Another Annual Pass?

[flyingdumbo127]

I purchased a prepaid Annual Pass at the Supermarket because I had wanted to skip the ticket line. The pass itself says "go straight to the gate." I chatted recently with a lovely CM who made it sound like in order to get my actual plastic pass I do still need to wait in the ticket line? I was also told that I can do this on the day before I actual enter DL (and my pass is activated). Maybe I am missing something but I thought photos also had to be taken and were included on the actual pass?

I am local and will be in Anaheim on Friday morning, December 5th. I don't want my one year to start (I won't be entering either park) until Saturday, December 6th. I thought that morning I would show my prepaid deluxe pass gift card at the gate and then immediately head for a pass photographer on main street to have my picture taken and receive my plastic pass. I would love if I could get everything done on Friday except for the picture so my one year would not begin until Saturday. I'd very much appreciate confirmation/help with this.

I hope everyone is having a good night and lol that by December it will be cooler here in LA.

 

[SMD]

They no longer print pictures or expiration dates on the pass. If you take your voucher to the turnstile on the 6th you'll get a paper ticket to enter the park and then you will need to go to the ticket booth later that day to get your pass. If you go to the ticket booth on the 5th your pass year will start on the 5th, even if you don't enter the park. There is currently nowhere in the park to get the plastic pass, you will need to go to a ticket booth. You can't take the picture until you have the pass. So if you enter in the morning and get the paper pass, you will need to go back into the park to have a photographer take your picture. Also, you will probably need to show photo ID at the turnstile until your picture is taken and attached to the pass.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I appreciate the reply, SMD. I'm (sorry) confused. It sounds like the first thing I want to do is early Saturday morning the 6th go to any ticket booth. There I will get my actual pass minus the photo. Afterwards, sometime during the day, I will need to have my photo taken inside DL. Does the photographer attach my picture to the pass or will I need to go back (for a second time) to the ticket window?

Thank you very much

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I appreciate the reply, SMD. I'm (sorry) confused. It sounds like the first thing I want to do is early Saturday morning the 6th go to any ticket booth. There I will get my actual pass minus the photo. Afterwards, sometime during the day, I will need to have my photo taken inside DL. Does the photographer attach my picture to the pass or will I need to go back (for a second time) to the ticket window? Thank you very much

First, do NOT go to the ticket booth on the 5th. We did this, thinking that we would save time, but it ended up counting as our first day, even though we never stepped foot in a park the day

Once the PP photographer takes your photo, it will link to your pass (assuming you have already gone to the ticket booth) and then will pop up every time your AP is scanned. Be aware, sometimes there is a delay in getting in linked, but there is nothing more you need to do after that. The advice above was to take your card you have now to the turnstiles, go in and enjoy your day. At some point during the day, go to a ticket booth (when it's less likely to be crowded), exchange for your actual AP and then get your picture taken/linked in the parks. HTH.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you DisneyJamie and again to you, too, SMD, please don't think I didn't appreciate your original post, I did! I was just confused, too DL excited.

The CM I chatted online with told me that if I went on the 5th I could get my pass but the year wouldn't start until I entered the gate, her words. Saving time on Saturday was exactly why I wanted to do this Friday. I do not want my year to begin until Saturday the 6th so the year will end (still be valid on) Sunday the 6th of 2015. I want to be covered for two Candlelight Weekends.

I understand. Depending on crowds Saturday morning I will have a choice in whether to immediately wait in the ticket line or come back to it later. Thank you for clearing up the picture part, also.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Personally, I don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal over ticket booth lines. I've never experienced a line of more than 2 or 3 people at the booths. I think you will be fine processing your AP on the morning you plan to enter the park. Of course if standing in line for 5 minutes at a ticket booth is a problem, you might have real problems once you get inside the park.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Personally, I don't understand why everyone makes such a big deal over ticket booth lines. I've never experienced a line of more than 2 or 3 people at the booths. I think you will be fine processing your AP on the morning you plan to enter the park. Of course if standing in line for 5 minutes at a ticket booth is a problem, you might have real problems once you get inside the park.

