Annual Pass newbie with questions

[NothingClever]

Hello all - we just purchased our first annual passes (very excited) and I have some questions. As always, thanks for your help!

1. On our first day of using the passes, can we go directly to the ticket turnstile to have our passes activated much the same as buying other passes? Or do we need to go to guest relations or a ticket booth to activate the annual passes?
2. On MDE the passes are there, but the "add to wallet" feature is unavailable - is that because they've not been activated yet?
3. If you purchase the annual passes with a Disney Visa, do you get the interest free financing like when booking a Disney vacation package?
4. Any insider tips for ways of maximizing the passes?

We are surprising our girls with a last minute trip next weekend - so excited to break the seal on these passes! Thanks for your help!

 

[DeeBee3]

As for #1, I have heard both answers, but for us personally, we had to go to guest relations after trying the turnstile.

 

[Skippyboo]

You also have to make park reservations with an AP unless it’s a good to go date. The AP should show up in Ticket section of MDE once active.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

1- you should be able to just go to the turnstiles and activate the passes there by entering your first park. The only word of caution I would give, though - if you have any other tickets in your MDE account(s), I would stop by Guest Services first go make absolutely certain the AP is prioritized to be used first when you enter the park. You don't want an old ticket getting picked up instead.
2- you currently have an AP cert. Once you activate it, you then have an actual AP ticket or pass which should give you the wallet option.
3- sorry, no experience there.
4- have fun! APs give you so much flexibility!! Also, don't forget at this time AP holders still require a park reservation to enter the parks in the morning. You can enter any park after 2 (except MK on Sat/Sun). But it's easy to just go out and make a park reservation as soon as you can. You can modify when the time gets closer if your plans change.

Enjoy!

 

[Mle8308]

I do not believe you get the 0% financing, I think that is only for vacation packages. Call the number on the back of your card to confirm. I know you don't get 0% on any other purchases at Disney like food or merchandise, so I don't think the AP would qualify.

 

[fla4fun]

As to question one, if you bought an AP that requires you to show eligibility, such as a DVC or Florida Resident pass, you will have to go to a window for activation based on my past experience. Even my resident renewals are checked for eligibility when using for the first time.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

As to question one, if you bought an AP that requires you to show eligibility, such as a DVC or Florida Resident pass, you will have to go to a window for activation based on my past experience. Even my resident renewals are checked for eligibility when using for the first time.

Great point that I skipped over!

 

[NothingClever]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses!