Advice regarding AP's for Aquatica/Busch gardens

[brer rabbit 28]

Hi guys,

I think I have this right but I just need someone to confirm it for me!!

We are planning a return trip within the year so we have already bought AP's for both Disney and Universal, this has saved us a ton of money in the long run.

As we are going to book Discovery Cove for this trip, we are now looking at AP's for Aquatica and adding Busch Gardens on and I just need some advice.

Single day Aquatica + single day BG + Discovery cove = $380 approx (without tax and parking)

AP for Aquatica + BG + 1 day Discovery cove (with AP discount) = $329 (without tax) and parking will be free!

This seems like such a no brainer to me but I feel like I'm missing a trick somewhere here! Please tell me I have this right.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Has anybody done this?

 

[wayneg]

Both times we have been to DC we have done it with AP discount but for many the cheapest way is buying the Ultimate package, includes DC & 14 days in SW, Aquatica & Busch. Travelrepublic are doing it for £167 1st-15 Oct, maybe cheaper elsewhere. http://www.travelrepublic.co.uk/Attractions/ProductView.aspx?PIV=18
At about $260 that seems cheaper for you but depends if you are going to use the AP again for another trip, then it might be worth spending more for your return visit, free parking & discounts.(only need 1 AP for all these)

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Thanks Wayneg. Will check out this link and weigh it up. We thought we might visit Aquatica a few times so might be worth the AP for both of us.

 

[weaverlfc]

Im looking at doing discovery cove, and also want to get Annual passes for Seaworld & Busch.

I haven't looked into prices that much yet, but it sounds like what your saying is its best to buy the annual passes first then book discovery cove at the annual pass discount rate?

 

[wayneg]

Im looking at doing discovery cove, and also want to get Annual passes for Seaworld & Busch.

I haven't looked into prices that much yet, but it sounds like what your saying is its best to but the annual passes first then book discovery cove at the annual pass discount rate?

You don't need to have an AP to book AP rate at DC, you just need to show it on the morning you check into DC.
To book DC AP rate for this year you goto their site and enter "passmember2011" where it says "enter your promotion code"
http://www.discoverycove.com/
Unless they have changed it anyone can book like this and then you just show your AP on the day, one AP allows about 6 people to go in at the discounted rate(I can check that if you need to know)

 

[weaverlfc]

You don't need to have an AP to book AP rate at DC, you just need to show it on the morning you check into DC.
To book DC AP rate for this year you goto their site and enter "passmember2011" where it says "enter your promotion code"
http://www.discoverycove.com/
Unless they have changed it anyone can book like this and then you just show your AP on the day, one AP allows about 6 people to go in at the discounted rate(I can check that if you need to know)

Right, thanks.

Do you know if you can upgrade the 14 day tickets than come with the ultimate package, into Annual Passes? As there are dates i can do for $199 plus $50 for the 14 day tickets and that's the normal rate not the AP rate.

Im trying to work out which way would work out cheapest.

Buying the Annual Passes and booking discovery cove at AP rate

or

Buying the ultimate package on one of the value dates and then upgrading the tickets to AP's, if that's even possible? lol

 

[wayneg]

Right, thanks.

Do you know if you can upgrade the 14 day tickets than come with the ultimate package, into Annual Passes? As there are dates i can do for $199 plus $50 for the 14 day tickets and that's the normal rate not the AP rate.

Im trying to work out which way would work out cheapest.

Buying the Annual Passes and booking discovery cove at AP rate

or

Buying the ultimate package on one of the value dates and then upgrading the tickets to AP's, if that's even possible? lol

I suggest ringing or emailing SW and asking, not something that has been discussed before or I don't remember.

 

[weaverlfc]

I e-mailed Discovery Cove and this was the the response:

"We are not able to upgrade the 14day passes to an annual pass because it is a promotional offer without an actual dollar amount associated with it, so there would be no way to apply the payment toward the cost of a pass"

I'm impressed with how quick they responded.

 

[wayneg]

I always seem to get a speedy response from SW/DC/Busch its Disney that can be very slow or totally ignore my emails.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

We have decided to go for the AP's as we are doing 3 weeks this year and 2 weeks next year, we will easily go to Aquatica 3 times this year and Busch gardens maybe twice. With the car park savings and discounts on food etc it's a great deal. What a shame that us brits can't do the flexi pay option though.

 

[wayneg]

What a shame that us brits can't do the flexi pay option though.

You mean EZpay? thats how we pay for ours, they take $30/month($10pp) out of my bank for 2 park passes(Busch & SW)
I remember having some problem doing it online but the passport office at SW set it up for me no problem.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Really? Would you advice calling them up or doing it when we get there?

Cheers for all the advice

 

[wayneg]

Really? Would you advice calling them up or doing it when we get there?

Cheers for all the advice

I am not one for using phones, I prefer face to face or online, maybe ring them or email and confirm you can still do it then go into the passport office when you get there. Things change, you need to know they still do it for us in UK, have you tried the SW boards on here?
I wanted to do it online to save paying for my 1st day parking, I printed off the papers saying I had tried to buy but it wouldn't accept it and showed them at the gate, they were insisting I paid parking, I was adamant I wasn't when I was signing upto 2 years AP, they eventually let me in when the cars started lining up behind. Others have posted they paid parking then got it back at the passport office but they told me I couldn't get it back so I wouldn't give in

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Well done! I think I would do exactly the same. I have no shame when it comes to standing my ground