After 16 years, letting annual pass expire

[teriyaki]

Now that Premium APs are $500 (deluxe block out too many school holidays and vacations like spring break, Christmas break) we are letting our passes expire for the first time in 16 years.

When you compare WDW Premiums passes at $552, the choice of 4 parks vs. DL's 1 1/2 parks (how long has half of DCA been under construction?), it's just not worth it anymore. Here we are, the Park that Started it All, and our perks and discounts pale in comparision to those of WDW passholders and FL residents. They even offer discounts on cruises in FL. Now that DCL is cruising out of San Pedro, shouldn't DL passholders and CA residents receive the same benefits?

Am I the only one who feels like this?

 

[skiingfast]

I'm not sure WDW gets the better bargain out of thier pass.

Not sure you've been to DCA either, exactly what half is under construction?

If you let your AP lapses, you can always get another one.

 

[Gisele]

What about the AP that allows a person into DL/DCA and WDW in Orlando, Fl? That price is $700.00. Maybe that will work out the best for you? Anyway, don't feel bad, Disney's AP will be there for you waiting when you are ready to purchase, and with open arms as well.

Have a great time on your next vacation!

 

[Gisele]

Sorry, I just checked, and it must have gone up, for I am certain it use to be $700 anyway, it is $749.00 for the Disney Premiere Passport. Still though, for what is received, that is a most excellent price in my opinion. So for the person that will be able to enjoy both parks during the year, that really is a great offer.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/

 

[PinkBudgie]

I can understand that. It does get expensive for a family.

I know I've heard the WDW podcast crew here complain that DLR offers a better AP than WDW. Maybe we get more food and merchandise discounts.

Living 8 hours away we can't drop by anytime. We get APs for our summer trip, go once during the year, then go back the next summer before it expires. We go three times- two 5 day summer vacations and one 2 or 3 day mid year trips. Then we let the APs expire until the next summer. I've heard rumors that DLR may go to a month by month basis, so we may not be able to continue to do this.

 

[DisneyFairytale]

Now that Premium APs are $500 (deluxe block out too many school holidays and vacations like spring break, Christmas break) we are letting our passes expire for the first time in 16 years.

When you compare WDW Premiums passes at $552, the choice of 4 parks vs. DL's 1 1/2 parks (how long has half of DCA been under construction?), it's just not worth it anymore. Here we are, the Park that Started it All, and our perks and discounts pale in comparision to those of WDW passholders and FL residents. They even offer discounts on cruises in FL. Now that DCL is cruising out of San Pedro, shouldn't DL passholders and CA residents receive the same benefits?

Am I the only one who feels like this?

That is insane. I don't blame you. Our last trip in Disneyland, we really did a lot of shopping and were able to get 20-30% discounts all over the park, as well as enjoy the perks of not having paid the $500 for the pass. Very sad they have gone that high. I will admit, all we have been able to do, is go there 1-2 times a year(we're in Canada), but I don't know that renewing will be worth it for us either. Not at that cost. Really unfortunate they would take advantage of this. It's a real shame.

I think we MAY possibly still renew, only because we park there, so for the free parking you end up saving money-but otherwise, I dont know that it would be worth it, not when we live this far away and a second trip is not guaranteed.

 

[teriyaki]

I'm not sure WDW gets the better bargain out of thier pass.

Not sure you've been to DCA either, exactly what half is under construction?

If you let your AP lapses, you can always get another one.

During the past year at DCA, Mulholland Madness was closed while they changed it to Goofy's Sky Coaster, the whole area around Golden Dreams was closed while the Little Mermaid was put in, the ways to and from the Tower of Terror were closed because of Cars Land construction, the Orange Stinger was closed while it was changed to silly Symphony swings...

