When do I need to renew my AP and what's the best way to do it?

[BC]

My AP will expire on 12-11-04 and I will be in the world from Nov 30 til Dec 9th. I have read that it is a bit cheaper to renew it before expiration. How much do you save and should I do it before I leave the parks, call CRO, go online or just what is the best way to do it and when?

 

[safetymom]

You should receive a letter with instructions telling you what you need to do before your AP expires.

If you don't plan on going for awhile I would let the pass expire then renew the pass when it is closer to the date you plan on going. You lose the discount but you would have the pass for a year from your new visit date.

 

[Terry S]

Your other option is to go to the WDW website and renew it there. If you go to http://www.disneyworld.com/passholder there is an option there to renew your pass. You will need your pass in order to enter the numbers down at the bottom of the pass to log on to the site.

 

[eeyore0062]

Just know that if you renew your APs online, it will not save you a trip to Guest Relations to have them validated. What they send you is a certificate which must then be turned into a real ticket. Once you do this, you are good to go. The shorter lines are usually at Downtown Disney Guest Relations, so if you have the chance, try to stop in there the night before, so you can expedite getting in the parks in the morning. They can renew your existing AP there, as well. You may renew your AP for the discounted price up to 30 days before or after the expiration date, and the expiration will revert back to the date the previous years expired... so if your ticket expires on Nov 20 this year, if you renew, it will expire Nov 20 next year, as well. If you renew ahead of time, you will use your current AP until the renewal date, at which time you will begin using your new one.

Hope this helps!

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by BC
My AP will expire on 12-11-04 and I will be in the world from Nov 30 til Dec 9th. I have read that it is a bit cheaper to renew it before expiration. How much do you save and should I do it before I leave the parks, call CRO, go online or just what is the best way to do it and when?

$403.64 - New AP (tax included)
$361.03 - AP renewal (tax included)
Renewal savings is $42.61.

If you are going to renew, it would save you time in the long run to do it while you are there. Since your original AP would expire on the 11th and you'll be there until the 9th, you'll get your renewed pass (not a voucher) then. That will save you a trip to Guest Relations on your next visit.

Do the math for your individual situation. Sometimes it is more fiscally prudent to let the AP expire and purchase a new one on your next trip. The $42 renewal savings can easily be eaten up by several unused months ticking off the renewed AP that you aren't using.