Annual Pass question....should we get them?

[bobjl527]

The wife and I are headed to the World in October for 6 days. We are also considering a trip in May for my birthday. I was checking out prices for admission tickets, when I realized that it would probably be more economical in the long run if we bought a couple of annual passes. I know you get free parking at the parks with the annual pass, but can anyone tell me the other perks that are involved? Also, do the annual passes become effective upon first use or on the date you purchase them? Your comments and sugestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rsoxguy]

The wife and I are headed to the World in October for 6 days. We are also considering a trip in May for my birthday. I was checking out prices for admission tickets, when I realized that it would probably be more economical in the long run if we bought a couple of annual passes. I know you get free parking at the parks with the annual pass, but can anyone tell me the other perks that are involved? Also, do the annual passes become effective upon first use or on the date you purchase them? Your comments and sugestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The main perk that you should consider is the money. If you plan to go to a park more than seven days in a year, then your best bargain is the AP. The free parking will save a considerable amount of money also. They become effective the first day that they are used.

 

[Master Yoda]

Other perks would include being able to get the TiWL card, room discounts, discounts for the water parks, DQ and on occasion Cirque, a few dining discounts and 10% off at WOD.

They become active the first time you uses them, not the day you purchase them.

 

[Rob562]

They become active the first time you uses them, not the day you purchase them.

Unless that purchase happens *at* WDW or in the Orlando airport... (i.e. if you buy them on October 1, but for some reason don't use them to enter a park until October 4, they'll still expire October 1 of the following year)

-Rob

 

[wdwwdeagle]

Unless that purchase happens *at* WDW or in the Orlando airport... (i.e. if you buy them on October 1, but for some reason don't use them to enter a park until October 4, they'll still expire October 1 of the following year)

-Rob

Yes, be sure to check the date, check the date, check the date.

We almost had that problem w/our APs that we just got a couple weeks ago. I got exchange vouchers from AAA in july, and we came to WDW the day before DD bday in Aug. We purposely did not plan to use the AP until DD bday so that we can come back next year and use it on her bday again (last day the AP will be good).... well, I exchanged the vouchers on the day we arrived so that we could check into our hotel on the AP rate, and got them back w/the expiration date being one year from that day, instead of the next day (DD bday). I had to go through several hoops to get that corrected, so the moral of this story is, if you get your APs before the date you plan to first use them, let them know to post date them so you get your max. days.

I have seen several posts saying that they expire one year from 1st use, but when I looked at the APs and it said plainly on them "Expires 8/1/2010", when I needed to use them on 8/2/2010, I wasn't taking any chances.

Also, another "perk" --- AAA Auto Club South (Florida, Georgia, and SC?) gives a discount on the AP, so if you are a member of AAA anywhere in the US, you can get that savings (about $30 per AP, if I remember correctly). You can do this at any Auto club south location (we went to one in GA.).

 

[Master Yoda]

Unless that purchase happens *at* WDW or in the Orlando airport... (i.e. if you buy them on October 1, but for some reason don't use them to enter a park until October 4, they'll still expire October 1 of the following year)

-Rob

Thanks for bringing this up as AP's do work a little differently and I negleted to clarify this. When it comes to AP's if you buy them off property (ie Disney Store, AAA) you receive a voucher. That voucher is good pretty much forever and does not expire. Once you trade in this voucher for your actual AP at a park, DTD or the airport your clock for your year starts running.

 

[Monty]

For the OP: APs benefits are numerous, with discounts at WoD, access to TiW, possible room discounts and possible discounts on certain dates for hard-ticket events... But there is also a very dangerous aspect to APs:

Once you have them, it's very easy to be tempted into going more often than you might have originally planned! :lookaroun

A lesson hard-learned.... [more than once! :lol:]

 

[jeffk410]

If you use the discounts well you should always have one. Im not saying every party member, but at least one. That is if you will utilizie it

 

[foreverbelle]

If you are thinking of going back in May, then I would dif. get them. We did and haven't looked back. It will save you money in the long run, as the other posters have already gone over.

