Buy an annual pass now and not use til Feb 2017

[Antonia]

When does the time on it start - when I use it in February 2017 or when I purchase it?

 

[CAS239]

AP year date is started the date you enter the park and activate it for use. You can purchase it whenever you want.

 

[hakepb]

If you buy an actual AP at Guest Relations today, it starts today.

If you call or online buy an "AP" you are actually buying an AP Voucher which will not be activated until you show up in Feb (Adults need a government ID validated and get attached to the AP)
The voucher wil allow you to make FP+ at your 30 or 60 day window

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'd say the term "voucher' is obsolete since for the most part you don't get an actual piece of paper.

You get a confirmation number when you purchase an AP ahead of time. That number can be entered into MDX and it will work as "valid" admission to make fastpass reservations. However, your pass itself will not be active for entering a park until you arrive at WDW and activate it at a ticket window or Guest Services.

if you purchase an AP today via internet or phone, you will use that confirmation number until you get there and activate it. Say you activate it on February 1, 2017. That AP will then be active from February 1, 2017 through February 1, 2018.

Those purchasing an AP while actually at WDW would have it activated at date of purchase.

 

[papertraveller]

Not to hijack, but just want to be sure I'm clear.

Our AP expires on our last day at WDW later this month. Our next trip is in March.

I was planning to renew the passes before we left.

Are you saying that we could renew via phone, get the confirmation number, but the renewal date would then shift to March when we activate the pass? Or does this not hold true for renewals?

 

[hakepb]

Not to hijack, but just want to be sure I'm clear.

Our AP expires on our last day at WDW later this month. Our next trip is in March.

I was planning to renew the passes before we left.

Are you saying that we could renew via phone, get the confirmation number, but the renewal date would then shift to March when we activate the pass? Or does this not hold true for renewals?

As far as I know you would have to buy and activate the renewal this month.

I think it's possible to advance but a renewal "certificate" or "voucher" but renewals have to keep the same annual expiration date.

Depending on your trip schedule, it might be better letting the AP expire and start a new one in March (use it Mar 17, Aug 17 then Feb 18) then let that expire and get a new AP in Aug 18 (use it Aug 18, Mar 19, Jul 19. (2) new AP's would be cheaper than (3) renewals during that same period.

 

[Maxie86]

Not to hijack, but just want to be sure I'm clear.

Our AP expires on our last day at WDW later this month. Our next trip is in March.

I was planning to renew the passes before we left.

Are you saying that we could renew via phone, get the confirmation number, but the renewal date would then shift to March when we activate the pass? Or does this not hold true for renewals?

It would be better to let it expire and just buy a new one for your March trip. You would have to buy it 60 days out to be able to make FP's but it won't be activated until you use it to enter a park...it will be good until March 2018. If you renew your pass it will expire on the same date as your current one in August 2017 whether you use it or not to enter a park. Buy it online and it will be automatically added to your DME account.

 

[DebbieB]

Renewals continue with the same dates. There cannot be a "lapse". I always plan trips so that one is right before it expires and then get a new one for the next trip. If there's going to be a price increase, I'll buy a voucher. My last one I held over a year, through 2 price increases.

 

[CAS239]

Not to hijack, but just want to be sure I'm clear.

Our AP expires on our last day at WDW later this month. Our next trip is in March.

I was planning to renew the passes before we left.

Are you saying that we could renew via phone, get the confirmation number, but the renewal date would then shift to March when we activate the pass? Or does this not hold true for renewals?

With renewals the expiration date only changes by the year. You'd want to let it expire then get a brand new pass when you want to go again.

If you renew later this month your expiration date will be say August 28th, 2017

 

[papertraveller]

Thanks. I suspected as much. I'll have to run the numbers based on our projected visits and see how things shake out.