Annual Pass for Dummies -Help

[tndisney5]

We just ordered our APs today.

I know I will have to visit guest relations to activate them.

We are DVC and have several trips coming up. In our MDE app it says to order Magic Bands. Will these link to our APs?

Also, as a DVC and AP holder how do I get merch and dining discounts? Just show card/scan band?

TIA

 

[jelly_bean]

If you ordered your APs through your MDE account then your band will access that information. You need to show your card, and often a photo ID, for discounts.

 

[tndisney5]

If you ordered your APs through your MDE account then your band will access that information. You need to show your card, and often a photo ID, for discounts.

So we will get bands AND an AP card as well?

 

[OB1]

You can use your DVC card for discounts, and you will be sent an annual pass card. I learned when I brought my wife's magic band that the card is also your ticket.

Not too sure about assigning FP if you did not buy the ticket through MDE.

 

[FCDub]

So we will get bands AND an AP card as well?

Yes.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You will get the card when you activate it at Guest Services. You need to show it for shopping & dining discounts.

I don’t recall being able to order my AP magic band until after it was activated

 

[jelly_bean]

So we will get bands AND an AP card as well?

In your original post you mention that your app is telling you to order Magic Bands. If you have an onsite resort stay booked, I'm pretty sure that what it actually says is that you can customize your magic bands. Each person gets a Magic Band for each resort stay, unless you decline to receive them. Each AP holder gets an AP card and yet another Magic Band. You are given the card at guest services at time of activation. The Magic Band you receive included with an AP can not be ordered until the AP is activated. ALL Magic Bands and cards associated with your account access the information in your MDE profile. They can be used interchangeably unless you choose to deactivate them.

 

[tndisney5]

You will get the card when you activate it at Guest Services. You need to show it for shopping & dining discounts.

I don’t recall being able to order my AP magic band until after it was activated

Ah, got it. So we get the card, then a set of bands for the AP.

In your original post you mention that your app is telling you to order Magic Bands. If you have an onsite resort stay booked, I'm pretty sure that what it actually says is that you can customize your magic bands. Each person gets a Magic Band for each resort stay, unless you decline to receive them. Each AP holder gets an AP card and yet another Magic Band. You are given the card at guest services at time of activation. The Magic Band you receive included with an AP can not be ordered until the AP is activated. ALL Magic Bands and cards associated with your account access the information in your MDE profile. They can be used interchangeably unless you choose to deactivate them.

Okayyyy...So I really don't need the magic bands for each DVC resort stay since I will have AP magic bands?

I am right in thinking I can book my FPs at 60 days since I have my AP and DVC resort linked on MDE?

 

[Upatnoon]

You don't get a free magic band with an AP, you get a card.

You get a free magic band when you stay at a Disney resort. You can also buy a magic band.

You can link your annual pass ticket to your magic band and use it as a ticket.

If you have an AP and a Disney reservation, you can book your FPs at 60 days. If you don't have a Disney reservation, for example you are staying offsite, you can book them at 30 days.

 

[focusondisney]

You don't get a free magic band with an AP, you get a card.

Sorry, not true. You actually do get a free magic band with an AP too. But your AP has to be activated first. Then you’ll see the magic band listed in MDE for you to customize.

However, the MB in no way indicates it is an “AP” band, so when you use your discount for dining or purchases, you have to show your card.

 

[focusondisney]

Ah, got it. So we get the card, then a set of bands for the AP.

Correct. After you activate the AP, you will see the MB in your MDE account for you to customize.

Okayyyy...So I really don't need the magic bands for each DVC resort stay since I will have AP magic bands?

Right. However, many people get more than 1 MB in different colors. Your choice.

I am right in thinking I can book my FPs at 60 days since I have my AP and DVC resort linked on MDE?

Yep!

 

[focusondisney]

You can link your annual pass ticket to your magic band and use it as a ticket.

Tickets are not actually linked directly to the magic band. Tickets, resort & dining reservations & fastpasses....all that info is stored in the My Disney Experience account. The MB is linked to the MDE account & relays the information to tap points in the park. Nothing is stored on any magic band. That’s why you can have more than 1 band & use them interchangeably.

 

[Upatnoon]

Sorry, not true. You actually do get a free magic band with an AP too. But your AP has to be activated first. Then you’ll see the magic band listed in MDE for you to customize.

However, the MB in no way indicates it is an “AP” band, so when you use your discount for dining or purchases, you have to show your card.

To be clear, if you show up at the parks and activate your AP, they won't give you a free magic band there, you get a card.

Since you have to be at the parks to activate your AP, you can only get your free magic band after your first visit is over.

If you are staying at a disney resort, they will send you your free magic bands before your first visit and your AP can be linked on those.

As the other posters have said, all your info is in your MDE account. Band or card will work if linked to your MDE account.

 

[focusondisney]

Since you have to be at the parks to activate your AP, you can only get your free magic band after your first visit is over.

Yep, that’s what I said. Guess I didn’t specify that your trip would be over before the customized bands show up.

Correct. After you activate the AP, you will see the MB in your MDE account for you to customize.

 

[ShadeDK]

To clarify for those following along - after activating an AP, you can get a Magic Band that the AP entitles you to while at WDW (instead of waiting to select one after the trip is over). The bands are available at the ticketing office in Liberty Square (although they are not customized to my knowledge).

For U.S. guests, picking one up at Liberty Square during the visit you activate the AP isn’t really necessary. It can be very useful, however, if you’re an international guest with an AP and Disney will not ship a magic band to you in your home country after your trip.

 

[grannyminnie]

I just purchased my first AP online, and understand that it can be activated at Guest Services or a ticket booth. My first use of it will be mid-March. In the meantime, do I receive anything in the mail confirming the purchase, any packet of information? I have read above and understand that my AP card will also be given to me when I activate it.

 

[yulilin3]

I just purchased my first AP online, and understand that it can be activated at Guest Services or a ticket booth. My first use of it will be mid-March. In the meantime, do I receive anything in the mail confirming the purchase, any packet of information? I have read above and understand that my AP card will also be given to me when I activate it.

You'll probably receive a welcome letter, your ap magnet and if/ when you customize your mb, then your mb. All the info on discounts and extras are on the website under the ap page

 

[grannyminnie]

You'll probably receive a welcome letter, your ap magnet and if/ when you customize your mb, then your mb. All the info on discounts and extras are on the website under the ap page

Re: the MB, I was led to believe from above posters that until the AP is activated, I would not get the AP MB. I have already customized the MB for the trip (this was done before I had finally decided to purchase the AP).

 

[yulilin3]

Re: the MB, I was led to believe from above posters that until the AP is activated, I would not get the AP MB. I have already customized the MB for the trip (this was done before I had finally decided to purchase the AP).

Go to the site and sign in and on the mde tab check if you can customize your AP mb.

 

[jelly_bean]

Re: the MB, I was led to believe from above posters that until the AP is activated, I would not get the AP MB. I have already customized the MB for the trip (this was done before I had finally decided to purchase the AP).

@grannyminnie you are correct. You can not customize the AP magicband until after activation of the AP. Just use the one that you are receiving for your resort stay during your upcoming trip. You will not receive anything in the mail. In the past, printed physical vouchers were sent in the mail for you to turn in to guest services at activation. This is no longer the case. You should have received a confirmation email when you made the online purchase. You should also be able to see your annual pass listed in your MDE account. Look on the home page under the tab "Tickets and Memory Maker".