Activating APs?

[Tiger926]

We are going to be buying our first APs in July as we became DVC members this past summer (yeah!), so I have a question re: activation. I have read lots of posts about activation and renewals, but I am still a bit confused:

1. Purchase - When an AP is purchased, is there a time limit as to when it has to be activated (say we bought in January for our July trip)?

2. Renewals - Does it have to be activated each year by the renewal date - I read somewhere about 14 days, what does this refer to?

3. Just to double check, APs become active the first time they are used right?

4. Where are they sold - I thought I read that they can only be purchased at Guest Services at parks, but what about other places such as, Downtown Disney, resorts, Disney Stores (US and Canadian)?

I know that most of these questions have probably been answered in the past, but Search function is down, plus I can't seem to find the answers I need on Disney's website.

Any help would be so appreciated, Tiger

 

[tinkerb]

1) Annual Pass date begins on the date of purchase.
2) Renewals - There is usually a discount to re-purchase your AP before the expiration date, usually you will get a mailer a few months before the expiration date you can use to renew.
3) AP date starts at date of purchase, not date of activation.
4) I think you have posted most of the places where they can be purchased. Not sure if you can purchase them at resorts though. Maybe someone else can help.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks, but that confuses me even more! I've read lots of posts where people are talking about buying AP vouchers early and activating them when needed - what does this refer to as according to your message, that can't be done.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[lisareniff]

Try this page on Mousesavers:
http://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html#apwdw

From what I understand (haven't done it yet), an AP is valid for a year starting from activation. A voucher is not an activated AP.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We are going to be buying our first APs in July as we became DVC members this past summer (yeah!)

Do not buy anything now!!!

Go look at the DVC Board. There is a new AP discount for DVC members that starts on January 2. I'm not sure of all the details but make sure you wait until after January 2 to make any purchase.

 

[Goofyish]

It depends where you buy the AP from.

If you buy on-line from www.disney.com or by calling CRO you get AP vouchers. These have no expiry date and must be activated on first use at any park or DTD guest relations window. The year starts from this date.

If you buy your AP from WDW major park ticket windows, guest relations at DTD, Ocala Disney Information Center on I-75 or Disney stores in MCO you will get an actual activated pass that is valid from day of purchase.

When you renew your AP the new one starts from the day after your old one expires.

 

[BCV23]

Goofyish answered most of your questions I think.

We have seldom received a renewal notice so if you want to get the renewal discount in the future, call and purchase a rnewal voucher over the phone. I believe DVC guest services will be able to help you with this. There is I believe a 30 day grace period after your expiration date to renew however your anniversary date won't change.

As POOH&PIGLET said, wait until Jan. 2 to get the great DVC discount. $100 off a new AP and I think $125 off a PAP.

If your AP is activated on July 4, it will be good through July 4 2006...including July 4. However, if you renew, July 4 remains your anniversary date.

 

[Tiger926]

I already know about our new DVC AP discount (my DH & I were very excited to hear about that, but now with the new Magic Your Way tickets, we have some figuring to do to see which is better for our needs - but that's another thread altogether!), so thanks for clarifying about AP vouchers vs. regular tickets. I am going to print out your responses as there does seem to be a little difference in regards to anniversary date, renewal date, etc...

Thanks so much for all responses, they are greatly appreciated!

Tiger

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just a note-when I was at the Disney Store yesterday, they told me that they don't sell the AP, only the 4 or 5 day PH or PHP

 

[BCV23]

I think Goofyish referred to the Disney Stores at MCO. I've never bought mine there but the ticket gurus report you can do so. As you said, other Disney Store don't sell them.

Now that the Disney Stores have been purchased, I wonder if the MCO stores will no longer carry them? Or maybe Disney didn't sell those stores?

 

[GoldenOldie]

...Now that the Disney Stores have been purchased, I wonder if the MCO stores will no longer carry them? Or maybe Disney didn't sell those stores?

The airport stores have never been part of TDS nor have they ever been called "Disney Store". The have always been operated by the WDW Theme Park division, not the Consumer Products division that ran TDS. Because of this, I would anticipate the continued sale of most Disney admission media including AP's/PAP's at the Earport shops.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, GoldenOldie for the clarification....the ultimate ticket guru!

 

[chipnwendy]

Just a note-when I was at the Disney Store yesterday, they told me that they don't sell the AP, only the 4 or 5 day PH or PHP

They must have changed their policy in the last week or so, because I bought ours the day after Thanksgiving at the Disney Store in the Mall of Georgia. They were the vouchers that we will exchange once we get to WDW next week.

 

[Bracho]

Now I have a question... I just read one of the posts here saying that the AP is active when you purchase it....I plan on making a pre-arrival purchase right after Jan. 2 but my trip isn't until May... does that mean my pass will become active in Jan... or when I arrive in May with whatever they give me as proof of purchase??

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

If you buy it over the phone, it will just be a voucher which you will exchange at guest services at a park or DTD in May. That day in May will be your anninversary date and it will be good through that same day in May of next year.

 

[Jamie77]

They expire a year from the activation date.

Jamie

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

We have always bought ours at the Disney Store (in Texas) and gotten vouchers. Are they no longer sold there?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was in McAllen which is technically in Texas, but really more like Northern Mexico. So maybe they're sold in the Texas stores.

 

[Bracho]

Thanks BCV23, that helped a great deal...

 

[aubriee]

Just a note-when I was at the Disney Store yesterday, they told me that they don't sell the AP, only the 4 or 5 day PH or PHP

You may have to talk with a different CM. A couple of months ago, I called the Disney Store in Dallas and was told I could buy an Annual Pass and two five day Park Hoppers there with no problem and she even gave me the prices, including tax. When I went in a few days later they had the Park Hoppers sitting out on a display stand, but when I asked for an Annual Pass the CM told me I would have to get it at the parks. When I (nicely) told her I was told just a few days before that they had APs, she got really snotty and said "I've worked here three years and we've never sold annual passes". Well fortunately she was so loud that another CM overheard her and came over and informed her they did have APs. They were just locked up back in the office. The first CM was really embarrassed, but then got defensive and said "well no one ever told me that in the three years I've been here. I've always told people they had to get them at the parks". The second CM got my annual pass, told me to go to a park or to DTD and it would be activated there and my 365 days would start then (not when I bought them), although she did tell me to double check the dates when I got it validated at WDW, because mistakes had been made and they activated them for the date of purchase instead. She said to just check it before I walk off and if they accidentally put the wrong date they will correct it.