Advice: 13 month AP, November visit, and price increases

[casagray]

I am back to my usual plan of visiting in November (5-9 is most likely ... okay, I already have a room reserved). I had thought to go out in January 2018 with my daughter, but with the weather issues that come in January I don't want to deal with possible travel problems. Unfortunately it looks like my daughter won't be able to join me in November .

Anywhoo, I was planning to get my usual 5 day park hopper, which right now is ~$282 through LMTCLub.

But ... I may possibly be able to take advantage of the 13 month deluxe annual pass mentioned in another thread, which would be $599; just waiting for a check to come in ... which hopefully will be this week. I earn "extra" money to pay for my annual trips.

If I can come up with the money and buy it now but activate it November 5 2017so it goes through December 5 2018... then I can use it for visits for two years (assuming I go again in 2018). It would be lovely to think I could use it more often, but I am not going to get my hopes up, or stress myself out overworking to pay for extra trips.

The thing is, at the right now price, it isn't cheaper to get the annual pass if I'm only going to use it for 10 days over 13 months. But ... then there is this pretty consistent rumor that the prices are going up soon.

So, I need advice. I realize nobody can know for certain what the price increase will be, but based on past experience, is it likely that a 5 day park hopper discount price will go up more than $17.50 this year (or ~$19.50 non-discount)? or more than $35 ($39) over two years?

In other words, if you did have the money, what would you do?

THX!

 

[GatorChris]

My advice is what I've done that past few years. Buy the AP. I wish I had the chance to get the 13 month AP - but I bought mine too early. Yes, right now the APs are way too pricey. I used to compare them to two 5 day hoppers. The first time I bought them, they were $500. The second time they were $600. I sorta feel gypped this time around. Of course, we do 6-7 day trips now with the use of the AP, and that's nice. What's also nice is getting 10% off of merch and dining.

The other things you get is that you KNOW you're coming back in a year because you have to make the pass worth it. The other, and this is a fave, is knowing I can go back down there nearly whenever between the two trips and hit it again and again. We're going again at the end of this month, I'm considering another short trip in May since I'll be down there for an event, and then there's a big convention in August that I'll be at, so I'll bring the family along and they can enjoy Disney "for free". That's what I like about have the AP.

 

[figment_jii]

Do you do any shopping or dining while at DLR? Currently, the Deluxe AP offers a 10% discount on many merchandise and dining purchases (you only have to spend $350 to make up the $35 ticket price difference over the course of your two trips). While no one knows if the discounts will continue in the future, they're good at least until December 31, 2017.

 

[casagray]

Good points on both - it does mean I have a clear reason to come back in November 2018 (and part of the trip already paid!). As a solo traveler not sure I spend that much on food per trip, I tend to be quite frugal, but it does help offset and defray the cost.

Thanks!

Now to hope that last check comes in...

 

[keolalessary]

Your situation sounds very familiar to mine. We do our best to travel to Disneyland every year, with our trips being in November. We buy deluxe annual passes for the whole family (5 of us, now). We plan our trip so we spend 7-10 days the first year and another 7-10 days the next year. With last year's promo it made it a different situation for us since we don't have to travel within 12 months.

Previous annual pass purchases forced us to start our annual passes on November 20 and we would return November 10(ish) the next year to use the pass until it expired (November 20th of the 2nd year). This year, though, we can travel any time before the 13th month and are not bound to the normal situation with the 12 month pass. Last year we started our passes on November 16th and this year we will probably go back from November 16-21 and November 26-December 3. We are also planning to make a trip at the end of May, if we can make the budget work.

You are far better off buying an annual pass rather than buying 5 day hoppers. You will have the flexibility of traveling when you want, as often as you want and with the AP discount. The price increase (if and when it happens) will put your 5 day hopper over $300 (I'm assuming) and the annual pass prices will probably go up as well.

I would buy the Deluxe passes online and activate them when you go to the park. It's what we do every two years. We don't renew our passes on the second year and skip until the next November trip, then start the cycle all over again.

 

[keolalessary]

For the price difference of $35 each, I would go with annual passes.

I forgot to mention that I actually upgraded my pass to a Signature so that we could get unlimited photo pass pictures and the higher 20% discount. We don't eat at the parks too often but we do purchase merchandise. I believe we are better off with the one upgraded pass as the included photopass plus is so awesome.

 

[LisaT91403]

Here's my take. First, I would want to you to be sure that both of your 5-day trips include days that are *not* blocked on the AP. If you are not wanting to go on any blocked days, then I'd lean towards the AP. I would buy $600 of Disney Gift Cards at Target using my RedCard. The cost for those cards would be $570, so you'd only be spending an "extra" $6 to have the AP. You would make that money back on the 10% discount in the parks, and maybe you'd have some other AP perks too.

 

[agamble]

Since you mentioned waiting on money, I just wanted to point out that regardless of whether prices increase this weekend or not the 13 month AP deal expires on the 11th. We already bought ours and they do say right on them that they are for 13 months, in case that was something that worried you.

 

[starry_solo]

Yes it is likely that a five day park hopper ticket will go up $17.50+ in the next two years

 

[dismom73]

I'm considering getting the AP for our upcoming trip in a couple of weeks. The 13 months starts the first day you enter the park correct? Not the date they are purchased?

 

[agamble]

I'm considering getting the AP for our upcoming trip in a couple of weeks. The 13 months starts the first day you enter the park correct? Not the date they are purchased?

Yes. APs don't count down until they're activated.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'd lock it in if you have the cash. Prices historically have always gone up, never down. (Unless you're buying a one day ticket at the new non-peak day pricing but that's not most of us.) Now, if this stresses you out or you think it might stress you out in the future I'd skip it and stick to your original plan of normal tickets.

Is it likely a 5 Day ticket will increase more than $39 over the next 2 years? I want to say no but in good conscious I cannot say that with ANY conviction because: Star Wars Land 2018. I would shake in my boots if I were wearing boots thinking about what can happen to ticket prices when that sucker opens.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Star Wars Land 2018

I just read a headline that Iger announced Star Wars Land is opening in 2019 for both parks. I'm sure we'll see plenty of price increases before then.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I just read a headline that Iger announced Star Wars Land is opening in 2019 for both parks. I'm sure we'll see plenty of price increases before then.

Actual dates! Kinda, actual year of opening! Sweet! https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ed-lands-at-disney-parks-set-to-open-in-2019/

Honestly, the longer until Star Wars the happier I am, not a really a Star Wars fan am I so I'm not looking forward to bigger park crowds & correspondingly higher prices. (Also- now yesterday's rumor of Iger extending his contract again is making more sense!)

 

[casagray]

Thanks everyone!
Hopefully things will work out to get the AP in the next few days!

If it says the offer expires on the 11th, does that mean I have through Friday (Feb 10), or through the 11th to get it?
TIA