AP renewal online- now what?

[NYMommy80]

I'm getting conflicting information- my AP now shows as valid through the end of 2020 in MDE. Do I have to stop at guest services one day one of my vacation or can I just use my magic band like always and stop by GS later for my new card?

 

[tsme]

Once you renew AP, you can stop at guest relations to activate your AP cards before entering the parks, then you can use your MB like normal.

 

[apartment j]

I'm getting conflicting information- my AP now shows as valid through the end of 2020 in MDE. Do I have to stop at guest services one day one of my vacation or can I just use my magic band like always and stop by GS later for my new card?

You always have to stop at guest services the first time you're using a new annual pass, regardless of whether it's a completely new pass or the first visit after your renewal date. The new valid through date on MDE allows you to make fastpasses and to see annual passholder resort discounts but you still need to physically activate the renewal at guest services in order to enter a park.

 

[CAS239]

If you're renewing there's no need to stop by guest service except for a new AP card which you can get at any time. There's nothing to activate as you're renewing, so nothing is ending or just being started up. You can simply enter a park just like you did previously throughout the year

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you're renewing there's no need to stop by guest service except for a new AP card which you can get at any time. There's nothing to activate as you're renewing, so nothing is ending or just being started up. You can simply enter a park just like you did previously throughout the year

This.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm getting conflicting information- my AP now shows as valid through the end of 2020 in MDE. Do I have to stop at guest services one day one of my vacation or can I just use my magic band like always and stop by GS later for my new card?

Does it show as being valid through 12/31/20 or through the same month/day in 2020 that your current one expired? We just renewed our DVC Gold APs, and until we activated them last week (at the DS Ticket Store) they showed an expiration of 12/31/2020 but now show expiration of 10/15/2020, which is one year after the old ones expired. I admit that since these are DVC Gold, they may function differently from non-discounted APs since we have to show our DVC membership cards as well as photo IDs to activate them.

 

[NYMommy80]

Does it show as being valid through 12/31/20 or through the same month/day in 2020 that your current one expired? We just renewed our DVC Gold APs, and until we activated them last week (at the DS Ticket Store) they showed an expiration of 12/31/2020 but now show expiration of 10/15/2020, which is one year after the old ones expired. I admit that since these are DVC Gold, they may function differently from non-discounted APs since we have to show our DVC membership cards as well as photo IDs to activate them.

It shows valid through the same date my previous AP expired (or the day after).

 

[CarolynFH]

It shows valid through the same date my previous AP expired (or the day after).

Then I guess your AP is different from mine and you’re good to go! Enjoy!

(But please let us know if it turns out you do have to activate it after all.)

 

[NYMommy80]

Then I guess your AP is different from mine and you’re good to go! Enjoy!

(But please let us know if it turns out you do have to activate it after all.)

I sure will! (I have a platinum pass, no DVC) Thanks for taking the time to reply!

 

[erionm]

Does it show as being valid through 12/31/20 or through the same month/day in 2020 that your current one expired? We just renewed our DVC Gold APs, and until we activated them last week (at the DS Ticket Store) they showed an expiration of 12/31/2020 but now show expiration of 10/15/2020, which is one year after the old ones expired. I admit that since these are DVC Gold, they may function differently from non-discounted APs since we have to show our DVC membership cards as well as photo IDs to activate them.

Online renewals, which are only available to FL Residents and Tourists (non-discounted), no longer need activated prior to usage. DVC passes can only be renewed by phone or in person at WDW. Phone renewals must be activated prior to usage.

 

[CarolynFH]

Online renewals, which are only available to FL Residents and Tourists (non-discounted), no longer need activated prior to usage. DVC passes can only be renewed by phone or in person at WDW. Phone renewals must be activated prior to usage.

Thanks for the information - I’m glad to add to my knowledge base!

 

[apartment j]

If you're renewing there's no need to stop by guest service except for a new AP card which you can get at any time. There's nothing to activate as you're renewing, so nothing is ending or just being started up. You can simply enter a park just like you did previously throughout the year

Wow! I sincerely apologize for giving the wrong information if this is true. We have always stopped at guest services to activate our renewals. If that isn't what was happening then I'm not sure what the cast members were doing on their computers while we were standing there and waiting!

 

[Maxie86]

They are checking to see if you have an AP and when it expires before giving you a discount card. They usually put the expiration date on the back of the card. We just stop in at our convenience to get the card, no need to activate before entering a park. Since DH and my AP card expires at different times we always have a valid discount card so no need to rush getting a new one, we just stop by when we see a short line.

 

[NYMommy80]

I’m back with an update- I was able to scan and enter Hollywood Studios (at 6 am) with no issue.

 

[subtchr]

I’m back with an update- I was able to scan and enter Hollywood Studios (at 6 am) with no issue.

Thanks! This has been my experience, too, with my past couple renewals.

Note that you can now go into MDE and order a new MagicBand, if you want. Might as well, right?