When should I activate my AP?

[Simba's Mom]

I've got to stop at guest services on my way into MK to activate my AP. I'm planning to go into MK on the first full day of my trip, getting there for early opening. Is the guest services window open in plenty of time, without long lines so that I could get my AP activated before Early Opening? Or, since I'm staying at the GF, should I head over the evening before (after I arrive-I don't plan to go into any park) and activate it then, so that I don't have to worry about taking the time in the morning?

 

[Jasper&Bowie]

You can activate it at Guest Services in Disney Springs if you are there the evening before your first park day.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I've got to stop at guest services on my way into MK to activate my AP. I'm planning to go into MK on the first full day of my trip, getting there for early opening. Is the guest services window open in plenty of time, without long lines so that I could get my AP activated before Early Opening? Or, since I'm staying at the GF, should I head over the evening before (after I arrive-I don't plan to go into any park) and activate it then, so that I don't have to worry about taking the time in the morning?

If you have time to go the night before it takes the pressure off the morning you wish to visit the park for the first time. Lines at GS ebb and flow just like all Disney lines so there really is not an accurate statement of how long they might be. I've been there when they were a walk-up and other times waited 20 mins. going the night before would make the most sense if it were me. The hard part would be not entering the park once my AP was activated!

 

[Marthasor]

If you have time to go the night before it takes the pressure off the morning you wish to visit the park for the first time. Lines at GS ebb and flow just like all Disney lines so there really is not an accurate statement of how long they might be. I've been there when they were a walk-up and other times waited 20 mins. going the night before would make the most sense if it were me. The hard part would be not entering the park once my AP was activated!

This^^

If you are going to go the night before to activate your AP, maybe consider going in to MK, walk around, take in the sights, even see the parade (seeing it close to the MK entrance is actually a great spot). I'm all about maximizing that AP and, personally, would hate to activate it on a day I wasn't actually going into the park - feels like I'm wasting an AP day!