Yes! Another post on annual passes, bear with me!

[DisneyJillian18]

We have had APs for a few years now. Here is my story:

When we lived in NY, we did the AP if we were doing two or more trips in a year. I should mention, we have a DVC, so our prices is a little lower than the price to the general public. Not uncommon from us to schedule this year's week long vacation in August, and next years in June.

Two years ago, we moved to North Carolina (an 8 hour drive to WDW). For a long weekend (at least 3 day) trip, we will leave after work/school, drive about 6 hours (Jacksonville area), and stop. The next morning, we will leave and be at the parks by RD. On the last day, we leave the parks after lunch, get home by about 9PM.

I have never used the AP to get a hotel. Again, we have DVC, but for our weekend trips, we normally just stay at the Hampton Inn or Homewood Suites in Lake Buena Vista. Again, AP includes free parking, and since we are driving, we have our car. If you do it right, even a last minute weekend trip can be surprisingly affordable if you already have an AP.

AP also gives you the merchandise discount. Sadly, they changed the premium annual pass to only now have a 10% discount (it was 20% when we first bought it). However, add in TIW, and you can realize quite a bit of savings...

Lastly, yes, it is only a mindset, but with the APs, I don't think about a plan as much. I am ok just spending a few hours in a park. Once we changed plans at the last minute, and skipped the parks to head home on the last day due to the "Sunday Surprise" homework that nobody had mentioned until the "Dad, what time will we get home tomorrow night?" question. We have also planned a trip in just a couple of days.

We have not done a literal weekend only trip, but with family and friends still in NY, I could very easily see someone telling us they will be in Disney one weekend, and my wife asking if we could basically "go for the day Saturday". I know it will happen at some point.

Thanks! I like the idea of staying off-site to save money.

 

[DisneyJillian18]

To be clear, I think it is changing, but the last time we bought a TIW card, it was good for 13+ months.

In other words, I showed up on October 31st 2011, and wanted to buy a TIW card. The cm asked me if I was going to use it today. I said no. they then informed me that a card bought on Oct 31st would be good until the end of the next 13 months, or in other words, Nov 30, 2012. However, if I bought it the next day (Nov 1st) it would be good until Dec 31, 2012.

The bigger point being, it is not break even at $500 per trip, it is break even at $500 per year (or really per 13+ months).

It is only for sit down meals (not quick service), but when we went with my sister and family, we could easily spend $300 or more on the 10 of us at one dinner. I am sure if you drink, with a group you could easily pay for itself in one meal.

Lastly, some of the restaurants at DTD take the card as well. Since the TIW card does not necessarily expire when your AP does, you could be in a situation where you have no active Disney Park Tickets (say a separate Universal only trip after your APs expired), and still be able to use the TIW card.

I think we will defiantly spend $500 in a year! We normally spend between $500-600 with quick service so I'm sure table service will be more. Thank you!

 

[disfan4life1]

This seems really do-able! Thanks!

It really is... If you can't get a good room discount staying offsite is really good too. Parking would be free with AP and the trams get you closer than the busses do. And if you eat cheap a weekend is very do-able. I'm gonna miss it when it expires. Lol.

 

[DisneyJillian18]

It really is... If you can't get a good room discount staying offsite is really good too. Parking would be free with AP and the trams get you closer than the busses do. And if you eat cheap a weekend is very do-able. I'm gonna miss it when it expires. Lol.

If you don't mind me asking, will you not be renewing because of cost or not able to get your monies worth?

 

[disfan4life1]

If you don't mind me asking, will you not be renewing because of cost or not able to get your monies worth?

We won't be renewing right away due to taking a cruise in June for a senior trip and making that our main focus. After that we may buy the AP again when we decide to get back that way... Gotta wait and see how the kids schedules work out (college/high school have different holiday schedules). If I knew for sure that schedules would work out I wouldn't hesitate to renew. We had a blast this year and would love to do it all over again.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think we will defiantly spend $500 in a year! We normally spend between $500-600 with quick service so I'm sure table service will be more. Thank you!

Be sure to review the long list of restaurants on tablesinwonderland.com! It'll show you the short list of counter service places you can use it at, too. And if you haven't found Cheshire's post somewhere yet, the basics are that it's *less than* $500 in eligible food and drink, because the TAX is figured on the post-discount price. (tip for table services is based on PRE-discount, but not tax!) so it actually lowers the threshold.

 

[GigglyFigment]

Weekends are busy times at WDW because of locals. The crowds can sometimes be a bit unpredictable, too. You might find that after the drive you can't fit in everything you want.

