Annual Pass

[Matthew]

Hi,

If I buy an annual pass online does that mean it starts on the day I buy it is it one year from date of first use?

Thanks

Matt

 

[Monty]

According to Disney's site discount cards are no longer necessary and new pass holders will not receive one.

I've heard that too, but have yet to see an AP holder get a discount without one.

**Shrug**

ETA: I haven't been since May, so who knows...

 

[AndrewsJ]

I've heard that too, but have yet to see an AP holder get a discount without one.

**Shrug**

I get my discount without it. It always seemed redundant to me anyway. They change things so often I can't keep up lol.

 

[LAKid53]

This always gets confused.

When you purchase an AP online you will receive either a will-call number or be mailed a voucher [depending on how far in advance you purchase]. When you arrive at WDW you can then exchange the voucher or will-call for an AP. The AP will be "virtually" attached to your MDE account, but you should also receive a discount card for shopping discounts [you need to show the card and photo ID to get AP discounts in stores/restaurants]. Your MDE account will indicate an expiry date of one year after the date you exchanged the voucher. You no longer receive a physical Annual Pass. The discount card has an RFID chip and can be used for FP+ in the event you don't have or choose not to use Magic Bands [I think it can be used for park entry as well, but I've never tried]. My discount card just has 2016 - 2017 for dates, no expiry date is printed on it. It has a spot to print your last name.

During your renewal window, you can renew at the reduced rate. The expiry date of the original AP will be extended by one year.

No, you still get a physical AP card. The AP discount card was included with the magic band Disney mailed to you. Until Disney designs a magic band that is distinctly AP, they will continue to give AP a physical card.

 

[LAKid53]

I've heard that too, but have yet to see an AP holder get a discount without one.

**Shrug**

ETA: I haven't been since May, so who knows...

So much misinformation....

An AP can use either their AP card or the discount card to receive an AP discount. If Disney has eliminated the discount card, then you will still need to show your AP card.

The purpose of the discount card was to accompany the MB to prove the individual was an AP. But it was redundant, IMHO.

 

[Monty]

I get my discount without it. It always seemed redundant to me anyway. They change things so often I can't keep up lol.

No, you still get a physical AP card. The AP discount card was included with the magic band Disney mailed to you. Until Disney designs a magic band that is distinctly AP, they will continue to give AP a physical card.

So much misinformation....

An AP can use either their AP card or the discount card to receive an AP discount. If Disney has eliminated the discount card, then you will still need to show your AP card.

The purpose of the discount card was to accompany the MB to prove the individual was an AP. But it was redundant, IMHO.

You two seem to have different info...

When I bought my most recent AP, I requested a physical AP card and was told they don't do that any more. I requested a discount card and was given one. That's all I know.

 

[LAKid53]

You two seem to have different info...

When I bought my most recent AP, I requested a physical AP card and was told they don't do that any more. I requested a discount card and was given one. That's all I know.

When my daughter got her AP last October, after the changes, she received an AP card. You don't request a physical card, it's automatically given to you. Disney has to have something physical to document a guest is an AP, since they haven't yet come up with a distinctive MB, which frankly I wish they would.

Here's both the AP card and discount card... Don't know why Disney, back in 2013 when they started issuing MB for APs - no different than a resort guest MB, just noted in your MDE as such and came in a different box with a slider and discount card - decided APs needed another card to carry...black if no free parking...gold if free parking. Woo hoo, I have a gold card..

Does the card you received look like the one on the left? If so, that's the AP card.

 

[DManRightHere]

When my daughter got her AP last October, after the changes, she received an AP card. You don't request a physical card, it's automatically given to you. Disney has to have something physical to document a guest is an AP, since they haven't yet come up with a distinctive MB, which frankly I wish they would.

Here's both the AP card and discount card... Don't know why Disney, back in 2013 when they started issuing MB for APs - no different than a resort guest MB, just noted in your MDE as such and came in a different box with a slider and discount card - decided APs needed another card to carry...black if no free parking...gold if free parking. Woo hoo, I have a gold card..

Does the card you received look like the one on the left? If so, that's the AP card.

View attachment 154830

I know nothing about APs, but why not scan those fancy magic bands and have recorded in their system they are AP holders?

Is it possible for people to fraud the system with a stolen or expired AP discount card? At Uni we just flash our card and get the discount.

 

[LAKid53]

I know nothing about APs, but why not scan those fancy magic bands and have recorded in their system they are AP holders?

Is it possible for people to fraud the system with a stolen or expired AP discount card? At Uni we just flash our card and get the discount.

No, the card has your name on the back and the CM asks for your photo id to verify that you are the AP.

But I think your idea is a good one. If I can tie a credit card to my MDE account for charging, surely Disney can recognize that I am an AP when they scan my MB, since they scan your band if you purchased a dining plan, when you touch the fastpass point for a ride, your name appears on the monitor the CM looks at. It's easy for them to add your photo to your MDE account....if you fail several times to enter at the turnstile, a CM will walk over and ask to take a photo of you for verification, so i will assume that if you agree, that photo ends up on your account, but most likely somewhere you can't see it. After all, your name shows up when you touch your band to the entry turnstile. I've been called by my first name many times upon entering the park.

