2 trips in 2010...Annual Pass??

[Lisa x]

Going in October 2010 staying at Universals Hard Rock for 2 weeks.....BUT.....

Today we managed to squeeze another week in....

20th Feb - flying Virgin PE - £480 for both of us using our miles!
Car with Alamo - £167
Four Points by Sheration - £260

£907!!!!!!!!!!!

So maybe a premuim annual pass might be the better option for us instead of getting a 7 day Disney pass AND a 14 day pass later on? Thing is, although we go to WDW every year and sometimes more than once, we have never even given it a thought to get an annual pass.....Can anybody offer us advice on where to get them, if it is worth it etc etc? We like to come and go to the parks all through our holiday as we please!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Portugal1000]

We did the same sort of thing but over 3 trips. We went on 6th Dec 08 for 3 weeks. The 11th Aug 09 for 17 nights and then our last trip on 28th Nov 09 for 2 weeks we were able to use our passes for the first 8 days. When we bought our tickets the dollar was 2.03 to the pound so it was a great deal then and we really did get our moneys worth. You also get the free parking which adds up. We bought the tickets direct from Disney US by calling the normal number, you cant get them in England. We just went to Guest Relation when we got there and they gave us our passes and they were valid from that day.

Hope this helps.

 

[wayneg]

For us the Premium AP are not worth buying, $140 more than the basic AP. We rarely do water parks so its cheaper to pay for a day or 2 in there with AP discount.

 

[disneyholic family]

we almost always get the premium AP - since we love the waterparks and disneyquest....
the moment you go for two trips, it becomes worthwhile to get it..

i know lots of people get vouchers and then pick up the ticket once they arrive at disney..
we always just buy it when we get there - you can purchase it at guest services..
if you purchase it in advance, then you go to guest services when you get there and trade in your voucher for an actual ticket..

we usually go to the guest services at downtown disney to pick them up, but you can also go to guest services at the parks...

 

[Lisa x]

Thanks so much everyone for your advice!

I think we will probably go for the Premium AP as we go into Disney nearly everyday of our holiday whether it be during the day for a walk round or later at night for fireworks and food!

Im thinking that the 21 days in total savings of $14 per day to park, more than likely to be $15 next year will be worth it too!!

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks so much everyone for your advice!

I think we will probably go for the Premium AP as we go into Disney nearly everyday of our holiday whether it be during the day for a walk round or later at night for fireworks and food!

Im thinking that the 21 days in total savings of $14 per day to park, more than likely to be $15 next year will be worth it too!!

you only need to get the premium AP (rather than the regular AP) if you also go into the waterparks (and disneyquest)..

I'm pretty sure the regular AP also gets you in the 4 theme parks any time you want to go...
the premium AP does that and also gets you into the waterparks and disneyquest as many times as you want...

 

[wayneg]

I believe the difference is about 4 or 5 days in water parks and DQ.
If you do less than 4-5 days then you are better with the cheaper AP and pay for water parks and DQ. more than 4-5 days better off with Premium AP.
We only do 1 water park, possibly 2 a year so not worth the $140pp extra.
Not worked it out recently as we have let our AP's lapse due to free DDP.

 

[Lisa x]

Thanks again!

BUT....now we have slightly changed our minds...

We have bought the Orlando Flex Ticket for our October trip (with us staying at the HRH, think we will prob use these parks so much more) so will probably use more of that than Disney, we will probably go to Disney a few times throughout the 2 weeks so not sure what to go for now!

We were thinking of getting the 7 day premium ticket for Feb but seeing as though the 14 day ultimate ticket is not much more, maybe we should get that and sell it to the people who seem desperate for them on I Drive at the end of the week (Never done this before so again, any advice on this is more than welcome!!)

Usually, we only book for a min of 2 weeks so ALWAYS get the 14 day ultimate, never had a week and then a fortnight to think about!!!

Maybe the malls, hotel pool, crazy golf might be an idea...BUT...there is NO way we can go to Orlando and NOT go to Disney.....NO CHANCE ha ha!! Got to go where the magic is!

 

[Elise79]

The regular AP (which sounds like your best bet as you don't seem to planning loads of water park days) is $521 inc tax, if you deduct the $98 saved on parking (7 days @$14) it will cost you $423 after your feb trip. At an exchange rate of £1:$1.58 it will be approx £268. The 7 day ticket will cost you £210 - so around an extra £60 which will give you the option to visit as much as you like on the second trip.

Obviously the second AP won't have the savings. My suggestion would be to maybe get one AP and maybe one 10 day non expiry (US ticket) as that would give you 3 or 4 days to use in October depending on how many days you use in Feb.

ETA - AP is approx £330 before any savings are taken into account.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Sorry can I be nosy and ask where you booked Four Points? We're considering staying here in May and that's an amazing price you got!

 

[wayneg]

Sorry can I be nosy and ask where you booked Four Points? We're considering staying here in May and that's an amazing price you got!

Try these 2 sites they usually have it for under £40/night.

www.travelrepublic.co.uk

www.1800hotels.com

 

[scottishgirl87]

Try these 2 sites they usually have it for under £40/night.

www.travelrepublic.co.uk

www.1800hotels.com

Thanks, Wayne! The official site is quoting me $1400 (about £875) for one week while Travel Republic is quoting £436! That's about half price Ohh just checked 1800hotels and it's even slightly cheaper there at £409!

Booking accommodation is the last piece of our puzzle, so to speak. Just hoping for some offers to come my way!

 

[wayneg]

I rarely book direct with a hotel unless its Disney or Universal. Saved £1,000's using sites like these.

 

[Lisa x]

The regular AP (which sounds like your best bet as you don't seem to planning loads of water park days) is $521 inc tax, if you deduct the $98 saved on parking (7 days @$14) it will cost you $423 after your feb trip. At an exchange rate of £1:$1.58 it will be approx £268. The 7 day ticket will cost you £210 - so around an extra £60 which will give you the option to visit as much as you like on the second trip.

Obviously the second AP won't have the savings. My suggestion would be to maybe get one AP and maybe one 10 day non expiry (US ticket) as that would give you 3 or 4 days to use in October depending on how many days you use in Feb.

ETA - AP is approx £330 before any savings are taken into account.

Thanks, definitely worth considering in that case! Great to get a few replies to consider!

Sorry can I be nosy and ask where you booked Four Points? We're considering staying here in May and that's an amazing price you got!

We booked with greatlatedeals.co.uk! Book with them nearly every time as I can never seem to find cheaper than them! Let me know what you find!

Try these 2 sites they usually have it for under £40/night.

www.travelrepublic.co.uk

www.1800hotels.com

I think travelrepublic is part of the greatlatedeals.co.uk lot so that will probs b the same kinda price!! But thanks Wayne, 1800hotels will definitely be one I add to the list of places to look!!

 

[scottishgirl87]

We booked with greatlatedeals.co.uk! Book with them nearly every time as I can never seem to find cheaper than them! Let me know what you find!

Thanks, Lisa! Just checked them and they're quoting £446 Judging by your signature you'd recommend the Four Points as well??

 

[Lisa x]

Thanks, Lisa! Just checked them and they're quoting £446 Judging by your signature you'd recommend the Four Points as well??

Ha ha ha, yeah we really like it. The rooms have always been really nice, spacious and clean! There is an i-ride trolley stop straight outside which comes in handy when you want to drink and not drive!

We actually walk to US/IOA from there and to CityWalk in the evenings if there is no downpour!!

Loads of restaurants all around! Free parking and shuttles to US/IOA and Seaworld (I think - never used them but seen them advertised)! And the pool area is nice, clean, quiet and has a bar - The bar wins it for us ha ha!!

 

[scottishgirl87]

Ha ha ha, yeah we really like it. The rooms have always been really nice, spacious and clean! There is an i-ride trolley stop straight outside which comes in handy when you want to drink and not drive!

We actually walk to US/IOA from there and to CityWalk in the evenings if there is no downpour!!

Loads of restaurants all around! Free parking and shuttles to US/IOA and Seaworld (I think - never used them but seen them advertised)! And the pool area is nice, clean, quiet and has a bar - The bar wins it for us ha ha!!

Thanks for the advice Sorry for totally hijacking your thread, lol.

 

[Lisa x]

Thanks for the advice Sorry for totally hijacking your thread, lol.

Oh you can hijack as much as you like, Iv had my answers now! ha ha! x