As others said, plan your ticket purchase around your trips. Don't buy a ticket and then go. It's expensive AND it loses some of the magic when it turns into "UGH. I'm tired of eating at _____." It stops being a treat when you go too frequently. Not to mention you might end up having to miss out on fun stuff at home since you're saving up for yet another trip to Disney.

It's totally okay to go off on a weekend to someplace that is not Disney. You'll still have fun and it'll make Disney that much more special when you go there again.

I've only had an AP three times - all three times because I *planned* on going more than 13 days in a year and already had the money mostly set aside.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Just a note on TIW, I bought it in May and I believe it is accepted at all-star cafeterias and some counter service venues.

I also bought my AP in May with 2 trips in mind, but I am considering additional trips for rundisney events or just a warm weather break in winter. It is great because I only have to budget for hotel and airfare (driving for you). But it just plain makes shorter, sudden trips possible!

And on renewal, you will get the slightly cheaper renewal rate then.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I think we will defiantly spend $500 in a year! We normally spend between $500-600 with quick service so I'm sure table service will be more. Thank you!

Also, I found that with the discount, TS did not cost much more than CS. Especially places like The Plaza or even Sci-fi.

 

[DisneyJillian18]

We won't be renewing right away due to taking a cruise in June for a senior trip and making that our main focus. After that we may buy the AP again when we decide to get back that way... Gotta wait and see how the kids schedules work out (college/high school have different holiday schedules). If I knew for sure that schedules would work out I wouldn't hesitate to renew. We had a blast this year and would love to do it all over again.

Great! Thank you so much for all your advice!

 

[DisneyJillian18]

Be sure to review the long list of restaurants on tablesinwonderland.com! It'll show you the short list of counter service places you can use it at, too. And if you haven't found Cheshire's post somewhere yet, the basics are that it's *less than* $500 in eligible food and drink, because the TAX is figured on the post-discount price. (tip for table services is based on PRE-discount, but not tax!) so it actually lowers the threshold.

Thank you! I browsed it, but I would like to really look at.

 

[DisneyJillian18]

Weekends are busy times at WDW because of locals. The crowds can sometimes be a bit unpredictable, too. You might find that after the drive you can't fit in everything you want.

As others said, plan your ticket purchase around your trips. Don't buy a ticket and then go. It's expensive AND it loses some of the magic when it turns into "UGH. I'm tired of eating at _____." It stops being a treat when you go too frequently. Not to mention you might end up having to miss out on fun stuff at home since you're saving up for yet another trip to Disney.

It's totally okay to go off on a weekend to someplace that is not Disney. You'll still have fun and it'll make Disney that much more special when you go there again.

I've only had an AP three times - all three times because I *planned* on going more than 13 days in a year and already had the money mostly set aside.

Thank you! I really appreciate this perspective. It makes sense to try and plan your 13 days rather than to try and make time for 13 days.

 

[DisneyJillian18]

Just a note on TIW, I bought it in May and I believe it is accepted at all-star cafeterias and some counter service venues.

I also bought my AP in May with 2 trips in mind, but I am considering additional trips for rundisney events or just a warm weather break in winter. It is great because I only have to budget for hotel and airfare (driving for you). But it just plain makes shorter, sudden trips possible!

And on renewal, you will get the slightly cheaper renewal rate then.

It is accepted! Which is fine with us, we've never had a bad experience at Value hotels. I am also interested in rundisney events, might just see you out there!

 

[DisneyJillian18]

Also, I found that with the discount, TS did not cost much more than CS. Especially places like The Plaza or even Sci-fi.

I think it would at least be something fun to try, we would probably try different places. We normally stick to the same ones every trip. Thanks for your help!

 

[usacanada2008]

My belief is if you visit for more than 13 days in one trip, or are going for at least 2 trips in one year (both inside of 366 days really) totalling 13 days or more, yes the AP (annual pass) is worth it! Visiting 13 days in one year of ordinary tickets is about the break-even point. Any more than 13 days, an AP really starts to pay off just in terms of the ticket prices. Also there are discounts that depending on your resort, dining and shopping, the break even point moves back to fewer days. You can get similar discounts in other ways (WDW website has special offers year round, almost), but the AP resort discounts are up to 30% for deluxe, and up to 15% off for value resort. There are other discounts too including - free parking at all the parks; 10% off park merchandise and some Downtown Disney stores; and 10% off dining at a handful of restaurants (at least two at each park, several at Downtown Disney and Epcot, but ZERO at MK!). Then there is Tables in Wonderland card if you do table service a lot, for $100 extra you purchase a card that gives you 20% off your meals at most (but not all) WDW table service locations, and some quick service. That card gives an 18% automatic tip at table service keep in mind, so there it will appear like you got only 2% off but your tip was included. Break-even point on TiW card is if you spend $500 at table service (easy if staying 13 days or more!). If you're on the fence, or very close to 13 days total in a year, just get one AP -- you can enjoy the resort, dining and shopping discounts, and possibly get a TiW card for extra, with just ONE annual pass. PS - My advice is do not get a premium annual pass unless you plan to use the water parks and/or Disney Quest at least twice. That extra cost on the PAP is not worth it if you don't utilize those, in my opinion. Hope this helps!

