Annual pass start date?

[lorenae]

I don't have an annual pass currently, but want to buy a Pixie pass for our winter trip, which is 1/22-1/29.
I was going to buy it today, and make our park reservations, but I saw this:

Pass certificates expire one year from purchase. After one year, the amount paid for an unused, expired pass certificate may be applied towards the purchase of a new pass at current prices so long as the new pass purchase price is equal to or greater than the amount paid for the original pass certificate.

In the past, I'd hold the pass in my account until I activated it, and it would be 12 months from then. Did this change? So...........if I actually want a full year, I can't activate it until I'm actually going, and then maybe miss out on park reservations? I hope I'm misunderstanding this!

 

[Turksmom]

The initial 12 month expiration date is time to activate the pass. Once activated, the expiration extends another 12 months from the activation date.

 

[CarolynFH]

The certificate is a voucher. You have one year from purchase to activate it - can’t hold on to it indefinitely anymore. Once you activate it, your AP is good for a year from when you enter your first park. You’re good!

 

[lorenae]

The initial 12 month expiration date is time to activate the pass. Once activated, the expiration extends another 12 months from the activation date.

thanks that’s how it was the last time I bought the pass- but this definitely doesn’t say that - it says “purchase date” and i definitely want 12 months, January-January.

 

[Turksmom]

Right! I think they're trying to discourage people from buying multiple passes to avoid price increases. It still retains the value of the purchase amount, but if it isn't activated within a year of the purchase date, you have to trade it on a new one.

 

[CarolynFH]

thanks that’s how it was the last time I bought the pass- but this definitely doesn’t say that - it says “purchase date” and i definitely want 12 months, January-January.

Yes, just remember that “certificate” = “voucher.” The certificate is not the AP.

 

[lorenae]

Thanks so much! I went ahead and bought the AP, and in MDE it shows good until 2099. So apparently, WDW expects me to live until I’m 135- so I’m feeling pretty optimistic about this trip in January when I’ll only be 57………

 

[gharter]

Thanks so much! I went ahead and bought the AP, and in MDE it shows good until 2099. So apparently, WDW expects me to live until I’m 135- so I’m feeling pretty optimistic about this trip in January when I’ll only be 57………

As others mentioned, you can use the AP for park reservations, ADRs, etc. The year doesn't start until you activate it. However, next year if you renew it at the lower rate for renewal, it just continues on from the date the previous one expired rather than starting when you activate it.