AP Expiration Question

[Disney Shib]

Hi Disney friends. I just renewed my annual pass last week. They sent me a card that says exchange this card for a pass at one of the WDW locations. Does my pass start date begin as soon as I renew or once I get the annual pass at one of the WDW locations? Thanks for the help!

 

[ABQ]

Your new pass start date will not begin till you actually use the new pass, after exchanging the voucher for the pass, to enter a park gate.

 

[thomas998]

Your new pass start date will not begin till you actually use the new pass, after exchanging the voucher for the pass, to enter a park gate.

Are you sure of that? I thought a new pass didn't start until you used it the first time, but that if it was a renewal that the renewed pass would start automatically at the time your old pass expired. I was pretty sure that was how they explained it to me when I renwed out AP the first time years ago... it was also the reason I didn't renew it the following year because I knew we wouldn't be using it for at least 4 or 5 months in when it started so it made more sense to just get a new one later than do a renewal.

 

[Master Yoda]

If you renewed, your year started the day your original pass expired.

If you purchased an entirely new pass, it will start on the day you activated it.

 

[ABQ]

Are you sure of that? I thought a new pass didn't start until you used it the first time, but that if it was a renewal that the renewed pass would start automatically at the time your old pass expired. I was pretty sure that was how they explained it to me when I renwed out AP the first time years ago... it was also the reason I didn't renew it the following year because I knew we wouldn't be using it for at least 4 or 5 months in when it started so it made more sense to just get a new one later than do a renewal.

Yup, I think you're right, as Yoda also got specific on, a new pass won't begin till you enter a park, which was how I was looking at my answer. Renewal, that's different. I've only bought new ones, rather than renewed.

If you renewed, your year started the day your original pass expired.

If you purchased an entirely new pass, it will start on the day you activated it.

 

[Timekeeper]

If you renewed, your year started the day your original pass expired.

If you purchased an entirely new pass, it will start on the day you activated it.

This is accurate.

If someone is deciding whether to renew an AP or purchase an an entirely new AP, and they want the most bang for their buck, they just have to do a little bit of simple math. On one hand, a renewal is cheaper and saves you some money. On the other hand, if you will not be visiting the parks for a couple of months after your AP's original expiration date, then it may be worthwhile to let the AP expire, wait a few months, and then purchase a new one at the time that you intend to use it, which will extend the duration of your AP to one year from that use (since it's an entirely new AP). The "best" option will differ from person to person, depending on their schedule and frequency in visiting the parks.

On that note, the 15 month AP promotions at Universal are an excellent deal because, for example, guests who purchase APs at the beginning of Mardi Gras get to experience TWO Mardi Gras seasons in the parks, or TWO holiday seasons, etc.

 

[Innkeeper's Club]

For 2014 my Annual Pass is set to expire on August 17 and I'm scheduled to arrive at WDW on August 18. So after I check-in and etc I will go to Guest Relations at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, renew my AP and it will then expire on August 17, 2015. So for me it's no problem missing 1 day of it.

 

[Disney Shib]

Thanks for the info. I did renew. However, they sent me a card that says to exchange for a pass at MK or Epcot. I am assuming this means my pass started once my older one ended.

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks for the info. I did renew. However, they sent me a card that says to exchange for a pass at MK or Epcot. I am assuming this means my pass started once my older one ended.

Correct.

 

[Disney Shib]

Thanks @Master Yoda !