Best place to purchase annual passes?

[dklmommy]

We are excited to get annual passes, traveling to WDW this weekend. We were thinking of just buying our passes at the gate of the first park we go to, but was wondering if anyone had any tips on whether to buy them beforehand (Disney Store?) or how to avoid paying for parking before we actually purchase them in the parks? Thanks for any help/advice!

 

[amcnj]

I know my sister-in-law usually buys it online and then activates it at downtown Disney guest relations.

 

[dgthree]

I bought my voucher at an AAA office in Jacksonville, then showed it at the entrance for parking, where I didn't have to pay. Activated it at Guest Services at the TTC.

 

[mondragon]

I bought my voucher at an AAA office in Jacksonville, then showed it at the entrance for parking, where I didn't have to pay. Activated it at Guest Services at the TTC.

This. AAA seems to have the best deal.

 

[gdrj]

I purchased online and tied it to my MB. You still need to go to Guest Services to activate. That may not help with the Parking since pass is not activated.

 

[TwoCortWort]

Purchase ours at AAA and activate it at DTD Guest Relations.

 

[LowesChevy]

DTD Guest Relations is nice and air conditioned. It takes a little bit of time either waiting in line or activating, so if you are headed down in the hotter months you may want to take that into consideration. The only problem is that you have to park pretty far from the building now, unfortunately the parking lot construction has eliminated many of those up front spots.

 

[Robo]

We are excited to get annual passes, traveling to WDW this weekend. We were thinking of just buying our passes at the gate of the first park we go to, but was wondering if anyone had any tips on whether to buy them beforehand

1. (Disney Store?) or
2. how to avoid paying for parking before we actually purchase them in the parks?

1. AP's are not sold at the Disney Store.
2. You simply pay to park and take your receipt, then when you go to a guest relations or ticket booth to activate or purchase the APs,
you can get a refund for your parking.

 

[Robo]

"AAA South" is a particular branch of the Automobile Club of America (AAA) that serves only the southeastern area of the US and PR.
Only "AAA South" offers WDW APs.

 

[Robo]

There is a way to buy AP's for Disney World and still get a "discount."

It's easy, but requires a few "steps" to accomplish.



Here's the deal:



First, find the absolute best deal you can on a multi-day MYW ticket from a reputable WDW ticket discounter.



You will want to choose a ticket to buy from the discounter that offers the most savings, but only on a ticket that costs

(at the WDW gate) LESS than an AP.



-----------------------------------------------------

Here are some popular, reliable links for info and/or tickets:



http://www.mousesavers.com



http://www.undercovertourist.com



http://www.ticketmania.com



http://www.mapleleaftickets.com



And, AAA travel offices can often be a good source.

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Buy your MYW ticket from the discounter.

(Likely the best deal will be on a ticket with a larger number of days on it.)



When you get to WDW, USE your discounted ticket to go into a THEME PARK at least one time

BEFORE you do the upgrade.



THEN, go to any Guest Relations or Ticket Window at the park, TTC, or DTD.



Upgrade to an AP.



Since you have USED a day of your discounted ticket, you will receive the CURRENT GATE PRICE when you trade in your discounted ticket.



So...



You will get to "keep the discount" you got on the MYW ticket, but you will then be buying an AP as if you had paid full current gate price for the MYW you are trading-in.

 

[dklmommy]

Wow! You all are a wealth of information and kindness! Thank you all so much- this is such great information! Thanks again!!!!

 

[animalkingdom15]

I bought mine online and just went to the ticket window at one of the parks to exchange the voucher for the AP. Took maybe 5 min at the most to do.

 

[dklmommy]

thank you!

 

[Dorothy Pillsbury]

it online and then activates it at downtown Disney guest relations.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We always make a trip down to Downtown Disney, get it squared away below Disney Quest at the ticket window, not a long line, a fun reason to go for the evening, all ready to roll the next morning (or as scheduled) right thru the gate. I always take the first left at DTD, I don't wait for the second parking garage left at the moment, altho if traffic isnt bad, its great, but if it is, turn before the garage.

That's always how we get our tickets linked and squared away.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

"AAA South" is a particular branch of the Automobile Club of America (AAA) that serves only the southeastern area of the US and PR.
Only "AAA South" offers WDW APs.

can you link a AAA voucher to MDE? Or do you have to wait until you have an activated pass?

 

[Praying Colonel]

If you're military, retired military, dependent of military/retired military or a DoD employee, you can buy at your local ITR/MWR office or at Shades of Green. You get a discount + you don't pay tax, so cost is about 8% less than if you buy the AP through Disney.

 

[ElenaJane]

We made a dinner ADR at The Wave, and Valet parked at Contemporary. Walked to MK guest relations, activated our AP and got the Tables in Wonderland Card. Went back and celebrated with a great dinner and being first time AP holders! Used our new TiW card to get Valet paid for. That is one way to not worry about paying for parking!

 

[Robo]

can you link a AAA voucher to MDE? Or do you have to wait until you have an activated pass?

Whatever ticket you buy from an authorized discounter will have a Disney number on it.
Put that number in your MDE account.

 

[loves to dive]

Another AAA purchaser, bought mine last year when they still got discounts on resorts, they sent me the voucher number. I plugged it into MDE no problem and went to the guest services window at MK to activate. Easy as pie. Now the renewal, not so much. Can't seem to get AAA to answer me as to whether they renew anyone other than Florida residents so I may just have to renew it on line with Disney.