Question about AP

[creativeamanda]

I've been getting conflicting information, so I wanted to be sure: At what point does the time start ticking for an annual pass? I've been told that people who have been buying the AP at the Disney Store have had an issue with the purchase date being the date of activation. I thought that an AP was not active until it first went through the ticket style. For example, I am not going to Disney until Feb. Should I put the $ on a Disney gift card to purchase the AP, or am I fine just going ahead and getting the AP?

 

[siskaren]

According to post #3 of the ticket sticky, what they sell at the Disney Store is a voucher which then needs to be exchanged for an actual AP when you get to the parks, so I don't see how people could be claiming that they were having trouble with the time starting when they bought the voucher.

 

[mesaboy2]

I've been getting conflicting information, so I wanted to be sure: At what point does the time start ticking for an annual pass? I've been told that people who have been buying the AP at the Disney Store have had an issue with the purchase date being the date of activation. I thought that an AP was not active until it first went through the ticket style. For example, I am not going to Disney until Feb. Should I put the $ on a Disney gift card to purchase the AP, or am I fine just going ahead and getting the AP?

The AP is not active until first use. The special case is if you purchase the AP (or swap a voucher for it) at the parks, it still starts that day whether you go into the parks or not.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Officially if you get a voucher (or will-call or exchange certificate) when you exchange for a live pass the expiration is supposed to be that same date in the next year.

Unfortunately what the Automated Ticketing System computer may do is pick up one year from the original date of sale (or some other random date).

For example, when I activate a will-call Resident AP often it will show the expiration date as that day. I do enough APs that I know to check. Also, I will always check the expiration date once the live passes are printed.

Similarly, if you upgrade from another ticket, it is supposed to be one year from the date of first use of the ticket you are upgrading from. Again, I will carefully check the ticket before giving them to the Guest.

A straight purchase, of course, is one year from the date of purchase.

 

[creativeamanda]

According to post #3 of the ticket sticky, what they sell at the Disney Store is a voucher which then needs to be exchanged for an actual AP when you get to the parks, so I don't see how people could be claiming that they were having trouble with the time starting when they bought the voucher.

I know a person who stated she thought it would be from the date it ran through the stile. When she got her pass, it was one year from the date she purchased the ticket at the Disney store.

Cheshire Figment: So you are telling me before I leave the window, I need to check the date and ask for a correction if it's wrong?

 

[creativeamanda]

Officially if you get a voucher (or will-call or exchange certificate) when you exchange for a live pass the expiration is supposed to be that same date in the next year.

Unfortunately what the Automated Ticketing System computer may do is pick up one year from the original date of sale (or some other random date).

For example, when I activate a will-call Resident AP often it will show the expiration date as that day. I do enough APs that I know to check. Also, I will always check the expiration date once the live passes are printed.

Similarly, if you upgrade from another ticket, it is supposed to be one year from the date of first use of the ticket you are upgrading from. Again, I will carefully check the ticket before giving them to the Guest.

A straight purchase, of course, is one year from the date of purchase.

Another question: which park would you recommend I get the AP from? I typically have good results at MK, but I know I starting this trip off at Epcot. Can I go to Downtown Disney?

 

[mesaboy2]

Another question: which park would you recommend I get the AP from? I typically have good results at MK, but I know I starting this trip off at Epcot. Can I go to Downtown Disney?

I'm certain that location at WDW does not matter.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know a person who stated she thought it would be from the date it ran through the stile. When she got her pass, it was one year from the date she purchased the ticket at the Disney store.

Cheshire Figment: So you are telling me before I leave the window, I need to check the date and ask for a correction if it's wrong?

Yes. It does not hurt to take a couple of seconds and not have to worry or make corrections in the future.

Another question: which park would you recommend I get the AP from? I typically have good results at MK, but I know I starting this trip off at Epcot. Can I go to Downtown Disney?

It is always the luck of the draw. You could get someone with my level of experience, or you could get a person who was just released by their trainer the day before your visit.