Annual Pass?

[coopersmom]

So, it looks like cost-wise, getting one annual pass for our upcoming Disneyland visit will pay off for the hotel discount alone. Once you factor in some potential dining/merchandise/tour/party ticket savings, I think we are going to get one Deluxe Annual Pass, and then just go with park hopper tickets for the other members of our party.

I'm familiar with Florida annual passes, as I had one previously, but can someone tell me how this works in Disneyland? Basically, what's different that I need to know?

Do you need to have the annual pass in hand when you check in (meaning before arrival), or can you show it to them anytime during stay? And can you buy the annual pass online and not have it start (i.e. first day of year-long expiration) until the first time you activate it, like you can at DisneyWorld?

Also, if we head to DisneyWorld in the next year (before my Disneyland annual pass is up) can we upgrade to the premier passport (both parks) at that time?

 

[Jkpark]

I can answer some of these. I have been asked to show my AP at check in. If you were checking in late at night and had the vouchers, that might be okay but I would probably call to confirm.

We typically buy vouchers online and then redeem at the parks so it sounds similar to what you are used to at WDW.

You can upgrade to the premier later in Florida and like other upgrades, you will keep your original expiration date. I keep looking for the year when it will make sense for me to do this as I really want a premier . Our current APs to DL expire mid September and I have older un-used WDW tickets for our late September trip so I think it is still a few years out for me.

 

[shellncesar]

I would buy the pass online. It doesn't activate until you walk through the turnstiles. I believe you can upgrade at anytime during the year you have the pass.

 

[hjgaus]

Once you factor in some potential dining/merchandise/tour/party ticket savings, I think we are going to get one Deluxe Annual Pass,

Dining for Deluxe AP and below is only 10% where as Premium is 15% if that makes a difference to you. Also merchandise for Deluxe is 10% and Premium is 20%.

 

[starry_solo]

One other thing you need to look at is the expiration of the AP (voucher). A lot of them expire December 31st of the year you buy them (not 1 year from date of purchase).

 

[minjo]

If I buy an AP online, can I still use it to get discounts at the hotel before I activate it? Also, if I buy one in January 2013, but I don't go to Dl till Dec. 26, will the AP be good only until Dec. 31, 2013 or will it be good until Dec 2014?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

If I buy an AP online, can I still use it to get discounts at the hotel before I activate it? Also, if I buy one in January 2013, but I don't go to Dl till Dec. 26, will the AP be good only until Dec. 31, 2013 or will it be good until Dec 2014?

You can book an AP rate at one of the hotels before you activate your AP, but you are required to show an actual AP at check-in. You, therefore, don't even need to buy an AP online before booking an AP rate. You will have to call and talk to an actual person to book at an AP rate without an activated AP (as opposed to doing it online).

If you first use your AP on Dec. 26, 2013, then it will expire on Dec. 26, 2014. The APs are good for one full year from date of activation.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I thought the voucher was only good till dec 31 2012, but once you used the voucher then the expire date was one eyar from date of use?

Anyone know for sure? I would hope it is not to expire if I use voucher in Oct. planning to go back if DL has the FW in spring.

Thanks in advance.

One other thing you need to look at is the expiration of the AP (voucher). A lot of them expire December 31st of the year you buy them (not 1 year from date of purchase).

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I thought the voucher was only good till dec 31 2012, but once you used the voucher then the expire date was one eyar from date of use?

Anyone know for sure? I would hope it is not to expire if I use voucher in Oct. planning to go back if DL has the FW in spring.

Thanks in advance.

There are two different expiration dates to consider. The first is the expiration of the voucher itself. PP who commented that they commonly seem to expire 12/31 is correct. That means that voucher needs to be redeemed at Disneyland/DCA by 12/31. If redeemed after that date, it is technically expired but Disney can credit you the purchase price toward whatever the current AP price is.

On the day the voucher is redeemed, your AP which is what grants you access to the parks and various discounts is activated. One year from the date of activation, the AP itself will expire.

 

[Disney Dreams]

One more thing to keep in mind:

If you only buy one deluxe pass, just remember that it belongs to that one member of your family. So, if you are the one who has it and a family member goes shopping on their own, they cannot use your pass to get the discount. YOU must be the one using it. Also true with food, etc.... Now, you can use it to pay for everyone's meal, buy everyone's goodies, etc., but if you go ride Pirates and a family member goes to the souvenir shop while you are riding, they cannot make purchases using YOUR annual pass.

Depending upon your family makeup and dynamics, you want to pick wisely which one gets the AP.

- Dreams

 

[hjgaus]

One more thing to keep in mind:

If you only buy one deluxe pass, just remember that it belongs to that one member of your family. So, if you are the one who has it and a family member goes shopping on their own, they cannot use your pass to get the discount. YOU must be the one using it. Also true with food, etc.... Now, you can use it to pay for everyone's meal, buy everyone's goodies, etc., but if you go ride Pirates and a family member goes to the souvenir shop while you are riding, they cannot make purchases using YOUR annual pass.

Depending upon your family makeup and dynamics, you want to pick wisely which one gets the AP.

- Dreams

THIS IS SO TRUE!!! I have heard people having a hassle when other people want to purchase something with an AP discount that mother/friend etc...
wants to use their own credit card then have the person with the AP just show the CM the card but it does not work that way. ONLY the person with the AP discount can purchase with THIER OWN credit card while showing AP.
Sometimes I hear some CM's are the same way with cash purchase but not all CM's are stricted with this rule. Although for dining I believe both cards should match the transaction.

 

[bumbershoot]

When you check in, if you don't have the actual AP in hand, just ask them when they need to see the actual AP. They'll give you the info!


Before opting to upgrade to the Premier, just make sure it works with your future plans. If you think you might end up going to WDW more than once inside a year from the first WDW visit (but beyond the expiration of your Premier AP), you might end up being better off doing a WDW AP starting with the first trip, instead. Gotta do the math!