Annual Passholder Questions!

[MSCalhoun]

Hello!

I am considering becoming a passholder this year. I am so excited! Of course some of the things I haven't been able to find out about without being an actual passholder already. So maybe some of the current passholders here can help me out?

1.What are the typical room discounts?
2. Are you able to get dining without a ticket package?
3. If you can get a dining package, do they offer discounts to passholders?
4. What are the usual discounts for the special events? (Like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Christmas party)

Thanks so much! I am so excited to bring my two boys for the first time this year. They are 5 and 7 and talk about Disney so much, you would think they had already been there!

 

[aaarcher86]

Hello!

I am considering becoming a passholder this year. I am so excited! Of course some of the things I haven't been able to find out about without being an actual passholder already. So maybe some of the current passholders here can help me out?

1.What are the typical room discounts?
2. Are you able to get dining without a ticket package?
3. If you can get a dining package, do they offer discounts to passholders?
4. What are the usual discounts for the special events? (Like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Christmas party)

Thanks so much! I am so excited to bring my two boys for the first time this year. They are 5 and 7 and talk about Disney so much, you would think they had already been there!

1. Similar to what is out for the public. Maybe 5% more for each room tier.

2. Yes, you can get the DP without tickets by booking an AP ticketless package.

3. No discounts on dining.

4. From memory, they weren't huge. Maybe $6 or $7 a ticket or something on select dates.

 

[MSCalhoun]

Thank you so much!

 

[davedmaine]

On the dining, I'll make this very easy. If you have an AP do NOT get the dining plan. Get yourself a TiW card and you'll be much better off. 20% of all meals/drinks, and you're not a prisoner to the DP..

 

[stitchlovestink]

On the dining, I'll make this very easy. If you have an AP do NOT get the dining plan. Get yourself a TiW card and you'll be much better off. 20% of all meals/drinks, and you're not a prisoner to the DP..

But keep in mind that when you use the TIW card, it always AUTOMATICALLY adds an 18% gruatuity. That is not optional. Not trying to debate a point but just making sure OP is aware of that fact. That's all.

 

[DebbieB]

On the dining, I'll make this very easy. If you have an AP do NOT get the dining plan. Get yourself a TiW card and you'll be much better off. 20% of all meals/drinks, and you're not a prisoner to the DP..

Most counter service locations are not included.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm#restaurants

 

[AndiSlamberg]

Not to high jack this thread, but if you forget to mention you are an AP holder at when you call to book your room ressie, can you call back and have them apply your discount?
Sorry kinda a newb.

 

[aaarcher86]

Not to high jack this thread, but if you forget to mention you are an AP holder at when you call to book your room ressie, can you call back and have them apply your discount?
Sorry kinda a newb.

If it is a room only they can.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Not to high jack this thread, but if you forget to mention you are an AP holder at when you call to book your room ressie, can you call back and have them apply your discount?
Sorry kinda a newb.

Well, you can try but there has to be availability for that resort. Sometimes particular dates at resorts sell out...so that is the only thing. There has to be availability. But it usually will work and it helps to know the code. Not all the phone agents are good at knowing the appropriate codes to apply.

 

[AndiSlamberg]

I'm not too sure what the code means. Like a discount code? This is my senario.... We a couple that will be getting free AP's from Disney because we are getting married there this November. So if we call to book our room only and say we are ap holders as long as they are activated by check in we can still apply the discount. This is my understand of the rule, but I'm not too sure what you mean by code?

 

[MSCalhoun]

Thanks for the tips! I would need counter service, not sure we would do many restaurants when we go. Honestly, we would probably do our own food for most of our trips

Disney has a code for every discount out there. Annual Passholder's rates would have a special code to be applied for the discount. I suggest you go through a disney travel agency rather than booking directly through disney. They usually stay on top of the codes.

 

[cmwade77]

On the dining, I'll make this very easy. If you have an AP do NOT get the dining plan. Get yourself a TiW card and you'll be much better off. 20% of all meals/drinks, and you're not a prisoner to the DP..

I personally disagree for the following reasons:
First off is the savings, on our last trip we saved approximately 40% off what we would have paid out of pocket.

Second, I don't like the fact you have to pay extra above your annual pass. Disney world is the only U.S. theme park I know of that does this and I am no stranger to annual passes to theme parks. We have had or do have annual passes to Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood (Florida has similar discounts), Sea World (platinum passes that are valid at all Of their theme parks in the U.S., except Discovery Cove), San Diego Zoo, Los Angeles Zoo. All of these offer discounts without paying extra, some offer better discounts than others, but none require anything similar to TIW to get discounts.

Third, I find that with the dining plan, I usually eat better food than I would OOP, as I tend to eat cheaply when paying OOP.

Lastly, I resent automatic gratuity being added. I am not saying the servers don't deserve such a tip, I just don't like being told what I am going to tip.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

In our family, an AP meant more frequent visits in exchange for staying off site to save some serious dough. Getting free parking really adds to the savings.

I mention this because once you get an AP you will look for every chance to visit WDW. Some or all of our family visits 3-6 times a year. It is an addiction that can definitely upset the family budget!

Having the AP also takes the pressure off you in regards to trying to do everything in one visit. Now you can explore every nook and cranny because you know your next trip will be in "x number of months"!

 

[cmwade77]

In our family, an AP meant more frequent visits in exchange for staying off site to save some serious dough. Getting free parking really adds to the savings.

I mention this because once you get an AP you will look for every chance to visit WDW. Some or all of our family visits 3-6 times a year. It is an addiction that can definitely upset the family budget!

Having the AP also takes the pressure off you in regards to trying to do everything in one visit. Now you can explore every nook and cranny because you know your next trip will be in "x number of months"!

Don't I know it, we got the DVC annual passes because it was cheaper than tickets for all of the days we went. Now we are planning another trip in May and will probably try to squeeze at least one more in after that.

Since we are out of points, I am grateful that we know some CMs that can get is the friends and family discount.

 

[nonnasally]

In our family, an AP meant more frequent visits in exchange for staying off site to save some serious dough. Getting free parking really adds to the savings.

I mention this because once you get an AP you will look for every chance to visit WDW. Some or all of our family visits 3-6 times a year. It is an addiction that can definitely upset the family budget!

Having the AP also takes the pressure off you in regards to trying to do everything in one visit. Now you can explore every nook and cranny because you know your next trip will be in "x number of months"!

I totally agree AP definitely makes us crazier than the usual Disney fan! Having the AP does make you convince yourself You MUST go again SOON. We have saved once we get there but.... oh those Visa statements.