Do I need to stop at Guest Services to Activate Renewed AP?

[MamaKate]

I called and renewed our Sorcerer AP's and when I look under MDE, it states "Activate by 11/16/25." However on the website, it just says "expires 11/16/25."

Will I have to stop at Guest Services to activate before heading to the turnstiles? I hope note since it was a renewal and we will be on a tight schedule the first time we use the renewed AP's.

 

[fla4fun]

I called and renewed our Sorcerer AP's and when I look under MDE, it states "Activate by 11/16/25." However on the website, it just says "expires 11/16/25."

Will I have to stop at Guest Services to activate before heading to the turnstiles? I hope note since it was a renewal and we will be on a tight schedule the first time we use the renewed AP's.

I have not had to stop at Guest Relations to activate a renewal, but I almost always do mine online, so they know via my login to the website that I qualify for the pass. Since you did it over the phone, they may need to see the documents proving you are eligible (Florida DL/ID, DVC member card, etc.) before the pass will activate. There were a few years I renewed my AP through AAA and I always had to go to the window and show my DL to get the pass activated when I did that.

 

[MamaKate]

I have not had to stop at Guest Relations to activate a renewal, but I almost always do mine online, so they know via my login to the website that I qualify for the pass. Since you did it over the phone, they may need to see the documents proving you are eligible (Florida DL/ID, DVC member card, etc.) before the pass will activate. There were a few years I renewed my AP through AAA and I always had to go to the window and show my DL to get the pass activated when I did that.

Since it's a DVC renewal, I was unable to renew online.

I was hoping that since it is a renewal, that I wouldn't have to go to Guest Services. It sounds like that may not be the case...

 

[RachaelA]

We did in August, but then my husband didn’t need to in October

 

[fla4fun]

Since it's a DVC renewal, I was unable to renew online.

I was hoping that since it is a renewal, that I wouldn't have to go to Guest Services. It sounds like that may not be the case...

It’s a shame that they don’t allow you to do it online. Were you planning to go to a park on arrival day? If not, I would try to take care of it then, so you will be all set for your first park day. I always liked doing it at Disney Springs, followed by a little dining and shopping.

 

[MamaKate]

It’s a shame that they don’t allow you to do it online. Were you planning to go to a park on arrival day? If not, I would try to take care of it then, so you will be all set for your first park day. I always liked doing it at Disney Springs, followed by a little dining and shopping.

We arrive late on our arrival day (around midnight) so unfortunately doing it early isn't possible.

We'll make it work, but it will be a bit of a hassle.

 

[marsh0013]

Our renewed APs (paid by phone with dvc MS) started Nov 1 and we did not need to stop at guest services. We just tapped in that day as usual. I was worried we’d get stopped but no issue.

 

[Sandisw]

It seems to be inconsistent as to who needs to stop and who does not. All you can do is scan and see what happens!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I can tell you that it's possible that even if you call, you may not get the correct answer. I stood in line at GS because Member Services had told me that I had to go there to activate my Sorcerer's Pass. But then when I got to the window, the CM said "You didn't have to stop here-you can go directly to the gate." The only problem was that at first I got the dreaded blue light at the gate because I didn't make a park reservation (no idea why AP holders have to do that)

 

[MdmMim]

I renewed mine in July but didn’t use it til October. I scanned it and walked right through, no problem. No need for me to stop at GS.

 

[MamaKate]

Our renewed APs (paid by phone with dvc MS) started Nov 1 and we did not need to stop at guest services. We just tapped in that day as usual. I was worried we’d get stopped but no issue.

It seems to be inconsistent as to who needs to stop and who does not. All you can do is scan and see what happens!

I can tell you that it's possible that even if you call, you may not get the correct answer. I stood in line at GS because Member Services had told me that I had to go there to activate my Sorcerer's Pass. But then when I got to the window, the CM said "You didn't have to stop here-you can go directly to the gate." The only problem was that at first I got the dreaded blue light at the gate because I didn't make a park reservation (no idea why AP holders have to do that)

I renewed mine in July but didn’t use it til October. I scanned it and walked right through, no problem. No need for me to stop at GS.

Thanks everyone! I'll go straight to the turnstiles and hope for the best . I'll still plan to arrive a little early just in case, but I'd rather not have to stop at GS unless I have to...

We go on Sunday so wish me luck .

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks everyone! I'll go straight to the turnstiles and hope for the best . I'll still plan to arrive a little early just in case, but I'd rather not have to stop at GS unless I have to...

We go on Sunday so wish me luck .

Hope all goes well and you just walk right in and start having fun!

(Please report back so we’ll have another data point….)

 

[HappyGal]

Thanks everyone! I'll go straight to the turnstiles and hope for the best . I'll still plan to arrive a little early just in case, but I'd rather not have to stop at GS unless I have to...

We go on Sunday so wish me luck .

Can you let us know if it works?

 

[MamaKate]

Hope all goes well and you just walk right in and start having fun!

(Please report back so we’ll have another data point….)

Can you let us know if it works?

Wills do!

 

[MamaKate]

Just an update: We arrived a little early so I stopped at the ticket window to see if the passes were active (GR window had a long line).

They were and we were able to go straight through the turnstiles.

 

[CarolynFH]

Just an update: We arrived a little early so I stopped at the ticket window to see if the passes were active (GR window had a long line).

They were and we were able to go straight through the turnstiles.

Thank you for closing the loop on this question! Very helpful.

 

[Chuck S]

I haven't had to stop at Guest Relations for a renewal. I just scanned into to park as usual, But you do need to stop at Guest Relations to activate a brand new pass.

 

[kanerf]

The easiest and least busy place to do this is the back entrance to Epcot next to the Skyliner. There is a Guest Relations office there and easy entrance to the park.

 

[DebbieB]

The easiest and least busy place to do this is the back entrance to Epcot next to the Skyliner. There is a Guest Relations office there and easy entrance to the park.

That’s what I did with my renewal last February.

 

[byurick]

I haven't had to stop at Guest Relations for a renewal. I just scanned into to park as usual, But you do need to stop at Guest Relations to activate a brand new pass.

That's not entirely true, I bought new dvc/sorcerer passes over the phone for me and my wife and we were able to scan into the turnstiles without stopping at guest relations.