1st time annual pass

[DisneyPhD]

Hello, my hubby and I are going to buy annaul passes for the 1st time for our next trip to WDW Feb 28 - March 7. We plan to go back Dec 2003 so we will use it again then.

In the past we have always gotten park hoppers at the frount desk of our resort and put them on the room key. How different our the annual passes now from that? Should we wait until we get to WDW to buy them, or get them in advance and activate them when we get there? Are the AP lounges still open? Any other good perks we should know about. We are DVC members so room discounts don't help that much. Since we will have a young en in tow we won't be going to water parks or PI so we are not going to get a premium one.


Thanks in advance, Mrs. PhD.

 

[Debbie]

My husband and I treated ourselves to annual passes in 1998. We went to the Contemporary in September, the Poly in December for his parents 50th anniversary, and the Poly in August 99. I haven't been since and long to go back.
I probably will get one in December for my 40th b-day, and go back in June. My neighbor will graduate in 6/2004 and he and my stepson want to go without the little ones. Since My neighbor want to enlist in the Marines; I want to treat him to his wish, since I may not see him for a long time. Then that following October will be our 10th wedding aniversary and we've always wanted to go by ourselves. So who know?:sohappy:

 

[frazierle]

Originally posted by Buzz Lightyear
From Knoxville, that over 1300 miles round trip. Besides the lodging expenses, you can control how much you spend.

That's a good question (thread drift). For those of us who has APs, who lives the furthest away? Do you drive or fly?

I'm about an hour to the west of New Orleans 1400 miles round trip. We normally drive, wife does not like to fly. We did drive 3600 miles round trip to Disneyland 2 years ago.

 

[Debbie]

Originally posted by frazierle
I'm about an hour to the west of New Orleans 1400 miles round trip. We normally drive, wife does not like to fly. We did drive 3600 miles round trip to Disneyland 2 years ago.

You mind swinging down Highway 90 and picking me up next time you go? I'm on the way out and live right off the highway. Or next time you plan a last minute trip, honk when you pass; I'll wave as you go by!:wave:

 

[DisneyPhD]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Our big question now is ... do we buy them before we go or when we get there. I thought I heard that AP rates were going to increase in February sometime (we're going the first week in March). Can anyone confirm this? If prices have already been set for the year then we'll just wait till we get there.
WHAT! NO LOUNGES???

 

[GalacticGobbler]

We also bought our first AP's in December and it is well worth it. Dont forget to use the dining discounts. Bought ours at International Gateway took about 3 minutes.

 

[gjpjtj]

Just purchased our first Premium Annual Passes this week. The question I have to all of you seasoned pass holders is,

Will I receive the Monitor newsletter before exchanging my vouchers?

 

[figmentmom]

I didn't receive my Monitor newsletter until a month after I first used my Annual Pass. Activating my voucher was no big deal at all. It's definitely been worth it for me!

The only tip I have about using your AP is this: make SURE you have a photo ID on hand whenever you use your AP! For whatever reason, my fingers practically never scan properly, and that photo ID is essential to my admission! (The cast members have always been most courteous about asking me for ID, and I don't really think they'd refuse me admission without it, but why take the chance?)

 

[agdbeanie]

AP's are way more than worth it. Hello---50 bucks a pop for 1 day passes. That's a lot if you go often.

BTW---I have found the finger scanner things to be a hoax. On multiple occasions, my husband and I have switched our passes to "test" the system and we still get through. Also, once my mom had to use my husbands and it worked for her too.

 

[btb6mm]

AP's are worth every penny! We live about 6hrs. away (driving time) and have made several weekend trips and have loved it. I think it all depends on how much you like WDW. Saying that I mean, if you really like WDW then you want to go as much and as often as possible. Not having to worry about tickets makes it more doable. Heck I've been 5 or 6 times in the past 10 months and have not spent what most people spend for one trip. That makes it more than worth it.

 

[agdbeanie]

Originally posted by btb6mm
AP's are worth every penny! We live about 6hrs. away (driving time) and have made several weekend trips and have loved it. I think it all depends on how much you like WDW. Saying that I mean, if you really like WDW then you want to go as much and as often as possible. Not having to worry about tickets makes it more doable. Heck I've been 5 or 6 times in the past 10 months and have not spent what most people spend for one trip. That makes it more than worth it.

AND---you must really like WDW if you're on these forums.

 

[DisneyGrandma]

Dear Mrs. PhD. - I love my annual pass and I live in Minnesota - (P.S. I also lived in Michigan- for over 30 years.) Others have given you all of the cost saving and discount reasons to buy an annual pass, but I would love to share with you the main reason I love my Annual pass. When I fly to Orlando, I would usually get to my hotel somewhere between 3 & 5. When I purchased Park Hopper passes - My economic sense told me that I shouldn't waste a whole day on just one evening - now that I have my annual pass - I just enjoy every minute at WDW - I can go to the park whenever for however long without any consideration of getting my monies worth. Also now I can even go to a park on a rainy day and leave early or on the last day before my plane leaves - It seems to increase the number of days I choose to be at a park by at least one day everytrip.

Being a DVC member you won't be utilizing length of stay passes and I bet - just like me you and Mr PhD would love to hit EPCOT for a relaxing dinner on your first evening.

 

[mandib]

I luv the Ap's! We go down twice a year (3 weeks in all) Make sure you use them in restuarants. I know in some u get a percentage off (I think 10%) If u go miniature golfing USE the passes. You get 50 % off which is a lot! Winter Summerland is really cute and Fantasia Gardens is harder (I lost my ball) All and all its a good investment!!

 

[crazygirley]

It's worth it!!! My family and I have them, getting them for one trip, but now we are going back to use them again!!! They are really worth it, and if you do take the extra trip, it's one less thing to worry about!!!

 

[Bagheera]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Our big question now is ... do we buy them before we go or when we get there. I thought I heard that AP rates were going to increase in February sometime (we're going the first week in March). Can anyone confirm this? If prices have already been set for the year then we'll just wait till we get there.
WHAT! NO LOUNGES???

If you've got Disney Club (for as much longer as it lasts), you can get a discount on APs if you order in advance. Call DC and they'll mail you the vouchers for you to activate when you get there. Otherwise, it's probably a wash. I haven't heard about price increases. (anybody else?)

Lounges are gone for now, alas. We got APs for the first time in November, and I was disappointed that the lounges closed before we went.