PAP activation question

[Plan Man]

Here is my dilema.

We are driving from Minnesota - about a 24 hour ride.

We will get to Disney about 5pm and will checkin our hotel.

We would like to go to the parks for early entry the next day but need to activate our annual passes. What is the best way to get this done. I don't want to do it in the morning as it will spoil the early entry.

Any ideas would really be appreciated!!

 

[Tess]

It's tough to give you advice because I don't know where you are staying.

The passes aren't actually "activated" until your first trip through the turnstiles at a park. IF you simply desire to exchange a voucher for an annual pass and sleeve, you can do this at the park entrances: MK, EPCOT, MGM (main or International Gate), AND if you have a PAP at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (found this out from Disney when it became an issue for us recently). Depending upon which resort in which you are staying, you can hop a bus to any of these locations and exchange voucher for pass. It's really up to you.

Someone once told me that you could accomplish this at Downtown disney--I haven't done this and Disney specifically told me that wasn't the case. . .but, with all things Disney--you may get a different answer.

Have a terrific trip.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Tess
...The passes aren't actually "activated" until your first trip through the turnstiles at a park.

...Someone once told me that you could accomplish this at Downtown disney--I haven't done this and Disney specifically told me that wasn't the case. . .but, with all things Disney--you may get a different answer.

AP's and PAP's are active the moment you exchange the voucher. The pass you get back is already active and your one year starts from that day. They do not have to be actually used at a turnstile to be activated. This was true at one time but hasn't been the case for a few years now.

Vouchers can be exchanged at either of the two Guest Relations offices at DTD. There is one in the Marketplace area and one in the West Side area. They are open until 11:00 pm most nights.

 

[Tess]

Your pass is valid for one year from the date of exchange. I was merely trying to say--and not well--that you will do the "biometric" scan thing during your first trip through the turnstiles.

The AP line advised me that those vouchers couldn't be exchanged at DD--I knew there'd be someone out there that had a different experience. In fact, when I first started seeking the water park information for the PAP, I was told yes by some and no by others. I finally got the difinitive word on that one from the concierge planning office.

Thanks for the correction GoldenOldie!

 

[GoldenOldie]

You're welcome.

Keep in mind that the AP line you call is only CRO. We all know how accurate they can be.

 

[drusba]

Note that you can just wait to exchange the vouchers at one of the ticket booths when you show up at the park in the morning. It will not take long.

 

[Plan Man]

I will have a voucher that I need to activate.

We are staying at All Star Sports.

I want to find the easiest fasest way to activate. Going to guest relations at the park in the morning sems like a bad idea becuase there will be six of us and my expereince with them is that it will take forever and we will waste the whole concept of early entry. (me, wife, four kids)

How long will it take and what kind of lines will I likely encounter?

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Plan Man
...I want to find the easiest fasest way to activate...
How long will it take and what kind of lines will I likely encounter?

Don't wait until the morning. That's the busiest time at the park ticket booths and Guest Relations. Since you say you are getting in around 5 pm, just hop a Disney bus or drive to either DTD (Guest Relations is open until 11:00 pm) or Epcot (open until 9:00 pm). You can exchange your vouchers at either place and won't have to worry about either lines or wasting EMH park time.

For 6 PAP's, it should take about 15 minutes or so. Remember to bring photo ID's for those 18 and over.

 

[Plan Man]

GoldenOldie - Thanks

Going to DTD is what I was thinking too.

It will be a little bit of a hassle but it will be better than going to the park at opening. Does everyone need to be with me or do I just need the identification?

Where is the guest relations area at DTD?

 

[Shells9]

We just did something very similar, but without the 24 hour drive .

We stayed at All Star Music. We arrived at about 4:30, I think. We then jumped on a bus for Epcot, and had our passes activated there with barely any wait. We had purchased vouchers at the Disney store. At Guest Services we showed our ID, verified our address, were told we saved over $100 by going to the Disney Store, and given our tickets in about 5 minutes. We then went right to the gate, did our finger scan thing, and went in!

It's a piece of cake, and I totally agree with doing it the night before, so not to waste time in the morning.

Enjoy your journey!

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Plan Man
...Does everyone need to be with me or do I just need the identification?
The adults who will be showing ID need to be there which I imagine would entail the kids being there, too.

Where is the guest relations area at DTD?
There are two. The easiest one is in the Marketplace to the right of and slightly behind the Once Upon a Toy shop. The other one is at West Side.