Annual pass activation

[Jonesie]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the boards and have a questions about activating an annual pass. I purchased annual passes for my family for Christmas. I have printed out the paperwork for each member of my family. When I go to Disneyland, do I go to the front gates? Do I need to go to the ticket booths? How does it work?

 

[Tink!]

You just bring your papers to the gates and they will give you a regular ticket. Then you take that ticket the to annual pass center (i forgot the actual name for it) and take your picture to get your permanent pass.

 

[Jonesie]

Tink,

Thanks for the info, would you suggest I go to the pass center right away? Is it really busy in the morning?

 

[bumbershoot]

I noticed that the line gets longer as the day goes on. We went early in the morning when we upgraded to APs, and later on when we saw the long line we were glad we did.

 

[Padstack]

When we went to activate my wife's AP, we got to the AP Center (right hand side after going through the tunnels) before the second parade (6:15 on a Friday) and only had to wait in line five minutes before she got up to a window. Don't waste early morning time dealing with the AP. Use that time to go on rides before that late comers arrive. When they are waiting in the ride queues, then go take care of the AP.

They will give you a new ticket when you enter the park that you can use for Fastpass and food discounts, so there really is no hurry.

 

[Jonesie]

You guys are great!!! Thanks for all the advice.

 

[jaakna]

Just a question, so the actual expiration date is one year from the day you use it for the first time, or the date you buy the annual pass?? I ask as we are thinking about getting them.

 

[bumbershoot]

Year from the day you use them the first time (activate them).

 

[Padstack]

Year from the day you use them the first time (activate them).

Yep.

 

[Tink!]

When we went to activate my wife's AP, we got to the AP Center (right hand side after going through the tunnels) before the second parade (6:15 on a Friday) and only had to wait in line five minutes before she got up to a window. Don't waste early morning time dealing with the AP. Use that time to go on rides before that late comers arrive. When they are waiting in the ride queues, then go take care of the AP.

They will give you a new ticket when you enter the park that you can use for Fastpass and food discounts, so there really is no hurry.

We also went to the annual pass center before the parade and there was no line!

 

[bumbershoot]

The only thing I have to add to the "get your picture taken early" is that if you are vain and want the best possible picture, taking said picture after day of rides and sweating (more important in September when we went than now) and getting sunburned (see last parenthetical thought) is possibly NOT the best time to do so!

Just a vain little thought.