Annual pass renewal

[tsme]

I just paid to renewal our annual passes, which expires Jan. 2020. We have a trip planned at the end of Jan. 2020. The CM told me I can link them now and they will kick in when the prior ones expire in January. I believe this is what we did last year & that information was correct. Then I saw on the Disney mom panel that they said it activates as soon as you link it, and not to link AP til closer to trip. But I could’ve swore, last time I renewed two months prior to expiration, it didn’t activate until we went to guests services outside of the park to activate the renewed AP. So now I’m confused and doubting my memory. Any information would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[DWillowBay]

It doesn't activate until the old one expires. Just did this in August.

 

[apartment j]

It's scary how much misinformation that Mom's Panel gives out!

Renewals start as soon as the current pass expires. That's why they're called renewals and sold with a renewal discount.
You can also just wait until the next time you'll actually need park admission and then purchase a new full price annual pass. That way the new year doesn't start ticking down until your first use. You can link the voucher as soon as you purchase it, for things like making fastpasses or viewing passholder resort discounts, but the year doesn't start until the day that you visit guest services before entering a park.
Which is the better value for you depends on when you'll be using it. For my family, we renew if we're going again very soon after the renewal date. If it's going to be more than 60 days we wait and just buy new ones instead of renewing.

 

[tsme]

Thx. That’s what I thought, but was doubting myself. Lol