Annual Pass question?

[PMC0849]

At how many days does an annual pass become a better buy than just getting tickets for the length of your stay? It's something I have never even thought of before, but I see a lot of people here when reading trip reports that get APs who don't live in Orlando. So, as my wife and I have thought about taking longer trips in the near future we were wondering if this would be the way to go. Thank you in advance for any tips or advice!

 

[EOD K9]

At how many days does an annual pass become a better buy than just getting tickets for the length of your stay? It's something I have never even thought of before, but I see a lot of people here when reading trip reports that get APs who don't live in Orlando. So, as my wife and I have thought about taking longer trips in the near future we were wondering if this would be the way to go. Thank you in advance for any tips or advice!

A few years ago, I needed to use it for ten days before it would be worth it....but that is with a DVC member discount.

 

[brifraz]

It depends a little bit on how you value the 'perks' of the Annual Pass. All the discounts you get with it can really start to pay off pretty quickly (10% at many restaurants and stores, Tables in Wonderland card, 15% at spa/salons, lots of room only discounts). For me, it used to be 8 days where I considered it worth getting the AP. Visit the AP site to look through the discounts and other perks to see how much those things are worth to you.

 

[BrianV]

We just got an ap to universal despite living in Mass. We found that the hotel discount for three nights alone exceeded the price differential for the two of us to get annual passes. And now we have an excuse to come back within a year, bringing the kids next time.

As far as disney, the passes are quite a bit more and I've never done that calculus. I'd be curious to see what people have calculated.

 

[BigTxEars]

We bought our first this year, going for 7 days next month and plan a trip in earlier Jan 2016 so we can get two trips out of it.

 

[LAKid53]

We calculated that two 5 day trips pay for the AP. And I agree with Brifraz - you need to consider the "perks" that come with an AP: room/dining/merchandise discounts, discounts on special event tickets, free parking at all 4 parks, discount on purchase of Tables in Wonderland card. And a cool magnet for your car.

 

[DisneyJill]

I agree--2 trips at 4-5 days each would justify an annual pass for me.

 

[gooftroop5]

A 5-day hopper is $364 and a 10-day hopper is $414 plus tax. An AP is $634 plus tax. I think it all depends on the number of trips and the length of stay. We do an AP every other year, but schedule 2 trips for each AP. For instance in 2015 we will go in July and in 2016 we will go in June. We also always go for 10+ days. Totally worth it for us especially when you include the discounts. (And DVC members get APs even cheaper so definitely worth it then!!)

 

[Monty]

I agree--2 trips at 4-5 days each would justify an annual pass for me.

I base the calculation on Hopper tickets:

Adult AP costs $634. Two trips with 3-day Hoppers [$344/ea] is $688.
Child [ages 3-9] AP also $634. Two trips with 3-day Hoppers [$324/ea] is $648.

The only down-side to getting APs that cover two trips over two years to "save money" is that you have APs burning a whole in your wallet wanting to be used. My first AP was intended for two week-long trips, one early February and the next late January the following year. I ended up doing two "extra" trips in between, because well, I already had a ticket! Savings? Out the window!

 

[BigTxEars]

We calculated that two 5 day trips pay for the AP. And I agree with Brifraz - you need to consider the "perks" that come with an AP: room/dining/merchandise discounts, discounts on special event tickets, free parking at all 4 parks, discount on purchase of Tables in Wonderland card. And a cool magnet for your car.

OK now we are buying a TIW card for he first time next month (always been DDP folks before) and we will activate our APs next month as well (they are already paid for) so what type of discount on a TIW do we get with a AP?

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

OK now we are buying a TIW card for he first time next month (always been DDP folks before) and we will activate our APs next month as well (they are already paid for) so what type of discount on a TIW do we get with a AP?

The absolute best part is you get 20% off your booze as well ;-)
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-references/tables-in-wonderland/
http://tablesinwonderland.com/

 

[BigTxEars]

The absolute best part is you get 20% off your booze as well ;-)
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-references/tables-in-wonderland/
http://tablesinwonderland.com/

Thanks....good stuff......we have a DVC membership and a annual passes so we are good to go for the discount on the TIW card.....

And sorry but I can't take your word on the best part being the booze....gonna have to find that out for myself......

 

[Monty]

OK now we are buying a TIW card for he first time next month (always been DDP folks before) and we will activate our APs next month as well (they are already paid for) so what type of discount on a TIW do we get with a AP?

You get $25 off the price of your TiW card from what Florida Residents are charged [though I can't imagine there are many FLA residents who would be getting TiW that wouldn't also get APs].

 

[pmaljr]

Since the real cost of tickets hit in the first three days of the trip, it's really based for me on how many trips you plan to take. Based on the disney site, a 4 day park hopper is $377. With the AP being $634, it is easy to see for me that if I take two trips at $377 each, I would have been better off with the AP vs the two 4-day park hopper purchases. It's about a 9 hour drive for me so it's definitely doable.

 

[LAKid53]

OK now we are buying a TIW card for he first time next month (always been DDP folks before) and we will activate our APs next month as well (they are already paid for) so what type of discount on a TIW do we get with a AP?

The TIW card will be $100 for an AP - they are good for 13 months. A couple can get TWO TIW cards for $150. Each TIW card holder can have 10 guests per meal. We've found it is a much better bargain than the DDP given the types of meals we typically order. Note: most of the QS restaurants don't accept the TIW card.

 

[LAKid53]

A 5-day hopper is $364 and a 10-day hopper is $414 plus tax. An AP is $634 plus tax. I think it all depends on the number of trips and the length of stay. We do an AP every other year, but schedule 2 trips for each AP. For instance in 2015 we will go in July and in 2016 we will go in June. We also always go for 10+ days. Totally worth it for us especially when you include the discounts. (And DVC members get APs even cheaper so definitely worth it then!!)

I was basing my calculation on the price of an AP for a Florida resident - I pay $435 for my AP as a Florida resident. I understand the DVC member price for an AP is the same as a Florida resident, correct? You just have to pay all at one time, rather than the monthly payment plan allowed for Florida residents.

 

[LAKid53]

The absolute best part is you get 20% off your booze as well ;-)
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-references/tables-in-wonderland/
http://tablesinwonderland.com/

Thanks....good stuff......we have a DVC membership and a annual passes so we are good to go for the discount on the TIW card.....

And sorry but I can't take your word on the best part being the booze....gonna have to find that out for myself......

I can vouch for the 20% off of booze - sure makes that pint of Killian's at Raglan Road taste just a little better.

I purchased 3 pints at Raglan Road - not all for me, of course - total bill with tax and 18% gratuity came to $11. Try getting a pint of a good beer for less than $4 anywhere.....

 

[BigTxEars]

I can vouch for the 20% off of booze - sure makes that pint of Killian's at Raglan Road taste just a little better.

I purchased 3 pints at Raglan Road - not all for me, of course - total bill with tax and 18% gratuity came to $11. Try getting a pint of a good beer for less than $4 anywhere.....

That is an awesome deal indeed

 

[gooftroop5]

I was basing my calculation on the price of an AP for a Florida resident - I pay $435 for my AP as a Florida resident. I understand the DVC member price for an AP is the same as a Florida resident, correct? You just have to pay all at one time, rather than the monthly payment plan allowed for Florida residents.

AP renewal for DVC is the same. I would definitely do it with a Florida resident AP!! Save some money!! Go for it!