Possible to activate new Gold Pass at GS right after park closes?

[WhitneyMB]

Quick question. New DVC members as of Jan. 2020. We bought Gold passes in June before they stopped selling them, and will be [finally!!] taking our first trip in February.

We know we need to activate the APs at Guest Services. We’ll be initially arriving to Boardwalk at 8:30pm, on day a Epcot closes at 8:00pm. If we walked over then, do you think we could activate them at International Gateway that night, as stores & restaurants will still be open? We’d rather do it then instead of taking the time first thing in the morning at HS, when we want to be hopping on rides. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Sandisw]

I have never seen guest services still open after the park is closed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try!!!

 

[WhitneyMB]

I have never seen guest services still open after the park is closed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try!!!

Not the answer I was hoping for, but that makes sense. I guess worst case scenario is that we walk over and GS is closed, and we decide to take a ride on the skyliner before heading to bed to get up early. Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

Not the answer I was hoping for, but that makes sense. I guess worst case scenario is that we walk over and GS is closed, and we decide to take a ride on the skyliner before heading to bed to get up early. Thanks!

When we were there in January, Skyliner only stayed open for an hour after close so keep that in mind for getting back!!!!

 

[drusba]

You can activate APs at Guest Services or any ticket booth near park entry where you can buy tickets, but I do not think those are operating after the designated closure time.

 

[BillPA]

Be sure to bring your Blue Card and photo ID.

 

[princesscinderella]

I’d wait until you go to the park the next morning and activate at any of the ticket booths. That way you have one extra day on pass expiration vs activating them a day before you are going to use them.

 

[HumblePie]

You can always head to Disney Springs that evening and activate them there if you don't want to be rushed in the morning.

 

[erionm]

I’d wait until you go to the park the next morning and activate at any of the ticket booths. That way you have one extra day on pass expiration vs activating them a day before you are going to use them.

The expiration date for NEW pre-purchased Annual Passes is now based on first use. You still need to stop at either a Park Ticket Window or Guest Relations Location first, but they no longer set the expiration date (under most circumstances). This change went into effect a couple of years ago.

 

[WhitneyMB]

Thanks for all the useful advice! We will definitely bring our blue card and photo ID. I also wouldn't have thought about the Skyliner closing down so early (aren't the shops staying open an hour after close?), so I appreciate the warning!

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for all the useful advice! We will definitely bring our blue card and photo ID. I also wouldn't have thought about the Skyliner closing down so early (aren't the shops staying open an hour after close?), so I appreciate the warning!

Shops at the resorts are definitely open later than the parks, but the transportation is not always. We were also at BLT and MK closed at 7 pm and monorail was done at 8 pm, even when everything at Poly, MK, and GF was open later.