However, those guests who don't want a MB because they fear Disney is tracking their every move would object to Disney tying a photo to their MDE account. Me, I'd like to not have to always drag out 2-3 cards to get my AP discount - AP card, photo ID and credit card.

I also wish Disney would link my TiW card to my MDE account, because that's another card I have to pull out. Same with my DVC membership card

 

[Monty]

When my daughter got her AP last October, after the changes, she received an AP card. You don't request a physical card, it's automatically given to you. Disney has to have something physical to document a guest is an AP, since they haven't yet come up with a distinctive MB, which frankly I wish they would.

Here's both the AP card and discount card... Don't know why Disney, back in 2013 when they started issuing MB for APs - no different than a resort guest MB, just noted in your MDE as such and came in a different box with a slider and discount card - decided APs needed another card to carry...black if no free parking...gold if free parking. Woo hoo, I have a gold card..

Does the card you received look like the one on the left? If so, that's the AP card.

View attachment 154830

OK, I have the one on the left. The CM at GR didn't automatically give it to me, I had to ask. It doesn't have my name or expiry date printed on it, there's a QR code for downloading the MDE app, a twelve character code for the card, a magnetic swipe strip [that I've never seen used], a small icon that indicates it's RFID and the years 2016 - 2017. I had to manually print my name on it.

In your earlier post you refer to the expiry date being on the back of the AP. Mine just has the two years.

 

[LAKid53]

OK, I have the one on the left. The CM at GR didn't automatically give it to me, I had to ask. It doesn't have my name or expiry date printed on it, there's a QR code for downloading the MDE app, a twelve character code for the card, a magnetic swipe strip [that I've never seen used], a small icon that indicates it's RFID and the years 2016 - 2017. I had to manually print my name on it.

In your earlier post you refer to the expiry date being on the back of the AP. Mine just has the two years.

Interesting you had to ask, because the one on the left IS the AP pass card. I've never had to ask, the CM takes one from their stock, activates it and gives it to you. I will be renewing mine in 2 months and will activate it when I visit first of November for the Wine & Dine half marathon. I will definitely watch to see if the CM hands me the card or if I have to ask for it. Because without the AP card or the discount card, how does one prove you are an AP to get your dining, merchandise or event ticket/tour discounts?

Yeah, you're correct, the only thing on the back of the AP card is the year, a magnetic strip, the QR code to scan, and the number of the card... which you will see in that section of your MDE account. The discount card on the right has your name preprinted and the expiration date. You get that card, and an AP slider for your band, with your AP magic band that shows up in your MDE account, so don't forget to confirm your address and customize it.

 

[Monty]

Interesting you had to ask, because the one on the left IS the AP pass card. I've never had to ask, the CM takes one from their stock, activates it and gives it to you. I will be renewing mine in 2 months and will activate it when I visit first of November for the Wine & Dine half marathon. I will definitely watch to see if the CM hands me the card or if I have to ask for it. Because without the AP card or the discount card, how does one prove you are an AP to get your dining, merchandise or event ticket/tour discounts?

Yeah, you're correct, the only thing on the back of the AP card is the year, a magnetic strip, the QR code to scan, and the number of the card... which you will see in that section of your MDE account. The discount card on the right has your name preprinted and the expiration date. You get that card, and an AP slider for your band, with your AP magic band that shows up in your MDE account, so don't forget to confirm your address and customize it.

I can customise, but they don't mail my MBs. I'm Canadian, so I pick up AP MBs at the resort the next time I'm there. Disney can't mail MBs across the border because of the RFID tech only being FCC approved, not CRTC. [Or at least that's their "story"] The last two times I picked up AP MBs, I got sliders, but no discount cards, or didn't notice the cards...

 

[LAKid53]

I can customise, but they don't mail my MBs. I'm Canadian, so I pick up AP MBs at the resort the next time I'm there. Disney can't mail MBs across the border because of the RFID tech only being FCC approved, not CRTC. [Or at least that's their "story"] The last two times I picked up AP MBs, I got sliders, but no discount cards, or didn't notice the cards...

Didn't realize you're from Canada. So they won't mail your MBs because of the RFID? Interesting.

You have to take everything out of the box to find the card.

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

I know nothing about APs, but why not scan those fancy magic bands and have recorded in their system they are AP holders?

Is it possible for people to fraud the system with a stolen or expired AP discount card? At Uni we just flash our card and get the discount.

My take on it is that Magic Bands are a bit more expendible than your AP card, but yes, if you have your Band linked to your account, your account linked to your AP... I'm not sure why they wouldn't be able to do that lol. That seems like much less of a technological hurdle than this foot scanning technology that they're looking into. Obviously don't REPLACE the card but I can't see a reason for them to not eventually have the AP card link to your Magic Band.