Hey, Sheryl and welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Your question is fantastic and may be the best investment you could make for your Walt Disney World Resort vacations.
Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passholders have the benefits of discounts on tours, hotel rooms, merchandise, free theme park parking, and food and beverage locations. Passholders also hold the keys to the unlimited entrance to the greatest theme parks in the world: Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Once you purchase an annual pass and link it to your Disney account through
My Disney Experience it is not activated until the first use, that is the first time you enter a theme park. You have up to two years to hold that inactive annual pass before Disney will require you to pay the difference between your annual pass and that of the future annual pass cost. If you have other tickets associated with your Disney account then make sure to contact Existing Tickets (407) 566-4985 and tell them you want to prioritize your tickets. To avoid activating your annual pass before you are ready you need to make sure it is listed after your other tickets.
Disney Dad Tip: Always carry your Passholder card with you as it is your way to receiving all your discounts and free theme park parking.
Sheryl, enjoy making many Magical Memoires.
~Jason