AP purchase vs AP activation

[Jungle Cruiser]

We are going to WDW in September and decided we would also like to return again in December, thus buying Aps makes sense. If we buy APs now, does the 12 months start from purchase date or activation date? I understand you get a voucher when the pass is purchased, does the voucher get activated when you get to WDW and first use the pass? We would like to purchase them now, so we can possibly get an AP room discount for our December trip when they are announced. However, I hate to have the first month and a half of the AP in effect before we use them.

Any advice or information would be appreciated!

 

[chottsy]

We are going to WDW in September and decided we would also like to return again in December, thus buying Aps makes sense. If we buy APs now, does the 12 months start from purchase date or activation date? I understand you get a voucher when the pass is purchased, does the voucher get activated when you get to WDW and first use the pass? We would like to purchase them now, so we can possibly get an AP room discount for our December trip when they are announced. However, I hate to have the first month and a half of the AP in effect before we use them.

Any advice or information would be appreciated!

your passes are not activated until your 1st use.
so go ahead and buy them now at the better rate and then activate them for a full year's use upon your arrival..whenever that is!

 

[DebbieB]

A new AP is effective when you exchange it for the actual pass.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

If you book a room at the AP rate (having acquired the voucher but not activated your AP), and then you check in -- do you need to have already exchanged the voucher to get the AP rate, or can you do it during your stay? I am envisioning checking in, getting settled, etc., before going to the Parks. I know this sounds simple, but I like to check all the details...

Thanks!
Maria

 

[chottsy]

If you book a room at the AP rate (having acquired the voucher but not activated your AP), and then you check in -- do you need to have already exchanged the voucher to get the AP rate, or can you do it during your stay? I am envisioning checking in, getting settled, etc., before going to the Parks. I know this sounds simple, but I like to check all the details...

Thanks!
Maria

you can exchange the voucher within the first 24 hrs. of check-in..come back to the front desk and show them your pass to keep the AP rate...if you don't they could charge you rack rate.
...they don't always ask to see your pass..at all.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thanks! I am currently weighing whether an AP is a good value, and that's one less worry I had!

Maria

 

[DISNEYNY]

We are going to WDW in September and decided we would also like to return again in December, thus buying Aps makes sense. If we buy APs now, does the 12 months start from purchase date or activation date? I understand you get a voucher when the pass is purchased, does the voucher get activated when you get to WDW and first use the pass? We would like to purchase them now, so we can possibly get an AP room discount for our December trip when they are announced. However, I hate to have the first month and a half of the AP in effect before we use them.

Any advice or information would be appreciated!

I assume you don't already have tickets bought for your Sept trip for a package or in order to get free dining. If you do have tickets you can apply those toward your AP.

 

[1rocky]

Sorry about this but first time visit to Disneyland. When you buy your ap pass is there a time limit when you must activate for example if you buy now would the voucher say activate by 3 Jan or lose your money.
If i buy the voucher here in Australia now I would not be able to get the actual pass until 20 Jan 2011 when i am there. Thanks al advice appreciated. I have tried ringing Disney and also emailed several times but no results