Process for activating AP

[toodles2009]

Background: We currently have SoCal APs that expire in September, and want to get new Deluxe APs for our trip next week (thereby cancelling our old passes, if the computer sees the duplication, I assume). We are also getting an entirely new Deluxe AP for our son, who is old enough to need a pass for the first time. We don't want to just upgrade because we only have 2 months left on the old passes, and would prefer to get a whole new year, plus we want our son's pass to have the same dates as ours and this is the only way I can see to do that. I understand from other feedback I've gotten that this might be complicated, and the best thing to do is probably get our new APs online before we leave, using a different dl.com account and credit card, then activating when we get there, so they don't just upgrade our current passes instead.

I have a couple questions. How do you activate an eticket purchased online? In particular, it says go to the maingate to do it. We were hoping to check in to the GCH and use their gate to enter the first time. Is that a no go? Alternatively, is it possible for me to go to the ticket booths and activate all 3 of our passes alone, while my husband gets the kids situated at the hotel, or do we all have to be present to activate? We're trying to avoid having to wrangle a tired car-weary infant and toddler during the process. Also, if anyone has done something similar we'd appreciate any tips. Thanks!

 

[cmwade77]

I believe that at the 2 month mark, you can renew your passes, they will replace your current passes with the level that you are renewing at from what I have heard. So basically you will get an extra two months on your current passes being upgraded to Deluxes.

 

[toodles2009]

Thank you so, so much for the response. I had no idea we could do this with a simple renewal. Could anyone walk me through the process on this? Our SoCal passes expire 9/5 and we will be going on 7/15. So we would just renew online before then, and we will have Deluxe passes from 7/15 through 9/5/13? Do we have to go to a gate to do anything, or do they just update our info in the computer and we get to keep using our old passes? I guess we will then just have to buy a new Deluxe pass for our son who just turned 3, although his will expire a little earlier than ours.

 

[ArchOwl]

I am pretty sure you can only renew 40 days prior to your expiration date, but you can look up your pass here: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/renew/

Enter the pass number and it will tell you if you are eligible to renew or not.

 

[cmwade77]

40 days may or may not be right, but I have heard of people renewing in person at the 60 day mark by asking for a supervisor (and being polite while doing so), so it's possible to do this, give it a shot.

Also, the computer will not let you have two annual passes at once, so you can't simply buy a new one and have an overlap.

 

[ArchOwl]

40 days may or may not be right, but I have heard of people renewing in person at the 60 day mark by asking for a supervisor (and being polite while doing so), so it's possible to do this, give it a shot.

Also, the computer will not let you have two annual passes at once, so you can't simply buy a new one and have an overlap.

I am not sure about renewing in person at the 60 day mark. I haven't heard any recent stories of that being done, in fact I have heard the opposite when some where hoping to renew before the price changes went into effect.

I don't know why you couldn't buy another AP online if you wanted to do it that way. Even if you can't buy a regular AP, you could always purchase a gift voucher.

 

[cmwade77]

I am not sure about renewing in person at the 60 day mark. I haven't heard any recent stories of that being done, in fact I have heard the opposite when some where hoping to renew before the price changes went into effect.

I don't know why you couldn't buy another AP online if you wanted to do it that way. Even if you can't buy a regular AP, you could always purchase a gift voucher.

You can buy a gift voucher online, but you can't activate it until your existing pass expires.

 

[toodles2009]

On the asking for a supervisor idea, do I need to be inside the parks to do this? I won't be able to get in, if so, unless I purchase a blackout ticket, and then if the supervisor says no I have given up the option of trying to get a new AP and cancel the old one (I have heard that people have been able to do this) unless I forfeit the $70 per person blackout ticket. Since I miss the 40 day mark by 11-12 days, and I can't have 2 APs at once, is it really my only option to pay for an entire upgrade for just 11 days of validity? That doesn't seem right.

 

[toodles2009]

Just a brief update. I called the AP hotline to ask what my options are, and she said that you are allowed to cancel the old pass and purchase a new one. Hopefully she is right.

 

[cmwade77]

On the asking for a supervisor idea, do I need to be inside the parks to do this? I won't be able to get in, if so, unless I purchase a blackout ticket, and then if the supervisor says no I have given up the option of trying to get a new AP and cancel the old one (I have heard that people have been able to do this) unless I forfeit the $70 per person blackout ticket. Since I miss the 40 day mark by 11-12 days, and I can't have 2 APs at once, is it really my only option to pay for an entire upgrade for just 11 days of validity? That doesn't seem right.

No, just at the ticket booth. I see you got an answer, but I would still try this method first as you will get an extra couple of months and at worst case scenario, you can cancel the old one and but the new one per the information you were given.

 

[AquaDame]

You could also wait and see what they say... I received a MAJOR dose of pixie dust when I was there last weekend. My pass was set to expire on 12/10, but we went in planning to upgrade to Premier so I was not blocked out on that Saturday and because we are taking a trip in November to WDW. We did the math and it makes sense. The supervisor had to be called over to show the very nice girl how to upgrade my pass to Premier since she had not done it yet, and asked when I was going. She pulled a bit of a face and said that November isn't very far away at all, and then it expired in December to boot. She asked where we lived and if we'd be back in the future and I said well, we had thought about coming back over labor day 2013 for the 1/2 marathon but we hadn't decided yet. She reiterated that it was unfortunate and seemed like such a waste and asked me to hang on a minute and disappeared. I waited and chatted with the girl some more, then after a bit the supervisor came back and said she got approval for me to go ahead and renew NOW if I wanted to pay the full pass price and then it wouldn't expire until 12/10/13! I got 5 whole months added on by being honest and just telling them what our plans were - instead of it expiring this Dec it expires NEXT December (but we did have to pay the difference... there is some fuzzy Disney math for you!)

I had a bit of trouble let me tell you... I had come with $400 in gift cards, NOT $849! But doing the math in my head yes that made sense too - 1 day pass at $125 for one day over new years... a three day pass for labor day and we'd hit the same $$ but I wouldn't have discounts on a thing! My husband was a little reluctant at first but we both know it made sense and are so grateful to her for taking the time and being thoughtful!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

No, just at the ticket booth. I see you got an answer, but I would still try this method first as you will get an extra couple of months and at worst case scenario, you can cancel the old one and but the new one per the information you were given.

I suggest doing this too.

 

[toodles2009]

Thanks, everyone. We will go to the ticket booth and be as nice as we can be. You now have me more hopeful, especially since we miss the 40 days by only 11 days.

One other question -- do we all have to be there, or can I do the passes for all 3 of us?