Should I get an Annual Pass On My Next Visit?

[Model3 McQueen]

My family is planning a trip for the first week in December. My lady and I are already going to be spending a pretty penny for a 3 day park hopper. Should we upgrade to an annual pass when we're there? And if so, which one?

Just a little context:
1. last year I visited WDW once. in 2018 I visited DL twice. Usually we go to DL twice a year but the price point is pushing me out with force. I may even want to start spending some time at WDW, but the Premier Passport makes ZERO sense at $2,000. Get lost Disney.

2. DCA has become a complete turn off for me, and the only justification to visit would be SoC (which is gone again) and Cars Land. I mean yeah I enjoy Midway Mania & Little Mermaid & Goofy's Sky School, but that's about it for rides. So that leaves DL really.

3. Will the next year even be worth it? Considering RotR will be open, and this last summer was quiet. I'm not a fan of Hyperspace overstaying its welcome. Marvel Land might be open but that's yet another thing I can scoff at. Then again it might mean lower attendance for DL while all the kiddies enjoy their superheroes at DCA.

4. Oh and Maxpass is probably a must so there goes a few more dollars.


Usually I'm pretty good at making these decisions myself, but now I feel like I need some advice. Is there anything else coming up in next year I forgot to mention?

Or perhaps should we save for a couple of trips to Knott's or Universal or Six Flags, or even the beach? I'm well aware that my addiction is part of the inevitable Disney annual price increase problem.

 

[Phroobar]

I think you need a few years off. Don't renew that AP. I believe you are just adding to the problem of crowds and Disney think they are going in the right direction.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

I think you need a few years off. Don't renew that AP. I believe you are just adding to the problem of crowds and Disney think they are going in the right direction.

Unfortunately that's what i'm leaning towards, and what you said is part of the reason. The thing is, two more AP holders wont make a statement. Disney couldn't care less about what I think. There are still some quality attractions though. Just nothing new. Maybe RotR will bring in some more value but I wont know by December.

I should've worded the question differently. Would you get an AP given the current situation?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

My next ticket will be an annual pass...when they get serious about it...

Maybe

 

[westie]

The goal is to get your moneys worth. For us to break even we had to use it 6 times a year. But between the crowds and constant construction it started to lose it's glamour, for right now, we are on an AP break. Even though we're going next week!

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

You complain so much, I think you should just not go.

 

[Mac Tonight]

You complain so much, I think you should just not go.

I'm still amazed that some people on this board even do actually go to Disneyland.

 

[mickEblu]

My family is planning a trip for the first week in December. My lady and I are already going to be spending a pretty penny for a 3 day park hopper. Should we upgrade to an annual pass when we're there? And if so, which one?

Just a little context:
1. last year I visited WDW once. in 2018 I visited DL twice. Usually we go to DL twice a year but the price point is pushing me out with force. I may even want to start spending some time at WDW, but the Premier Passport makes ZERO sense at $2,000. Get lost Disney.

2. DCA has become a complete turn off for me, and the only justification to visit would be SoC (which is gone again) and Cars Land. I mean yeah I enjoy Midway Mania & Little Mermaid & Goofy's Sky School, but that's about it for rides. So that leaves DL really.

3. Will the next year even be worth it? Considering RotR will be open, and this last summer was quiet. I'm not a fan of Hyperspace overstaying its welcome. Marvel Land might be open but that's yet another thing I can scoff at. Then again it might mean lower attendance for DL while all the kiddies enjoy their superheroes at DCA.

4. Oh and Maxpass is probably a must so there goes a few more dollars.


Usually I'm pretty good at making these decisions myself, but now I feel like I need some advice. Is there anything else coming up in next year I forgot to mention?

Or perhaps should we save for a couple of trips to Knott's or Universal or Six Flags, or even the beach? I'm well aware that my addiction is part of the inevitable Disney annual price increase problem.

Where do you live?

The flex pass is only $600 and 3 day park hoppers are $355. So if you were to go two more times it would be worth it. Of course with a pass you would probably go more than two more times. That’s how these things work. Gotta get your “moneys worth.”

