An AP Question

[Swilcox]

When does an annual pass year start? Is it when you purchase it or the first day you use it?

Example - If I buy an AP in September 2017 but don't visit Disney World until October 2017 will my AP end in September 2018 or October 2018?

 

[Dis703]

It starts the day you first use it.

 

[Robo]

It starts the day you first use it.

Close, but not necessarily true.

An AP begins its year when you ACTIVATE it at a Guest Relations or ticket booth.
This must be done in-person at WDW.
Most guests THEN DO go into a park that day, but some do not.

 

[mrzrich]

Neither, its the day you activate it.

 

[Dis703]

Close, but not necessarily true.

An AP begins its year when you ACTIVATE it at a Guest Relations or ticket booth.
This must be done in-person at WDW.
Most guests THEN DO go into a park that day, but some do not.

I almost edited it after I replied, but didn't think there was a likelihood anyone would activate without going to park. I guess that's possible though.

 

[mrzrich]

I almost edited it after I replied, but didn't think there was a likelihood anyone would activate without going to park. I guess that's possible though.

My sister in law activated her AP on the evening of her arrival at Disney Springs so that she could hit the ground running the next morning. I'd guess lots of folks do that.

 

[Robo]

My sister in law activated her AP on the evening of her arrival at Disney Springs so that she could hit the ground running the next morning. I'd guess lots of folks do that.

Yup.

 

[disnut8]

Just wanted to add that before you leave after activating the pass, make sure you check the date associated with the pass AND, if there are more than one of you, check the names associated with the pass. My husband and I activated our passes, we were shown the dates which were fine but the Cast Member had switched the passes so mine was on my husband's band and his was on mine. Not a big deal since we always travel together and do the same things but wanted to point that out if you are doing a big group. Next time, my husband will activate his band on his own and then I will follow on my own. One photo ID at a time, not two at the same time.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

My sister in law activated her AP on the evening of her arrival at Disney Springs so that she could hit the ground running the next morning. I'd guess lots of folks do that.

This is what we plan to do. We are staying offsite our first night, and going to a morning EMH park our first full day so we will already need to swing by the resort and check in. It will streamline our day to go ahead and activate the night before.

 

[Robo]

Just wanted to add that before you leave after activating the pass, make sure you check the date associated with the pass AND, if there are more than one of you, check the names associated with the pass. My husband and I activated our passes, we were shown the dates which were fine but the Cast Member had switched the passes so mine was on my husband's band and his was on mine. Not a big deal since we always travel together and do the same things but wanted to point that out if you are doing a big group. Next time, my husband will activate his band on his own and then I will follow on my own. One photo ID at a time, not two at the same time.

Agreed.
Very good info!

 

[Lynzer4]

speaking of activating... where can I do this at. Is it only at the parks guest services or DS. Or can I do it at my hotel?

 

[Robo]

speaking of activating... where can I do this at. Is it only at the parks guest services or DS. Or can I do it at my hotel?

The resorts cannot handle any kind of AP issues.
That's why these answers have been so speciifc about the parks and DS.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I can provide insight on the switched names issue. For a long time, web certificates (APs purchased online) from the same transaction had their demographics info (names, birth dates, and addresses) switched. CMs were supposed to fix them but a lot of people never did. That problem had been fixed on the website end.