Monthly Payment Annual Passes

[Skyway]

According to MousePlanet: Disneyland has begun selling Annual Passes in monthly installments (after a full-day price "down payment", your credit card is billed monthly) Apparently its only available to SoCal residents.

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=268

Any idea if WDW is planning to do the same?

I'm sure it adds a little more risk to Disney in the case of a default payment. Then again, they could easily de-activate the pass for non-payment.

On the other hand, in these tough economic times, I'd rather shell out $30 a month than have to cough up the full $380 (or whatever it is for a FL AP). Multiply that by a family of 4 and you're looking at a $1600 lump-sum payment. You don't pay your cable bill or your phone bill once-a-year (even though it would probably cost roughly the same as AP's for the family). I think this would really increase AP sales (especially for locals, who will be the target audience of WDW now that airlines have scaled back flights into town while jacking prices)


Not to mention, every time my credit card statement shows up, I'd be reminded that I'm paying for my AP and will probably me motivated to go a few more times (not that I need motivation!), which will earn Disney more $$ in popcorn/turkey leg/Dole Whip sales!

 

[Kman101]

According to MousePlanet: Disneyland has begun selling Annual Passes in monthly installments (after a full-day price "down payment", your credit card is billed monthly) Apparently its only available to SoCal residents.

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=268

Any idea if WDW is planning to do the same?

I'm sure it adds a little more risk to Disney in the case of a default payment. Then again, they could easily de-activate the pass for non-payment.

On the other hand, in these tough economic times, I'd rather shell out $30 a month than have to cough up the full $380 (or whatever it is for a FL AP). Multiply that by a family of 4 and you're looking at a $1600 lump-sum payment. You don't pay your cable bill or your phone bill once-a-year (even though it would probably cost roughly the same as AP's for the family). I think this would really increase AP sales (especially for locals, who will be the target audience of WDW now that airlines have scaled back flights into town while jacking prices)


Not to mention, every time my credit card statement shows up, I'd be reminded that I'm paying for my AP and will probably me motivated to go a few more times (not that I need motivation!), which will earn Disney more $$ in popcorn/turkey leg/Dole Whip sales!

I agree. I wish they'd do this for WDW as well. It's going to be very tough to renew my pass this year money wise, and I really only am because I have a quick weekend trip in November and a four day trip in December and my pass expires in early November.

 

[Laura]

According to MousePlanet: Disneyland has begun selling Annual Passes in monthly installments (after a full-day price "down payment", your credit card is billed monthly) Apparently its only available to SoCal residents.

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/blog.php?b=268

Any idea if WDW is planning to do the same?

I'm sure it adds a little more risk to Disney in the case of a default payment. Then again, they could easily de-activate the pass for non-payment.

On the other hand, in these tough economic times, I'd rather shell out $30 a month than have to cough up the full $380 (or whatever it is for a FL AP). Multiply that by a family of 4 and you're looking at a $1600 lump-sum payment. You don't pay your cable bill or your phone bill once-a-year (even though it would probably cost roughly the same as AP's for the family). I think this would really increase AP sales (especially for locals, who will be the target audience of WDW now that airlines have scaled back flights into town while jacking prices)


Not to mention, every time my credit card statement shows up, I'd be reminded that I'm paying for my AP and will probably me motivated to go a few more times (not that I need motivation!), which will earn Disney more $$ in popcorn/turkey leg/Dole Whip sales!

Well...that just shows the lack of discipline people have. I just put $40 a month into my savings account for my AP. Why do people need Disney to set up a system that forces them to do this?

 

[Cane27]

Well...that just shows the lack of discipline people have. I just put $40 a month into my savings account for my AP. Why do people need Disney to set up a system that forces them to do this?

We all just can't be as together as you are.

 

[Laura]

We all just can't be as together as you are.

You can either pay $40 a month to Disney to pay off credit card debt and the interest on top of it, or you can put it in a savings account and earn some interest while you're at it. Either way you still have an annual pass in the end. It surprises me that ANYONE would prefer the debt route.

