AP Renewal ?

[lhall7]

I renewed our annual passes today. Wanted to do it online but had 2 gift cards to use and the online system only allows you to use one. Heads up to everyone on that one! So, I had to call and the phone CM was very helpful. I was able to put my confirmation # in MDE so I can make fastpasses tomorrow. She said I would be getting the pass in the mail in 7-10 days? Also when I entered the confirmation # it says "Annual Pass Renewal Certificate" and has an expiration date of December 31, 2030! Do I need to call them back and get that corrected? Also, will I have to go to a ticket booth to do anything once we arrive on property? I thought last year when I renewed online I didn't have to do that since MDE was implemented. Thanks!

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

A renewal certificate must be processed by ticket booths or guest relations to activate it. It's basically a gift card for the cost of the renewal, so we can turn it into cash and then renew the pass with the cash. At that time, your expiration date will show properly.

 

[lhall7]

UGH!! Okay. Is that because I called to renew it? I know last year when I did it online, I didn't have to go to ticket booth. Can I enter the park or does it have to be processed outside the park?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Calling is different from online.

A renewal certificate is not an active pass, so you won't be able to enter a park without doing the activation first. (Unless your old pass hasn't expired yet.)

 

[lhall7]

Ok- thanks! Bummer. I hate that I had to call but I needed to be able to use the other $1000 gift card and online system would only allow 1 gift card.

 

[Robo]

Have a great trip!

 

[lhall7]

I did. But you can only combine them up to $1000. I had 2 for $1000 each as my total for 3 renewals was just over $2000.

 

[Accident]

i've never really paid attention and always did my renewals at the same time but is there an option to renew each person separately so you can spread out the cards differently and do them all online?

 

[lhall7]

i've never really paid attention and always did my renewals at the same time but is there an option to renew each person separately so you can spread out the cards differently and do them all online?

I wondered that after the fact too b/c that's essentially what the phone CM did. 2 transactions, but I still couldn't have done it b/c I would have needed to use 2 gift cards no matter what and the system only allowed you to use 1. I guess maybe I could have done all 3 separately. It just would have been nice to know ahead of time. And it would be nice to know that calling is different than doing it online.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Your renewal won't be activated for you to enter a park until you have visited a ticket booth or Guest Services at WDW to activate it. The renewal is active at purchase only if you purchase it at WDW. I don't know if it makes a difference to do it online because you will still need to go somewhere at WDW to pick up your new AP card. You need the card to redeem discounts.

 

[Accident]

Your renewal won't be activated for you to enter a park until you have visited a ticket booth or Guest Services at WDW to activate it. The renewal is active at purchase only if you purchase it at WDW. I don't know if it makes a difference to do it online because you will still need to go somewhere at WDW to pick up your new AP card. You need the card to redeem discounts.

I renewed last week online, I did not need to activate it.

EDIT: sorry it was 2 weeks ago and I already crossed by renewal date.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

How did you get the AP card?

 

[Lynzer4]

question.... If I renew online the pass is active starting the date the old one expires correct.

ie - Pass expired Sept. 18. 2016. New one will become active from Sept. 19 2016 to Sept. 19 2017.

Their isn't a way wait to activate until later???

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you renew an annual, it will always carry the same date. So your renewal will be from September 18, 2016 to September 18, 2017 (even though September 18 has already passed, as long as you are still in the renewal period.) It doesn't move to another date. As long as I renew mine, it will always have a start date of December 8, no matter when I pay for the renewal or when I go to WDW and use it at a park.

The only way to have a later date on your AP is to let it lapse and buy a new one (but you then forfeit the renewal discount, so make sure doing so will be advantageous)

 

[dkfajr1]

What happens if you renew online, but don't get a chance to activate it before the year is up?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

A renewal will begin and expire on exactly the same calendar date as the previous pass. It can't be extended. I believe it expires if it is never activated.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

For future reference, you can go to disneygiftcard.com and transfer the balance of multiple cards to one card. Max amount allowed on a single card is $1000.

 

[SUSIEQ]

What happens if you renew online, but don't get a chance to activate it before the year is up?

Good question, because you just never know what will happen in life. I'm guessing Disney would let you apply the $ you paid for the renewal towards a new AP???

 

[erionm]

What happens if you renew online, but don't get a chance to activate it before the year is up?

Online renewals don't need to be activated. The expiration date of the pass is automatically extended by one calendar year as part of the online renewal process.

 

[Robo]

What happens if you renew online, but don't get a chance to activate it before the year is up?

More info:
If you will not be going to WDW within 30-60 days after your AP anniversary date, it ls usually better (financially) to not "renew" the AP at all, but instead, wait until you are at WDW and simply buy a new AP at full price.

That new AP will then have a new anniversary date one full year after it is activated.