To DP or not to DP

[Lemonademouth]

Need advice. On our upcoming trip I've done a bunch of math and it would seem room only with AP's and tiw is the cheapest option rather than the current package I have booked. All our adr's participate with tiw, and it would appear to have no black out dates during our stay. How far in advance do you need to purchase the tiw? I really would like to wait for the 11th hour to purchase our AP's so we have as much time as possible to use them, but I need to know what that would be for the tiw card. Thanks for any insite

 

[Hollymom1229]

You can buy the TIW at Guest Services at any of the parks or at DD when you get to WDW. You just need to show your AP and the cost is the same whether you get it in advance or at WDW.

 

[kymom99]

I could be wrong and someone please correct me if I am, but I don't think the clock starts on your AP until you activate it.

 

[Lemonademouth]

I could be wrong and someone please correct me if I am, but I don't think the clock starts on your AP until you activate it.

In October I was told by the cm I spoke to to just keep my package the way it was and upgrade once there because it starts when you purchase it.

 

[nalajms]

I could be wrong and someone please correct me if I am, but I don't think the clock starts on your AP until you activate it.

That's how it was for us when we activated last spring. I bought the AP in Jan/Feb over the phone and online. Didn't activate till we got to the park in May. Bought the TiW card same time I picked up our AP cards.

The only benefit to getting the AP now is if prices go up, perhaps in Feb?

The CM prob got confused. If you purchase an AP at Guest Relations, it's active the day you purchase, unless you ask for a voucher. This is not so if you buy over the phone or online.

 

[kymom99]

This is from the ticket sticky:

An AP is valid for one person and it is good for one year from date of activation. All passes purchased at any park ticket window or Guest Relations Office are active immediately. If you purchase or activate your pass, for example, on July 1 The last day of use is July 1 of the next year.

I think the key here is to buy them in advance, but not from the parks themselves.

 

[Lemonademouth]

That's how it was for us when we activated last spring. I bought the AP in Jan/Feb over the phone and online. Didn't activate till we got to the park in May. Bought the TiW card same time I picked up our AP cards. The only benefit to getting the AP now is if prices go up, perhaps in Feb? The CM prob got confused. If you purchase an AP at Guest Relations, it's active the day you purchase, unless you ask for a voucher. This is not so if you buy over the phone or online.

That is good too know. The cast member probably did get confused. While they are s wealth of knowledge they aren't infallible.

 

[North of Mouse]

No matter when you purchase your tickets - AP's - whatever, the clock doesn't start on them until you use the first day - the exception would be renewals of AP's.

 

[worm761]

From what I understand, the TIW card is active from the moment of purchase regardless of where you purchase it. I will be buying mine when I arrive.

 

[supersnoop]

The TiW card is active immediately and valid through the end of the next month. If you bought it today, it would be valid until February 29th, 2016. If you order it online (which AP and Florida residents can do, but not DVC members), it will be activated right away, so you'll have less time to use it.