Trying to figure out when to purchase AP and DDE

[igitur]

We'll be arriving at WDW on January 9 and we want to purchase the AP because we're also planning to visit WDW next Christmas 2008.

We were going to wait until we got down to Disney to buy our APs but now I understand that you can only purchase your DDE card by phone.

All that said, when should I call to purchase our AP and DDE cards so that we're covered through next Christmas on both?

On a side note, the process for getting the DDE cards when your an AP holder just doesn't seem very efficient. Wondering why they can't link the two together so that you can purchase the DDE at the same time, especially if you wanted to wait to buy your AP until you arrived.

Thanks for any help,

Deb

 

[CarolAnnC]

If you are going to wait to purchase your AP's until you arrive on January 9, then you can call DDE since it is a Wednesday but they are open only regular business hours 9 to 5 (M-Fri) I believe. At that point depending on the time, they could arrange to have a temporary letter for you to pickup to use for your discount over at Epcot Guest Services outside the front park entrance either that day or the next day.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Was it ever established as to the date you could order DDE, so you could get the 13th month of availibility on the plan? It seems like I was reading the first Tuesday or after the 5th...I don't remember.

 

[jekjones1558]

You can order your DVC discounted AP vouchers now and not activate them until your trip. When the AP voucher arrives, you can use the number on the voucher to order a DDE card by phone beginning Nov. 5, 2007 that expires Dec. 31, 2008. This will give the DDE plenty of time to arrive before your trip and you will not need to worry about getting a temporary card at Guest Relations in Epcot.

 

[Inkmahm]

You can order your DVC discounted AP vouchers now and not activate them until your trip. When the AP voucher arrives, you can use the number on the voucher to order a DDE card by phone beginning Nov. 5, 2007 that expires Dec. 31, 2008. This will give the DDE plenty of time to arrive before your trip and you will not need to worry about getting a temporary card at Guest Relations in Epcot.

Thanks! I was looking for that same information because I have a trip in Dec 07 and another in Dec 08 so I wanted to be sure to get the DDE dated Dec 31, 2008. I'll wait until Nov 5 and then mail in my order.

 

[Mahusky]

You can order your DVC discounted AP vouchers now and not activate them until your trip. When the AP voucher arrives, you can use the number on the voucher to order a DDE card by phone beginning Nov. 5, 2007 that expires Dec. 31, 2008. This will give the DDE plenty of time to arrive before your trip and you will not need to worry about getting a temporary card at Guest Relations in Epcot.

This is excatly what I did in 2006 and it worked just as decribed. The sooner you do it the better chance you get your DDE card in the mail vs. going to Epcot Guest Services and getting a paper copy.

 

[igitur]

Thanks Jean, that helps tremendously!

That's exactly what we'll do.

Deb

 

[BCV23]

Since your trip is not until January, you could you wait until the magic date in Dec to order the DDE card. That way it would be good until Jan. 31 in case your plans for next year change. They will tell you 3-4 weeks but ours seem to come right around 3 weeks and before our trips.

If you have the AP vouchers mailed, you'll pay a handling fee ($2 or3?) but that is better than choosing the will call option IMO. If you choose that, you'll need to have a three way call with MS and DDE from what others have reported.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

3 weeks is a good rule of thumb. Last time we picked it up at Epcot because I ordered it about a week prior to the trip (last minute decision). Our trip this year begins early December so I think I'll order it this week. BTW, if you have your AP voucher, you can log onto the AP section of the WDW website and order it from there. You'll have to download a form to either send in or fax.