Annual Pass Renewal

[TheDisneyNurse]

Hello DISers!

I just renewed my annual pass for the first time. I originally had the regular 'ol AP, but this time I renewed it to Gold. I'm going to Disney in a few weeks, and was wondering if I will once again have to go to guest services in the parks or DS to activate the renewed pass? We're planning on driving up early in the AM to do Soarin' RD, and just wondering if we should a lot more time for this.

Any help is appreciated. I haven't been able to find an answer online. Thank you

 

[CAS239]

As long as you just renewed your pass you're all set and good to go. It's not a new pass so your expiration date will be the same as your previous AP, so it's already active and ready to be used.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

As long as you just renewed your pass you're all set and good to go. It's not a new pass so your expiration date will be the same as your previous AP, so it's already active and ready to be used.

Much appreciated. Thank you so much!

 

[disneydreamer23]

Hello DISers!

I just renewed my annual pass for the first time. I originally had the regular 'ol AP, but this time I renewed it to Gold. I'm going to Disney in a few weeks, and was wondering if I will once again have to go to guest services in the parks or DS to activate the renewed pass? We're planning on driving up early in the AM to do Soarin' RD, and just wondering if we should a lot more time for this.

Any help is appreciated. I haven't been able to find an answer online. Thank you

I believe that you do have to go to guest relations outside Epcot before entering. You should have opted to either pick up your new pass at will call, or to have a voucher sent to your home. You will have to get a new picture taken for this year and arrange for your 2016 magic band and bandit to be sent to your home.
I too renewed my pass this year and I will have to go to guest relations when I arrive this Saturday.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[CAS239]

Out of state annual pass? I'm speaking on Florida resident annual pass (assume they were all the same). Every time we renewed we didn't have to do anything. Renew it, monthly payments just continue, expiration day is the same as before just the year carries forward. Sometime briefly after renewing the customize option on MDE popped up for customizing the magic bands.

Never had a picture taken for an AP though

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I believe that you do have to go to guest relations outside Epcot before entering. You should have opted to either pick up your new pass at will call, or to have a voucher sent to your home. You will have to get a new picture taken for this year and arrange for your 2016 magic band and bandit to be sent to your home.
I too renewed my pass this year and I will have to go to guest relations when I arrive this Saturday.
Enjoy your trip!

Already have my new magic band and bandit for '16-17. Came super quick, and the customize option was available instantaneously after renewing. Never had to take a picture for my AP, but then again I have the Florida resident one.

Now that I think about it, I don't even have a vouncher. Makes sense that I can just resume using my same pass, which will expire a year after the first pass was supposed to. Thanks a bunch

 

[loves to dive]

Last year when I renewed mine (out of state) I had to go to GS to get a new discount card, my old one had an expiration date on it I just went to a ticket booth at Epcot, walked right up, took about 5 min.

 

[Goofball12571]

My question to the original poster is did you have to go to Guest Services or not. My sister and I live at same address. I have the AP through her DVC. She is not traveling with me on the trip when pass is due to be renewed. I really do not care about the discount being active at all. We were told she has to be present for me to renew this pass. I am just confused. It really only affects one day of a 3 day trip so if doesn't work. I would just renew it anyway since going again in August and then in December. I am just wondering.

 

[Robo]

I believe that you do have to go to guest relations outside Epcot before entering. You should have opted to either pick up your new pass at will call, or to have a voucher sent to your home.

You will have to get a new picture taken for this year and arrange for your 2016 magic band and bandit to be sent to your home.
I too renewed my pass this year and I will have to go to guest relations when I arrive this Saturday.
Enjoy your trip!

New picture?

A. Why would your appearance change in a year's time to rate needing a new picture?
B. I wasn't aware that there was any picture associated with WDW APs, anyway.
(And, my APs are all out-of-state.)

 

[Goofball12571]

Robo,
Have you had to go to GS to get your pass renewed?

 

[Robo]

Robo,
Have you had to go to GS to get your pass renewed?

No.

But, back before MagicBands,
you needed to get a new AP ticket which had the
new anniversary date's correct year printed on it.

 

[Goofball12571]

Okay then I am assuming all will go well. It will just be renewed on goofy magic band and everything is fine. Thank you for the info.

 

[Robo]

Okay then I am assuming all will go well. It will just be renewed on goofy magic band and everything is fine. Thank you for the info.

Just to be clear.
Your MagicBand has nothing "on" it. (No tickets, no FP+, etc.)

Everything is kept in files in your MDE account.
Your MagicBand(s) just ACCESSES the info in your MDE files.

 

[Goofball12571]

OKay thanks for pointing that out. So basically MDE account will be update which in turn updates magic band.

 

[Accident]

Stop and get the free replacement card from any ticket window or guest relations. I find it easier with free parking and such when they don't see the old design. And it's free and a new design and who doesn't like free things as keep sakes.

don't rush to get it though, if you have time when passing by or maybe waiting near one for a parade or something. remember everyone with a card needs to be there with an id if you have a few people.

Also they no longer use a second discount card, it's all the single annual pass card now so you don't need to carry both.

 

[fla4fun]

When you renew online, your new AP will automatically load to MDE and your magicband. You do not need to go to guest relations or a ticket window to gain admission to the park and use your FP+ for Soarin.

When you get ready to leave (or anytime after you're done with Soarin) you should stop by a ticket window or guest relations to get your AP card. You can use the card for admission if the magicband doesn't work, and you will need the card to get any discounts on merchandise and dining.

I have done both - stopped for the card before going in the park with the new AP on the magicband, and using the new AP on the magicband with a stop on the way out to pick up the card. Other than not being able to get any discounts without the card, there's no difference in gaining admission to the park.

Wow - photos on APs . . . that brings back a lot of old memories . . .those old bar code readers were so much easier to use than "Mickey to Mickey".

 

[supersnoop]

My question to the original poster is did you have to go to Guest Services or not. My sister and I live at same address. I have the AP through her DVC. She is not traveling with me on the trip when pass is due to be renewed. I really do not care about the discount being active at all. We were told she has to be present for me to renew this pass. I am just confused. It really only affects one day of a 3 day trip so if doesn't work. I would just renew it anyway since going again in August and then in December. I am just wondering.

Yes, to activate a DVC-discounted Annual Pass, the member must be present and show their Membership Card and photo identification. The address in their ID must match yours.

 

[Goofball12571]

Okay supersnoop. We paid for my annual pass renewal now. Within the 60 and 30 day window. Since my sister will not be with me on first trip, but I am okay. I will spend my last day at Disney springs instead of doing a theme park. My pass expires on the July 11th so is good for that day just not the 12th which is fine with me. Now sister travels with me in August. Her and I can go to the window and get the renewal done at that time. It was paid for within the 90 day window. I have no problem with not using it on the 12th just want to make sure if you renew you don't have to make sure a trip occurs within the window. Is this clear as mud.

 

[Robo]

It was paid for within the 90 day window. I have no problem with not using it on the 12th just want to make sure if you renew you don't have to make sure a trip occurs within the window. .

As long as you renew your AP within 60 days before the anniversary date and 30 days after the anniversary date, you don't ever have to USE it.