Purchasing APs prior to trip or day of?

[Giz1026]

We are going to WDW at Thanksgiving time this year and are wondering when the best time to buy the AP passes is. I was under the impression we would need to have them purchased at least 30 days out so that we may make FP reservations. My DH does not want to buy them in advance if that starts the clock ticking on our one year.

Do the APs year begin the day of purchase or the day of first use? Would we be able to make FPs as soon as we purchase?

Also to complicate things further, my SIL's family is going at the same time and are only purchasing PH's, both of us are not staying onsite. When can they make FP selections?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Capang]

We are going to WDW at Thanksgiving time this year and are wondering when the best time to buy the AP passes is. I was under the impression we would need to have them purchased at least 30 days out so that we may make FP reservations. My DH does not want to buy them in advance if that starts the clock ticking on our one year.

Do the APs year begin the day of purchase or the day of first use? Would we be able to make FPs as soon as we purchase?

Also to complicate things further, my SIL's family is going at the same time and are only purchasing PH's, both of us are not staying onsite. When can they make FP selections?

Thanks for any help.

Your AP begins the first time you enter a park. I would buy them before the 30 day mark so you can make FP.
If your SIL has tickets linked in MDE they can make FP at 30 days out assuming PH means park hoppers.

 

[Giz1026]

Perfect, thanks for info.

 

[kniquy]

I was under the impression we would need to have them purchased at least 30 days out so that we may make FP reservations. My DH does not want to buy them in advance if that starts the clock ticking on our one year.

You will want them purchased in order to make FP selections, but can wait until you get there to activate them. You will just have to stop at a ticket booth prior to entering the park to activate. It is a fairly quick process.

 

[richmo]

I'd agree that its best to purchase your AP's as soon as you know you'll want them. As mentioned earlier, the clock doesn't start ticking until you activate them onsite (which can be slightly different than the first day you use them). Buying them early also insulates you from possible price increases.

 

[Robo]

You will want them purchased in order to make FP selections,
but can wait until you get there to activate them.
You will just have to stop at a ticket booth prior to entering the park to activate. It is a fairly quick process.

Just to clarify.
What you say is correct, however...

Not only CAN a guest "wait until getting to WDW" to activate an advance-purchased AP,
it is not even POSSIBLE to activate an AP, except by being at WDW.
To activate an AP requires the guest to physically be there, in-person, show a photo ID
at a ticket booth or Guest Relations, and then to use that new AP to physically enter a park.

And, to the FP situation...
A purchased but, as yet, unactivated AP (called an "AP certificate") can be used to advance-book FP+ on the proper date.

 

[MinnieMom85]

We just did our APs this weekend. We purchased online in advance, booked our FP (up to 30 days in advance) and when we got there we stopped at the ticket booth to activate our APs. It didn't take too long.

The only hiccup we found was parking on that first day. Since we didn't have our AP we showed them our confirmation number. They still had us pay for parking but said customer service could refund once we activated our AP. Of course with the excitement of the parks we forgot. I'm going to try to chat with them today.

The other things my kids were disappointed about was not having magic bands for this trip. Once you activate the AP (your first park day) you can log in and customize the bands and it takes 11 days for them to ship to you.

 

[Robo]

The other things my kids were disappointed about was not having magic bands for this trip. Once you activate the AP (your first park day) you can log in and customize the bands and it takes 11 days for them to ship to you.

If you have not already "customized" your AP MB's in MDX... DON'T.

If you are still at WDW and are going to MK, head to the Liberty Square Ticket Office. (See map.)
There are reports that new AP holders can pick up MBs there.

 

[MinnieMom85]

If you are still at WDW and are going to MK, head to the Liberty Square Ticket Office. (See map.)
There are reports that new AP holders can pick up MBs there.

View attachment 348281

That would have been awesome to know! I even chatted with an online CM before we went to confirm there was no way to get them for our trip and when we activated at the ticket booth he said they would be mailed. Not mention of picking them up in park. My kids would have loved being able to pick them out right there. I guess we will wait for them to be mailed!

PS is there any advantage of having the Passholder clip on on the MagicBand? Does that help for discounts?

 

[Robo]

- is there any advantage of having the Passholder clip on on the MagicBand? Does that help for discounts?

Seeing the clip might help YOU remember to ask for discounts.
It MIGHT also alert a helpful CM at a sales location to remind you about the discounts.

 

[Lesley Wake]

We are going to WDW at Thanksgiving time this year and are wondering when the best time to buy the AP passes is. I was under the impression we would need to have them purchased at least 30 days out so that we may make FP reservations. My DH does not want to buy them in advance if that starts the clock ticking on our one year.

Do the APs year begin the day of purchase or the day of first use? Would we be able to make FPs as soon as we purchase?

Also to complicate things further, my SIL's family is going at the same time and are only purchasing PH's, both of us are not staying onsite. When can they make FP selections?

Thanks for any help.

One thing you do need to consider is how long you will be visiting for. APs can book up to 7 days of FPs or their length of stay (when staying onsite). If you are doing an 8-day or longer trip, then getting an AP would mean you can't prebook FPs for days beyond those 7. However, if you were to get a 8-day ticket, you could book 8 days of FPs, then go to a ticket booth and upgrade to an AP when you are there. You wouldn't lose those extra FP days.

It is a gamble though, because if you delayed getting an AP, then prices could go up before you upgrade...

 

[Giz1026]

Ah that makes sense. We are going for 10 days so not being able to book FPs for those last days may be a headache.

 

[10CJ]

If you are staying onsite and have an AP certificate linked to your account you can book FPs at 60 days, corrrect?

Also, can you transfer a certificate to someone else if it has never been activated?

Thanks

 

[Robo]

1. If you are staying onsite and have an AP certificate linked to your account you can book FPs at 60 days, corrrect?
2. Also, can you transfer a certificate to someone else if it has never been activated?

1. Yes.
2. Yes.

 

[10CJ]

1. Yes.
2. Yes.

Thanks!