Annual Pass Confusion

[may1787]

I wasn’t sure where to post this.

I went to buy my annual pass (a silver pass) for the first time and it said it would charge me the $125 down payment and the first months payment. That's fine, but I'm confused because I thought the 12 month countdown on the pass didn't start until I activate it on my first day of use at the parks? Am I confused or is this true? I pay right away no matter when I activate the pass or the pass is activated and the 12 month countdown begins as soon as I start paying the monthly fee?

 

[randumb0]

You are buying an AP certificate. It will not activate until you go to will call to activate and enter the park for the first time.

 

[may1787]

You are buying an AP certificate. It will not activate until you go to will call to activate and enter the park for the first time.

Thank you! So even if I pay the full price now it still won't count down until I start to use it?

 

[may1787]

Also, it says pick up at Will Call. Does that mean it won't be shipped to me? Or is that referring to the activation only?

 

[mesaboy2]

Thank you! So even if I pay the full price now it still won't count down until I start to use it?

Correct.

 

[gharter]

Each time we have paid for an Ap online. It isn't activated until we go to guest services and then the 12 or 13 month window starts.
We generally use the International Gateway at EPCOT as it usually not busy. This April we used MK and nobody was in line.

 

[alliecat523]

What everyone else has said. For first time AP you’ll need to go to GS to activate the pass. Your clock starts then. Then you’ll receive notice that you can customize your MB for shipment.

 

[NH-to-FL]

As others said, you pay now and get an AP certificate. To get the actual AP card you will need to take the certificate and ID to any Ticket Window or Guest Service. The 12 month clock begins the first time you use the card to enter a park.

 

[Robo]

Also, it says pick up at Will Call. Does that mean it won't be shipped to me? Or is that referring to the activation only?

There is no need for anything to actually be shipped to you.

And, to clarify, once a guest who has ordered an AP in advance arrives at WDW, that guest can go to any Guest Relations, or Ticket Booth, or Will Call outside any theme park (including Epcot's International Gateway) or Water Park, or at TTC, or at Disney Springs and activate the AP and pick pick up the "AP card."

 

[wfjny]

Our plan when we have done this has been to go to Disney Springs the evening before to activate.

Of course, that only works if your travel plans have you arriving the day before you go to the parks. It does give you an chance to get it done before you get to the parks and you may have more of an opportunity since Disney Springs is open later than most parks.

However, the date does not start until you use it in the parks. So, if you activate on the first of the month, and enter the parks on the second, your tick is good starting on the second.