Considering an Annual Pass

[sassagoulasandy]

Hello,

I am considering purchasing an annual pass, but am looking for some insight. I will be in the world this December for 7 nights/ days, March of 2016 for 4 nights/ 5 days and June 2016 for 8 nights/ 9 days. I am curious about the savings. Will I receive discounts on rooms? We always stay on property and will I still be able to purchase a dining plan?

 

[sxeensweet]

Hello,

I am considering purchasing an annual pass, but am looking for some insight. I will be in the world this December for 7 nights/ days, March of 2016 for 4 nights/ 5 days and June 2016 for 8 nights/ 9 days. I am curious about the savings. Will I receive discounts on rooms? We always stay on property and will I still be able to purchase a dining plan?

Any total of 10+ days in the parks you break even with the annual pass so for 21 total days you will basically be getting 11 days free in the parks.
Yes they do offer room discounts every season that vary and not all rooms are included at all resorts though.
And yes you can still get the dining plan if you are staying on property but will not ever be able get free dining and will always have to pay to add it.
And you also get 10% discounts at most all merchandise locations (only a very few are not included) and also get various discounts on restaurants but not all of them.
But definately whether you use any other perks or not just for park entrance for 20+ total days you are doing you are getting your money's worth and then some. I would not pass up getting an AP with those 3 trips planned in a year.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

We find that if you visit WDW twice then you just about break even for the cost of an AP. Yes, AP holders do receive room discounts vs. rack rate. The actual % off sometimes depends on the date and hotel level.

 

[sxeensweet]

We find that if you visit WDW twice then you just about break even for the cost of an AP. Yes, AP holders do receive room discounts vs. rack rate. The actual % off sometimes depends on the date and hotel level.

Just with 1 trip for us we break even and plus some. Lol We stay for almost 2 weeks every trip so it's a no brainer for us. We try to get 2 trips out of it by going right before it expires the following year but do not always do that but it still even if there is only 1 trip For us is worh it with such a long stay.

 

[sxeensweet]

Just so OP @sassagoulasandy has an idea on price of tickets (2015 prices so a little off as 2016 they are slightly higher).

1 adult ticket w/hopper (because having an AP you can hop)
7 days = $410
10 days = $441
5 days = $388
**Total for 3 trips tickets = $1239
(Without hopper =$1079)

***1 Annual Pass good for all 3 trips = $697

So the OP would be saving almost 50% on tickets alone if buying the AP.

 

[sassagoulasandy]

Just so OP @sassagoulasandy has an idea on price of tickets (2015 prices so a little off as 2016 they are slightly higher).

1 adult ticket w/hopper (because having an AP you can hop)
7 days = $410
10 days = $441
5 days = $388
**Total for 3 trips tickets = $1239
(Without hopper =$1079)

***1 Annual Pass good for all 3 trips = $697

So the OP would be saving almost 50% on tickets alone if buying the AP.

Thank you so much for all of your help!!

 

[sxeensweet]

Thank you so much for all of your help!!

Your very welcome! I love helping people on here, especially with saving money if I can with any advice. And to me saving money always adds to the magic! That way you can spend it elsewhere on your trips. I like to spend while in WDW so anything I can save I try to. Haha!

 

[draybook]

It's well worth it! Between last September when we bought our APs and this September, we'll have around 32 days in the parks. The discount on merchandise is nice as well, and the Tables in Wonderland card is great for those non-Free Dining trips!

 

[LAKid53]

Annual pass holders also get discounts on event tickets, like the Halloween and Christmas parties. And as @draybook mentioned, you can purchase the Tables in Wonderland card for $100, which gives you a 20% discount on food and beverages (yes, I mean adult beverages here) in most restaurants (there are blackout days), And you get a magnet for your car.

 

[Monty]

The ticket savings alone are all you need. But...

Certainly consider getting the TiW card instead of buying a Dining plan. The card gets you a 20% discount on Table Service restaurants as well as some Quick Service in locations that don't have TS. It includes whatever you order, including alcohol. If you are a drinker, it is also accepted at most of the bars on property. The only way any of the Dining plans are appealing is if you really want to pre-pay for your meals for the convenience. I never save any money using the plans unless I diligently order the most expensive entrees when dining rather than just ordering what I want and even then I mostly just break even. I also don't tend to eat in the "pattern" that the plans give you [1 TS, 1 QS and 1 snack].

Room-only discounts are an added bonus, but generally you get about 2% more than the General Public discounts that are offered. Often the bounce-back offers for room discounts are better than the AP rates that come out later.