annaul passes

[pgjam]

Since the AP has to be activated at WDW is it worth it to get the voucher at home? Does it help speed up the process once we're there? We will be staying at BWV & will activate it at Epcot International Drive Guest Services since that seems to be the most quiet entrance.
Thanks
pgjam

 

[snowmouse]

I activated mine when I purchased it at the Disney Store in the Orlando airport. No lines, very easy, and we were ready to go at the park.

 

[mad4themouse]

Snowmouse, I'm in Delaware county, too! Nice weather we're having, isn't it?

The advantage to purchasing the AP voucher prior to going to WDW, as I see it, would be twofold.

The first would be to offset a potential price increase. Although there have been warnings of price increases in the recent past, there are no guarantees that it won't happen in the furure.

Or in the case of people who do not have high credit limits, pre-purchasing provides the chance to spread the purchase of a number of passes over an extended period of time. APs for a family of 4 (all over the age of 10) will run over $1200! Some people don't want to add that the their credit cards all at once.

 

[Disney Doll]

Remember though it is activated on the day of purchase, not the first day you use it.

That is a recent change. We used to get the AP voucher thing, and then when we actually arrived at the gate of the MK (always our first stop!) we would get the actual pass. A couple of years ago they changed it so that the date you purchase the voucher is the date your pass starts "ticking".

We always wait and get ours when we are actually there so that we don't waste a day.

On this year's AP, we actually got 3 trips on it...January 2002, Ocotber 2002, January 2003...before it expired.

 

[pgjam]

Always nice to see someone from the area Snowmouse. Yes it is lovely weather. Thanks Disneydoll I thought it was activated when you arrive a WDW the first time not when you buy it. We'll definitely wait.
pjam in PA waiting for a warm-up

 

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
Remember though it is activated on the day of purchase, not the first day you use it.

That is a recent change. We used to get the AP voucher thing, and then when we actually arrived at the gate of the MK (always our first stop!) we would get the actual pass. A couple of years ago they changed it so that the date you purchase the voucher is the date your pass starts "ticking".

We always wait and get ours when we are actually there so that we don't waste a day.

On this year's AP, we actually got 3 trips on it...January 2002, Ocotber 2002, January 2003...before it expired.

I believe that the ticker starts when you activate the pass, not when it is purchased. Take a look at this quote from Disney's own website:

http://attractiontickets.tickets.com/buy/TicketTrans

When you order the Annual Pass, you will receive a certificate in the mail. Redeem the certificate for an Annual Pass at any Walt Disney World® Theme Park ticket window by presenting the certificate and valid photo ID. The Annual Pass is valid for 365 days from certificate redemption.

 

[snowmouse]

pgjam and mad4themouse,

it's actually the two of you who are neighbors. I could only dream that I live in your 'tropical' climate. Here in the Twin Cities, Minnesota the wind chill tonight will be 40 to 50 BELOW!!

Thought that might make you feel warmer

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
I believe that the ticker starts when you activate the pass, not when it is purchased.

I also was recently told that the AP vouchers were activated when the voucher was turned it at WDW. I can't imagine they would even sell them at the Disney Store if this wasn't the case.

The whole idea is to get as many trips/days out of the ticket as possible. We don't activate ours until we are going to a park for the first time on our vacation, which isn't necessarily the day we arrive.

 

[frannn]

I believe the way APs work is that a new voucher is activated when you first use it; whereas a renewal AP is activating the day of purchase or the day the old one expires.

 

[travelbug]

Somewhere I thought I read that APs bought at the WDW entrance would be activated immediately, but vouchers bought at other places (like Disney Stores) would be activated when first used. Does anyone else remember reading that too?

I bought an AP at a Disney Store in September, and just activated it when I arrived at a park in December. Even though I did this at MK during Christmas week, I had no line to wait in when activating the AP.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

This is true. If you purchase at your local Disney Store, you get a voucher that needs to be exchanged at guest relations. It then becomes activated. If you renew, it starts the day your old one expires.

On the back of your activated AP it will tell you when it expires.