A joyful family riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. They laugh and scream as they plunge down the thrilling drop.
  • On Jul 24, 2025
    Jordan from GA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am looking to purchase annual passes for my family but want all the activation dates to be the same. I have another trip planned with a group before I want to activate my APs. Can I use a regular ticket and activate my AP at a later date?

    Hey there, hi there, Jordan! You're as welcome as can be here at planDisney.

    Woohoo! I couldn't be more excited to hear that the magic of Walt Disney World is calling, and you are answering the call by purchasing Annual Passes for yourself and your family. AND you have another group trip planned?! You are someone after my own Disney heart! I'm more than happy to answer your question today to help you maximize your upcoming year of pixie dust and fun.

    Once you purchase your Annual Pass, you will have one year to activate it, and your Pass will expire one year from its activation date. But if you're not quite ready to activate your Pass on your next visit, you can absolutely purchase and use regular theme park tickets to enter the parks. I do recommend stopping by Guest Relations outside of the theme park before you tap into the park to let a Cast Member know that you would like to prioritize and use your regular tickets and not your Annual Pass. Then, at some point after using your ticket, just log into your My Disney Experience app to double-check that your ticket was used and your Annual Pass was not activated.

    While I completely understand wanting your family's Annual Pass expiration dates to be the same, I found that there is a benefit to having different expiration dates. Somehow, my family of three ended up with three different Annual Pass expiration dates. And while that seemed confusing at first, when it came time to renew our Passes, it was very helpful to be able to break up all three payments! Just something to consider if you think you may renew your Pass (with the renewal discount!) next year.

    I hope this helps, Jordan, and I'm wishing you a year of magical memories! Please feel free to stop by any time with any questions you may have along the way. You've got a friend in planDisney.

    Blue skies and sunshine,

    Mandy
thumbnail image for Mandy

Meet the Panelist: Mandy, Louisiana

I'm Mandy - Louisiana girl, wife, Mommy and lover of all things Disney. Walt Disney World Resort is my family's happy place, and our vacations are equal parts rope-drop thrilling and poolside chilling. For us, the best things in life aren't things at all, and we believe in investing in experiences and making magical memories together. Our Disney Vacation Club Membership has been our investment into a lifetime of unforgettable family fun. It's our key to the magic, and I can't wait to help you unlock yours! Learn More About Mandy

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