's in there, but some of these posts were long. Thank you for the info....

Prices on PHs, PHPs and AP/PAPs went up on March 28th.

 

[lindajo]

Originally posted by GoldenOldie
Prices on PHs, PHPs and AP/PAPs went up on March 28th.

Well, that's the story of my life. A day late (a few) and a dollar short (quite a few!). thanks for the info..................

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Mine vouchers came yesterday. I'm having my DH make a copy of them just to be safe. If anyone has any other recommendation, I'm all ears!