Considering getting an annual pass?

[DisneyKing11]

Is an annual pass worth it? what benefits do you get it? we usually only do one Disney trip a year but we just got a timeshare in Orlando and if we get the ap then we would try to make maybe even 3 trips a year. Do you get extra magic hours with this? Just a thought. not for sure about it yet. Thanks

 

[Jess G]

Is an annual pass worth it? what benefits do you get it? we usually only do one Disney trip a year but we just got a timeshare in Orlando and if we get the ap then we would try to make maybe even 3 trips a year. Do you get extra magic hours with this? Just a thought. not for sure about it yet. Thanks

Here's a link to what they offer - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/compare/platinum-annual-pass/
In my opinion as long as you plan to be in the parks 9 days in the year you've already got your moneys worth & some savings. If you don't think you'll be able to make it to the parks that many times I wouldn't do it. But if you will be in the area say 3 or 4 weeks of the year I would deff do it. It will just give you an excuse to visit the world more often

 

[sxeensweet]

Anything over 9-10 days you pretty much get your money's worth. Base it solely on that because the benefits and discounts offered change and are never guaranteed. We go 2 weeks at a time at least once a year or we squeeze 2 -2 Week trips almost exactly a year apart to get 4 weeks out of one pass. So for me and the DH it's a no brainer.

 

[TBrooker11]

Extra Magic Hours is for guests staying at WDW resorts. AP don't get that benefit. I renewed on January 10 and already am ahead of the game a little over a month later. It also depends on which pass you are going with. I went with the Gold because I wouldn't be going when the blackout dates are anyway. That may be a way for you to save some money, or possibly even the silver if the blackouts work for you. To me the discounts aren't as good as with other theme parks, simply because there is no discount on food within the parks. I believe the food discounts are only at Disney Springs. As far as if it is worth it or not that all boils down to A) Which pass you pick B) How many days you can go.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

Extra Magic Hours is for guests staying at WDW resorts. AP don't get that benefit. I renewed on January 10 and already am ahead of the game a little over a month later. It also depends on which pass you are going with. I went with the Gold because I wouldn't be going when the blackout dates are anyway. That may be a way for you to save some money, or possibly even the silver if the blackouts work for you. To me the discounts aren't as good as with other theme parks, simply because there is no discount on food within the parks. I believe the food discounts are only at Disney Springs. As far as if it is worth it or not that all boils down to A) Which pass you pick B) How many days you can go.

Certain restaurants in the parks and around the property will give you a dining discount for AP, you just have to look up or ask them when you get to the restaurant. For example, Crystal Palace will not give an AP discount, but IIRC, Trail's End at Fort Wilderness does.

Plus you get 10% off merchandise on property as well.

OP - As the others have said, think about how many times you're going to end up visiting the Orlando area and go from there. If you're a FL resident, you can get a discount on the AP as well.

 

[emh1960]

I think the AP discount offering are nothing to shout out about. and I wish they would enhance them. I expressed this opinion recently in a survey they sent me about AP's. It seems that every time I pull out my AP at a restaurant for a discount the answer is no, not this day, not this restaurant, etc. Tables in Wonderland is good, but hard to break even if you are a smaller family and your restaurant checks are not huge. It seems lately the general public discounts are the same as the AP discounts and there are less AP rooms available when I attempt to book. We are not huge fans of taking thousands of pictures on our trips, so the Memory Maker is not a draw for us. I use Magical Express and think all of the other transportation options are superior than driving yourself, and hardly ever rent a car so parking is not a huge draw, although it was really nice to have that taken care of last year on a short trip when I did have a car. However, I like to visit more than once a year and I will renew my AP, because it is still less expensive than two or three park hoppers of 5 days.

 

[DarthVader]

Extra Magic Hours is for guests staying at WDW resorts.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the service but as AP holders staying at the All Stars last November, we were able to go to EMH. I don't think you can just waltz in and use EMH when you're not currently staying on property but I don't think AP holders are restricted from using EMH (while staying on property).

 

[networkpro]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the service but as AP holders staying at the All Stars last November, we were able to go to EMH. I don't think you can just waltz in and use EMH when you're not currently staying on property but I don't think AP holders are restricted from using EMH (while staying on property).

Extra Magic Hours are exclusive tied to where you stay, not your admission type. The only niche I dont have a 100% answer on are the plaids (aka VIP tour services)

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the service but as AP holders staying at the All Stars last November, we were able to go to EMH. I don't think you can just waltz in and use EMH when you're not currently staying on property but I don't think AP holders are restricted from using EMH (while staying on property).

