Annual Pass, first use question

[Michael623]

We've been an annual passholder many, many times in the past but we've been passholders at DL for the last couple of years and need to get back into the swing of things at WDW. Last time we had WDW APs, Magicbands were still in their infancy and I'm sure things have changed. We bought the AP vouchers a while back and they are linked to our bands which we have already. Do we have to to to guest services for any reason (activation etc) or are we good to go right to the turnstiles? I assume our AP renewal date will be 13 months ( with the extra month) from the first day we enter a park as it usually is? Do you get a physical pass for dining/merchandise discounts or is everything just read right from the band?

 

[Robo]

1. Do we have to to to guest services for any reason (activation etc) or
2. are we good to go right to the turnstiles?

3. I assume our AP renewal date will be 13 months ( with the extra month) from the first day we enter a park as it usually is?

4. Do you get a physical pass for dining/merchandise discounts or is everything just read right from the band?

1. Yes, with a legal photo ID.
2. Some things can be done at the gates, now, but I don't think that activating an AP is one of them. (That might be changing, so stay tuned.
3. Well, APs traditionally do NOT relate to "first park entry" as how they begin life.
(You will get 13 months, if that was the deal when you renewed.)
They become activated by a trip to Guest Relations or a Ticket Booth or Will Call.
If this is a RENEWAL, your anniversary date will be the same as the original AP from which you renewed. (plus one month, if the 13-month deal is/was in effect.)
4. That may be in a state of flux. Up to (at least) recently, the card was used.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We are in the same situation and from what i understand, the ticket booths at the front of the park can activate them, you don't have to go to guest services, but you cannot go straight to a tapstyle.

 

[Michael623]

Sorry one more question, we are thinking of going from the airport (TPA) right to a park before checking in at our resort (AKV). Do they have band scanners at the parking booths? I don't want to get stuck paying to park but I'm afraid the band may not be fully activated until you enter a park.

 

[Robo]

We are in the same situation and from what i understand, the ticket booths at the front of the park can activate them, you don't have to go to guest services, but you cannot go straight to a tapstyle.

Ticket booths and Guest Relations are both at the front of the parks, and yes, both will work.

 

[Robo]

Sorry one more question, we are thinking of going from the airport (TPA) right to a park before checking in at our resort (AKV). Do they have band scanners at the parking booths? I don't want to get stuck paying to park but I'm afraid the band may not be fully activated until you enter a park.

Sometimes they scan the MB.
Sometimes they want to see an AP card.

Regardless, if you are going in to activate a new AP, if they want to charge you for parking,
just save the receipt and the CM will reimburse you for the parking when you activate the AP.