Tickets and Annual Pass Questions - Please add your ticket questions to this thread

[lisset005]

Hi Dis friends! I've done some searches through this thread and can't find specific info about paying for annual passes online using multiple Disney gift cards. DH and I have APs but our DSs (23 and 21) do not. We have crunched the numbers for the trips we plan on taking in the next year and we've determined that APs will be cheaper than date based tickets for the DSs. I would like to purchase the boys' APs online, and I would like to use Disney gift cards to do that. (I've already purchased the Disney gift cards with my Target Red card to get the 5% discount.)

Because Disney has a $1000 limit per card, and because two APs, even with our DVC discount, are going to be over $2k, it will require using three Disney gift cards (1-$1000 gift card, 1-$1000 gift card, 1-$300 gift card with a few bucks leftover on the card). From what I see online, the info is confusing. Some folks say you can use multiple gift cards on the Disney website, and others say you have to call and purchase with a CM. Before I start processing online, I figured I'd better ask. Will I be able to use 3 Disney gift cards to purchase two APs online or do I need to call and speak to a CM to get this done?

Thanks for the intel!

You would have to call

 

[Little E]

You would have to call

@lisset005 Thanks for the info! This is what I sort of suspected, and I didn't want to get too far into paying for the APs online before I ran into problems.

 

[ceejanerun]

My apologies for asking this question, it’s probably been asked a million times before, but with 750 pages…it’s difficult to find an answer.

We are arriving on April 1st 2026 to the 15th and will be purchasing 14-day tickets, staying offsite. The tickets have an 18 day window. We are allowed to start booking LL 3 days before our first day at a park. Assuming we won’t be visiting a Disney park on the 15th, our last day, does this mean we can purchase the tickets with a start date of March 28, and start booking LL on the 25th? And if so, on the 25th, can we book for all 14 days, even if we don’t actually go to a Disney park until, let’s say, the 6th? Could we book LL on the 25th for April 4th?

 

[Little E]

Hi Disfriends! I have another AP question. I'm a WDW vet, DVC and AP owner, and I should know the answer to this question, but I guess I don't. I just purchased an annual pass for both of my kiddos this am. On the WDW site, it says their expiration is August 4, 2026. However, I thought the APs wouldn't be activated until they actually tap in and use them for the first time, which will be on August 20. If that's the case, wouldn't the actual expiration be on August 19, 2026?

I just wanted to be sure I'm remembering the expiration date/rules correctly. Can someone set me straight? Thank you so much!

 

[Brian Noble]

I think you are seeing the date by which it must be activated---a new pass must be activated within one year of purchase, otherwise it reverts to a (single) ticket credit in your account. As long as they tap in somet time before then, that will start the "annual" clock. So, if they tap in on 8/20, the pass will be valid through 8/19 (I think).

 

[Little E]

@Brian Noble thank you so much! This makes perfect sense.

 

[lanejudy]

does this mean we can purchase the tickets with a start date of March 28, and start booking LL on the 25th? And if so, on the 25th, can we book for all 14 days

I believe that is “yes” to both questions. Offsite LL starts 3 days prior to the start date of the ticket for length of ticket (up to 14 park days).

 

[ceejanerun]

I believe that is “yes” to both questions. Offsite LL starts 3 days prior to the start date of the ticket for length of ticket (up to 14 park days).

Thank you!

 

[Peaseblossom36]

What does the savings actually look like on table service meals with the passholder discount? I'm trying to figure out if it would be worth it to purchase a pass for one of us. I know it's 10% but curious what that actually looks like.

 

[Disneydawg74]

What does the savings actually look like on table service meals with the passholder discount? I'm trying to figure out if it would be worth it to purchase a pass for one of us. I know it's 10% but curious what that actually looks like.

Not sure exactly what you’re wanting to hear. It doesn’t include a discount on alcohol, but, otherwise, it’s 10% off the food at participating restaurants. It’s not an earthshaking benefit for us, and, of course, we base the tip on the price before the discount.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Not sure exactly what you’re wanting to hear. It doesn’t include a discount on alcohol, but, otherwise, it’s 10% off the food at participating restaurants. It’s not an earthshaking benefit for us, and, of course, we base the tip on the price before the discount.

I was hoping someone could give me some actual numbers as an example. I was there long enough ago and with more people than would be there this trip, that I don't have any numbers of my own to figure with. We are undecided if a second trip will happen within the year, so trying to figure out if it would be worth it.

 

[lanejudy]

I was hoping someone could give me some actual numbers as an example. I was there long enough ago and with more people than would be there this trip, that I don't have any numbers of my own to figure with. We are undecided if a second trip will happen within the year, so trying to figure out if it would be worth it.

You might want to check some menus on the WDW website to get an idea of cost. Generally, I find WDW meal costs to be 30%-50% higher than restaurants at home.

 

[PolyRob]

I was hoping someone could give me some actual numbers as an example. I was there long enough ago and with more people than would be there this trip, that I don't have any numbers of my own to figure with. We are undecided if a second trip will happen within the year, so trying to figure out if it would be worth it.

How much is a single multi-day ticket you're interested in purchasing?

What's the difference between that and a new Platinum Pass (roughly $1549 since the tax is negated by the $100 GC promo)?

Would you spend 10x that amount on food?

You could be looking at $8k+ in food needed to break even depending on days, ticket type, and season.

Unless you have a group of four people and plan on doing numerous character meals and signature meals I do not know if you will break even. If you are eligible for a Sorcerer Pass (DVC and FL-resident) it may be easier to justify.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

How much is a single multi-day ticket you're interested in purchasing?

What's the difference between that and a new Platinum Pass (roughly $1549 since the tax is negated by the $100 GC promo)?

Would you spend 10x that amount on food?

You could be looking at $8k+ in food needed to break even depending on days, ticket type, and season.

Unless you have a group of four people and plan on doing numerous character meals and signature meals I do not know if you will break even. If you are eligible for a Sorcerer Pass (DVC and FL-resident) it may be easier to justify.

The difference is $520. We will do a couple table service meals, but there are only 3 of us. And thank you, that does help. My last park trip our child was under 3 so we didn’t pay as much at those meals and the last trip we had two extra people. I’m not great with guesswork numbers.

What’s throwing me is I was considering a second trip during the summer, but I’m not concrete on that yet. I think I’ll just stick with regular tickets.

 

[PolyRob]

The difference is $520. We will do a couple table service meals, but there are only 3 of us. And thank you, that does help. My last park trip our child was under 3 so we didn’t pay as much at those meals and the last trip we had two extra people. I’m not great with guesswork numbers.

What’s throwing me is I was considering a second trip during the summer, but I’m not concrete on that yet. I think I’ll just stick with regular tickets.

No problem! Dining can be expensive so it does really depend. Checking menus like @lanejudy mentioned would be the final determination.

Some other factors could include room discounts and merch discounts. Are you staying onsite? You may be able to pull a better rate for a room with an AP, but that is not a guarantee. You would also get 20% off most merchandise across property.

If you need a good reason to force that second trip it's the AP. If you're on the fence it may be better to play it safe.

Years ago one AP for a trip was easily justifiable when it included PhotoPass+ and gave you access to things like Tables in Wonderland which was 20% off dining and alcohol. It's been much harder since APs are priced 1k+ and TiW has ended.