Need Annual Pass advice

G

gusgoose

Member
My wife and I are moving down to the Tampa area sometime this coming fall or winter and are definitely looking to buy Annual Passes while we're down there. The new monthly payment plan being rumored is a huge plus, but I'm still not sure if it's worth the money for us.

We'd probably be able to make it to the parks about 8 times per year for now. I know there's some extra perks involved, like free parking. Does anyone use the hotel discounts? Are they actually good discounts? Are there other worthwhile perks as well? Can Annual Pass holders gets discounts on tickets for friends and family or anything along those lines?

Also, what's the difference between the Premium and the Regular Annual Pass? From the official website, it seems like the only difference is the Premium also gets you access to the water parks and golf courses.

Does anyone have a Seasonal pass? Do you find that you're kicking yourself for buying seasonal when you'd really like to visit the parks but it's in season?
 
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bladerunner

bladerunner

Member
Any annual pass will be worthwhile if you like to go often. I've had PAP for years since I love to go to the water parks in the Summer. Seasonal passes are fine as well if you go around the blackout dates and don't mind paying for parking.
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
gusgoose said:
My wife and I are moving down to the Tampa area sometime this coming fall or winter and are definitely looking to buy Annual Passes while we're down there. The new monthly payment plan being rumored is a huge plus, but I'm still not sure if it's worth the money for us.

We'd probably be able to make it to the parks about 8 times per year for now. I know there's some extra perks involved, like free parking. Does anyone use the hotel discounts? Are they actually good discounts? Are there other worthwhile perks as well? Can Annual Pass holders gets discounts on tickets for friends and family or anything along those lines?

Also, what's the difference between the Premium and the Regular Annual Pass? From the official website, it seems like the only difference is the Premium also gets you access to the water parks and golf courses.

Does anyone have a Seasonal pass? Do you find that you're kicking yourself for buying seasonal when you'd really like to visit the parks but it's in season?
Click to expand...
Free parking is a plus especially if you are just there for a day or are not staying on site. The hotel discounts will vary but they tend to be in the 30-40% range so they are quite worth it. There are also discounts at several stores and restaurants. You can get AP rate tickets for others at places like the water parks and DQ but not at the 4 main parks. The premium pass also give you admission to the water parks and DQ. Other than that it is the same. I have a seasonal pass for the obvious monetary savings (family of 5) and I really have no desire to be in the parks during the black out periods as they are the busiest and hottest times of the year. The seasonal pass also lacks free parking but we stay on property so that is never an issue.
 
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tizzo

tizzo

Member
The Annual Pass was the best choice for us based on our usage pattern. We go several times a month on average, often for just a couple of hours, so the free parking pays for itself many times over.

Also bear in mind that you will almost certainly find that your attendance pattern is quite different from a vacation perspective. For example you say you have no desire to go during blackout periods because it's hot and crowded. That's only natural when you think about standing on long lines for popular attractions that, right now, you can't imagine skipping when you enter the parks. But many is the time my wife and I have gone to the parks for a few hours and left without waiting on a line or riding an attraction. One of our favorite things to do is to go to the Epcot concert series, especially Sounds Like Summer (many of which happen during the blackout times).

IMHO, these relaxing visits are the very best part of having the passes. As I said, many of them happen during blackout periods, and most would have been skipped either way if the free parking hadn't made it no-cost. Some of this is personal. We have a tendency towards meticulous responsibility with our money which would interfere with our ability to enjoy anything but a complete day at the park even if we were only paying that parking fee (what is it, $15 now?). Your outlook may be completely different.

As far as other perks, I understand the resort discounts are pretty significant, but we never stay on property. We live too close to justify it, and have daily household responsibilities (IE pets) that make it extremely difficult to be away overnight. We use the 10% discount on merchandise at WoD every now and again, and used the 15% discount on tours once. We also used the discount on MVMCP once as well.

I have always been disappointed by the fact that there are no discounts available to AP holders for guests. But that doesn't mean we have nothing to offer. When my sister visits with her family, our expertise is sometimes helpful guiding their time in the parks. If they need something (that they forgot, or one of the kids gets sick, or something is too big to bring), we either have it or know where to get it. They don't have to pack clothes for the whole trip, because they can do laundry at our house. We can take the kids for an evening so their parents can take in some of the adult entertainment at WDW. All little things, but I'm told that they have made a big impact on the quality of their vacations - they've duplicated pretty much the same trip two years running now, and were planning for next year before they'd even left this time.

And something else to consider if you're anticipating guests, which just occurred to me, is that you're not going to be as happy to see them as you should be if they choose to visit during a time when your pass won't get you through the gates.

Also, just so you know (since it's not clear from your original post that you do), the one BIG difference between the Annual and Seasonal passes (besides the blackout dates) is that Seasonal does not include parking, while Annual and Premium do.

Anyway, that's my advice. Hope it is as helpful as it is verbose! :)

Tony
 
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dopeylove

dopeylove

Member
If you look at the daily rate plus parking, once you have used the pass for 4 days, it has paid for itself. Another thing is that upon renewal, you save $35.00 each year per pass. As the other poster said, your visit habits will change and you will be more relaxed and not feel that you have to do everything in one day or one weekend. We have been annual passholders now for 7 years. We live in Ft. Lauderdale and go about once a month. During Christmas and Easter we are there for 7-12 days. It definitely pays!
 
