Annual Pass - when to buy?

[Sweeney_Todd]

I am going to get an Annual Pass for our trip in Feb 2008.

Am I able to buy the voucher this far ahead if I am not going to activate it until next year?



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[Michelle]

For WDW?

The answer is yes. We bought our vouchers before Christmas when the $ rate was good, we will be exchanging them in September.

[Sweeney_Todd]

Thanks Shell. Yes, it is for WDW. Want to get it early for the benefit of discounted room rates & ordering the DDE. :)


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[Mazzy]

You don't need to have the annual pass when you book the room discount, you just ask for annual pass rate and then show your pass (or a voucher) on check-in. I'm not sure whether we already had our pass or not when we ordered the DDE card, maybe someone else knows about that?

[Michelle]

We are hanging on to buy the DDE card as I am unsure about that. I don't know if it starts as soon as you buy it. We will be buying it before exchanging our vouchers.

[Cinders Mum]

when buying the DDE card, Disney themselves, are reluctant to sell it to you much before your trip as it does start counting down....

I ordered ours in August for September, and we picked it up at Epcot Guest Relations (the one outside the park) they then validated it until end Oct '06 from Sept '05.

[Michelle]

I ordered ours in August for September, and we picked it up at Epcot Guest Relations (the one outside the park) they then validated it until end Oct '06 from Sept '05.

Will probably end up doing it that way:)

[loadsapixiedust]

You can buy AP vouchers anytime, they have no expiry date and can be activated whenever you choose to start your use year. You do need a voucher or AP to hand when you order DDE card as they will ask you to quote the code from it. DDE cards will expire 12 months from the date of purchase, but it does seem to be the case that if you order in the second half of the month they will date it to expire for the following month so that gives you an extra couple of weeks. It makes sense not to buy it too soon before you go.
If you don't need it ahead of your trip, you can just purchase an AP onsite. You will need to be able to show an activated AP at check-in to receive any AP resort discounts, but you can call and make reservations at AP rate without actually having one in hand.