If we chose to purchase 1 AP (family of 3) then we could use it to get discount room rates, ticket rates and the dining plan for the two who do not have an AP?

 

[bumbershoot]

If we chose to purchase 1 AP (family of 3) then we could use it to get discount room rates, ticket rates and the dining plan for the two who do not have an AP?

Yes you can use it for a room discount, yes you can get the AP ticketless package with just the one AP to get dining, but there are no ticket discounts for AP holders.

 

[dansamy]

Yes you can use it for a room discount, yes you can get the AP ticketless package with just the one AP to get dining, but there are no ticket discounts for AP holders.

There are party ticket discounts for AP holders.

 

[tlimbergsmith]

Hello all!

I was looking for useful info on APs & found this thread, so I wanted to ask a few questions.

I have 2 WDW trips planned for 2014: Oct 3-12 with a 5 day cruise in there & then another 5 days of parks only at Thanksgiving. All together it would be 1 5-day park hopper per trip or purchase an annual pass for myself & DD. If my math is correct, it would only cost me about another $30 to get the APs.

1) Are APs based on the calendar year (Jan-Dec 2014) or it it good for 365 days from the date I purchase it? If so, when is the latest you recommend that I purchase the pass? Can I purchase it on 10/3/14 when I arrive and will it then be good until 10/3/15?

2)If we stay on the property, can we purchase the dining plan? Also the timing of our first trip is during the time when WDW typically does the free dining plan, so I may be losing out on some savings there because I have read that APs are not eligible for free dining.

I would appreciate any feedback you want to give in regards to these questions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[siskaren]

Hello all!

1) Are APs based on the calendar year (Jan-Dec 2014) or it it good for 365 days from the date I purchase it? If so, when is the latest you recommend that I purchase the pass? Can I purchase it on 10/3/14 when I arrive and will it then be good until 10/3/15?

2)If we stay on the property, can we purchase the dining plan? Also the timing of our first trip is during the time when WDW typically does the free dining plan, so I may be losing out on some savings there because I have read that APs are not eligible for free dining.

I would appreciate any feedback you want to give in regards to these questions.

Thanks in advance!

1. When you buy it on property, it's active from the date of purchase.

2. I believe that AP holders can get the dining plan. What you can do if free dining is offered during your trip is you can book a package with the minimum ticket requirement (which I believe is a 2 day ticket) and then upgrade the ticket to an AP.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Hello all! I was looking for useful info on APs & found this thread, so I wanted to ask a few questions. I have 2 WDW trips planned for 2014: Oct 3-12 with a 5 day cruise in there & then another 5 days of parks only at Thanksgiving. All together it would be 1 5-day park hopper per trip or purchase an annual pass for myself & DD. If my math is correct, it would only cost me about another $30 to get the APs. 1) Are APs based on the calendar year (Jan-Dec 2014) or it it good for 365 days from the date I purchase it? If so, when is the latest you recommend that I purchase the pass? Can I purchase it on 10/3/14 when I arrive and will it then be good until 10/3/15? 2)If we stay on the property, can we purchase the dining plan? Also the timing of our first trip is during the time when WDW typically does the free dining plan, so I may be losing out on some savings there because I have read that APs are not eligible for free dining. I would appreciate any feedback you want to give in regards to these questions. Thanks in advance!

It is good for a year from the date you use it generally. However, I believe if you purchase it directly from a ticket counter at the park the clock starts, even if you do not enter the park. If you purchase a voucher ahead of time I think it doesn't start until you exchange it for the ticket. The best answer here is do not buy the AP/exchange your AP voucher until the day you plan to use it so you won't have to worry.

Yes AP holders can get the dining plan. You may also want to check the Dis discounts page. With the AP you get 10% off merchandise, resto discounts at some locations, (sometimes) better room discounts, and you are eligible for the tables in wonderland card. TIW costs $100 but gives you 20% off food and beverages at nearly every disney resto and some counter service too. It also includes alcoholic beverages. So the discounts may even it out for you. there is also the food and wine festival in October for food.

I love my AP, the only thing is it's true that when you have it you keep trying to plan extra trips!