Hi Charles!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Thank you for sending us your awesome question about
Walt Disney World Resort annual passes.
Congratulations on becoming an annual passholder. I am sure you will find the benefits, discounts and passholder-exclusive events that accompany being a passholder to be “out of this World”! One of my favorite benefits of being a passholder is the
complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.
Yes, you must pay for theme park parking before activating your Walt Disney World Resort annual pass. However, there are a few options for receiving your parking benefit in advance of entering a Walt Disney World Resort theme park.
1. Head over to Disney Springs and have your pass activated at Guest Relations. Parking at Disney Springs is complimentary!
2. If you receive an exchange certificate via mail in advance of your vacation, you can show it at the parking booth in order to receive your complimentary parking.
3. Your annual passes are automatically linked to any MagicBands that are “active” in your Disney Account. Have a parking attendant scan your MagicBand in order to verify that you are an annual passholder. If your pass does not show as active, let the attendant know that you will be activating it that day. Please have your printed confirmation with you as well.
If you have to pay parking, please keep your receipt handy. Once you arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort theme park of your choice, visit Guest Relations in order to receive your refund/credit.
If you have any other questions in advance of your vacation, please visit the Disney Parks Moms Panel again. We are all ears!
Wishing you a Magical Year,
Priscila