Annual Pass Question(s)

[travellerman]

Was wondering, if I was to get an annual pass, what happens if I want to book a hotel package with meal plan? Normally I'd book the package and it would include at least a one day pass. But if I get an annual pass, I'll already have a pass and won't need one. The packages require at least a one day pass doesn't it? Not sure how it works as I've never had an annual pass before.

Also, aside from a hotel package, just a regular day visit, what if I'm not the one driving into the park on a particular visit? (they are going into the park and don't have an annual pass, just normal day pass) Do we still get free parking if I'm in the car?

As far as magic bands and annual passes work, how does that work? I'm assuming the annual pass can be linked to the magicband?

Thanks. Not even sure if I'm going to get an annual pass yet, just looking at all the options as to whether it's worth it or not yet.
Thanks for the help.

 

[sissa216]

1- As an annual passholder, you may add the dining plan without buying tickets. If there is a package discount (such as free dining or some other promotion), it often has a minimum ticket requirement. But if you are simply wanting to purchase the dining plan, there's no need to add on tickets!

2. Annual passholders get free parking, regardless of a resort stay. It is not linked to a certain car, but to you. I don't think it would be a problem as long as you are in the car.

3. Yep! MagicBands have already been delivered to many passholders in the past few weeks. Simply link it on My Disney Experience.

 

[mergatroid]

Was wondering, if I was to get an annual pass, what happens if I want to book a hotel package with meal plan? Normally I'd book the package and it would include at least a one day pass. But if I get an annual pass, I'll already have a pass and won't need one. The packages require at least a one day pass doesn't it? Not sure how it works as I've never had an annual pass before.

Also, aside from a hotel package, just a regular day visit, what if I'm not the one driving into the park on a particular visit? (they are going into the park and don't have an annual pass, just normal day pass) Do we still get free parking if I'm in the car?

As far as magic bands and annual passes work, how does that work? I'm assuming the annual pass can be linked to the magicband?

Thanks. Not even sure if I'm going to get an annual pass yet, just looking at all the options as to whether it's worth it or not yet.
Thanks for the help.

Hi there, we have annual passes so I'll try to help. If you need a minimum 1 day pass for a 'package' then an annual pass should qualify as they're more expensive than a 1 day pass. I can't see why Disney wouldn't accept this, though to be honest I've never tried that.

For parking I've been in a car where the driver didn't have an annual pass and I sat in the front seat next to him. At the parking lot entrance he drove with the entrance booth to my right so I showed my AP to get in. This way if they asked for additional ID (they didn't) I could show it. They weren't interested in asking who had what pass with the other passengers, you'll have no issues.

You can definitely link your AP to magic bands as we've done it. It's easy to do and as an AP holder you qualify for a free magic band.

 

[Monty]

To get the "free" dining package, you're required to purchase a minimum two-day base ticket. Having an AP doesn't "count" as the ticket has to be purchased with the package. You can however not use the two-day ticket and use it later toward buying tickets for a different trip [after your AP expires], including upgrading it to a new AP. If you haven't got your AP yet, you can book the package and then upgrade to an AP once you're there.

But... I would look at where you want to stay, how many are in your party and what room-only discounts might be available. An AP holder has access to the Tables in Wonderland dining discount card. Combined with a room discount, you can save a lot more that way than the supposedly "free" dining would save you.

My example: My son and I did 8 nights at Beach Club with a 42% AP room-only discount. The discount savings paid for my AP, his 9-day hopper, the TiW card and with the discounts from the card all of our food for the trip was within the savings as well. So our whole stay cost less than the rack rate on the room.

 

[travellerman]

Are the room discounts something they have all the time? Or just once in a while? I'm assuming that it varies as to what the discount is depending on season?

 

[sissa216]

AP room discounts are fairly frequent throughout the year. If your dates are flexible within a certain time frame, it is very likely that you'll be able to take advantage of one. They're often slightly better than the public room-only discount for the same dates (for example, if a public discount is offering 30% off Deluxe resorts, the AP discount may offer 32% or 35%).

