1st time thinking about buying annual pass/need help

[Dean]

So ... the savings with the TIW would be $288.80 which would render the TIW unworthy as it would only be roughly 1/3 of the cost needed to break even, yes?

Do you think drinks would alter the consideration significantly?

Actually, thinking on it, as we go 3 or 4 times annually and do add pricey beverages this confirms the TIW discount card works for us.

Actually just looking at the TIW for the group it would be more than $288 in savings, more in the $460 range for our trip using the numbers I got comparing cash to DP. The difference is that 9 of the locations offers a 10% AP vs a 20% TIW and 5 both offer 20% for both. As I stated, alcohol does alter the consideration but it truly becomes YMMV. The other part is to look over multiple trips. The break even for DVC members is $150 over the 12-13 months the TIW card is active. In this discussion it's about having the AP and whether the TIW makes sense, I still think it doesn't for most people but the problem with generalizations is there are frequently exceptions. To a degree it's like the All Inclusive resort issue, it doesn't make sense for most people most of the time, esp where timeshares are concerned, but there are a FEW exceptions.

 

[mrsR123]

One can still purchase a pass on January 1st, it just isn't eligible to be used for entry on that day. The OP isn't going until later in January.

In your situation, even though it will backdate I would not be assuming that it will be for 13 months if you wait until the 3rd. I believe the requirement is to purchase it prior to the 3rd so I'd make that purchase upgrade before leaving the park on the 2nd.

Hmmm. I better double check.

upon further review, I won't be going in February 2018 or likely January for that matter, so I'm not worried. THanks for the heads-up, though.

 

[Anal Annie]

Currently there are precious few locations that offer a TIW discount that don't offer an AP discount. There are a few that offer 20% over 10%, about the only ones that do offer the discount are at non Disney resorts and a few counter service options plus the dinner shows looking at the listing on Allears. Without the dinner shows it'd be difficult to make up the difference unless one were targeting the ones that were different in favor of TIW exclusively and/or the big ticket items like dinner shows.

For our upcoming trip in January it was not hard to book at several places that take TIW but aren't giving the new AP discount if where TIW is higher. For example the MK TS restaurants.... Since we had just bought a new TIW card in September I was determined to use it at places where that was the only discount offered. So we will be using it at LLT & BOG.

 

[CarolMN]

You won't be able to buy a gold pass on the first. You'll have to buy it on the 3rd because the first and second are blocked.
I plan to use a six day hopper beginning on NYE, then I will upgrade to gold on the 3rd. I expect to get 13 months with a back-dated start date of 12/31.

You can't use a GOLD AP for admission to a park on a blocked day, but I don't see why you couldn't buy an exchange certificate or will call number & activate it later. Your year of admission wouldn't start until you visit Guest Relations and arrange to activate the pass.

 

[MIALIAS]

So with a dinner using AP you still have to pay for valet parking?

 

[Dean]

So with a dinner using AP you still have to pay for valet parking?

Yes, if you use it. Tip extra either way.

 

[MIALIAS]

Just valet parking might make the TIW worth it?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just valet parking might make the TIW worth it?

If you would otherwise use it, yes. If you would normally self park or use other transportation, no.
It's $25 to valet. You would tip in addition to that regardless if it's free or not.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just valet parking might make the TIW worth it?

Just to be clear, valet is only free when using your Tables card for dinner. It is not for parking at BW and entering Epcot. (For example)

MG

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just to be clear, valet is only free when using your Tables card for dinner. It is not for parking at BW and entering Epcot. (For example)

MG

So when you ask valet for your car do you show them your TIW plus your restaurant receipt?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

So when you ask valet for your car do you show them your TIW plus your restaurant receipt?

Yes... on the way in tell them you have tables. Get an extra receipt, or just take the itemized receipt, and give it to the valet desk on the way out.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If you're not staying on site and don't have an AP, there is a similar procedure to cover parking at the theme parks.

MG

 

[bumbershoot]

You can't use a GOLD AP for admission to a park on a blocked day, but I don't see why you couldn't buy an exchange certificate or will call number & activate it later. Your year of admission wouldn't start until you visit Guest Relations and arrange to activate the pass.

Makes sense. You could probably upgrade from a ticket TO a blocked pass on a blockout day as well, yes? Because they allow that normally.

So when you ask valet for your car do you show them your TIW plus your restaurant receipt?

Yes. That's been the procedure in the past when we've used it.