ultimate park hopper vs. annual pass

[reendan]

I am going to Disneyworld for the first time in June. I was wondering if I should get an annual pass for myself to get the benefits and discounts. I am staying 8 days. I also have a friend who lives in Orlando and will be visiting her at least once in the coming year. Any advice?

 

[joviacdan]

Well, if you plan on spending all 8 days inside Disney World, and if you plan on visiting your friend WITHIN the next 365 days, and going to Disney for at least 3 or 4 of those days, go with the annual pass.

However, if you're not sure about spending all your time at Disney, don't waste the money on an annual.

 

[JackSkellington]

The AP (Annual Pass) WILL save you a ton at www.mousesavers.com if you plan to go again. Plus there are all kinds of special benefits from having an AP. Like pins, coins, and free exclusive stuff.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Definitely go for the Annual Pass. If you are staying 8 days that is the breakeven point for the regular AP. The Ultimate AP is more money but includes Pleasure Island, Water Parks, etc. The regular AP only includes the big 4 parks. I had gotten mine 3 years ago and it was the best investment I have ever made!! Belle

 

[JackSkellington]

Belle, do you get a lot of free pins and stuff?

 

[reendan]

Thanks for the tips everyone....we are only going to do Disney since we have never been before. I am definately visiting Orlando again within 365 days, so I think I am leaning towards that annual pass. If I have an annual pass do I get a discount on my husband's 7 day ticket? He won't be returning with me to visit so he doesn't need the annual.

 

[Disney Hog]

I would go with an annual pass if there is any chance of you coming back within the 365 days.

One thing to remember is that the Ultimate Park Hopper is based on nights at the resort and not actual days in the park. If you are staying for 8 nights, the UPH will actually be calculated for 9 days in the park. You will be charged a day for the day that you check in and the day that you check out. So if you arrive late on your first night (10 PM) and leave early your last morning (7 AM), you would technically be charged 9 days and actually only be in the park for 7. Make sense?

Another thing to remember is that you are technically paying for things that you might not ever use when you buy a "length of stay pass" (UPH). ie. Water Parks, Pleasure Island, wishes, etc..

If you're planning a long stay and will come back definitely go for the Annual Pass or Premium Annual Pass. If you don't want to go to the water parks or nighttime clubs and stuff, stick with the regular AP.

Some people might disagree, but it is ultimately up to the individual and what they perceive as value.

Have fun!! :sohappy:

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Originally posted by Disney Hog

Some people might disagree, but it is ultimately up to the individual and what they perceive as value.

I agree with you, Disney Hog. ...and I also believe in fairies.

 

[joviacdan]

Keep one other thing in mind...

There is a significant price difference between an annual pass and a premium annual pass.

If you only end up going with a regular annual pass, but decide on going to Pleasure Island a couple times or a water park, you could wind up spending more than the premium. Then again, if you wind up buying the premium, but don't go to PI or the water parks, then it's a waste.

Confusing, isn't it?

 

[reendan]

Great input you guys, thanks! We aren't the nightclub or waterpark types so I think a regular annual pass will work just great. I am so looking forward to this trip...we are finally taking a honeymoon after 5 years of marriage. My husband got his BS degree and I am just finishing my masters degree so we thought a big celebration was in order and I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate

 

[joviacdan]

Couldn't agree more. You'll have an awesome time.

Don't let not having a Pleasure Island pass keep you from Downtown Disney though. The Marketplace is beautiful to walk around, especially at night, and the Westside has some great places to shop and eat as well.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Warning, when you get an annual pass you can often end up taking "unplanned trips". Like having free enterance into WDW is just calling your name beckoning you to FLA. We got one in March 2003 and planned on returning Jan 2004 also. We ended up with an "extra" 10 day trip in Aug for our wedding aniversary. While it was fun, I won't go in Aug again! (way to much rain.)

We had 24 days total on our Annaul Passes (not bad seeing as we were coming from Michigan.)