Package discounts, which require tickets, are available often as well. It is all a numbers game as to which option is better for you- as @Monty said, compare everything that you would spend out of pocket taking one discount versus the other. If you'll be returning for multiple visits (it sounds like you may visit often as a day guest), it would almost certainly be in your benefit to upgrade to an AP. You can purchase it ahead of time and link it in MDE; your year won't start until you arrive and activate it, but you'll still be eligible for an AP room discount this way. Or as was mentioned, you can take advantage of any "package" discount (with tickets) that comes out, if that is better for you, and then upgrade that ticket to an Annual Pass.

 

[disney4life2008]

AP room discounts are fairly frequent throughout the year. If your dates are flexible within a certain time frame, it is very likely that you'll be able to take advantage of one. They're often slightly better than the public room-only discount for the same dates (for example, if a public discount is offering 30% off Deluxe resorts, the AP discount may offer 32% or 35%).

Package discounts, which require tickets, are available often as well. It is all a numbers game as to which option is better for you- as @Monty said, compare everything that you would spend out of pocket taking one discount versus the other. If you'll be returning for multiple visits (it sounds like you may visit often as a day guest), it would almost certainly be in your benefit to upgrade to an AP. You can purchase it ahead of time and link it in MDE; your year won't start until you arrive and activate it, but you'll still be eligible for an AP room discount this way. Or as was mentioned, you can take advantage of any "package" discount (with tickets) that comes out, if that is better for you, and then upgrade that ticket to an Annual Pass.

I got a great AP rate at Sports in January - I think it was $65 each night Sunday-Friday.

 

[sissa216]

That's awesome.

 

[LAKid53]

I'm an AP and I used purchase the dining plan along with our resort reservation. However, once the Tables in Wonderland card was offered ($100 for AP and $150 for a couple), I stopped including a dining plan as the TiW card gave me more flexibility (and it covers purchases the dining plan doesn't - like alcohol) - I can't tell you the number of times we left meals/snacks unused and the allotments expire at midnight on the day of your departure. And I don't always want an entrée plus a dessert for every meal. The TiW gives you a 20% discount at most restaurants and up to 10 guests per card for a meal- our bill for two for breakfast at Cinderella's Castle was under $80 (dining there will use 2 table service allotments per person). So my recommendation is yes, upgrade to an AP (and get the AP room rental discounts) and purchase the TiW card - it is good for 13 months..

Oh, and you can use the monthly payment plan to pay for your AP and you get a discount on the price when you renew

 

[LAKid53]

To get the "free" dining package, you're required to purchase a minimum two-day base ticket. Having an AP doesn't "count" as the ticket has to be purchased with the package. You can however not use the two-day ticket and use it later toward buying tickets for a different trip [after your AP expires], including upgrading it to a new AP. If you haven't got your AP yet, you can book the package and then upgrade to an AP once you're there.

But... I would look at where you want to stay, how many are in your party and what room-only discounts might be available. An AP holder has access to the Tables in Wonderland dining discount card. Combined with a room discount, you can save a lot more that way than the supposedly "free" dining would save you.

My example: My son and I did 8 nights at Beach Club with a 42% AP room-only discount. The discount savings paid for my AP, his 9-day hopper, the TiW card and with the discounts from the card all of our food for the trip was within the savings as well. So our whole stay cost less than the rack rate on the room.

And the dining isn't very free - depending on the time of year and the particular dining plan- you will spend $50-$60 PER person per day for the dining plan. And you can't use it everywhere.

 

[Rob562]

Oh, and you can use the monthly payment plan to pay for your AP and you get a discount on the price when you renew

FYI, the monthly payment program for AP's is only available to Florida residents...

-Rob

 

[LAKid53]

FYI, the monthly payment program for AP's is only available to Florida residents...

-Rob[/QUOTE

Thanks Rob for reminding me. I keep forgetting that not all AP are Florida residents like we are.

