Not exactly. If you buy an AP/PAP at one of the parks, DD, the MCO airport or selected other locations in Florida, the pass is active immediately (your year begins day of purchase). Of course, most don't buy at those locations unless they plan to go to a park that same day, anyway.
Check out this link for a list of locations that sell vouchers (not active until exchanged for the actual pass) vs the actual active pass:
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