Next week we head down to Vero Beach, but don't plan on going to WDW at all since our AP is no longer vaild, and we don't plan on going back until March 2005 (when our not yet born 2nd child will be 6 months old.)


So anyway, just a warning, Annual Passes (and DVC for the matter) are addictive. But then again, all of WDW is addctive.

BTW, I think if you get a 7 day hopper, and decide before you run out of days on it that you want to upgrade to an AP you can take the money spent on the PH and put it towards an AP. (at guest relations) That way you don't have to decide if you want an AP before even going. Beware, if you get an Park Hopper Plus, and use one of the pluses, you can only upgrade to an Ultimate Annual Pass. Does anyone know it that is right?

 

[wannabeBelle]

Having an AP doesnt give you a discount on other ticket types but you may be able to get a pretty sizeable discount on the rooms. As an example a Moderate hotel room in May with no discount was $160. and change. With the AP discount I got the same room for 82.50 a night!!! All prices quoted include tax. The discounts arent guaranteed and arent announced very far in advance of the days that the time span covers but i havent had much problem getting the hotel I want at the discounted rates offered. Belle

 

[Disney Hog]

Another thing to remember is you can book the AP rate at the resorts before you buy your AP passes.

 

[reendan]

I got a teacher rate at the Dolphin for $139 a night for a king room. Anyone have any experience with the Dolphin?

 

[RPMdfw]

Don't forget the AP discounts at selected restaurants for lunch and at World of Disney. These have saved us a BUNCH in the past . . .

 

[Bliff]

I just want to add something about Premium Annual Passes...

Keep in mind that they also include admission to DisneyQuest. Don't think that DQ is just for kids; I'll be turning 40 this year and I think it's great fun.

Also, my wife and I are not "nightclub" people either, but spending time at the Adventurer's Club at Pleasure Island is always a highlight of our trips. The whole Pleasure Island atmosphere is high energy there is free entertainment at two outside stages.

Next, although I love water slides, my wife is not a water park person, either, but both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have "creeks" surrounding the entire park. You sit in an inner tube and the moving current floats you around the entire circuit; you can do this all day if you want. The water parks are also a good way to take a "time out" from the theme parks.

Lastly, I must agree with Disney PhD as well, though... having an AP or PAP is soooo tempting. We got the postcard from Disney advertising the "sneak preview" of Mission: Space for AP holders only, and days later we were booked for our second trip of the year!

 

[iluvstitch]

Originally posted by Bliff
I just want to add something about Premium Annual Passes...

Keep in mind that they also include admission to DisneyQuest. Don't think that DQ is just for kids; I'll be turning 40 this year and I think it's great fun.

I love DQ (and i'm not a video game type person) and I couldn't imagine going to WDW w/out visiting DQ. I also have to go to the waterparks. We got the PAP for those reasons. -Steph

 

[Bill]

The AP is an excellent value if you stay for more then 8 days. However, don't buy for the benefits, they're not as many as you'd think. At most, you get a free pin, lanyard, and/or medallion. You do get room discounts, but being a FL Resident is a better discount. Since there are not many discounts in the parks with the exception of sit down lunches, I wouldn't count on using that either. With an AP, you also get discounts at Downtown Disney, but not in the parks. If you buy a standard AP, and then later decide to go to Blizzard Beach, WWoS, Typhoon Lagoon, DisneyQuest, or Pleasure Island, you can always upgrade at anytime. Keep in mind that you can't downgrade though. Also, depending if you stay off property (if you stay on property, it's included anyway) you also get free parking with an AP.

 

[surfsupdon]

We purchased one AP pass and everyone else in the party a 5 Day Park Hopper--big price difference, yet managaed to save nearly 2500 at Yacht Club over Christmas week. So APs can be bought if under 8 days, if only for the massive room discount, if available.

You also asked about Dolphin. Ive stayed there before. It was okay, very whimsical and flashy and gaudy. Which is not bad at all if thats your thing. Good food and rstaurants, if anything I would stay there for the location most!