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wm49rs

wm49rs

A naughty bit o' crumpet
Premium Member
If you're going to be that close, then the APs are definitely worth it. We live in the Atlanta area, and are only able to visit biannually. But even with that limited number of trips the APs have paid for themselves in both park attendance and parking, along with food and merchandise discounts. Plus, the Tables in Wonderland card has been a real benefit as well for the dining discount it offers....
 
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hemloc

hemloc

Member
I had the Annual Premium Pass, which became completely useless to me when they dumped Pleasure Island(And the free admission), grrr.... But it still includes the water parks, Disney Quest & the free parking, so it is still worth it(Especially if you are only 1 hour away!). And the hotel discounts alone more than paid for the pass, if you so choose to use them. Stayed in the Contemporary tower w/ theme park view for some pretty good prices!! But I have also seen comparable Florida Resident discounts at certain times of the year.
 
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stlbobby

stlbobby

Well-Known Member
If your going to do it definitely go for the AP over the seasonal. I live in NC and have an AP even though I rarely visit during peak seasons and never drive to the actual parks.

The room discounts are great I use them all the time even though I'm also a DVC member. Being in Tampa you may not use them as often, but when you can get a value resort room for around 50-60 dollars, I've even paid less, a romantic overnight weekend suddenly sounds great.

If you are a water park person and think you will go twice or more in a year, or a serious golfer then upgrade. If not then it is a waste of money.

The other big offer is the Tables in Wonderland discount. You have to purchase it for $50, but you get 20% off at almost all the restaurants in WDW. It includes the top end places like California Grill and Narcoossee's. It also allows you access to special events for TiW patrons only. Recent special included a multi-course meal served in the Great Movie Ride--different courses served at different places along the track. Or a valentine dinner where every course included chocolate. If you love food and eat at the higher end spots TiW pays for itself quickly. It also allows for free valet parking at most resorts including GF.
 
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tizzo

tizzo

Member
It may also be worth mentioning that all of these glowing recommendations coming from out-of-state passholders are from people who are paying a fair amount more, unless I'm mistaken (?), than you as a FL resident will be paying.

Tony
 
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MissM

MissM

Well-Known Member
stlbobby said:
The other big offer is the Tables in Wonderland discount. You have to purchase it for $50, but you get 20% off at almost all the restaurants in WDW.
Click to expand...
Actually, it's $75.
Passholders can enjoy Tables in Wonderland for just $75
Passholders receive $25 off the regular price.

​
I live in Tampa and am a Seasonal AP and it's just great. Parking is $14/day so if you can swing the full AP (or at least just one for your party if you really aren't interested in going during the blackout dates to show at the toll booth) it saves a lot. I personally love being an AP and it really changes how you visit when it's so easy to come and go and you're so close by.
 
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G

gusgoose

Member
Original Poster
Thanks to everyone for the good advice. If we didn't buy an annual pass, we'd probably do just one or two long weekends a year at Disney, but we figure with an annual pass, we can do things like drive up for just the afternoon to ride a couple rides, eat at one of our favorite restaurants, catch some fireworks and head home. And if the hotel discounts are good, maybe make a short weekend out of it. So from what I'm hearing, annual pass is the way to go to make that happen.
 
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devoy1701

devoy1701

Well-Known Member
gusgoose said:
My wife and I are moving down to the Tampa area sometime this coming fall or winter and are definitely looking to buy Annual Passes while we're down there. The new monthly payment plan being rumored is a huge plus, but I'm still not sure if it's worth the money for us.

We'd probably be able to make it to the parks about 8 times per year for now. I know there's some extra perks involved, like free parking. Does anyone use the hotel discounts? Are they actually good discounts? Are there other worthwhile perks as well? Can Annual Pass holders gets discounts on tickets for friends and family or anything along those lines?

Also, what's the difference between the Premium and the Regular Annual Pass? From the official website, it seems like the only difference is the Premium also gets you access to the water parks and golf courses.

Does anyone have a Seasonal pass? Do you find that you're kicking yourself for buying seasonal when you'd really like to visit the parks but it's in season?
Click to expand...

gusgoose said:
Thanks to everyone for the good advice. If we didn't buy an annual pass, we'd probably do just one or two long weekends a year at Disney, but we figure with an annual pass, we can do things like drive up for just the afternoon to ride a couple rides, eat at one of our favorite restaurants, catch some fireworks and head home. And if the hotel discounts are good, maybe make a short weekend out of it. So from what I'm hearing, annual pass is the way to go to make that happen.
Click to expand...

When you have an AP...you find yourself going up there alot more than you originally think. Depending on what side of the bay you live on especially. My GF and I have been AP holders for 3 years now and the thrill still has not died down for us. Being East of the city, it is quicker for us to drive to Disney World for the day than to drive to the beach. And a day at Disney where we usually buy one or 2 quick service meals costs us less than say going to the movies one night when you factor in buying your tickets, popcorn, drinks, etc.

We are usually in the parks about 3 times a month and spend atleast 3 long weekends over there a year. It usually translates to about 30-33 days a year...which brings the cost of our APs to about $12 for each day we visit!
 
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