 

[SpongeScott]

You can either pay $40 a month to Disney to pay off credit card debt and the interest on top of it, or you can put it in a savings account and earn some interest while you're at it. Either way you still have an annual pass in the end. It surprises me that ANYONE would prefer the debt route.

Laura, honestly, some people have a hard time budgeting out money like you are talking about--it really is a foreign concept to some. Obviously for you it works, and I think it's great that you can do that.

That being said, I wouldn't mind being chared a monthly fee by Disney for mine because we pay off our CC debt every month--we haven't paid a cent of interest on a CC in over 15 years. So, I would essentially be doing the same thing as you, except I would be setting it aside for VISA or AMEX.

 

[crazydaveh]

I wish Disney did this, as the other to parks in town have been doing it for years.

Sure, we can save up and pay, but for me, it's just easier to have Shamu debit my account each month, less for me to worry about, and it doesn't hurt so much as the lump sum payment!

A few years ago I did write Disney and ask if they were thinking of this in Florida, at that time, they nicely said, "not at this time." So who knows, maybe if it's successful in California, it will come out east!

 

[dr_teeth90210]

Disney would be ripped off by countless scammers if they switched to a monthly pay system. That's the sole reason why they don't offer it.

 

[hardcard]

Disney would be ripped off by countless scammers if they switched to a monthly pay system. That's the sole reason why they don't offer it.

ummm... HOW? All they have to do is disable the ticket if you don't pay.. it's the same thing universal and seaworld do..


Disney NEEDS to do this.... It makes AP's more attractive, especially to florida residents like me..


If you are talking about someone buying one and reselling it, thats impossible in the current system because of the name stamp/biometric.. so really HOW can they be scammed? enlighten me.

 

[dr_teeth90210]

so really HOW can they be scammed? enlighten me.

You purchase annual passes for 1 month for only $30. Visit the parks several times and then cancel your credit card/debit card or checking account.

You just got one month's admission to all the parks for only $30.:wave:

 

[Foolish1]

They should allow for breaking the payment up over 4 charges. Either make them 4 consecutive months, or make it one charge every 3 months. I'm OK with either, and I'm sure it's cheaper for Disney to charge 4 times than 12 times.

 

[Skyway]

You purchase annual passes for 1 month for only $30. Visit the parks several times and then cancel your credit card/debit card or checking account.

You just got one month's admission to all the parks for only $30.:wave:

According to Disneyland's plan, you would pay a full day admission the first month (what is it now? $78??)

Yes, in theory you could cancel your credit card after your first month. You could also go to Best Buy and stock up on 20 Plasma TVs, then cancel your credit card. Fact is, you not only face criminal theft charges, but you are also civilly liable for the amount. I believe your credit card will protect Disney. So likely Visa is coming after you, destroying your credit along the way. Hope you had fun on Splash Mountain. (Also, keep in mind, $78 for 30 days is much more expensive per-day than an Annual Pass's $380-something for 365 days.)

As for Laura's earlier comments slamming people who are not "disciplined" enough to save up for their pass--you must either be loaded rich or not have to raise a family, or I doubt you would have made such a naieve comment.

I'm guessing Laura also pays her phone bill a whole year in advance, as well as her electric bill, her cable bill, her water bill, and her rent/mortgage----having the discipline to save up all year for those one-time expenses! Because if she doesn't do that---her statement is a wee bit hypocritical (unless you can explain how a $1500 bill for 4 family APs is different than a $1500-a-year family cellphone bill--which you are also "contracted" to pay monthly)

 

[JoeDsny]

What I do is buy the 4 day pass. Then when I use that up on my 4th trip i upgrade to a Seasonal pass because it deducts the price of the 4 day to the seasonal. When I want to go on a blackout date I then upgrade to the Annual which is deducted from the seasonal pass price. I find that its like financing the AP so I really only pay what I use. The only drawback is the AP time starts on the day you use the 4 day pass. But it works for me some years I never end up upgrading to the full AP and save some $$$. Just my 2cents.

 

[burninup4nick]

I agree....I really hope we're able to swing it money wise...getting our pass renewed....we've had one every year for about 6 years and I would hate to give it up.

