Annual Pass holder discounts

[hrcollectibles]

I am considering purchasing an AP and have a few questions.
A) When you purchase the pass online.. When does it become effective
B) When can I take advantage of annual pass discounts for hotels.
C) Is it worth it?

 

[Master Yoda]

a. It becomes active when you you activate it at the parks...not as soon as you purchase it.
b. You can always book AP rates even before you get you pass. You are not required to show it until you check in and even then they do not check for it 100% of the time. Unfortunately AP room discounts are not guaranteed.
c. It all depends. If you are only going for a few days and are staying at a value then no. If you can fit 2 or more trips in per year, sign up for the DDE card and are able to get AP rates at the resorts (especially at the moderates or deluxe resorts) then yes.

 

[joshwill]

a. It becomes active when you you activate it at the parks...not as soon as you purchase it.
b. You can always book AP rates even before you get you pass. You are not required to show it until you check in and even then they do not check for it 100% of the time. Unfortunately AP room discounts are not guaranteed.
c. It all depends. If you are only going for a few days and are staying at a value then no. If you can fit 2 or more trips in per year, sign up for the DDE card and are able to get AP rates at the resorts (especially at the moderates or deluxe resorts) then yes.

ive been an ap holder for the last 7 years and go an average of 3-4 times a year. ive never once been asked at check-in at the resort for my pass.

and all those trips were at value resorts. yes, it is worth it.

 

[JCorduroy]

I am considering purchasing an AP and have a few questions.
A) When you purchase the pass online.. When does it become effective
B) When can I take advantage of annual pass discounts for hotels.
C) Is it worth it?

A) You essentially get a voucher for the pass which you can then redeem at Guest Services. If you go this route - try redeeming at the GS in Downtown Disney Marketplace - typically the least crowded from what I've found.
B) Anytime, really. It's probably about 50/50 for times I've been asked for my pass.
C) I think so, absolutely. We live very close to the parks, and we probably go about twice a month, and stay at resorts about 5 or 6 times a year - wouldn't be able to do it without our pass and discounts!

 

[Master Yoda]

ive been an ap holder for the last 7 years and go an average of 3-4 times a year. ive never once been asked at check-in at the resort for my pass.

and all those trips were at value resorts. yes, it is worth it.

You have been lucky. I have done about 12 trips a year for the past 6 years and have not been asked for my pass only twice.

The mention of the value resort was only because the dollar amount discounted is not that steep (around $20-$30) so if the trip was rather short it might not add up to enough of a discount to justify an AP vs MYW tickets and a value at rack rates.

 

[cooleo]

I go once a year but still get 2 trips on the same pass. I purchase the AP Voucher & activate it upon arrival for the first trip. Then we schedule the second trip about 51 weeks later thereby still getting in under the same AP. I have stayed at the value resorts using the AP & benefitted, but our trips typically run 9 nights. Last time we stayed @ All-Star was 2005. We booked the room before AP rates came out & it was about $950 total. When the AP rates came out I called back & Reservations adjusted the rate with my new total coming out to $600. Since my room was already paid off I ended up with a room credit for the difference. Once my AP expires I just buy a new voucher so that I can again get 2 trips under the same pass. You just have to learn the tricks to maximize use of the pass.:sohappy: