Question about Annual Passes

[Parkhopper]

We will be going to Disneyland for 10 days in July. We arrive on a Saturday around 6:00pm local time (will feel like (9:00pm to us!) and we stay through the week and leave the following Monday. We have a conference at the Crowne Plaza during 4 of the weekdays (Tues - Fri) so we want to be able to visit the parks at night on those evenings. I figured that an Annual Pass gives us the most options, but the pass that is affordable does not allow access during Saturdays in July. We can work around that with very little problem, but I would like to know if we can purchase our Annual Pass when we arrive on Saturday and not use it until Sunday morning. I beleive that we need to purchase the APs at the ticket window to get our DVC discount, right?

Secondly what are our options for getting our pictures taken for the APs? I am assuming that we cannot go in on Saturday (even just to get the pictures taken), but do we have to have our pics taken first thing on Sunday morning? DH and I have been to DL only twice before, but this is DS12's very first trip and we want it to be as magical as possible. DS has been to WDW a little less than 20 times and we want him to see how special and magical (and different) Disneyland is.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Suzi

 

[Tink33]

If you buy the AP on Saturday (a blocked day) you can still use it that first day. You will not be able to use it the next blocked Saturday though.

You need to have your picture taken the first day that you enter the parks. You must have it taken before you leave the park. It does not need to be taken first thing in the morning, but the lines get longer as the day goes on.

 

[Parkhopper]

If you buy the AP on Saturday (a blocked day) you can still use it that first day. You will not be able to use it the next blocked Saturday though.

REALLY!?! That would be WONDERFUL! The second Saturday is not nearly as big a deal to me. I'm just thinking about my poor DS finally getting to Disneyland and being told that he cannot even go through the gates on the first day. I know it's not the end of the world...I would be happy if we could just go in and get our pictures done right away so there would be no time wasted in that line on Sunday.

Suzi

 

[Albort]

If you buy the AP on Saturday (a blocked day) you can still use it that first day. You will not be able to use it the next blocked Saturday though.

You need to have your picture taken the first day that you enter the parks. You must have it taken before you leave the park. It does not need to be taken first thing in the morning, but the lines get longer as the day goes on.

You can still pay $30 to get in though.

 

[Parkhopper]

You can still pay $30 to get in though.

How?

Suzi

 

[got2travel]

The $30 is called a block out ticket so you can still get in the parks on days that your pass is blocked out. Show your AP at the ticket booths and they'll let you buy a 1 day ticket for $30.

 

[dawnball]

Why not buy an 8 day hopper ($209/adult) in advance. Then you have admission through your second Saturday. On the second Saturday upgrade it to an AP. With your DVC discount the upgrade will only cost you around $10/ticket and you won't have to buy blockout tickets. That also gets you an early entry that you wouldn't have if you went directly to an AP.

 

[Parkhopper]

Why not buy an 8 day hopper ($209/adult) in advance. Then you have admission through your second Saturday. On the second Saturday upgrade it to an AP. With your DVC discount the upgrade will only cost you around $10/ticket and you won't have to buy blockout tickets. That also gets you an early entry that you wouldn't have if you went directly to an AP.

I didn't see anywhere that an 8 day ticket was available unless one stays at one of the Disneyland Hotels. Is this really an option if we are staying at the Crowne Plaza?

Suzi

 

[dawnball]

You can order them via www.getawaytoday.com. I haven't personally ordered from them yet, but they seem to have a good reputation.