Steps to buying annual passes

[Lyn-CA]

Hi all,

After many trips to both DLR and WDW, we have decided to buy APs for the first time ever when we get to Disneyland in September. My frugal self still can't get over the fact that we are buying them at their most expensive price ever. I just have to keep reminding myself that we plan to use them this September, December, and two more trips in 2014.

I know it's more convenient to buy them online and I even qualify to do the monthly payments. But, I am paying with gift cards which I've already accumulated so I have no choice but to buy them in person.

Can I buy APs at the GCH when we check in?

What are the exact steps to buying them at the ticket booth?

Do they take your picture right there and then? Or, is there a processing center for APs inside the park? About how long does the whole process take?

Anyone care to guess how long the lines at the ticket booth will around 1 pm on a Sunday in early September?

TIA.

 

[ArchOwl]

Hi all,

After many trips to both DLR and WDW, we have decided to buy APs for the first time ever when we get to Disneyland in September. My frugal self still can't get over the fact that we are buying them at their most expensive price ever. I just have to keep reminding myself that we plan to use them this September, December, and two more trips in 2014.

I know it's more convenient to buy them online and I even qualify to do the monthly payments. But, I am paying with gift cards which I've already accumulated so I have no choice but to buy them in person.

Can I buy APs at the GCH when we check in?

What are the exact steps to buying them at the ticket booth?

Do they take your picture right there and then? Or, is there a processing center for APs inside the park? About how long does the whole process take?

Anyone care to guess how long the lines at the ticket booth will around 1 pm on a Sunday in early September?

TIA.

I don't think you can buy APs at the Grand, especially if you want to do monthly payments.

If you are doing payments, it is a different process than paying all up front.

You do not take your picture at the booth and there is no Annual Passholder Processing Center anymore. You take your picture with any PhotoPass photographer in either park after you have completed the transaction at the ticket booth.

The time it takes depends on how many APs you are buying, how many gift cards you are using, and if paying all upfront or doing the monthly payment plan. I don't think you should run into long lines, but the transaction time could take awhile.

 

[AZlady]

I bought mine on a Saturday midday in March. I hate to say I wanted over an hour in line.
It was my last day, so I had to do it and I didn't want to miss night time shows.

They do not take your photo at the time.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

In order to have my new pass during my visit, I had to renew it on a mid Sunday afternoon in early June. I probably spent about 15 minutes in line and another 15 or so at the booth getting my one pass renewed. They will tell you how to get your photo(s) on the pass.