Welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today, and I'm excited to hear that you're planning to join the
Annual Passholder family. There are so many benefits to having a Disney Incredipass, so let's talk about activation,
discounts, and how you can make the most of your trip next December!
When you buy an Annual Pass, you'll have one year to activate it by tapping into a park for the first time, and then it's valid for one year from the activation date. So keep those dates in mind so you don't purchase your Incredipass too early for the trip you have planned next winter!
As for Annual Passholder discounts: yes, you can book a
Disney Resort Hotel at an Annual Passholder rate before you activate your pass; you just need to have an active pass by check-in to keep the discount. The important thing here is timing, since Annual Passholder discounts are typically released only a few months in advance, and there aren't any published yet for November 2026. That's normal, and we can probably expect to see those discounts sometime around the end of next summer.
The smart approach is to book the room you want now at the best available rate to secure your resort and dates. Then, as next year's discounts start dropping, you can modify your reservation to apply any eligible offer, including Annual Passholder discounts, subject to availability. Discounts can sometimes have limited inventory by room category and date, so grabbing the room early and then price-adjusting later can help you secure exactly what you want. If a discounted rate appears for your intended stay, you can apply that discount to your existing reservation.
In the meantime, keep an eye on the
Special Offers page and be ready to apply any eligible discounts to your reservation as soon as they drop. And remember: you'll need your Incredipass active on your check-in day to retain the Annual Passholder rate.
Have a magical day!
Jessica