AP question

[Disneygirl612]

Hello! My husband and I became members of DVC in 2020. Our 2021 Disney World trip was amazing and has come to a close and my next two trips will be within 7 months of eachother so I’m considering purchasing an annual pass. I have never purchased one before and was wondering if I purchase them a few months before my first trip can I activate them when I arrive in Disney World or does it activate when I purchase them? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[FinallyFL]

You activate the AP when you arrive in Disney World.

 

[Disneygirl612]

Thank you!

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you!

Your year starts the day you first enter a park, so you can activate your pass (show photo ID and DVC blue card) at GR or a ticket booth the evening you arrive but not enter a park until a later date, and your AP will expire a year from the date you entered the park, not when you activated (maybe should say validated) the AP.

 

[Disneygirl612]

Got it! Thanks so much for the info! I appreciate it.

 

[corpcomp]

I found that as long as you go twice a year (I go a week each time), they are worth it.

 

[Disneygirl612]

Thank you!

 

[drusba]

A new AP does not activate until you first go to park. If you renew an AP, which has a lower cost than buying new, the one-year renewal period begins when the prior AP expires.

 

[Marionnette]

I found that as long as you go twice a year (I go a week each time), they are worth it.

I think that may still hold true for the Sorcerer AP but not the Incredi-Pass. At $1299 + tax, 14 days will cost in the neighborhood of $98.82 per day. Your 7-day park hopper has to cost $92 per day (pre-tax) or less in order to just about break even. With date-based ticketing, it's rough to do the calculations but there are quite a few days during the year where ticket prices are lower than $92 per day.

 

[TinkB278]

Is it still possible to upgrade tickets on the last day of your trip to the AP?

 

[Sandisw]

I found that as long as you go twice a year (I go a week each time), they are worth it.

Or multiple short trips like us. We never do more than 4 nights. Since the tickets are front heavy on cost it could still be beneficial, especially depending on the actual dates.

 

[Sandisw]

Is it still possible to upgrade tickets on the last day of your trip to the AP?

Previously yes. There have been some reports that people have been told you will only be allowed to upgrade unused passes.

We won’t know for sure until after the 8th when people try

 

[DeeBee3]

I'm glad you started this thread and got so many replies because I asked your very question to a CM via Chat on DVC site and was told "they didn't have the answer at this time." I was sure the answer would be it activates the first time you go into a park, but when they gave me that reply I didn't know what to think! She told me to keep checking the DW site.

Basically my trip will be Christmas 2022 and probably a small one before that, but the way it works out I may have another short one after Christmas that falls in that 1 year period. I'm doing the math.

I was just so confused at the CM's confusion!

 

[drusba]

I'm glad you started this thread and got so many replies because I asked your very question to a CM via Chat on DVC site and was told "they didn't have the answer at this time." I was sure the answer would be it activates the first time you go into a park, but when they gave me that reply I didn't know what to think! She told me to keep checking the DW site.

Basically my trip will be Christmas 2022 and probably a small one before that, but the way it works out I may have another short one after Christmas that falls in that 1 year period. I'm doing the math.

I was just so confused at the CM's confusion!

The Sorcerer's pass, which DVC members will be able to purchase, will exclude Christmas week. Thus, the only new AP you would be able to purchase that will include use during Christmas week is the Incredi-pass which costs $1299 + tax and will have no DVC discount.

New AP's, when purchased in the past, always activated when you first go to a park, despite purchasing before then. Renewal AP's, which cost less than new, always activated when the prior pass expired. The announcement on the new passes provided no indication that those rules would change.

 

[LoveMugsNPins]

Or multiple short trips like us. We never do more than 4 nights. Since the tickets are front heavy on cost it could still be beneficial, especially depending on the actual dates.

This is the same for us. We got multiple short trips so our cost per day would be much higher per trip. I just love having an AP because I don't like to go to the parks all day. I like to do a few hours. It just FEELS better when I have a pass.

I haven't seen that this has changed. Do we still need to call DVC MS to purchase an AP from home?

 

[Disneygirl612]

I'm glad you started this thread and got so many replies because I asked your very question to a CM via Chat on DVC site and was told "they didn't have the answer at this time." I was sure the answer would be it activates the first time you go into a park, but when they gave me that reply I didn't know what to think! She told me to keep checking the DW site.

Basically my trip will be Christmas 2022 and probably a small one before that, but the way it works out I may have another short one after Christmas that falls in that 1 year period. I'm doing the math.

I was just so confused at the CM's confusion!
[/QUOTE
I’m glad my thread was helpful to you! I had the same issues in the past when using the Chat feature or calling Disney directly. I find Disboards is a great place to ask questions there are so many people on here that have the same love of Disney and are willing share their knowledge and expertise to help others plan. I prefer asking questions on here over calling Disney directly actually. The people on here are wonderful and are so helpful and informative. Have a great trip in 2022!

 

[DeeBee3]

The Sorcerer's pass, which DVC members will be able to purchase, will exclude Christmas week. Thus, the only new AP you would be able to purchase that will include use during Christmas week is the Incredi-pass which costs $1299 + tax and will have no DVC discount.

New AP's, when purchased in the past, always activated when you first go to a park, despite purchasing before then. Renewal AP's, which cost less than new, always activated when the prior pass expired. The announcement on the new passes provided no indication that those rules would change.

Yes, I understand the deal with having to buy the higher pass. My question was solely about date of activation and the CM said she could not confirm for me when it is activated. That's what I thought was strange. I am not a Passholder now so it would be brand new.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, I understand the deal with having to buy the higher pass. My question was solely about date of activation and the CM said she could not confirm for me when it is activated. That's what I thought was strange. I am not a Passholder now so it would be brand new.

When you buy a new pass in person, it is activated and then its start date is the first day you enter the park. So, if you arrived late one night, went to a GR at the park or DS, they would activate the pass for you.

If you didn't enter the park for a few days, then the start day would be a few days later. Until you go to GR and have them change the certificate (which is what you buy over the phone or online) into an actual pass, it can not be used to tap at the gate.

For example, when I renewed by Gold pass in January, for my pass expiring in March, the CM activated it right then. When I went in June, I didn't have to stop again and went right in the park.