Annual Passes?

[shellncesar]

Hello everyone,
My husband, son and I are norcal residents and want to get annual passes this year starting in April because we want to go more than once in the next year and we think it would be cheaper. What can all you APers tell that the websites don't about the APs? Any info will be awesome and further feed my Disneyland addiction, thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

If you are super familiar with the DL AP site it tells you most of the things.

An AP will also get you a discount at a few offsite hotels.


Don't buy your AP until you are going, although if it's close, in the late Spring will probably comea price increase and it may be worth it to buy ahead of that. Keep an eye out news will hit fansites like the DIS quickly but there may not be much notice. Likewise when you figure out if it's worth it by comparing the AP cost to ticket costs over a year, consider that the ticket will likely go up too.

If you normally stay onsite it's not something to worry about, but if you usually stay offsite, you will loose the MM privlege you get with a 3 day or longer PH. So on your first visit you may want to go with a parkhopper, use the MM credit and then upgrade the PH to an AP.

Think hard about when your visit and if Delux blockout days would effect you. At a current cost of $59 if you had to go on a couple blockout days, you should get the Premium. Also if you stay far from DLR, and drive to the parks think about the parking option on the Delux or get the Premium. It may work that it's best for the person who pays to get a premium if everyone else has a delux. That way the payer recieves the larger discount that comes with the premium and get the free parking too.

 

[lcasa]

Along with losing those MM hours if you start with the AP : if you're planning your initial visit to be on days that are blackouts for the pass you're looking at it's definitely better to start with a park hopper and convert to the AP on your last day - but be careful to make sure they include in/out privileges on the last day ( I was in-line to enter recently behind someone that hadn't done that. He was unhappy...)

If you have to buy parking for someone and are looking at deluxe passes the premium is usually worth the $20 extra over deluxe + parking to get the 20% discount - for that 1 person anyway.

They've had a few private parties recently for AP'ers, and previews for Carsland might be in the offing. So make sure you watch the boards and sign up your AP with your email.

 

[shellncesar]

I think we will buy ahead and use them when we go (April 15th). Will they activate when we first use them? Also, do you know what hotels offer AP discounts?

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Do any of you know if the AP gets you discounts on character meals? Like, it sayys 10% off at Goofy's Kitchen--but is that only for regular meals there, not if you pay for the character meal and buffet?

Thanks!
AJ

 

[yoyoyo]

I think we will buy ahead and use them when we go (April 15th). Will they activate when we first use them? Also, do you know what hotels offer AP discounts?

If you're buying online, just bring the email confirmation attachment with you to a ticket booth, and it will be activated then. Keep in mind the purchase date of the tickets don't matter, its the first day of use that determines the expiration date for next year. The only hotels that I know of that give AP discounts is Hojo and Desert Palms. I'm sure there's more that I don't know of.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Do any of you know if the AP gets you discounts on character meals? Like, it sayys 10% off at Goofy's Kitchen--but is that only for regular meals there, not if you pay for the character meal and buffet?

Thanks!
AJ

The discount is for all character meals too. And Goofys only has character meals.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I think we will buy ahead and use them when we go (April 15th). Will they activate when we first use them? Also, do you know what hotels offer AP discounts?

If you're buying online, just bring the email confirmation attachment with you to a ticket booth, and it will be activated then. Keep in mind the purchase date of the tickets don't matter, its the first day of use that determines the expiration date for next year. The only hotels that I know of that give AP discounts is Hojo and Desert Palms. I'm sure there's more that I don't know of.

Didn't know about the Desert Palms. Hojo offers 20% off with an AP. They also have "retro rates" on select dates of the year that offer an even bigger discount with the AP. See here: http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29

Anabella Hotel offers special AP rates. I haven't stayed there so I don't know anything about that place, but I have seen some positive comments on the boards.

Candy Cane Inn just added an AP discount of $10 off per night. Some exclusions apply, and you have to book by phone to get the rate.

 

[Kimtastic]

You guys are right near us!!! We're in Santa Clara. WE have had APs for 2 years and think it is super worth it. Now if we feel like popping down for a long weekend we do.

I can tell you for us, the biggest benefits have been the free parking since we drive down (as I'm sure you would as well) we can now stay further away from the park (for much less) and drive into the parks. This also has prevented us from needing to get lockers at the parks b/c we just leave our extras in the car and head back if we need them.

Also the food discounts have come in handy and has made dining at DLR much cheaper than dining off site (at least for us).

I say get the APs, they are totally worth it if for nothing else, knowing you can go when you feel like it. You'll love it.

 

[millerette]

We just got our ap the week after christmas. We bought premium since we were going for christmas and they were considered block out dates. We stay off site in walking distance even though we have free parking because our daughter is asleep in her stroller by the end of the day. I would recommend hotels.com because after 10 nights you get one for free and depending on your price budget you may even get better prices on their website. I did when I inquired about the ap discounts. Have fun! We also love the 15% food discount and 20% merch discount, that in itself is a money saver!!