AP renewals....mine is due to expire right after my trip in early April

[maepartner]

So do I renew now, or wait until the next time I go. In other words...when does the clock start ticking on them? TIA Mary

 

[Robinrs]

They expire the end of the day notated on your card, Mary. I remember when you bought yours in the lobby of the Hard Rock!

Since you are a Florida resident, I would call the 1-800-BE-A-STAR number and ask them about the resident renewal fee. You can take care of it over the phone.

I can't believe you're leaving the day I arrive. Please stay!!

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by maepartner
So do I renew now, or wait until the next time I go. In other words...when does the clock start ticking on them? TIA Mary

It depends on how you "renew", if you get a voucher, then the clock won't start ticking until you redeem that voucher. If you walk in and renew your current pass, you might end up with one that starts where your first one leaves off. I know Disney offers a good deal on renewals, but with them, you have to do it within 30 days of expiration, and it starts when the other one ends. With Universal, when you can get a $99 renewal deal (or the buy one year get one free deal), you can stock up on vouchers! So my answer would be, if it's going to be more than $99 to renew now, I'd wait, since you don't need it yet. If you get a deal, just be sure you get a voucher and you'll be ready, and the clock won't be ticking, for your next trip!

Karen

 

[robvia]

The only bummer with letting your pass completely expire (past 30 days), is that you have to get a new card at the processing center the next time you come.
Take me for example. Pass expired in December, I didn't renew. Now I buy my new pass and I'm going this weekend March 30th. I gained 3 months, but this weekend, I'll have to stand in line and get a new card. Not that big of a deal, but I am driving up Saturday and I expect to stand in line for about an hour waiting to get the new card because I won't get there till the afternoon.
Plus I'll end up parking across the street from the garage because I don't think they'll let me into the parking lot from other posts I've read. I'm not gonna drive up to the parking booth, and have them charge me $8, saying I can get it back later, when noone has, when I'm only going there Saturday to renew the pass and do a couple rides.
So it depends on when you are coming back again, and if you want to stand in line for a new card.
Now, had I renewed my pass in December, I would have lost 3 months, but wouldn't have any delays this weekend. I can deal with the tradeoff of having to park across the street and wait an hour for my new pass on Saturday because I'm spending a full day on Sunday plus Monday morning.

 

[maepartner]

RObvia, dont you think they would find a better way of doing those cards.....I recall it took about 20 minutes, and that was during a slow period. thanks

Thanks MS DIs, Im think i will get a voucher as I have the time to wait as Ill be there early on Tuesday (thinking of sneaking an extra nite in to include Monday)

Robin,,,,Yes I remember seeing you for the first time there at the Hard Rock.....not hard to spot you...you were the only one there with a great smile and a 10 yr old who's almost taller than you
I wish I could stay another day on the other end, but my hubby's son is flying in the day I leave and Ive never met him, so I really need to get back before he leaves bummer, was that poor planning or what!?! Mary

 

[MsDisney]

RObvia, dont you think they would find a better way of doing those cards.....I recall it took about 20 minutes, and that was during a slow period. thanks

Thanks MS DIs, Im think i will get a voucher as I have the time to wait as Ill be there early on Tuesday (thinking of sneaking an extra nite in to include Monday)

I've never had to wait an hour, and I've been there when the line snaked out and around, but you can do it at a different time of day (like not first thing or last thing) too. That said, it doesn't matter, you'll still need to go to pass processing for a new pass, wouldn't you? I mean, your pass has your old expiration date right on it, I would imagine they still have to give you a new one, so one way or another, you would have to take the time to do that... Unless I'm missing something, of course.

I agree about not wanting to pay $8 to park, but others have said they also handed over their old pass and voucher and had no problem, so it's not a guarantee either...

That's what I'd do, Mae...
Sneaking down early, eh? Sounds like a plan to me!
Karen

 

[edith76]

If I buy an annual pass online, will they charge me to park on my first visit - or do they let you free park like you already had the pass?

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by edith76
If I buy an annual pass online, will they charge me to park on my first visit - or do they let you free park like you already had the pass?

The consensus seems to be (that is, the "official rule") that no, until you have the actual pass (as opposed to the voucher), you won't get to park for free. That said, you can try. People have been allowed to, my thoughts on it are, you've paid for it and that's a perk with it, but until you actually activate the voucher, it's not an active pass, so the clock hasn't started ticking.

So, I wouldn't count on it, I guess

Karen

 

[kmc]

does anyone know if there is any kind of expiration on a voucher--for example say i renewed my ap and got a voucher but didn't go back for a year--would it still be good a year after purchase?thanks

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by kmc
does anyone know if there is any kind of expiration on a voucher--for example say i renewed my ap and got a voucher but didn't go back for a year--would it still be good a year after purchase?thanks

We have enough annual pass vouchers to keep us happy at USF for the next several years. We bought them at different times, from different CMs. They all said the same thing, there is no expiration date on an AP voucher. They can be activated at anytime, and expiration date is 1 year from activation. Really a great deal, not to be confused with Disney's AP.

Otherwise, I would be in trouble!

 

[kmc]

thanks for the info muushka --thats really cool and a great incentive to renew---i actualy wasn't planning on it because we are purchasing disneys seasonal passes this year but as long as they dont expire i might as well renew for $99-i really wish disney had the same policy.

 

[maepartner]

LOL Karen, yes I booked an extra day at HRH for 99.00 AP rate Can't get enough! Will you be around 3/31-4/2? Going to Beach Club Villas on 4/2 for 2 nites too Mae