 

[jeffcp08]

What I do is buy the 4 day pass. Then when I use that up on my 4th trip i upgrade to a Seasonal pass because it deducts the price of the 4 day to the seasonal. When I want to go on a blackout date I then upgrade to the Annual which is deducted from the seasonal pass price. I find that its like financing the AP so I really only pay what I use. The only drawback is the AP time starts on the day you use the 4 day pass. But it works for me some years I never end up upgrading to the full AP and save some $$$. Just my 2cents.

I used to work in ticket sales at WDW, and and I recommended this plan to a lot of my Florida resident guests:
- 3 or 4 day FL resident ticket (6 month expiration, so you can upgrade any time within the 6 months) -> Seasonal pass (if not in a blackout period) -> upgrade at any time within 1 year of purchase of the original ticket to an annual pass.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

As for Laura's earlier comments slamming people who are not "disciplined" enough to save up for their pass--you must either be loaded rich or not have to raise a family, or I doubt you would have made such a naieve comment.

Wrong on both counts. Why is it so hard to just argue a topic on its merits without making everything personal?

 

[hardcard]

You purchase annual passes for 1 month for only $30. Visit the parks several times and then cancel your credit card/debit card or checking account.

You just got one month's admission to all the parks for only $30.:wave:

Not valid.. First off, it's a legally bound contract, just like a credit card.. you could also charge a credit card up 5,000$$ and then never pay it.. then you cycle through collections, legal paths, etc..

secondly, if you visit the park 30 times in 30 days you're likely to spend enough money in the park itself to offset THEIR expense of having you there..


It's a 'can't lose' for disney.. It just makes sense to do this... It makes them more accessible to those on a fixed budget.... it's easier to afford 30$ a month over 463$ at once.

 

[Laura]

As for Laura's earlier comments slamming people who are not "disciplined" enough to save up for their pass--you must either be loaded rich or not have to raise a family, or I doubt you would have made such a naieve comment.

I'm guessing Laura also pays her phone bill a whole year in advance, as well as her electric bill, her cable bill, her water bill, and her rent/mortgage----having the discipline to save up all year for those one-time expenses! Because if she doesn't do that---her statement is a wee bit hypocritical (unless you can explain how a $1500 bill for 4 family APs is different than a $1500-a-year family cellphone bill--which you are also "contracted" to pay monthly)

What the heck is the difference? You can pay $40 a month and SAVE for an AP, or you can pay $40 a month to PAY OFF an AP. If you can't afford the $40 a month to save for an AP, then you also can't afford the $40 a month to pay it off after you buy it on credit.

And paying for utilities monthly is just the way it's done. If I knew at the end of the year I was gonna get a bill for a whole year's worth of water, you can be sure I'd be setting aside enough each month to cover that bill. Any of my expenses that are not billed monthly (my time share, Christmas, even school pictures) I put money into my savings account each month so that they are covered when the time comes to pay for them. NOT setting aside money for a large, upcoming expense is just plain dumb. And like I said before, if you don't have the money to set aside each month, then you don't have the money to get an annual pass so you should probably rethink your priorities.

The fact that I save up for Disney rather than charge it on a credit card doesn't make me rich. It makes me responsible. ALL I am trying to say is the fact that Disney is going to do a payment plan doesn't make annual passes more affordable for people - because ANYONE who gets an annual pass has always had the ability to set aside money each month for it - earning interest in the process.

For the record, I have a family of 4, and we're on the lower end of the income scale. :wave:

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Good gravy people - GET ALONG!! I know we all have different points of view, but can we debate without attacking someone personally?

 

[MichWolv]

I agree with most of what I've read on here. A monthly plan would be neat. If there was one, and there were no interest charges or fees, everybody should take advantage of it. Even if you had enough money in the bank, no point in paying now if you can pay the same amount later. No brainer.

So, to Laura's comments, I would say that they are generally accurate, except that even if you save the money up, you should keep it in the bank as long as possible, and take the interest-free financing if it exists.

Of course, it may very well be true that Disney will charge interest or financing fee to take advantage of the payment plan. Then you would need to compare that fee against whatever you could earn on the money.