Does an AP renewal become active right away?

[disneysteve]

When we bought our APs last year (after not having them prior), they weren't activated until we actually got there and used them. It's not a big deal at all but I just did the renewal online (they expired on Nov. 8). After making the purchase, it says it becomes active upon expiration of the old one. Does that mean the new ones are active now? It's fine if they are as we arrive on Thursday so at most, we're only losing 6 days.

If so, do we need to do anything when we get there? Will our existing physical AP cards work or do we need to get new ones? What about our Magic Bands? Should the new passes automatically be added to them?

This is my first time doing an AP renewal so I'm not exactly sure how it all works.

 

[DebbieB]

When we bought our APs last year (after not having them prior), they weren't activated until we actually got there and used them. It's not a big deal at all but I just did the renewal online (they expired on Nov. 8). After making the purchase, it says it becomes active upon expiration of the old one. Does that mean the new ones are active now? It's fine if they are as we arrive on Thursday so at most, we're only losing 6 days.

If so, do we need to do anything when we get there? Will our existing physical AP cards work or do we need to get new ones? What about our Magic Bands? Should the new passes automatically be added to them?

This is my first time doing an AP renewal so I'm not exactly sure how it all works.

A renewal is continuous, so it is effective when the old one expires. Your magic band connects to your My Disney Experience account so they will work. Not sure about the card, I think you would need a new one.

 

[disneysteve]

A renewal is continuous, so it is effective when the old one expires.

Ah, so if our old ones expired November 8, the active date of the new one is November 9? If so, we're actually losing about 22 days, not 6. Still, not a bad deal since renewing was over $240 cheaper than buying new ones.

 

[WEDWDW]

Ah, so if our old ones expired November 8, the active date of the new one is November 9? If so, we're actually losing about 22 days, not 6. Still, not a bad deal since renewing was over $240 cheaper than buying new ones.

Your renewed AP usually would be good until November 8,2017 BUT they are currently giving new APs and renewal APs 13 months instead of 12 so your date will be December 8,2017.

 

[disneysteve]

Your renewed AP usually would be good until November 8,2017 BUT they are currently giving new APs and renewal APs 13 months instead of 12 so your date will be December 8,2017.

True. I forgot they were adding a month. So we're not really losing much of anything and we save $242 by renewing. I'm okay with that.

So does anyone know if we need to get new cards when we get there?

 

[Fangorn]

You should plan on getting new cards when you get there. My AP card has my name and expiration date written on the back. When used for discounts at shops and restaurants, they always look for the expiration date. You won't get the discount without a valid card, even if your AP actually is valid.

Steve

 

[disneysteve]

You should plan on getting new cards when you get there. My AP card has my name and expiration date written on the back. When used for discounts at shops and restaurants, they always look for the expiration date. You won't get the discount without a valid card, even if your AP actually is valid.

Steve

Thanks. That's kind of what I was figuring. Can we use our Magic Band to get into the parking lot? If they check our cards, they'll see the expired date. I don't want to have to pay $20 for nothing.

 

[Fangorn]

Yes, they can scan your band for parking.

Steve

 

[Robo]

Thanks. That's kind of what I was figuring. Can we use our Magic Band to get into the parking lot? If they check our cards, they'll see the expired date. I don't want to have to pay $20 for nothing.

If for any reason you get charged for parking, just save the receipt and you can get a refund when you go to the booth to get the AP card.

 

[Accident]

@disneysteve I think you'll want to stop by guest relations (ticket booth might be enough) to get the 13 month added on. I'm 90% sure you have to renew in person though to get the 13th month.

 

[Keels]

If you have the yellow AP card, you do not need to go get a new one. If you don't have a yellow AP card, you will.

 

[lovethattink]

A renewal is continuous, so it is effective when the old one expires. Your magic band connects to your My Disney Experience account so they will work. Not sure about the card, I think you would need a new one.

True. I forgot they were adding a month. So we're not really losing much of anything and we save $242 by renewing. I'm okay with that.

So does anyone know if we need to get new cards when we get there?

If you have the yellow AP card, you do not need to go get a new one. If you don't have a yellow AP card, you will.

What @Keels said.

My son was not given a new card at renewal.

 

[Wood Nymph]

When we bought our APs last year (after not having them prior), they weren't activated until we actually got there and used them. It's not a big deal at all but I just did the renewal online (they expired on Nov. 8). After making the purchase, it says it becomes active upon expiration of the old one. Does that mean the new ones are active now? It's fine if they are as we arrive on Thursday so at most, we're only losing 6 days.

If so, do we need to do anything when we get there? Will our existing physical AP cards work or do we need to get new ones? What about our Magic Bands? Should the new passes automatically be added to them?

This is my first time doing an AP renewal so I'm not exactly sure how it all works.

You should be able to see your new annual passes in your MDE account right now. That will tell you the expiration date of your renewed annual passes. Your MB's will work for the renewed APs as long as you can see them in your MDE account, which I assume you can.

We have annual passes that expire November 30th. We renewed those passes when we were in WDW last month. Right now our MDE account lists both the current passes that expire Nov 30, 2016 and our renewed passes which expire Dec 30. 2017. We were lucky enough to get the 13 for 12 deal. We are going to WDW in one week and have been able to use those renewed passes to make our fp+ selections ahead of time. And we expect those renewed to be active when we walk in the gate without any additional activation process.