AP, Activation, and MB question?

[ps17]

We are onsite guests and have APs for upcoming stay. The APs are paid for and ordered over the phone with Disney. They are linked, and the MBs are on their way. A month ago a CM alluded that we would need to visit either downtown Disney or a ticket window to get the AP.

In a conversation with a CM today, we were told that when we show up on Dec 26 at AK, we could use our MB to enter the park. We would still need to get a card for discount purposes, but that could be done any time.

So, here is the question: Is "activation" of the AP no longer necessary? How does the AP get "activated" to the first day of use which will be Dec 26? We really don't want the hassle of being turned away at the turnstiles if we are supposed to activate our APs prior to entry.

That said, we don't want to waste valuable time waiting in line in the morning if we can go right in.

Can someone please clarify guidelines for AP activation, first use, MBs and such?

Thanks in advance...

 

[canoe86]

At this point you MUST activate it, even after checking in.

This just happened to us !!!! Checked in, asked them if everything was okay with our MB that had the AP on it. They assured us we could get in. Well, not exactly true, you must FIRST go to guest services and get them activated! Make sure you have ID, DVC card etc.

Seems like it should be an easy thing for them to automatically activate them on use ESPECIALLY if you had checked into a Disney Resort which already required an ID.

Hope that helps.

 

[robinb]

At this point you MUST activate it, even after checking in.

This just happened to us !!!! Checked in, asked them if everything was okay with our MB that had the AP on it. They assured us we could get in. Well, not exactly true, you must FIRST go to guest services and get them activated! Make sure you have ID, DVC card etc.

Seems like it should be an easy thing for them to automatically activate them on use ESPECIALLY if you had checked into a Disney Resort which already required an ID.

Hope that helps.

Good to know. We are in the same situation. Luckily we are arriving in the evening and we can activate on our way into evening EMH at Epcot.

 

[ps17]

Problem is that we arrive around 9:30AM and are going straight to the park (no hotel yet). Don't want to go to downtown Disney (lines too long). Was planning on going to the ticket window at AK - however the rep on the phone (internet helpdesk guy) today assured me that the MB would get me in at turnstyles and that I could go get a pass any time afterwards (for discount purposes).

Those internet people are usually on the ball. I suppose if we are held up, we just have to backtrack about 60 yards to the ticket window but it would be nice to know the exact poicy...

 

[Robo]

Seems like it should be an easy thing for them to automatically activate them on use ESPECIALLY if you had checked into a Disney Resort which already required an ID.

Different computer systems.

And, the resort does not require ALL adults, 18-years and older, to show an ID,
something required of each adult when activating APs.

 

[ps17]

So I think we probably have to activate it to get discount priviledges. At question is if the MB will get you through the gate before activation. To reiterate, the helpdesk guy seemed adamant that it would but perhaps another call is in order....

 

[Robo]

So I think we probably have to activate it to get discount priviledges. At question is if the MB will get you through the gate before activation. To reiterate, the helpdesk guy seemed adamant that it would but perhaps another call is in order....

There is no use calling "Disney" for questions about park operations.
The "phone CMs" do not have correct info on these things, but
it does not stop them from answering questions about them anyway.

(No, I am not kidding.)

 

[jtowntoflorida]

You can either choose to believe people here, who have actually gone through the process
-OR-
someone on the phone/internet who may or may not even be in Florida.

We're activating our APs on Saturday, and will stop at Guest Relations before attempting to enter the park gates.

 

[Robo]

And, one answer does not fit all situations.

If you purchased stand-alone Magic Your Way tickets (NOT as part of a WDW resort package) and connected those tickets to your MDE account, you do not need to "activate" those tickets before using them on the MagicBand.

If you purchased tickets that ARE a part of a WDW resort package and connected those tickets to your MDE account, you DO need to "activate" those tickets before using them on the MagicBand.
That can be accomplished by checking into your WDW resort... or by going to a Guest Relations outside a WDW theme park the principle guest making the resort reservation showing a legal ID and having the CM there activate your package tickets up to three days before your check-in date.

If you purchased ANNUAL PASS tickets and connected those APs to your MDE account, you DO need to "activate" those APs before using them on the MagicBand.
That can be accomplished by going to a Guest Relations outside a WDW theme park, all guests 18 years and older showing a legal photo ID and having the CM there activate the APs.