Then you've been lucky. All of the times I've needed to do something at the ticket booth (upgrade to APs), the lines have been at least 30 minutes long. Add in the time it takes for processing and it's not valuable morning time I'm willing to give up. It has nothing to do with having to stand in line, it's when it takes up time in the park where the lines aren't long! I fail to see how coming back later in a problem. I like doing things at my own convenience.

 

[dedwards]

Just go in with your online printed tickets and at lunch time or something go to the ticket booths when the lines are really not there.

Although as reported above I go to the ticket booth first handle all that stuff in the morning. I have never been in line more then a few minutes, and almost always either done and in line waiting to enter the park. the worse that has happened is the ticket booth took a few minutes longer then i wanted and I didn't have to wait int he long gate line, and was in the park 10 minutes after opening.

We use to rush to the parks to be their first in line for the gates, but as I got older I realized if I get there just after the initial rush and enter 5 to 10 minutes after opening I don't have to deal will all the shoving and pushing and still enjoy the first two hours of the park as much as I did when I was first in.

Either way you choose will be fine, have a great trip.

 

[Nicolette11785]

1. Go into the park at the turnstiles on the first day you use the pass.
2. At some point go to the ticket booth when there are short lines and get your pass.
3. Get your picture taken inside the park

Have fun!

 

[cmwade77]

Use the ticket booths on the side that the Toy Story busses drop off, they are usually less crowded. Any time that I have used them, I had maybe one party in front of me at most, even first thing in the morning.

 

[GatorChris]

I've been wondering about all of this. The decision is: 1) wait it slightly long lines a the ticket booth in the morning and be done with it; or 2) get the paper ticket and hit the parks and then worry about when you have to actually exit the park to get the tickets, then come back into the park and get the photo taken. Sounds like it's an inconvenience either way. Guess it will all depend on how early I get my family to the gates.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thanks for al the replies. The last time I was at DL six years ago, AP pictures were still being taken inside a building on Main Street. I wasn't familiar with the current way, thanks for the info I prefer to get my pass and photo done first thing on Saturday. That way it's done and when I go back to the hotel for a little rest before returning to wait for the CP, I will already have my pass and stuff taken care of. I do appreciate all the info.

 

[ParkHopper1]

The last time I was at DL six years ago, AP pictures were still being taken inside a building on Main Street. I wasn't familiar with the current way,

The latest change is that you do not even need to go find a photographer any more. With the update they made just a few weeks ago, your pass picture will be taken at the gate with the handheld scanner devices they now have. No need to take a picture later.

 

[birdmom]

OK now after reading this I have a dilemma we are on our way to disneyland, we will arrive about 9 pm. I was going to let my kids go the park for a few hours while we got settled into the hotel. I also bought prepaid annual passes (they are paper from AAA) so if my kids go in at 9pm will they still get the plastic cards that day?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Thank you, ParkHopper1. That is awesome news about not needing to go find a photographer.

Birdmom, I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. I don't know what time DL closes tonight. From other replies on here, the day you get your plastic pass is the start date of your pass. I would think if you wanted to get into the park with your paper voucher and then go to ticketing tomorrow morning that would work. I hope all goes well and enjoy!

 

[SMD]

OK now after reading this I have a dilemma we are on our way to disneyland, we will arrive about 9 pm. I was going to let my kids go the park for a few hours while we got settled into the hotel. I also bought prepaid annual passes (they are paper from AAA) so if my kids go in at 9pm will they still get the plastic cards that day?

They'll have to go to the ticket booth after they leave the park. Are they minors? You might have to be with them when they get their passes at the ticket booth. I can't remember if you still sign a contract when you pay in full (or use a voucher) for an AP.

 

[birdmom]

They'll have to go to the ticket booth after they leave the park. Are they minors? You might have to be with them when they get their passes at the ticket booth. I can't remember if you still sign a contract when you pay in full (or use a voucher) for an AP.

They are 18 and 15 So I might need to go with them. My only fear is the ticket booths wont be open late. The park closes at midnight and I just can't imagen anyone sitting in the booths then

 

[ParkHopper1]

They are 18 and 15 So I might need to go with them. My only fear is the ticket booths wont be open late. The park closes at midnight and I just can't imagen anyone sitting in the booths then

I believe that at least one window stays open for one hour after park closing. I haven't seen it for my self in person, just what others have reported.