Buying an AP from outside the US

[Disney Rose]

Last time we went to Disneyland we booked online and booked hotel and ticket at the same time - nice and easy.

This time we plan to go for longer than 5 days and plan to return in 6 months so I want to buy an Annual Pass. I've checked the blackout dates and they don't apply for the dates we want to visit so that's all fine. If I buy an AP online through Disney will I be able to use the eTicket voucher they email out to access the Passholder section of the Disney website to book hotels and character breakfasts or will I only get access to that section once I've activated my AP?

And also, if we stay in a Disney hotel will we get the early entry access even with an AP?

I'm very grateful for any help/explanation of the AP system!

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't think you'll be able to book hotels at an AP discount online, but you *should* be able to call to get the rates.

Not sure why you would need the AP to book a character meal.

And when staying at a Disney onsite hotel you get the early entry no matter what sort of admission you have (as long as you do have admission, of course).

 

[Disney Rose]

Thanks for the response! I've already got a few nights accommodation booked at paradise pier, (but need to book more), and it won't let me add a character breakfast to the booking as it says I must have theme park tickets on the booking in order to book extras like character breakfasts.

 

[mad hatter fan]

You can make dining reservations including for character meals through the Disneyland website. You do not have to be staying onsite to do so. I don't know of any benefit to having your meal reservations linked to your onsite package which is what your hotel reservation would become if you added park tickets to it.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

If you stay onsite you will get early entry no matter what kind of tickets you have. You will not be able to access AP discounts online until you have activated your pass. However, if you phone in, you will be able to get AP hotel prices, you just need to show your AP at checkin. Having an AP for restaurant reservations is unnecessary. Just make sure you tell them you have an AP and would like a discount when you get your bill. If you are staying onsite you can use disney vacation planning. They can make all reservations for you, and when you check into your hotel they will give you an itinerary with all your reservations on it.

 

[Disney Rose]

Thank you! That makes a lot of sense.