Hiya Gary!
Welcome to planDisney. I'm so glad you brought your question our way.
First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS on joining the
Annual Passholder family! Being an out-of-state Annual Passholder, I want to tell you that you're about to embark on a year full of magical adventures! You will have access to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks throughout the year, depending on your pass type! This means you can visit the parks as often as you like (subject to availability), whether for a full day or just a few hours. In the past several years, I have booked many last-minute trips when I really feel the need for magic, and I'm excited that you'll have the opportunity to do the same!
Gary, your Annual Passes will activate the first time you use them to enter the theme parks, not at the time you book your reservation. Once you use your Annual Pass to enter any of the four theme parks, it is activated, and the clock starts ticking. You then have 365 days before it expires from the activation date.
Once you have activated your annual pass, its expiration date will be displayed on your
My Disney Experience Mobile App. Once you've entered a theme park using the pass, you can open the app, select the three horizontal lines on the bottom right, and tap "Tickets and Passes." After locating your Annual Pass, you will see the expiration date displayed under it.
Please do keep in mind that you must activate your Annual Pass within one year from the date you purchase it. According to the
Walt Disney World® Resort Annual Pass Terms and Conditions, your Annual Pass will expire after that point and cannot be activated.
Did you know there is a mobile hub for Passholders that features articles, videos, and more? It's located in your My Disney Experience Mobile App and is called "The Passholder Buzz!" To check it out, simply open up your My Disney Experience Mobile App, and scroll down on the Home screen until you see it. Then, by tapping "The Passholder Buzz," you'll be connected with exclusive offers and limited-time perks!
Speaking of perks, I hope you're ready to take advantage of the discounts on dining and merchandise. It's also fantastic being able to attend special events and offers specifically for Annual Passholders. For instance, I got to climb aboard on a high-speed adventure and experience the Annual Passholder preview for
TRON Lightcycle / Run Presented by Enterprise®, and it was exhilarating!
Here's to many enchanting visits, Gary!
Aena