I know we can always get another pass, but the price is only going to increase as long as people will continue to buy them.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I feel your pain. AP are getting more and more expensive and the parks are getting more and more crowded. And the contruction at DCA can be annoying (don't like the new re-route at the entrance). Personally I bought the Premium for the first time this year for DD and myself. Only reason I did is because I didn't know her school schedule until months later. Turns out I could have bought the SC one and been fine. Now I am on the fence about upgrading our Premiums to Premiere since we are going to WDW in one month. Our AP exp.on 12/23 and I don't plan on going to WDW again before then.

BTW, the Premiere AP are $749, plus tax. According to the CM I got the upgrade quote from since FL charges tax on the AP and CA doesn't then Disneyland has agreed to split the tax with FL. By that I assume we only have to pay 1/2 the tax?

I know many families feel the same as you do. We always let our AP lapse for a few months. Our last ones expired in mid-Oct. and I got new ones on 12/23. I will probably get our next AP in Feb. since DD12 will be out of school that whole month. But I will be buying one of the cheaper ones, with parking on one of them.

 

[Hoku]

I wonder if the reason WDW, with seemingly more bang for the buck, is almost the same price as DLR is because WDW has more space to pack more people in, whereas space at DLR is at a greater premium. I'm also willing to bet their pass doesn't include the water parks, mini golf or DTD attractions.

 

[skiingfast]

I wonder if the reason WDW, with seemingly more bang for the buck, is almost the same price as DLR is because WDW has more space to pack more people in, whereas space at DLR is at a greater premium. I'm also willing to bet their pass doesn't include the water parks, mini golf or DTD attractions.

WDW has two levels. One is just the parks, the other is with the extras like you are mentioning.

 

[Hoku]

WDW has two levels. One is just the parks, the other is with the extras like you are mentioning.

Sure enough! Just checked the WDW website. A standard WDW park AP is $519. Add the waterparks etc, and it's $649.

 

[LisaCat]

Sorry, I just checked, and it must have gone up, for I am certain it use to be $700 anyway, it is $749.00 for the Disney Premiere Passport. Still though, for what is received, that is a most excellent price in my opinion. So for the person that will be able to enjoy both parks during the year, that really is a great offer.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/

It was $700 when I bought it last year. Mine expires on 10/31. It was an excellent deal since I had 2 trips to DLR planned for 2011 and was spending 6 days at WDW.

 

[teriyaki]

Thanks for weighing in. I'm glad I'm not the only person disenchanted with the pricing. I guess misery does like company

 

[hootey]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that feels this way. We went for our usual trip to DL for a week in april this year. Everything had went up, we had to pay for parking this year. Our trip cost about eleven hundred more in april than it usually cost for almost the exact same trip. I felt like I got billed for touring a construction site. The DL employees were not very friendly this year, usually they are going out of thier way to make sure everything is fantastic. Not this year, I got the impression some of them were not happy campers.( we were told DL & the employee union were in contract talks while we were there). I believe it, I was not impressed this year at all. On the drive home the wife asked about going back in the fall and I told her to send me a postcard, I wasn't going for what it cost. We usually go a couple times a year for at least a week at a time, not anymore. DL until this year was a true vacation. Great food, great service, really catered to by the DL employees. Now they act like they could care less if you are even there. We did character breakfasts everyday, the whole nine yards as the saying goes. Not after the trip in april. The wife wants to go back with the boys one more time after they finish all the construction. She assures me it will be just like old times with the new rides. We will see. We are not staying in the DL hotel this next time either. DL is a good place but, when they charge you though the nose for everything, the food is beyond bad, and the employees act like they do, who cares?

 

[austizzle]

Ok so first thing's first:
I understand your frustrations. I have my own, I have a premium AP and my issue is that things like the Halloween party aren't included in it. Or that there isn't a deep discount on the tickets.

As for price increases, it's the same as ticket prices - it costs A LOT of money to keep the parks operational. I don't mind SMALL increases. To me it's still a great deal. If I go 4.5 times in a year it's paid for itself. Considering I go once a week when I'm home and not on the road for work it turns into being free. I mean, park entrance, and parking included - and then on top of that I get food and merch discounts. I'm fine with it.