Annual passes

[arieljasmine]

Hi guys

Has anyone bought their annual pass when they get to WDW? We were going to buy them in advance (this will be our first year as annual pass holders) but discovered that they start on the day of purchase. We want to maximise our time, so have decided to buy when we arrive.

My questions are:

1) We want the ultimate annual pass that includes DQ, waterparks, etc. - is that available to buy in person?

2) Where is the best place to buy? Or, just which locations sell them?

3) Is it straightforward to do? Will it take up much of our time? And, do we need photographs?

Sorry for all the questions - I am a panicker so don't want to leave too much to chance!!

Thanks in advance.

ArielJasmine

 

[LeCras]

Annual passes do not start on the day of purchase.

If you buy an annual pass in advance you will be sent a green voucher. Your annual pass does not start until you activate this voucher. You can activate it at any of the parks, as well as Downtown Disney.

Hope that helps,

Charlotte

 

[arieljasmine]

Thanks for this, Charlotte. Do you know if this is a recent thing? DH rang up the WDW line for booking annual passes about a month ago and specifically asked them when they started and was told it was on the day of purchase

Now I am really confused.....! Has anyone done this recently?

ArielJasmine

 

[UKDEB]

In the past we have purchased in advance, but the process for exchanging the voucher is identical to that for buying the actual pass, so these days we don't bother. The only possible advantages are that you might beat a price hike or an adverse exchange rate movement, but both of those are unknowns.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you can buy a PAP (Premium Annual Pass) in person;

2. You can purchase PAPs/APs (or exchange an advance purchase voucher) at the ticket booths of any park, or at Downtown Disney (I'm not sure where as we've never done it, but someone who does will be along soon). In theory, you can also exchange the vouchers at guest relations at the parks, but the one time we did that (at AK), the CM was less than delighted;

3. The last time we bought APs (at the ticket booths at Epcot in January), it was much quicker than previously. In the past we've had to provide address information and show our Passports, but there was none of that this time. He did say that we would have to show photo ID the first time we used them (we didn't). I would take photo ID along just in case. How many of you are there in your party? I would say that it took less than 5 minutes in January (just dh and me). The time prior to that, there were 5 of us and it still probably only took about 10 minutes.

 

[UKDEB]

Thanks for this, Charlotte. Do you know if this is a recent thing? DH rang up the WDW line for booking annual passes about a month ago and specifically asked them when they started and was told it was on the day of purchase

Now I am really confused.....! Has anyone done this recently?

ArielJasmine

If you buy the AP itself (i.e. in person), then, yes, it starts on the day of purchase. However, if you buy in advance, you receive the exchange voucher and then it starts from the day you exchange it for an AP.

 

[arieljasmine]

Thanks for clearing this up for me, Debbie. There is just me and DH so it sounds like it will be quick and painless! I am feeling more relaxed already...!

ArielJasmine

 

[UKDEB]

All the answers to your questions can be found on Deb Wills' site here.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

You can also ring up and get your Disney Dining Experience card once you are in Florida and have bought your annual pass if that is something you are interested in. You can pick up a temporary DDE card from Guest relations at Epcot.

 

[wee-haggis]

We bought our annual passes in August at Guest Relations in Downtown Disney Marketplace. It took all of five minutes and a painful handing over of the credit card ( what a large amount ). The cast member was excellent very friendly. We always go to Downtown Disney our first day so it was no problem and then we had our passses for free parking at all the parks.
Good Luck

 

[arieljasmine]

Thanks so much for all your help, guys. I think we will go ahead and wait until we are there to buy our passes as it sounds so straight forward. Also, one less phone call to make! And yes, I thought the only painful part might be handing over the credit card...

ArielJasmine