One thing to consider with the flex pass is that dates are now starting to book in advance. However, we re still at a point that if you re flexible and/ or book anywhere from 30-25 days out for high demand holiday weekends it probably won’t be problem.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I'm still amazed that some people on this board even do actually go to Disneyland.

That’s why it’s called a “love/hate”...not a “love/love”

 

[Mac Tonight]

That’s why it’s called a “love/hate”...not a “love/love”

Hey, its your money!

 

[Phroobar]

I think the question is, how do you feel after a day at the park? Are you happy and glad you went or are you exhausted, grouchy and tired of the crowds and being treated like cattle? With an AP, ride count is meaningless. You can do anything you want or nothing during a visit. The question is Does the experience make you happy at the end of the day?

 

[Nirya]

I think it depends on if you are planning on going more often past those 3 days. Like, I'm one of those who show up late on a weeknight just because I can, so it made sense, but if you aren't doing that, I don't know how worth it an AP is right now.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I really wish they sold a pass that was Disneyland Park only... That let you in most days, just at a slightly lower price point then the current offerings. DCA has nothing that Disneyland doesn't do better... so it's really not worth the added cost.

For me personally, my favorite things are Fantasmic, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure. One of which is half the show it was 3 years ago. The other three are horrifically maintained and are basically falling apart. Really disheartening. I struggle to see how the price of most of the AP's could be at all worth it for someone who doesn't live close enough to go on a whim... given the huge cuts in staffing, entertainment, maintenance, and just the overall decline in service quality.

I'm hoping Disney refocuses on providing an exceptional experience in time for the 75 anniversary.

 

[Phroobar]

For me, I dropped my AP when it wasn't worth the effort anymore to fight the crowds and eat bad food. Disneyland was a lot more fun when there was live entertainment and had nice quiet areas to watch people. I didn't particularly care about going on a ride. How many times can a person go on the same thing during the year? When I go to Knotts, I don't focus on the rides but instead go to see the shows and use the meal plan. I've been known to go by myself just to watch Krazy Kurt and eat ribs.

I think it is healthy to try something different.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

You complain so much, I think you should just not go.

Pot, meet Kettle.

Where do you live?

The flex pass is only $600 and 3 day park hoppers are $355. So if you were to go two more times it would be worth it. Of course with a pass you would probably go more than two more times. That’s how these things work. Gotta get your “moneys worth.”

One thing to consider with the flex pass is that dates are now starting to book in advance. However, we re still at a point that if you re flexible and/ or book anywhere from 30-25 days out for high demand holiday weekends it probably won’t be problem.

Arizona, it's about a 5 hour drive for me. Correct me if i'm wrong but Flex is blacked out quite a bit, and I have to reserve in advance right? If so, do you know what the chances of approval are?

I think the question is, how do you feel after a day at the park? Are you happy and glad you went or are you exhausted, grouchy and tired of the crowds and being treated like cattle? With an AP, ride count is meaningless. You can do anything you want or nothing during a visit. The question is Does the experience make you happy at the end of the day?

Definitely happy cause I still love Disneyland despite what Chappy is trying to do to the place. I just think now my previous experiences with the DLR might make me rely more on being there and feeling the magic, rather than enjoying specific rides. That itself is a question of "is the hundreds of dollars worth it just to step foot in a park". Might have to dig deep on that one. Thankfully there's still enough greatness but IMO, the rides I complain about all the time are still difficult for me to overcome.

I think it depends on if you are planning on going more often past those 3 days. Like, I'm one of those ******** who show up late on a weeknight just because I can, so it made sense, but if you aren't doing that, I don't know how worth it an AP is right now.

hahaha I'd like to do that, but my DD is a gas guzzling V8 using premium fuel. But if I was to go Annual Pass I think i'd do what you mentioned. Probably leave Thursday and spend Fri-Sat there, then come home Sunday. That's a ton of driving and the hotel money might add up.

