Where is the most seamless place to buy APs?

[disneycrazed139]

Decided on APs and am wondering what the most convenient way/or place is to get them.

Just wait until the first park day and buy at the entrance?

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

We bought ours at the Disney Store. No problems!

 

[Serenity]

Us too. Bought them at the Disney store and then activated them on our first day at guest relations. No problems.

 

[dsmith]

I figure since you've got to visit Guest Relations (or maybe a ticket window?) at the park why not wait to buy them there. You don't save anything by purchasing them early. Also there's always the risk of losing the voucher. If it's gone you're "up a creek". If you lose an AP you can get another one by proving who you are.

 

[disneycrazed139]

Okay, so then is there any real advantage to pre-buying the voucher at the Disney Store? Why not wait until you are there? Are the lines really long? Is it more convenient in some way to get them earlier? I think I am missing something. I don't understand the whole voucher thing (unless you are trying to lock in a price)

 

[Lora]

I purchased mine early this time only because of the price increase that was announced here. At this point, since the increase has already happened, it makes sense just to wait.

 

[travellady]

I ordered mine and paid for it online through www.disney.com about a month before we went and then took my confirmation to the AKL ticket window on Easter Sunday about noon. It took me no longer than buying a regular ticket. Other than a ticket price increase if one were to occur, I see no reason to buy voucher at the Disney Store or even online prior to arriving at the park. Worse yet, you run the risk of losing a voucher.

And the only reason I purchased online was I heard the prices were going to increase, they did, and wanted to pay the lower amoount.

 

[BonnieA]

Bought mine at MCO after I got off the plane. The disney store activates them right there so the next day I just walked into the park.

 

[DebbieB]

The guest relations at Downtown Disney is usually pretty quick.

 

[Selket]

If you're going to use the AP for a special AP rate at a disney hotel I think you might need to show the voucher or AP itself to check in to the resort. I've read they only ask 50% of the time to see it but if you don't have it perhaps you are denied the AP rate on the room. That's the best reason I can think of for having the AP voucher in hand before you go. Then activate it when you get to the parks.

 

[dzneelvr]

My Disney buddy who lives in Celebration said to just get them at the Park when you first arrive.
The voucher system adds an extra step and since we don't have a Disney store anywhere close, that isn't something I wanted to mess with.
As far as the special resort rate, you can always show them your activated AP later in your stay. They will accept it.

WDW on JUNE 24

 

[ellynsoh]

I have read that people have good luck with minimal waiting at the International Gateway guest relations at Epcot.

 

[jaysue]

Originally posted by ellynsoh
I have read that people have good luck with minimal waiting at the International Gateway guest relations at Epcot.

Good point - that entrance has never been busy except near illuminations influx time in my experience

cheers
jaysue

 

[goofy4tink]

Intn'l Gateway is what we're planning on doing since we'll be at BWV. We get the vouchers at the DS since I like to buy them one at a time. It doesn't seem to hurt as much that way. I also keep the slip so if I lose them I have proof and they can be replaced.

 

[dgaston]

I bought vouchers when Disney Visa had a promo going--that was a reason to visit my Disney Store.

 

[disneycrazed139]

We'll be at BWV so I guess we'll walk over to the International Gateway our first day and get them. I am so excited!!

 

[lenshanem]

Bought online. I will pick them at will call. Seems easy enough!

 

[snyderla]

We always buy ours in advance at the Disney Store, then make photo copies of the vouchers in case we lose them. Put vouchers in my purse and copies in the suitcase (we always use the same suitcase). Don't want to take the chance of price increases and mostly just don't want to waste time standing in line for tickets when I'm at WDW. We drive down and stop in Ocala at the Official Disney Information Center and get our vouchers exchanged for AP's there. We also always have AP rates when we have AP's, so we at least need to have vouchers with us at check in, in case they ask. And they usually do.

Lori