 

[disney4life2008]

I nervously forked over the money last year for an AP after doing a lot of research. And a year later, it was the best decision I made. The discounts, perks and just feeling VIP - its amazing. Having my AP has allowed me to go to Disney several times this year because as long as I have a place to stay, I can visit any park I want to on my time.

 

[Susan Savia]

We always wait and purchase our AP's at the gate on the day we arrive. We come for 8 days each year but make sure the 2nd year is just inside the one year time limit so we get two uses from them. (We are working on plans to visit next fall as well as January 2011) You can get discounts at World of Disney in DTD. We like being able to hop around the parks too.

 

[DisDadWoz]

We go twice a year at 5 days each trip so the AP is well worth it. It has also come in handy as I had to travel to Orlando for business and was able to sneak in a couple of hours a few days. WOD 10% always comes in handy as every little bit off helps.

 

[NJDVCMembers]

We just returned from 10 days at the Boardwalk. I can't tell you how happy we are to be annual pass holders. It is such a relaxing feeling to go at your own pace and not have to worry about getting every last drop out of a daily pass.

We have been going to WDW a ridiculous amount of times per year, for the last ten years, since becoming DVC members. We became annual pass holders a few years back and don't regret it one bit.

 

[JimboJones123]

The extra bonus months for early renewal should have just about everybody looking at APs.

 

[Rob562]

The extra bonus months for early renewal should have just about everybody looking at APs.

Unless the timing just isn't right...

My AP expired about 10 days ago. I'll be down there next Friday, but it's for a wedding, and I'll only be in the parks for 1 day. I'll be back down in June '10, but not again until June '11.

So renewing my AP now wouldn't do my any good (even if I had the spare cash to pay for it). Now, if I could purchase a new AP in June and have it be good for 15 months, that'd be just perfect.

This kinda reminds me of a few years ago when they changed the admission prices at PI, where you could then choose a single or multi-club admission. As compensation for new lower prices, they extended the expiration of everyone's PI Annual Pass by 3 months.

-Rob

 

[wendysmom]

We love getting APs. I enjoy getting the Mickey Moniter magazine with updates and sometimes offers (often not when we're down there, unfortunately!). Also, we like the Disney Dining Experience you can get. We're in the DVC, so if I can find great, cheap airfare from Michigan I can always use the free room, already have tickets speech to DH!:lol: It tends to work in the middle of winter! And you do save money if you're planning on going twice in one year.

 

[DisneyLutz]

My husband and I are AP holders for the second time. We're managing to squeeze 4 trips out of it this year and it's the best money ever spent. Don't forget about discounts at Ghirardelli ice cream shop, Basin, and a bunch of other DTD shops. We also like the half off Disney mini-golf. You really can't go wrong with an AP. Between that and our Tables in Wonderland (only available to AP holders) we get discounts on most everywhere we eat. The free parking is a huge savings as someone already mentioned. At $12/day that can really add up.

 

[Master Yoda]

My husband and I are AP holders for the second time. We're managing to squeeze 4 trips out of it this year and it's the best money ever spent. Don't forget about discounts at Ghirardelli ice cream shop, Basin, and a bunch of other DTD shops. We also like the half off Disney mini-golf. You really can't go wrong with an AP. Between that and our Tables in Wonderland (only available to AP holders) we get discounts on most everywhere we eat. The free parking is a huge savings as someone already mentioned. At $12/day that can really add up.

And Florida residents.

 

[TheJonesys]

What is Tables in Wonderland

 

[Master Yoda]

What is Tables in Wonderland

It is a dining discount card that will get you a 20% discount on your entire bill (including alcohol) at nearly every table service restaurant on property and a few of the counter service ones. The cost for AP holders is $75.

http://allears.net/din/dde.htm