advantages of Annual Pass

[mikewdw]

considering getting an AP for the first time. I have only read up a little on it. I seem to remember that 8 days if the break even point for most situations. we live in AL so can drive. what are the other advantages/perks of an AP and is 8 days still roughly the break even point. we are both teachers with 3 kids so we would have to stay in mod or deluxe (or suite). would it be worth it to try it for a year? any advice/info appreciated
mikewdw

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You get 10% merchandise discount in most places at WDW, and some dining discounts. Free parking at the parks. Some AP room discounts although those are not as good as they used to be. Opportunity to buy a Tables in Wonderland membership to save on (mostly table service) food. If you are teachers, take note of the blackout dates for the discount at certain restaurants, some are in high summer. Sometimes advance booking or discounts for special events.

Get AP for sure if you are going to get your money's worth in park admission on it. Look at the other perks as just bonuses, because they can change or go away at any time.

 

[kbonner]

There are a lot of benefits to AP holders. These include discounts on all sorts of things from food to room discounts. I would look at how many times you would go in a year and how many days for each trip.

 

[snorkelyn]

considering getting an AP for the first time. I have only read up a little on it. I seem to remember that 8 days if the break even point for most situations. we live in AL so can drive. what are the other advantages/perks of an AP and is 8 days still roughly the break even point. we are both teachers with 3 kids so we would have to stay in mod or deluxe (or suite). would it be worth it to try it for a year? any advice/info appreciated
mikewdw

It looks like you go every year, according to your signature. I would say that an annual pass would be a good deal for you. You could buy one every other year. A great way to do this is to book a package with whatever discounts are out (we did it during free dining). Once you get there, upgrade your tickets to APs and pay the difference, then plan a trip just before it expires. That way you only pay for passes every other year. If the AP resort rate is a better deal- you can book it by phone, and upgrade to AP within 24 hours of check-in (so, you don't need to HAVE the AP yet in order to use the AP rate).

We planned to go Sept 2013 and Sept 2014. We ended up adding a spring break trip, an anniversary trip (w/o kids), and a summer trip. With an annual pass- it becomes a relatively inexpensive place to go for a long weekend- especially if you drive. Food costs will add up- but we use tables in wonderland. We can eat at some table restaurants for about the same price as a quick service.

We are also a family of 5. We really like Port Orleans Riverside. It works out perfectly for our family. We like the deluxes too (Wilderness Lodge Villas now accommodate 5 since they remodeled and added sleeper chairs in the studio units). Also, did you know that the Dolphin (accommodates 5) offers a pretty good teacher rate? And the location near Epcot and HS is awesome!

Why not try it for a year.

 

[pkelly6]

A great way to do this is to book a package with whatever discounts are out (we did it during free dining). Once you get there, upgrade your tickets to APs and pay the difference

Does everyone in your party have to upgrade? Many thanks!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Does everyone in your party have to upgrade? And when can I find the cost to upgrade? Many thanks!

No. Previously I had just one AP.

 

[BrerNashville]

I seem to remember that 8 days if the break even point for most situations.

It's not so much the number of days as it is the number of trips. An AP is worth it if you take two trips of 6 days or more, or three trips of two days or more (though three 2 day trips are not quite worth it). By worth it, I mean comparable cost. The AP has a "built-in" park hopper feature, so one danger that I have run into is before APs, we would never get park hoppers, but when mine runs out at the end of this year, I will likely really miss the park hopper feature if I just do multi-day tickets.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I've had several AP's. For me, part of what prompted me to get one, was the savings off our hotel room. Disney's deals vary. Sometimes the best deal )on a week long trip) is the AP discount (plus Tables in wonderland), often the best deal is the general public discount. (enough to cover the added cost) If I think I'll be able to go more than once in a given year, it is often worth getting an AP.

The other discounts don't usually do much for me. First, you have to ask for it. Forget to ask? Too bad. Second, the Tables in wonderland discount usually eclipses any dining discounts. The merchandise discount is only like 10%, only at certain places, and is the same as other discounts. (Like AAA or Disney Visa.)

One new tiny advantage of an AP is how the new FP+ works -if you will use your passes for more than one trip to WDW. In order to book FP's, you need to have a ticket registered in the system. Any ticket will work, but having one AP under each person's name is just easy.

Rarely AP holders get invited to previews of new attractions/shows. It's rare, but if the magic happens, it is pretty neat.

As others have said, current AP discounts are often not much better than general public ones. Also, when offered, they often come out very late.

Figuring out price differences is also a tad complicated sometimes. You have to do all the math for your individual situation to find which is the best deal.

 

[Dan Murphy]

AP benefits here on Deb's site.

http://allears.net/pl/apass.htm

And here are the various prices.

http://allears.net/pl/ticketchart.htm

With recent price hikes, a lot more than 8 days needed. Multiple trips are the monetary key.

 

[kakiegirl]

If you go every year, we do the AP every other year and get 2 years vacations out of it. That right there makes it more than pay for itself and everything else: extra trips and discounts makes it even better.