Annual Pass

[Mystic]

Is the annual pass worth it if you're only going to go once? I was just wondering if the hotel discounts would make up for the cost of the annual pass. My mom and I are planning on heading down Nov/Dec 2006 and I'll be in Florida for a week before that visiting a friend and we plan on hitting MK for a day while there. The annual pass is twice what I would be paying for a 7 day MYW ticket with Park Hopper option so would it discounts be worth the extra cost?

 

[wannabeBelle]

What hotel are you looking at staying at?? That is important. Belle

 

[Aurora_25]

Honestly, if you are staying for 7 days I am not sure the discounts would be enough to make up for how much the AP costs. Although it does depend on where you are planning to stay- if you are staying at the value resorts- then no the ap wouldn't be good for you to get. Now if you are planning on going back later in the year or something- the AP is a good idea too....

 

[Mystic]

What hotel are you looking at staying at?? That is important. Belle

Belle, we're looking at being down there from Nov 29 - Dec 6, 2006 and we always stay at the Wilderness Lodge in their Woods View room.

 

[Moustronaut]

Belle, we're looking at being down there from Nov 29 - Dec 6, 2006 and we always stay at the Wilderness Lodge in their Woods View room.

Potentially you could save up to $75 a night with an AP room rate (at least that's what the Best Rate discounts have been for the Deluxe level resorts) so about $525 in your case. But as we have recently seen with October 2005 stays, AP room discounts are NOT a gaurentee.

 

[wannab@dis]

An AP is a ticket to the park. That's all that is guaranteed with the purchase. Please don't make the same mistake many others have and buy the AP for a discount to a room. The discount may or may not be available.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Belle, we're looking at being down there from Nov 29 - Dec 6, 2006 and we always stay at the Wilderness Lodge in their Woods View room.

As others have pointed out the AP discount is NEVER guaranteed. It has been a pretty regular thing but the first part of October for this year was not offered at all!!! Also the WL is the TOUGHEST resort to get with the AP discount. Id suggest you contact Pam of KingdomKonsultants to run the dates for you to see if it is even available. If not, is there any flexibility in your choice of resorts? If not, the AP DEFINITELY isnt for you!!! Call her soon though as the 60 day window for booking at an AP rate is fast approaching. Her number is 1866-566-7858 Belle

 

[Moustronaut]

Call her soon though as the 60 day window for booking at an AP rate is fast approaching. Her number is 1866-566-7858 Belle

Yea, it's like a whole 380 days away. :lol:
AP rates have not been announced beyond Feb 15, 2006. So who knows what kind of rates will be offered for next fall. If we were having this conversation this time last year about a stay in Nov 2005, we probably all would have given the same advice. The introduction of the Best Rate Program this summer just points out how the AP room rates are a potential "perk" and not a membership benefit.

 

[Thrawn]

An AP is a ticket to the park. That's all that is guaranteed with the purchase. Please don't make the same mistake many others have and buy the AP for a discount to a room. The discount may or may not be available.

Hmm.
- 10% off at World of Disney
- Free Parking
- AP Holder only events, merchandise, and pins
- DDE card (20% off most sit down restaurants on property) for $50 more
and loads of other things.

 

[Moustronaut]

Hmm.
- 10% off at World of Disney
- Free Parking
- AP Holder only events, merchandise, and pins
- DDE card (20% off most sit down restaurants on property) for $50 more
and loads of other things.

And 10% off lunch at selected Epcot restaruants, and 10-15% off selected Disney tours, and 10% off watercraft rentals, and do they still do the VIP viewing area for AP holdered for fireworks?
So yes, having an AP gets you lots of discounts all around the park. To answer the OP's question, the break even point for an AP when you look at just park tickets is around 13 days in one year. But depending on what all you like to do at WDW, you can make strong arguements to justify buying an AP for even a 10 day stay without even considering room discounts. But for only 7 days, it would be difficult to justify the extra cost over a MYW ticket.

 

[shoppingnut]

Hmm.
- Free Parking

You get free parking when you stay at any disney resort, you don't necessarily need an AP for that discount.

 

[Moustronaut]

You get free parking when you stay at any disney resort, you don't necessarily need an AP for that discount.

But it is nice when you got a great rate from AAA on a non-disney resort or when you're in town for a conference and staying on I-drive. :sohappy:

 

[shoppingnut]

But it is nice when you got a great rate from AAA on a non-disney resort or when you're in town for a conference and staying on I-drive. :sohappy:

Most definitely, I agree, but he did say he was going to be staying on property.

 

[brich]

One great thing an AP is good for.... making you want to book a return trip just before your AP expires... :lol: Ours expire the 1st of December so why not go in October. It feels like admission to the park is free!!! :sohappy:

 

[wannab@dis]

Hmm.
- 10% off at World of Disney
- Free Parking
- AP Holder only events, merchandise, and pins
- DDE card (20% off most sit down restaurants on property) for $50 more
and loads of other things.

Go back and read my post. I said that nothing other than park entry was guaranteed by purchase. Not that other things are not offered but they can be removed. It's been debated to death around here because no discounts were available for rooms during certain periods.

 

[Mystic]

Thanks Guys, I think I'll just stick with booking my room at the Lodge and getting the MYW tickets with Hopper option.

 

[Thrawn]

Go back and read my post. I said that nothing other than park entry was guaranteed by purchase. Not that other things are not offered but they can be removed. It's been debated to death around here because no discounts were available for rooms during certain periods.

Anything that is advertised as an AP perk (printed in the AP booklet you get when you buy it) cannot be removed until you renew. Yes, room discounts are not included in the booklet, but just because room discounts aren't offered in no way means the only thing you are guaranteed is the park entry. That simply is not true.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Thanks Guys, I think I'll just stick with booking my room at the Lodge and getting the MYW tickets with Hopper option.

Sorry guys I thought we ere talking for 2005 here not 2006, my bad!!!! Belle

 

[bgraham34]

Even if I only go once I will have saved enough in my hotel rooms that it makes up for the difference. But We are planning to go back next September.

 

[wannab@dis]

Anything that is advertised as an AP perk (printed in the AP booklet you get when you buy it) cannot be removed until you renew. Yes, room discounts are not included in the booklet, but just because room discounts aren't offered in no way means the only thing you are guaranteed is the park entry. That simply is not true.

Thanks for the input. You're right, I should have been more specific. But, I really doubt that people buy an AP to get a discount on the food or special pins they can buy. The AP is being purchased by most for 2 things... Park Entry and Room Discounts. The OP didn't ask about any of the other perks, just Room Discounts. :wave: