Annual Pass Help for Newbie

[stevelamb121]

Hi All,

I'm new to all this annual pass stuff, I've had a look at DLRP magic at the different passes etc.

I was looking at the dream pass for £133 (roughly converted from euros)

I can't understand how this would save me money? I know you get the discount on the hotel, but can I book the hotel only, as the prices on the web include passes anyway.

I booked to go in may for me DW and my 18 mth son, paid £532 for the cheyenne and got the 1 day 1 night free offer. now if I had paid £266 for 2 passes for me and DW how would this have saved me?

Sorry if this all sounds dumb to those of you in the know

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi,

Its not just the room only prices you can save money on with a Dream Pass. You get 20% off almost every souvenir you buy at any shop/stall in the park, Studios and Village, plus 10% off every food/drink item you buy at any restaurant/counter service/food stall in the park, Studios and Village.

As an example, in November I took my daughter and niece to the Cheyenne for a 2 night stay. The total cost of the room at the Cheyenne, using my Dream Annual Pass discount, was £94 for the 2 nights (you phone the Disney booking telephone number from the brochure, tell them you have a Dream Pass, and they quote you room only prices). As we had annual passes, we paid nothing for park tickets. Add to that the 20% off souvenir shopping (very handy as it was pre-Christmas , and the 10% off all food (including character meals) and it was a very reasonable trip indeed.

I have used our annual passes as park tickets for 3 days each already, we have at least one more trip planned of 3 days duration using them before they expire this year, and hopefully I'll get enough others sponsored to be able to extend my annual pass for free for another whole year.

Seriously, when you count up all the discounts you get with a Dream pass, it really does pay for itself. It certainly has for me, especially since my DD's pass was free.

Elaine

 

[ruthiebabie]

The room only discount is only a benefit for visit 2 for most people. But if you intend to come more than once in a year the pass saves you money in the shops, restaurants and hotels so thats where you make the savings from. Assuming you are as Disney stupid (or should that be mad) as most of us and spend money on mouse related merchandise!!

 

[stevelamb121]

I do like to spend money on the mouse, however I only get there about once a year, and this is only my second trip coming up. (last may was the last time)

So say I got a dream pass, except all the discount at various shops/restaurants.

I would only need to book the room, as the dream pass will give me park admission? Do you think it is worth it for a once a year visit though? hmmm.

Am I right in thinking you get a magazine of some sort too, doe this have much in?

 

[DLPdaft]

The magazine is all in French, and is usually only about 6 pages long lol!
If you're only intending going once a year (visiting the parks for at least 3 days), maybe the Fantasy pass might make more sense then? Its 50 euros per person less, and still gives you some discounts on restaurants etc. It can also give you room discounts, but those are less than with a Dream pass, and subject to availability.

Its all about crunching those numbers !

Elaine

 

[ruthiebabie]

Plus to get the room discount you need to be in possession of the pass as they ask you for the pass number at the point you book. Theres a few threads going on this at the moment. Therefore if you've already got a package with tickets included you would only get the restaurant/shop benefits of the AP this time. Next time however you could ring and book room only and use the pass for entrance plus discounts.

 

[Rachie B]

thought i'd ask this in here rather than start a new thread ..........

does anyone know what time the Annual Passport Bureau is open until ??

we are going to DLRP from Fri 8th - Mon 11th aug ,staying offsite

we would like to go to the park to get our APs sometime on the fri afternoon,depending what time we get to our accom etc

stay for a while,then eat dinner,prob in the village

the car parks would be chokka at this time?! so could we park in the village ? then move the car to HNY once we have our APs ?

have no idea if this makes sense, or even where the HNY is

thanks for any help

 

[A Small World]

Think the AP office is open til about 7.00ish - may be later when the park is open very late but not sure.
You could park your car in the village and then move it. You pay by the hr in the Village and pay on leaving. When we went last yr there was a scheme that if you ate in the village you could get a pass for 2 hrs free parking in the Village carpark - we were there for more than 2 hrs but 2 hrs was deducted from the cost.

HNY is just through the Village - go out by Cafe Mickey and you are almost there. Driving tho you go into Village carpark before you get to hotels (its signposted as is HNY and all others)

 

[Rachie B]

thanks

7pm will be fine,i'm hoping to get there around 4/5pm or even earlier

thanks for the directions guidance too

 

[Rachie B]

another Q while i think of it !

the free parking with a dream pass.......... is it ANY person in the car with one ? or does it have to be the driver ?

we are taking our car,and we will all have APs

then 2 friends are going in their car ,but they will only be having day passes

so i was thinking, if i go in their car,i could show my pass and park for free?
and hubby in our car get our parking for free ?

 

[Cyrano]

another Q while i think of it !

the free parking with a dream pass.......... is it ANY person in the car with one ? or does it have to be the driver ?

Any person We've used DD6's but they did check to make sure she was in the car

Your plan with your friends would work. I would even go in their car. Just arrive together and let security see both passes and let them know for the car behind

 

[Rachie B]

fab ,thanks

 

[Inkmahm]

If I have an annual pass, is the food discount for just me or for a friend I have with me, too?

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi,

Its discount on the total bill -

When you ask for your bill, say you have an annual pass, and they will give you the annual pass discount on your bill. You should always tell them before you are presented with your bill, to save them having to take it back and recalculate it.

Same with counter-service - when you are ordering your food/drinks, tell the cashier you have an annual pass, and you pay the discounted price on the total bill.

Elaine

 

[Inkmahm]

Thank you for the info!