Anyone staying on property can use EMH, regardless of ticket media - AP, MYW, etc. Just having an AP does not allow you EMH access. I think that is what they were asking originally. If you stay off-site, there is no way to use EMH.

 

[TBrooker11]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the service but as AP holders staying at the All Stars last November, we were able to go to EMH. I don't think you can just waltz in and use EMH when you're not currently staying on property but I don't think AP holders are restricted from using EMH (while staying on property).

The OP is paying for a timeshare in Orlando, not sure he is going to be staying on property at WDW. So if he is staying at his timeshare and not WDW he would not get EMH. I was stating that EMH are not an AP perk.

 

[glvsav37]

We only travel 1x per year, but we get annuals and basically leap frog them. For example, we go late in the summer this year and will buy the annual, then next summer go early and use the same pass. We average 12-14 days per trip so its a huge cost saver every other trip.

Just need to make sure the dates don't overlap from when you bought it to when it expires or else you'll be short days on the 2nd trip.

 

[danyoung56]

I don't think anyone's mentioned the Tables in Wonderland card that you can buy if you're a Florida resident or an AP. It costs $100 per year, and gives you 20% off of most table service restaurants and even some quick service ones, INCLUDING ALCOHOL! True, if you use the card you will be charged a mandatory 18% tip. But if you tip anyway, then the TiW card is a great thing!

 

[Jess G]

We only travel 1x per year, but we get annuals and basically leap frog them. For example, we go late in the summer this year and will buy the annual, then next summer go early and use the same pass. We average 12-14 days per trip so its a huge cost saver every other trip.

Just need to make sure the dates don't overlap from when you bought it to when it expires or else you'll be short days on the 2nd trip.

SMART THINKING!

 

[dreamfinder]

My advice, look at an AP solely for a park admission breakeven. Any of the discounts are subject to change at any time, and most of them aren't that much better than those you could get from having Disney Visa or other programs. If it makes sense for park admission, look at any merchandise or dining discounts as a plus.

 

[Figgy1]

I don't think anyone's mentioned the Tables in Wonderland card that you can buy if you're a Florida resident or an AP. It costs $100 per year, and gives you 20% off of most table service restaurants and even some quick service ones, INCLUDING ALCOHOL! True, if you use the card you will be charged a mandatory 18% tip. But if you tip anyway, then the TiW card is a great thing!

Didn't TIW go up to 150?

 

[danyoung56]

You're right - 150 for AP and DVC members, and 175 for Florida residents. Still worth it, though.

 

[dreamfinder]

You're right - 150 for AP and DVC members, and 175 for Florida residents. Still worth it, though.

As long as you will do at least $750 in food spend. Depending on your restaurant choices though, you may get 10% off via AP/DVC which really skews the math since those have no expenditure to account for.

 

[parkhopper1213]

Is an annual pass worth it? what benefits do you get it? we usually only do one Disney trip a year but we just got a timeshare in Orlando and if we get the ap then we would try to make maybe even 3 trips a year. Do you get extra magic hours with this? Just a thought. not for sure about it yet. Thanks

You have to do the math to see if its worth it to you. I agree to look at it only from the park admission price. See what a multi-day pass will cost and then price it against an annual pass. The annual pass should include the park hopper option. This is our 2nd year of having an annual pass. Its nice to have the freedom to go to the parks whenever we want and park hop if we feel like it. We do get a room discount, but that is never a given. All of the other benefits are minimal. I might save a few dollars in the stores. Most quick service places don't take the annual pass.

 

[danyoung56]

As long as you will do at least $750 in food spend. Depending on your restaurant choices though, you may get 10% off via AP/DVC which really skews the math since those have no expenditure to account for.

I like to eat at the signatures, and I spend a good bit of time in the Rose & Crown during the evenings. So with 2 trips a year, I have no problem hitting the 750 point!

 

[Figgy1]

I like to eat at the signatures, and I spend a good bit of time in the Rose & Crown during the evenings. So with 2 trips a year, I have no problem hitting the 750 point!

My dh and I are in the same boat. 2 weeks this summer figuring 10 adult beverages each at $10 each we'll hit $200 just with that, add in feeding 2 teen boys $550 more will be a joke that's not funny. A just us short trip next summer and AP and TIW will pay for itself