Redeeming AP voucher at resort? About This Page:

[Elveggie]

Hello,

We are driving down and expect to arrive early, or at least before check-in. I have my voucher to trade-in for my AP once we arrive. My question is, where can I do that? Will they do it at a resort? I know I can't officially check-in until I have the actual pass.

Thank you!
Ellen

[DrDolphin]

Ellen - I have seen it both ways - I have had CMs that required for the pass to be activated and I have has CMs that never even asked to see it and when I asked asked to see the houcher.

If you are really worried about it - go to Downtown Disney and have it activated at Guest Services there before you check into your resort.

[WillCAD]

No, Ellen, they will not redeem your voucher at the resort.

To redeem your voucher, you will have to visit Guest Services at either one of the theme parks or Downtown Disney.

As DrDolphin said, the policy on checking in with an AP voucher seems to vary wildly. Some CMs ask to see the AP itself, some will accept the voucher, and some don't ask for anything at all.

I wouldn't worry about redeeming the voucher before you check in. Keep the voucher handy, and if the CM says you can't use the voucher to check in, politely ask to see the manager and explain the situation.

Most likely, the manager will simply say that the voucher is enough, but I have heard of some Guests being asked to show the actual AP sometime before they check out to get the rate. If this happens, just go to the parks, redeem the voucher, and show the AP when you get back to the resort that night. In this case, be absolutely sure to have the CM who sees it CONFIRM YOUR RATE on the computer, so you don't accidentally get charged the rack rate.

Most check-in CMs are pretty easy-going about the APs, so I don't think you'll be required to show the actual AP at all, just the voucher.

[rafikidancer]

If driving down......You can redeem at the Official Disney Welcome Center I-75 near Ocala. This is a fun stop just a hour or so from WDW. Great photo ops, too!

[HiddenMickey]

[ QUOTE ]
If driving down......You can redeem at the Official Disney Welcome Center I-75 near Ocala. This is a fun stop just a hour or so from WDW. Great photo ops, too!

[/ QUOTE ]

This won't work if they are coming in from Washington DC on I-95. They would have to go way out of their way to get there.

-HiddenMickey

[Jennifer2003]

I got the AP rate over the phone when I told the friendly Disney Ladies that I would be upgrading to AP's on the trip. I was told that all I have to do is provide photo ID and the letter I will be getting that states when my AP expires, that sort of thing. I was told I won't have a problem.

[Elveggie]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If driving down......You can redeem at the Official Disney Welcome Center I-75 near Ocala. This is a fun stop just a hour or so from WDW. Great photo ops, too!

[/ QUOTE ]
This won't work if they are coming in from Washington DC on I-95. They would have to go way out of their way to get there.

-HiddenMickey

[/ QUOTE ]

Shucks. That sounded fun. Is there anything similar (even just for the photo ops on I-95? There's always South of the Border, right!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

Ellen

[Hanners]

I was going to ask this same question, but you beat me to it. Thanks! This is good to know.

[WillCAD]

[ QUOTE ]
There's always South of the Border, right!

[/ QUOTE ]

WRONG!

SOTB is a hive of scum and villainy! And the highest gas prices in the South! Don't stop, just keep right on going! Don't look out the window as you pass, just floor it!

[ducklite]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There's always South of the Border, right!

[/ QUOTE ]

WRONG!

SOTB is a hive of scum and villainy! And the highest gas prices in the South! Don't stop, just keep right on going! Don't look out the window as you pass, just floor it!


[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree more!! That place is a hellhole. Keep driving!

Anne

[bali]

Thanks for this question, guys. I was concerned about this, too. After thinking about it, though, I realized that if I bought the AP at a disney store in my hometown, flew to Florida, and took Mears to my resort, there's no possible way I could activate the AP before checking in. This has to be the case for several new AP holders, and the resort CM's have to be used to it by now.

[BigDogDad]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
There's always South of the Border, right!

[/ QUOTE ]

WRONG!

SOTB is a hive of scum and villainy! And the highest gas prices in the South! Don't stop, just keep right on going! Don't look out the window as you pass, just floor it!


[/ QUOTE ]

I couldn't agree more!! That place is a hellhole. Keep driving!

Anne

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you both very much for that bit of info. I know this is off the main topic, but since it was brought up... Wife and I with our two boys (ages 8 & 5) will be driving down in November from NY. Can either of you share any other info since you've "been down that road before"... sorry bad joke, but couldn't pass it up! OUR FIRST FAMILY TRIP TO DISNEY!!! Thanks

[WillCAD]

I've made the drive from Baltimore to WDW many times, but never with kids. Well, unless you count my friend Richard; 34 going on 13.

Anyway, when you have two drivers, the best way to go is to figure a set amount of time each of you is comfortable at the wheel (say, 2 or 3 hours), and switch off. It helps to combine the driver switch with a refueling/bathroom/leg stretch stop.

From Baltimore, the drive is about 14-15 hours, depending on number and length of stops. With young kids aboard, I'd make the stops long enough for them to run around a bit and work off some pent up energy, or drive overnight so they can sleep. Of course, if you drive overnight, you will be totally exhausted by the time you get to WDW and the kids will be raring to go.

Don't forget to pack snacks and drinks, including stuff that won't get the kids hyper, and stuff that WILL give you and the wife an energy boost when you need it (cafinated drinks, sugary candy, etc.) Have a variety of stuff; if you're on the road for upwards of 20 hours, you will get tired of the same soda, the same pretzels, the same cheesy-poofs, real fast.

Also be sure to change the oil in your vehicle before you leave (you'll be putting over 2,000 miles on it round-trip), and pick up a couple of bottles of fuel-injector cleaner to add as you go.

Cash for tolls between NY and MD (there are no more tolls once you pass into Maryland), maps, cell phone with charged battery, and the numbers of AAA or any roadside assistance program you might be part of should be somewhere within reach of the driver and navigator.

That's about it. Settle in and watch out for speed traps!

[kadterp]

I couldnt agree more! From CT it is about 24 hours on the road and about 3000 miles. If you do go all 95, make sure that you have quarters and dimes for Jersey for about every two miles you will be stopping to put them in the darn toll booths. I highly suggest taking the loop around Baltimore and DC yes, it adds on a few more miles but less traffic is better! In Aberdeen MD there is a nice Comfort Inn that is next to Denny's and a gas station with a free continential breakfast to munch and go. I would do the loop around Jacksonville too. But that is just me.

As far as the AP's go, I bought one and upon check in was never asked to see it. We activated ours when we went to the first park for the trip (MK) and it takes about 5 minutes to do. The only pain that happens is with putting your fingers in the thingy when you send the pass thru but it isnt that bad. Dont forget if you go to DTD and shop in World of Disney to flip it out so you can get a discount on your stuff!

Anymore questions? Let them fly!

[Lepcot]

If this is a new AP voucher, I did mine at downtown Disney. But a renewal voucher, Be forewarned when you go to get your voucher renewed. at any guest services window. Sometimes you have to wait, I had to wait a half an hour during excited morning time. And they offer an extention for a few months which I took, and I am glad I did for like another $50 ,but it did take upwards of a half an hour to complete the transaction.
As far as I know, there is no way that you can get an AP voucher activated from guest services at your hotel.