The ones you get online are usually the same type of paper/card stock ones you would get at the gate. As far as I know the only places that sells the plastic ones are at the Disney Store.
Not sure what exact tickets you are referring to but we ordered 2 7 day PHP passes last month and they are plastic - similar to a credit card. One was teal with Goofy, the other purple with Donald Duck. My DH and DS both want the one with Goofy so not sure what to do
Just dawned on me that I answered the question as if it were my AP that I ordered yesterday. I actually ordered the PHP via phone - Disney - as I had some questions. Paid 3.00 shipping fee and got them in less than 2 weeks.