So many questions about AP's

[karsen11]

So, we did it, we bought AP's! With going every May for our daughter's birthday and going in the fall each year, it just made sense. But now, I'm more confused than ever since I've never booked a trip with AP's. and this time around we are also renting DVC points to throw even more confusion into the mix. I don't know why but for some reason I just can't wrap my head around everything. So questions-
We bought our AP's online January 2nd. Our next trip is May 3- 7 renting DVC points for AKL. When do we activate our AP's? Do we have to wait until we get there? Do we go to guest services?
How do we go about getting our magic bands?
will we be able to make fastpasses for our entire trip or day by day 30 days out?
is there anything special I need to do to link everything?
Anything else I should know?
I'm just lost! thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you bought them, they are on your MyDisneyExperience account, right?

Your DVC reservation has a confirmation number that you can link to MDE. Once you do that you'll see the ability to customized the MBs for your onsite hotel stay.

Normally, once you have your first AP visit you'll then see the ability to customize more magicbands. Some people have been able to do that before their first trip, though. If you customize both "AP bands" and onsite stay bands, you can use them interchangeably.

Since I assume the APs are on your MDE, and I assume you'll link your stay to MDE< once the 60 days mark shows up you'll be able to make FP+s.

 

[loves to dive]

You will have to go to a ticket counter or guest services to activate the APs, you will get your discount card when you do that. It should already be linked to your MDE account. You will get your MBs for your DVC rental just like you get MBs for a resort stay, that should also be showing in your MDE account, if not just link it with the confirmation number the owner/David's gave you. After you get back from your first trip using your APs you will be able to go on line and customize another set of MBs. Not necessary unless you just want another set of MBs, they are no different than any other MB they just send a little slider to attach to them. Most people either only wear the slider one time then stop or don't wear them at all, they tend to slide off easy when you take your MB off. If you do decide to get another MB with our AP, when your box comes, make sure you look through it carefully, the slider tends to be tucked away from the MB. All MBs are registered on MDE and are completely interchangeable.

 

[karsen11]

Thanks, can you go to the ticket counter or guest service at any park?

 

[erionm]

Thanks, can you go to the ticket counter or guest service at any park?

Yes. There is also a Guest Relations location at Disney Springs.

 

[CAS239]

So, we did it, we bought AP's! With going every May for our daughter's birthday and going in the fall each year, it just made sense. But now, I'm more confused than ever since I've never booked a trip with AP's. and this time around we are also renting DVC points to throw even more confusion into the mix. I don't know why but for some reason I just can't wrap my head around everything. So questions-
We bought our AP's online January 2nd. Our next trip is May 3- 7 renting DVC points for AKL.

1) When do we activate our AP's? Do we have to wait until we get there? Do we go to guest services?
2) How do we go about getting our magic bands?
3) will we be able to make fastpasses for our entire trip or day by day 30 days out?
4) is there anything special I need to do to link everything?
Anything else I should know?
I'm just lost! thanks for any help you can give me.

1) Yes. AP's arent activated until you're at the park. You can activate them at any park guest services and also at Disney Springs
2) You'll be able to customize your "resort" bands once you have your reservation booked. They'll ship about 30 days out. You'll get a set of "AP" bands as well, but those won't pop up for customization until after you're at the park and activate your AP's. So you're other set will arrive after you're back from your trip.
3) Since you're staying on site you'll be able to book fast passes at the 60 day mark for your entire trip. If you were staying offsite then AP's can book FP's one day at a time, 30 days out, and hold 7 days worth of FP's in a 30 day period. Being onsite, AP's have the same on site privileges as everyone else that's on site.
4) Just link everything to your MDE account and you're fine

 

[gap2368]

do not forget about the 20% discount for AP so if you buy something ask for it not all place will have the discount but most do.

 

[karsen11]

Thank you again...Hopefully last question, but will memory maker be linked automatically or will I have to do that as well at guest services?

 

[erionm]

Thank you again...Hopefully last question, but will memory maker be linked automatically or will I have to do that as well at guest services?

The PhotoPass download entitlement is automatic (once an active AP is linked to MDE).

 

[loves to dive]

do not forget about the 20% discount for AP so if you buy something ask for it not all place will have the discount but most do.

And have an ID on you. Some places ask to see it and some don't, better safe than sorry.

 

[disnut8]

And have an ID on you. Some places ask to see it and some don't, better safe than sorry.

And make sure when you activate your passes that each adult has a photo ID on them. It's never a bad idea to always have a photo ID with you at any time any where, not just at Disney World.

 

[Megsmachine]

After you purchase your AP when can you buy a TIW? Does your AP have to be activated to purchase the TIW? Can you buy the TIW at guest relations when you activate your AP?

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

After you purchase your AP when can you buy a TIW? Does your AP have to be activated to purchase the TIW? Can you buy the TIW at guest relations when you activate your AP?

Your can buy TIW at the time of AP activation, at any guest services window.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

My AP is NOT activated and my MagicBand is currently on its way to my house, so as long as the voucher number is linked to your MDE you CAN customize and order your MB. I also already used my 20% discount to book The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show for June when I will be activating the pass. All I needed, again, was the voucher number to give to the CM over the phone and got my 20% discount (as it is a pre-paid ADR) and will show them my card (once I receive it when I get down there and activate on my 1st day) So the only things I CANT do before activation are view AP discounts on WDW website as MDE does not read my AP a "fully" linked for whatever reason. But I've already tried to book a FastPass and I CAN do that while all others in my party have to wait until April aka the 60 day resort window. Hope this helps

 

[china mom]

You can book your fast passes now for your June trip?

 

[Uncranky Donald]

You can book your fast passes now for your June trip?

Lol No no, I phrased that wrong, I meant I tested it as to make sure it recognized me as a pass holder. So when I grabbed everyone in our party to book a FP it told me everyone else had to wait while I was allowed to proceed because I had an AP. Thats how I knew I would be good to go when the time comes for us to book FPs. Lol if I could book now for June that would be one major glitch and i would NOT be posting it

 

[menardog]

I just went through this same thing in December; we actually did two days at Contemporary cash and then nine days at Saratoga on DVC points, while buying our first APs. Like others have said if you link everything to My Disney Experience you won't have any issue. We got our resort MagicBands ahead of time in the mail and brought them to the park with us. Since we were at Contemporary we went to the Will Call counter to pick up our APs. All they did was scan the bar code on the e-mail in my phone that I received when I purchased them and reviewed IDs. Make sure they hand the right pass to the right person - if your fingerprint stops working the Plaids will question you. You can use your resort MagicBands or the AP card they give you at gates and for FastPasses.

As long as you have a resort stay you can book FastPasses out 60 days, even with linked resorts. Your AP will not activate until you use it at a gate, we bought ours in September but did not use until December so we got the 12 +1 month starting in December. Although your 20% discount works ahead of time on the Shop Disney Parks app. We bought Tables in Wonderland inside the park. When I was last there the Guest Relations desk was still in Tomorrowland, I don't know if they do TIW or just tickets though.

There are also a few Quick Service restaurants giving AP discounts this year.

Just make sure you link all of your reservations in My Disney Experience; resort, AP (if you did not buy through MDE), and you will not have any problems.

 

[PattiPB]

There are also a few Quick Service restaurants giving AP discounts this year.

Which quick service restaurants give the AP discount? I didn't know any of them did this! TIA~

 

[bumbershoot]

My AP is NOT activated and my MagicBand is currently on its way to my house, so as long as the voucher number is linked to your MDE you CAN customize and order your MB.

From what I've read this is a *might* not a *can* in the sense you're using "can". It's not happening for everyone.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Here's a link (if you can get it to work!)
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/