Annual Pass exchange

[babyh200]

Hello everyone,
We are off to DLP over May half term we have been once before but our last visit was way back in 2007 when we stayed onsite in the Santa Fe.
We are offsite this time (we have 4 children so it was just to expensive to pay for 2 rooms)
We purchased Dream passes over the phone in March and need to exchange them when we get there. Would anyone be kind enough to explain how we go about this? Our first day is on Sunday 28th May. Will we be able to make use of the Extra Magic hours, will the office we need to go to even be open? Also, do we need photos for the passports or are the APs just the plastic cards Like the ones you get in Orlando?
Thanks in advance for any advice

[sammykitten]

the AP office take your photos when they process your permanent laminated APs for you, on the first day you go to the parks. You may be able to go into the park on your first day for EMH with your temporary pass, if you explain to the CM's at the turnstiles that you'll be exchanging your temp passes for APs that day at the AP office in the park. You'll need your temp passes, receipts, and all your passports (for ID).

[babyh200]

Thanks Sammy, do you know where the office is?
Is it a customer services counter/office before the turnstiles?
Also will we have to pay for parking on the first day?
Thanks again

[kempydee]

Hi,
The passport office is to the right of the castle (as you look at it).
They usually have a cast member stood at the entrance of the building to manage the queue.
I've queued outside many a time before finally being let in the actual building! If you're there early though you should be ok.
As Sammy says you all go up to the counter together they will process your temp passes. Take photos of you all and give you the passes there and then.
They have a bar code on them so you just scan the barcode at the turnstiles to gain entry from then on.
Think you have to sign some paperwork and agree to receive promo emails in the office.
Enjoy!

[Tink75]

Tip for you - you have all day to get your AP's made into permanent passes, you don't need to do it as soon as you arrive. The office won't be open during EMH anyway, so you'd need to go for it opening - you have a choice of getting there early (so definitely before the end of EMH and queuing for it opening), or going back later in the day when queues tend to be quieter. The AP office tends to close early - around 6 pm but this could be later end May as it's longer park hours. To be safe, either ask in advance so you know, or go before 6 pm.

[jojj]

Hi, sorry to jump in, was just costing up annual passes / as opposed to davy crocket ranch for end aug for 4 nights. what hotel did you choose instead?
we also have 4 children, looking at the 249 euro annual passes for us to get the early entry and would get 20% off as a family, so the tickets work out just over £1000

thanks

[A&S&O]

Originally Posted by jojj

Hi, sorry to jump in, was just costing up annual passes / as opposed to davy crocket ranch for end aug for 4 nights. what hotel did you choose instead?
we also have 4 children, looking at the 249 euro annual passes for us to get the early entry and would get 20% off as a family, so the tickets work out just over £1000

thanks

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We usually stay at the Adagio - they have apartments for families of differing sizes. There are price breaks at 4 nights and 10 nights.
You don't get parking refunded for the day you get your APs, so you may want to walk on your first day - around 20 minutes?

If you get Annual Passes for the end of August, you can go again at the beginning of August next year - two summer holidays out of one pass - that's what we do. Plus all the other visits you can manage in the year!

[Candlestick]

Hi,
Can you pay for passes on line then get discount on hotels before you go?

[sammykitten]

Originally Posted by Candlestick

Hi,
Can you pay for passes on line then get discount on hotels before you go?

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yes you can - but please don't buy an annual pass solely for the potential AP room only discount, get prices from Disney first before you commit to that.

[Candlestick]

Thanks just another thing to look at