 

[travellerman]

Are the all the hotels usually available when it comes to discounts? Or are there some that are never on the list?

 

[Monty]

Are the all the hotels usually available when it comes to discounts? Or are there some that are never on the list?

It depends on current demand. AoA was initially excluded from any discounts because it was new. I think they now offer discounts for the suites, but not for Little Mermaid rooms [or maybe it's the other way around?]. If a resort has a large group booking, it will have fewer or no rooms offered. When they announce discounts, they list which resorts are included, but usually add a "or other resorts, check availability" comment.

 

[sissa216]

It depends on current demand. AoA was initially excluded from any discounts because it was new. I think they now offer discounts for the suites, but not for Little Mermaid rooms [or maybe it's the other way around?]. If a resort has a large group booking, it will have fewer or no rooms offered. When they announce discounts, they list which resorts are included, but usually add a "or other resorts, check availability" comment.

Yep- the suites have been available for discounts, but not Little Mermaid (standard).

 

[travellerman]

Thanks for all the help/advice. I have a little time before making up my mind but really want one.

 

[LAKid53]

Are the all the hotels usually available when it comes to discounts? Or are there some that are never on the list?

Most of the resorts are, including some of the DVC resorts (approximately 2% of those rooms are available to non-DVC members; I stayed at Old Key West last fall). The discount is tiered, depending on the resort, with the Deluxe ones having the greatest discount. Only a certain number of rooms are available at the discount price (either AP, Florida resident or other discounts) at a resort, so if you see one, grab a room (you can always cancel later). I've stayed at Deluxe (Wilderness Lodge), moderate (Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach, Fort Wilderness Cabins), and value (All Stars & Pop Century). Where we stay is more dependent on length of stay and what we want to do, especially which parks we will spend the majority of our time in. And nothing beats Port Orleans and being able to take the boat to Downtown Disney, given the construction going on with the "conversion" to Disney Springs.

With regards to the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA, there are very few and they go fast.

 

[travellerman]

So there shouldn't be a problem if come November I want to make plans for a trip in late April/early May and take advantage of the room discounts? Or will it be too late? I'm happy at pretty much any Disney Hotel, but my favorites would be Caribbean Beach/Old Key West/Port Orleans/Wilderness Lodge/Saratoga Springs. Not sure anything on the monorail is in my price range, but depends on the discount. Am I looking at probably about 30%? So far, I've never been unhappy at any Disney hotel (except whenever I've tried to do preboarding for the airline at the hotel. But that's another issue)

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Yep- the suites have been available for discounts, but not Little Mermaid (standard).

They also don't discount the Nemo Suites for AP's. We only got the general discount for our upcoming trip instead of the extra 5% ap rate--total of 20%--we would get if we moved to the Cars or Lion King Suites.

 

[sissa216]

So there shouldn't be a problem if come November I want to make plans for a trip in late April/early May and take advantage of the room discounts? Or will it be too late? I'm happy at pretty much any Disney Hotel, but my favorites would be Caribbean Beach/Old Key West/Port Orleans/Wilderness Lodge/Saratoga Springs. Not sure anything on the monorail is in my price range, but depends on the discount. Am I looking at probably about 30%? So far, I've never been unhappy at any Disney hotel (except whenever I've tried to do preboarding for the airline at the hotel. But that's another issue)

It's typically a tiered discount. Recently, 30-35% is common at Deluxes, with a smaller percentage discount at Moderates and Values. Based on previous years, I wouldn't expect to see AP discounts for late April and early May until sometime between November and January, so I would think you are alright. Definitely keep an eye out though, because previous patterns for discount release are never a guarantee!

They also don't discount the Nemo Suites for AP's. We only got the general discount for our upcoming trip instead of the extra 5% ap rate--total of 20%--we would get if we moved to the Cars or Lion King Suites.

Thanks, I hadn't seen that. I have seen certain room types excluded at other resorts, likely because they were filling quicker than other room categories. I hadn't yet seen a difference between the suites as far as discounts!