 

[ps17]

And, one answer does not fit all situations.

If you purchased stand-alone Magic Your Way tickets (NOT as part of a WDW resort package) and connected those tickets to your MDE account, you do not need to "activate" those tickets before using them on the MagicBand.

If you purchased tickets that ARE a part of a WDW resort package and connected those tickets to your MDE account, you DO need to "activate" those tickets before using them on the MagicBand.
That can be accomplished by checking into your WDW resort... or by going to a Guest Relations outside a WDW theme park the principle guest making the resort reservation showing a legal ID and having the CM there activate your package tickets up to three days before your check-in date.

If you purchased ANNUAL PASS tickets and connected those APs to your MDE account, you DO need to "activate" those APs before using them on the MagicBand.
That can be accomplished by going to a Guest Relations outside a WDW theme park, all guests 18 years and older showing a legal photo ID and having the CM there activate the APs.

Robo, This does not preclude us from going straight to the parks the first day and activiating the bands at the desks there, right? - here is the issue: we fly in and arrive at 8:30AM and the plan is to go straght to AK park - it is waste of time to go to hotel first.

We were told (by one CM) that our locations are downtown disney or the Parks parks. Guest services at the hotels might be able to do it but we should be able to go do it at parks?

 

[puffkin]

We had to go to the window and activate ours.

Purchased AP's online before trip, check.
Resorts guests, check.
Linked to MDE, check.
FP+ reservations made at 60 day mark, check.
Received Magic Bands in mail 20 days before trip, check.

We still needed to go to the window at Epcot and have them activated. You do not have to go to the resort first....different system. You won't be able to room charge though until you check in officially.

 

[Robo]

Robo, This does not preclude us from going straight to the parks the first day and activiating the bands at the desks there, right? - here is the issue: we fly in and arrive at 8:30AM and the plan is to go straght to AK park - it is waste of time to go to hotel first.

We were told (by one CM) that our locations are downtown disney or the Parks parks. Guest services at the hotels might be able to do it but we should be able to go do it at parks?

If (IF) you bought Magic Your Way tickets AS PART OF A RESORT PACKAGE.
If you arrive on the day of check-in, you must go to the RESORT and check in to activate the tickets.

They can't activate RESORT PACKAGE tickets at a park or DTD guest relations if it is on your resort check-in day.

---

But, if you purchased stand-alone Magic Your Way tickets (NOT as part of a WDW resort package) and connected those tickets to your MDE account, you do not need to "activate" those tickets before using them on the MagicBand.

---

And again, ANNUAL PASSES are a special case and MUST be activated before being used.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

When I bought my AP renewal a couple of weeks ago they said I had to stop and activate it BEFORE I used it. You can't have them activated at a resort. I think it's just GS, and there is a GS window outside the gates of each park plus one at DTD.

They did not tell me that I could enter the park first and then do the activation later.

I've had AP for years but this is the first time I have done the renewal before actually arriving at WDW.

 

[Robo]

When I bought my AP renewal a couple of weeks ago they said I had to stop and activate it BEFORE I used it. You can't have them activated at a resort. I think it's just GS, and there is a GS window outside the gates of each park plus one at DTD.

They did not tell me that I could enter the park first and then do the activation later.

I've had AP for years but this is the first time I have done the renewal before actually arriving at WDW.

Correct that an AP (MagicBand or ticket) must be activated in person before entering a park.

Just a note... Not activated at "GS," but at "GR" (Guest Relations.)

GS, or Guest Services is a RESORT service. (It is now called "resort concierge" at WDW resorts.)

 

[Bree]

You can go straight to the park. HOWEVER, you need to go to Guest Relations BEFORE you try to enter the park. They will ask for photo ID of all adults. Our passes were linked in MDE, but I was also emailed a voucher. I had to print them out and bring to Guest Relations as well. I received an RFID card that I was able to use for discounts during my stay. My Passholder Magic Bands were able to be customized right after activation and arrived with my actual Passholder discount card.

I just went through this process November 10th.

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

I bought new Florida Resident APs & received a voucher that had to be converted at Guest Relations - we opted to use the one in the back of Epcot in November. It was a breeze but you have to "ask" for AP hard cards to get your discounts. I linked my vouchers to MDE easily and had our FPs all done for the 4 day stay at my 60day mark.