APs do not mix with kids

BuzzLIghtYear2010

BuzzLIghtYear2010

Member
Original Poster
We bought our first APs this trip. New APs must be activated at a Guest Services office. Went to DS the first day to avoid lines in the parks. GS office had no seats left in waiting room. Wait plus process consumed almost an hour.

If I had not researched this, and had grandchildren in tow for their first trip down Main Street, I would have been steamed. The message seems to be: Buy tickets and upgrade them later in the trip, but expect to lose an hour or more for it. Bring everyone with printouts and IDs. If you or your travel agent have not done your MDE homework correctly, more.
 
P

PeakSeason

Well-Known Member
I don't understand why the process has to take so long. It's not like they're taking your picture or your fingerprints. I don't understand why there needs to be this extra step at all if they're purchased online and attached to your account. We've activated APs twice and both times it took about an hour. The last time, people in line who were nearing the front were joking around by calling out that they'd sell their spot in line for $100 each.
 
Sirwalterraleigh

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
They don’t look you up with a drivers license and then simply hit “Ok”...they basically reverify all the identity stuff and pull them off a holding system to activate.

Disney became xenophobic about anyone reselling or giving tickets/days to other people about 10 years ago...those tickets are guarded like the safe.

I’m not saying it doesn’t suck...or that it should take that long...but until they have some kind of retinal scanner or dna imprint....it’s gonna be that way.
 
winstongator

winstongator

Well-Known Member
Do you do this even if you order your AP online? I don't remember doing this. We don't have passes anymore, but got them the first time 3 years ago. Renewing them didn't take anything special.

I did forget our magic bands one trip. My wife went to GS at DS, I got in line at D-Luxe. She had our new cards by the time I had our burgers.
 
Sirwalterraleigh

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
winstongator said:
Do you do this even if you order your AP online? I don't remember doing this. We don't have passes anymore, but got them the first time 3 years ago. Renewing them didn't take anything special.

I did forget our magic bands one trip. My wife went to GS at DS, I got in line at D-Luxe. She had our new cards by the time I had our burgers.
Click to expand...
No...you always have to activate them. Simply collecting the money isn’t good enough for them...they want to control access to the passes.
 
Monty

Monty

Brilliant...and Canadian
In the Parks
No
Sirwalterraleigh said:
No...you always have to activate them. Simply collecting the money isn’t good enough for them...they want to control access to the passes.
Click to expand...
More accurately, the APs have to be activated in person to avoid buying and activating before you can use the ticket. If you buy on-line and the ticket is activated immediately, it expires one year later regardless of when you arrive at the parks to use it. When you buy on-line, they do have to confirm that you are the purchaser, otherwise stolen vouchers would be a problem.
 
Sirwalterraleigh

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
Monty said:
More accurately, the APs have to be activated in person to avoid buying and activating before you can use the ticket. If you buy on-line and the ticket is activated immediately, it expires one year later regardless of when you arrive at the parks to use it. When you buy on-line, they do have to confirm that you are the purchaser, otherwise stolen vouchers would be a problem.
Click to expand...

Correct...good point about the dates...but more goes into it than simple verification when you pick up...it would take 3 minutes and a tap of a button otherwise
 
note2001

note2001

Well-Known Member
Ugh! An hour waiting? Never go to Disney Springs. Seems they always have lines.

I head to either the back gate of Epcot or the main entrance of the MK later in the afternoon. No lines, pleasant cast members, good and done within 10 minutes tops.
 
Sirwalterraleigh

Sirwalterraleigh

Premium Member
note2001 said:
Ugh! An hour waiting? Never go to Disney Springs. Seems they always have lines.

I head to either the back gate of Epcot or the main entrance of the MK later in the afternoon. No lines, pleasant cast members, good and done within 10 minutes tops.
Click to expand...

Springs actually is fine as long as you go earlier in the day...used it many times
 
winstongator

winstongator

Well-Known Member
Sirwalterraleigh said:
No...you always have to activate them. Simply collecting the money isn’t good enough for them...they want to control access to the passes.
Click to expand...
I remember now! We went to the old GS office that was by Ghiradelli's. Took about 15 minutes.

I'll keep this in mind as we will probably get passes again in the Fall.
 
Gomer

Gomer

Well-Known Member
TO back up what another said above. I always go to a non-MK ticket booth. Usually DAK or Epcot. Preferably mid-day to evening. Never taken more than 15 minutes. That's two adults and two kids.

I've never tried the Guest Services route, but it sounds like Ticket booth may be the better option.
 
disneygeek90

disneygeek90

Well-Known Member
I renewed my AP at DS (only cause I usually pay with multiple giftcards) a month or so ago and the whole process from checking in to walking out took maybe 15 mins.
 
W

WDWMPrincess

Active Member
Thank you all for discussing this. I knew you had to activate but wasn't aware DS was an option for activation. I had been planning on looking it up closer to our trip. You all just made my planning much easier so thank you again!
 
NeedMoreMickey

NeedMoreMickey

Well-Known Member
In March went to GS in Disney Springs to get an AP card because I misplaced mine. Took about 15 minuets around 11:00. Went back later in the day because my sister realized she left her AP card home and we had to wait about 40 minuets. It’s all about timing.
 

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