How long do you have to activate an annual pass?

[jdkdorn]

We are considering purchasing our annual passes over the next 6 months, so we don't have to buy them all at once. How long do I have to activate the annual pass? We are going to WDW at the end of January 2026.

I appreciate your help.

 

[Girlstar30]

We are considering purchasing our annual passes over the next 6 months, so we don't have to buy them all at once. How long do I have to activate the annual pass? We are going to WDW at the end of January 2026.

I appreciate your help.

One year from purchase date

 

[lilmc]

One year from purchase date

Isn’t that to use and not to activate? It’s been a few years since I had an annual pass, but the pandemic delayed when I activated it and it was going to be good until something like 2030

 

[Girlstar30]

You have 365 days to activate from when you purchase it then it restarts once activated

 

[CarolynFH]

Isn’t that to use and not to activate? It’s been a few years since I had an annual pass, but the pandemic delayed when I activated it and it was going to be good until something like 2030

That’s because of the pandemic. As above, now you have one year from date of purchase to activate (by using it to enter a park), or it converts to a credit that can be applied to a new ticket purchase (AP or not).

 

[Simba's Mom]

Been there, done that. Bought my Annual Pass by phone in May 2024. Entered a park with it for the first time on October 13th. I double-checked the expiration date, since we're going to WDW the end of September 2025, and yes, it expires October 13, 2025.
See you at Disney the end of January, 2026, hopefully with a new AP.

 

[PetePanMan]

That’s because of the pandemic. As above, now you have one year from date of purchase to activate (by using it to enter a park), or it converts to a credit that can be applied to a new ticket purchase (AP or not).

Quick refinement of the above as we just purchased an AP and had to look into details. The credit can only be applied to a new ticket that is the same or greater cost (which likely means another annual pass unless you hold on to credit for years)

 

[CarolynFH]

Quick refinement of the above as we just purchased an AP and had to look into details. The credit can only be applied to a new ticket that is the same or greater cost (which likely means another annual pass unless you hold on to credit for years)

That’s correct, and it’s a 1:1 purchase, too - one AP voucher can be applied to one and only one new ticket. The same applies to upgrades - two regular tickets can’t be applied toward the purchase of a single AP.