Annual Pass Question

[Nomarian]

Okay, we normally just buy the 2 or 3 day passes when we go to the parks, but this time I am really considering buying the annual pass. We don't plan to go until March, so can I buy them online now and they activate once we use them at the gate or do they activate once I buy them?

 

[phamton]

They aren't activated until you enter the park the first time.

 

[Nomarian]

Excellent. Thanks for the answer!

 

[martymcflyy85]

to piggyback off this question, if you buy a season pass in 2015 does it expire in 2015, or could I buy a season pass now and not actually use it for the first time until 2017, and then it would be good for a year from that date?

 

[pcstang]

to piggyback off this question, if you buy a season pass in 2015 does it expire in 2015, or could I buy a season pass now and not actually use it for the first time until 2017, and then it would be good for a year from that date?

I don't have an answer through experience but...the AP doesn't activate until your first time through the gate. Therefore, if you didn't us it until 2017 it should remain inactive until then. I originally bought mine a few years ago about 8 months before we actually went and I renewed a year after my first use.

 

[bobtabin]

Depends. If you buy it online then you get a voucher to redeem at guest services to pick up your AP. Once you pick it up, it expires 1 year from that date. Though I suppose if you hold onto the voucher it's good until you redeem it. Call Disney to be sure!

 

[jjas]

Depends. If you buy it online then you get a voucher to redeem at guest services to pick up your AP. Once you pick it up, it expires 1 year from that date. Though I suppose if you hold onto the voucher it's good until you redeem it. Call Disney to be sure!

Or maybe calling Universal would be better

 

[macraven]

Depends. If you buy it online then you get a voucher to redeem at guest services to pick up your AP. Once you pick it up, it expires 1 year from that date. Though I suppose if you hold onto the voucher it's good until you redeem it. Call Disney to be sure!

disney works their ap that way but universal doesn't.
universal ap's start from the date you first use it to enter a park.

floridian seasonal passes, no idea if it is handled the same way as regular passes.
wish i did live in florida ...

 

[katied]

Just to confirm... if you buy AP in March 2015, first use it in Dec 2015 to enter the park, does it then expire Dec 2016 (so, you could use it again Oct 2016 for a second trip)?

I do this with Disney APs... take a Dec 2015 and then Oct 2016 trip and buy one set of APs. I guess I'm wondering if the same works for Universal. Thanks, and sorry to hijack.

 

[pcstang]

Just to confirm... if you buy AP in March 2015, first use it in Dec 2015 to enter the park, does it then expire Dec 2016 (so, you could use it again Oct 2016 for a second trip)? I do this with Disney APs... take a Dec 2015 and then Oct 2016 trip and buy one set of APs. I guess I'm wondering if the same works for Universal. Thanks, and sorry to hijack.

Yes

 

[EvilQueenLiz]

Okay, we normally just buy the 2 or 3 day passes when we go to the parks, but this time I am really considering buying the annual pass. We don't plan to go until March, so can I buy them online now and they activate once we use them at the gate or do they activate once I buy them?

IMHO once you hit three days it's worth it to buy the AP. The discounts that you get on food and merchandise make it worth it.