 

[Nirya]

I think Flex isn't blacked out per say. There are days that you don't need to make a reservation to use it (think SoCal Select days) and then more popular days like weekends require the reservations in advance.

 

[shambolicdefending]

My out-of-state family spent a total of 24 days at the resort from 2016-2019.

For everything we find to complain about (and there is PLENTY to complain about), the fact is that Disneyland still offers a very unique and special experience. But, it also comes with a very "special" price tag, which adds up pretty fast - with or without an AP.

After our last trip early this year, we decided to take a self-imposed hiatus. We'll probably go back some time in 2021. Until then, we're doing our best to broaden our horizons. Once we broke out of the constant plan-the-next-Disney-vacation cycle, we found that the world is actually a pretty big place with a many other memorable (and cheaper!) leisure options.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Let's take a look at an option.

Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix is a Six Flags property, so getting their pass membership will give you that park, plus Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor in Valencia, plus Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in the Bay Area.

Tickets, Passes and Memberships | Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

Buy online, save time and money! All of our Memberships, Season Passes, and Tickets are available from this page! Buy a single day ticket if you just want to visit once; get a Season Pass for unlimited visits or become a Member with over 50+ benefits to use every time you visit! IMPORTANT...

www.sixflags.com

$58 for the 2020, or $6.50 a month. (Note you must live in Arizona to get this price)

Add to that SeaWorld San Diego Fun Pass for $94 good for 2020.

SeaWorld Special Offers - California Theme Park Discounts | SeaWorld San Diego

MEMORIAL DAY SALE: $60 single-day tickets! SeaWorld San Diego special offers on admission and in-park experiences. Buy your SeaWorld tickets now!

seaworld.com

A bit more gets you a Annual Pass to SWSD plus Aquatica in Chula Vista. In 2021, Sesame Place will open next door to Aquatica, sothat is now 3 parks in the San Diego area.

Knott's basic pass is just $89

Season Passes | Season-Long Access | Knott's Berry Farm

With a Knott's Berry Farm Season Pass, enjoy season-long access and exclusive theme park deals. Get season pass perks and benefits online today!

www.knotts.com

That is $241 for a couple of Water Parks, one close to home and 3 Theme Parks in SoCal.

Now you can add tickets to Universal and Disneyland for one of your trips.

Split up your drive, head to San Diego for a few days, maybe check out LEGOLAND, if you time it right, the San Diego County Fair, and so many other things in San Diego.

The Official Travel Resource for the San Diego Region

Start planning your trip to San Diego at SanDiego.org with all the information on San Diego hotels, restaurants, what to do, events and more.

www.sandiego.org

Drive up to Anaheim, visit Knott's and other things.

Visit Anaheim, CA | Official Visitor & Tourism Information

The official visitor's guide for all things Anaheim. Explore trip ideas in Orange County and find information for things to do, attractions, hotels, and dining.

visitanaheim.org

Then to the Santa Clarita area to visit Six Flags, Universal, and the LA area.

Your Official Guide to Santa Clarita - Southern California Travel

Start planning your visit to Santa Clarita, CA, right here! Home to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita is a top locale for Southern California travel.

visitsantaclarita.com

Then maybe a second visit to the Bay Area. Visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Not just a Theme Park, but also a Marine Park and a Zoo Park), and Knott's sister parks California Great America and Gilroy Gardens. Add the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mystery Spot and many other Bay Area attractions. (You would want a Knott's/Cedar Fair Platinum Pass to visit all 4 California Parks).

But that is a lot of parks and experiences for less than a Disneyland Flex Pass.

Also, if you are a Costco member, look at these two offers.

https://www.costco.com/4-Day-Go-San...-the-4-Big-Theme-Parks.product.100096582.html

https://www.costco.com/Universal-Studios-Hollywood-3-Visit-Ticket%2c-eTicket.product.100515317.html

 

[mickEblu]

Arizona, it's about a 5 hour drive for me. Correct me if i'm wrong but Flex is blacked out quite a bit, and I have to reserve in advance right? If so, do you know what the chances of approval are?

Same blackout dates as the Signature. Only difference is you have to reserve high demand days like the weekends in advance. Their are also many “good to go” days that don’t require a reservation. Flex has been great but recently days have started booking a few days after opening up. For example I believe next month 11/8 -11/10 (the first Christmas wknd) booked up in the first few days after opening up. Small data sample and this is the first time its happened so far in advance since they released the passes in June. A combo I think of more people buying Flex passes, fewer AP blackouts in the fall as opposed to Summer and demand for Halloween/ Christmas. I think if you are flexible enough to book high demand days in advance you should be fine. Since you live in AZ I’d imagine this wouldn’t really be an issue for you.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

Let's take a look at an option.

Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix is a Six Flags property, so getting their pass membership will give you that park, plus Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor in Valencia, plus Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in the Bay Area.

Tickets, Passes and Memberships | Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

Buy online, save time and money! All of our Memberships, Season Passes, and Tickets are available from this page! Buy a single day ticket if you just want to visit once; get a Season Pass for unlimited visits or become a Member with over 50+ benefits to use every time you visit! IMPORTANT...

www.sixflags.com

$58 for the 2020, or $6.50 a month. (Note you must live in Arizona to get this price)

Add to that SeaWorld San Diego Fun Pass for $94 good for 2020.

SeaWorld Special Offers - California Theme Park Discounts | SeaWorld San Diego

MEMORIAL DAY SALE: $60 single-day tickets! SeaWorld San Diego special offers on admission and in-park experiences. Buy your SeaWorld tickets now!

seaworld.com

A bit more gets you a Annual Pass to SWSD plus Aquatica in Chula Vista. In 2021, Sesame Place will open next door to Aquatica, sothat is now 3 parks in the San Diego area.

Knott's basic pass is just $89

Season Passes | Season-Long Access | Knott's Berry Farm

With a Knott's Berry Farm Season Pass, enjoy season-long access and exclusive theme park deals. Get season pass perks and benefits online today!

www.knotts.com

That is $241 for a couple of Water Parks, one close to home and 3 Theme Parks in SoCal.

Now you can add tickets to Universal and Disneyland for one of your trips.

Split up your drive, head to San Diego for a few days, maybe check out LEGOLAND, if you time it right, the San Diego County Fair, and so many other things in San Diego.

The Official Travel Resource for the San Diego Region

Start planning your trip to San Diego at SanDiego.org with all the information on San Diego hotels, restaurants, what to do, events and more.

www.sandiego.org

Drive up to Anaheim, visit Knott's and other things.

Visit Anaheim, CA | Official Visitor & Tourism Information

The official visitor's guide for all things Anaheim. Explore trip ideas in Orange County and find information for things to do, attractions, hotels, and dining.

visitanaheim.org

Then to the Santa Clarita area to visit Six Flags, Universal, and the LA area.

Your Official Guide to Santa Clarita - Southern California Travel

Start planning your visit to Santa Clarita, CA, right here! Home to Six Flags Magic Mountain, Santa Clarita is a top locale for Southern California travel.

visitsantaclarita.com

Then maybe a second visit to the Bay Area. Visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Not just a Theme Park, but also a Marine Park and a Zoo Park), and Knott's sister parks California Great America and Gilroy Gardens. Add the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Mystery Spot and many other Bay Area attractions. (You would want a Knott's/Cedar Fair Platinum Pass to visit all 4 California Parks).

But that is a lot of parks and experiences for less than a Disneyland Flex Pass.

Also, if you are a Costco member, look at these two offers.

https://www.costco.com/4-Day-Go-San...-the-4-Big-Theme-Parks.product.100096582.html

https://www.costco.com/Universal-Studios-Hollywood-3-Visit-Ticket%2c-eTicket.product.100515317.html

Thank you Darkbeer!

This really puts into perspective just how expensive Disneyland is. Granted no other parks come close, the value of other places are undeniably tempting. I am a Costco member and briefly brush past the Universal Hollywood deal every time i'm there. I should probably take it more seriously!