Activating AP Vouchers prior to ETPE?

[Dizzytime]

Pardon if this has been asked before but after looking couldn't nail it down a complete answer.
We're returning to DW for the first time in over five years and so excited! After a long flight from CA, we're arriving late Tues 1/21, staying at AKL and our hope is to be able to make ETPE rope drop at 7:30am the next morning. We have AP vouchers we have to trade in, and understand we have to do that before we have park entry (?). We've always done AP voucher-trade in after park opening at guest services, but obviously they are inside the park, so guess we'll try at the ticket booth outside the park (?). Hope that will work, but the other question is that assuming that's ok, do the ticket booths open early enough for us to trade in our vouchers in time to get in line for 7:30am rope drop?
We heard ticket booths may (?) open an hour before park opening, but not sure if that's before regular or early opening ? We sure don't mind being in the front of the ticket booth line at 6:30 am or even earlier.. whenever they open, to help make ETPE rope drop.
Anyway, the closer it gets the more excited we get, and the more excited we get the more confused we get... so hope these questions make sense and this isn't too rambling.
Thanks very much in advance for any thoughts or ideas, and sure hoping you all are having a magical day!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Guest services are also located outside each park, prior to entering.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Give yourself as much time as possible. I had a renewal that was processed as a voucher and I had to go to the ticket booth before entering the park to activate it. It took about 20 mins, and that was just for me and no line. The last 5 mins or so was because the CM mentioned making me an Epcot reservation for the day and I told her I already had all my reservations for the week. She explained those were not associated with the new AP and they all needed to be made again and proceeded to re-make some of them for me. Stupid Disney IT…

 

[DWillowBay]

As stated, each park has a Guest Services area outside the park. At MK, the windows are to the right as you walk in. In HS, the windows are to the left as you walk up. I hope your trip is wonderful!

 

[Dizzytime]

Thank you all! Maybe should have mentioned we'll be trying to activate our APs prior to ETPE in time to rope drop AK, but from the replies assume they have a guest service booth outside all parks where we can take care of that, as well as ticket windows that can do that also? Maybe go to the shortest line if both can do the activation?
The remaining question is what time do these open? Every day is ETPE, correct? Again, I've heard about an hour before park opens, but is that true, and if so is that an hour before ETPE or regular park opening?
Hope you can understand my confusion, just hoping to be clear before we get there.
Thanks so much!

 

[CarolynFH]

what time do these open?

I think they open one hour before ETPE, which is when guests begin arriving via resort transportation and the parking lots open.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you all! Maybe should have mentioned we'll be trying to activate our APs prior to ETPE in time to rope drop AK, but from the replies assume they have a guest service booth outside all parks where we can take care of that, as well as ticket windows that can do that also? Maybe go to the shortest line if both can do the activation?
The remaining question is what time do these open? Every day is ETPE, correct? Again, I've heard about an hour before park opens, but is that true, and if so is that an hour before ETPE or regular park opening?
Hope you can understand my confusion, just hoping to be clear before we get there.
Thanks so much!

I just walked up to a ticket booth at the front of Epcot and they handled it there. I'd try to get there an hour before ETPE, if they aren't open yet at least you'll be at the front of the line.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Guest services at AK is to the left of the entrance taps.

 

[Dizzytime]

Thanks for the additional info! All very helpful!