"Ticketless Package" Question (w/ Annual Pass)

[HLAuburn]

I'm sorry if this has been covered before - I couldn't find an answer in my search...

Our FL Resident APs expired last August, and we decided to take some "time off" from Disney to do other type trips this year. We are already itching to go back, so we are planning to purchase new APs in December and would like to book a "ticketless package" with room and dining.

So my question is...since we technically aren't AP holders, can I still book a room and add dining as long as I have the APs in hand when I check in? I remember in the past I could just sign on with my AP info and book online, but this time I'm going to have to call CRO - will they ask for a valid AP to book??

Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

Yes, you can book an AP + Dine package without having a current AP; you will just have to show the valid AP at check in (or within so much time after check in if you still need to purchase it or activate a voucher).

 

[HLAuburn]

Perfect...thanks!

So on the same topic, if we purchase the vouchers online, how/where do you exchange them for the actual APs? And does the pass become "activated" the first day you use it to go into a park?

You'd think I'd know all this by now, but we just purchased them at the park last time the day we got there, so doing it this way is new to me.

Thanks again

 

[mickeynut1]

Perfect...thanks!

So on the same topic, if we purchase the vouchers online, how/where do you exchange them for the actual APs? And does the pass become "activated" the first day you use it to go into a park?

You'd think I'd know all this by now, but we just purchased them at the park last time the day we got there, so doing it this way is new to me.

Thanks again

You're welcome .

We've never had APs but are planning on getting them for our next trip, so I have researched about booking rooms before purchasing them, but I'm not 100% sure on where to exchange the vouchers. With that said, I think you have to go to any park's ticket window and do it there and I think activation takes place the first time you use it, but hopefully someone will come along to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong .

 

[mb187143]

You're welcome .

We've never had APs but are planning on getting them for our next trip, so I have researched about booking rooms before purchasing them, but I'm not 100% sure on where to exchange the vouchers. With that said, I think you have to go to any park's ticket window and do it there and I think activation takes place the first time you use it, but hopefully someone will come along to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong .

It needs to be converted to an AP from the voucher at the parks - on the voucher it should tell you that you can change it over from the voucher to the ticket at any of the 4 parks. I can't remember if DTD was also an option.

You don't need to have it to book the room, you may be asked to show it within 24 hours of check in, but we've yet to be asked.

The clock starts ticking when you exchange the voucher, if I recall correctly. They'll tell you, and it will say on the AP, when the AP expires.

 

[MINILvr]

You can go to guest relations in DTD and exchange the vouchers for AP's. We just did this in Feb.

 

[sharadoc]

If you're going at a time when no discounts are available, you could just book a regular package and upgrade the tickets to AP after you use them. That would be a lot less complicated. But if you're able to get the AP discount, then you'll have to show it at check-in or soon after.

 

[Sommer76]

You can convert the vouchers to actual passes at the guest relations area of any park or at DTD. I believe they become active once you do the conversion from voucher to pass. Additionally, the previous posters were correct about being able to book a room with the AP discount without having a current AP. We did this and showed our vouchers at check in and all was well. They didn't make us come back to show them the actual AP, but I suppose they could have.

 

[Sue M]

We exchanged our voucher at the DTD guest relations. You can book AP + Dine without having your AP. Only need it at check in. But they do give you time after check in to get it. One time we didn't have the AP yet- was planning on getting it when we got to a park. CM at resort desk just told me to show it when we returned after the parks that night.

 

[purple figment]

The clock starts ticking when you exchange the voucher. They'll tell you, and it will say on the AP, when the AP expires.

That is correct. The expiration date of the AP will be printed on the back of the AP. It will be one year from the date you exchanged the voucher.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Thanks to the original poster as these are the questions that I had as well.

So let me get this straight... we could book a room only reservation and since we are planning on getting annual passes this trip we could keep an eye out for the annual pass discounts (which are found where??) and then we could call Disney and say we wanted the annual pass discount rate for our original room only booking assuming they offer one for our time period. Then we get to WDW, check into the hotel first with that annual pass discount rate.... then go to the gate and purchase annual passes, activate them and then show them to the hotel CM's to justify the AP rate discount?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[danceintherain]

Thanks to the original poster as these are the questions that I had as well.

So let me get this straight... we could book a room only reservation and since we are planning on getting annual passes this trip we could keep an eye out for the annual pass discounts (which are found where??) and then we could call Disney and say we wanted the annual pass discount rate for our original room only booking assuming they offer one for our time period. Then we get to WDW, check into the hotel first with that annual pass discount rate.... then go to the gate and purchase annual passes, activate them and then show them to the hotel CM's to justify the AP rate discount?

Thanks again for all the help.

One way to be apprised of discounts is to stalk these boards. Another is to sign up for the Mousesavers Newsletter.

Technically, you are supposed to have your AP in hand when you check into your resort, however, this seems to hardly, if ever, be enforced. It seems if they ask that they will give you 24 hours to bring one back.

I also recommend holding off to find out the discounts before you purchase tickets of any kind. If for some reason a general public discount is the better offer, you'll be stuck with either unused tickets or unused AP voucher is you run off and purchase both in advance.
Usually the AP discounts are released before those applicable to the general public, so you shouldn't have a problem, but you won't know until it happens.