Annual Pass in the Midwest

[dolewhipdreams]

Hello fellow DISers! (Is that the term? Still kinda new here)

Anyway, I live in Missouri and I'm considering getting an AP next year so I can make multiple trips to da World. I'm trying to figure out the cost and if it's worth it. Worth it financially, anyway. In terms of happy tears it would definitely be worth it. But I can't pay the bills with happy tears.

Anyone out there from around where I'm at who has an AP and flies to WDW multiple times a year? What are your general trip costs? Any tips for saving money on flights and stays? I'm looking at probably 3-ish trips of about 4-6 days/trip. I want to hit up F&G and Christmas time for sure and it will just be me so I only have to worry about my schedule and paying for one person.

Is it easy to book a last minute trip if there's a stellar deal on airfare and rooms?

Any and all tips/experience-sharing would be appreciated!!

 

[bashuck]

I live between Chicago & St Louis and get an annual pass and go three times in those 12 months. First trip is when activating, 2nd sometime between 4 & 6 months later and then again right before it expires. We are DVC but even without their discount the AP is a clear value if you are otherwise going 3 times. Then we don't renew but get a new annual pass 6 months later when the next trip starts.

We (3 of us) always fly in on Southwest using points from Chase cards but even if paying cash I would use them. Fly from MDW or STL. If you use them you can rebook for free if the cost of the flight goes down so always keep an eye out if that happens.

 

[sfbank]

DH, DD, and I live in southern Iowa and we have annual passes. We just make sure we can make two trips within each renewal then we just buy a 10 or 11 day hopper for DDs friend that comes with us that year. Works great plus you get discounts and Tables in Wonderland. We fly Delta and also have a companion ticket program and free checked bags with our American Express Delta card. Makes it pretty cheap and we do pay for everything for the friend DD beings along.

 

[DreamRunner1]

Hello fellow Midwesterner. DH and I are from the Chicago suburbs and we both have APs (have for 2 years). For us, we take several 3-4 day weekend trips a year, plus a little longer one for a runDisney event weekend.

One benefit we have, is that due to his SWA status, we get Companion Pass, which means I only pay taxes and upgrades for my flights. So basically we only pay for one ticket each trip. Usually if we book tickets a month or more out, then it's around $200 for a round trip.

We usually try to save some money and do the Moderate Resorts (Deluxe for the runDisney weekends to 'treat ourselves'). You'll often find a decent AP discount on those rooms and for shorter trips the moderates work great in our opinoin. We can usually find a moderate for under $200 per night.

We also have the Tables in Wonderland card for additional discounts when possible (this offers discount on adult beverages). Plus being DVC we often get additional discounts on the AP pricing. Also, when you renew your AP each year, you'll get a discount just for renewing a current pass.

It's funny to see us when we dine or shop at WDW - we literally pull out the AP card, the DVC card and the TiW card and just let the CM pick which one is the best deal!

 

[disneyvoice]

We are originally from Indiana and when my son was younger we had APs while we were still living in Indiana. With the savings we received from AP discounts on rooms, souvenirs, etc. it made sense for us to have APs. We just made sure we made at least two trips each year (we would buy the APs for the first trip and then just go a week or so earlier the same time the next year and the savings paid off). We were lucky and our son attended a private school that excused all family vacations so we were able to continue to visit multiple times a year but because we always wanted to make sure he wouldn't be missing big tests, projects etc we stopped buying the AP because we never knew exactly when we would be able to go. But I will say, we always regretted not having the APs when we were able to go on two big trips in a one year period of time. Those APs really do help you save a lot money.

We moved to Tampa for a year and had APs and we went to WDW ALL THE TIME. Seriously, like every weekend. The discounts on resort rooms are so good for Florida AP holders throughout the whole year that we even stayed on WDW property many times even when we only lived about an hour away. We have since moved to Texas and I miss those frequent trips but we are moving to Orlando to retire in a few years so I can't wait to have our APs back!!

My advice from our time visiting from Indiana is to check airfares as early as possible for the best rates - we always found really good rates on Southwest. Also make sure to check online frequently for discounted AP resort rates - they are usually offered early enough in advance that you can still get excellent airline fares. And don't forget about all the other discounts you get on gift shops, etc. I can't remember if you get discounts at some of the restaurants with the AP - we have a Disney Visa too so we always used one of the two for discounts on things. I think with both you get discounts on some tours and other things.

If you are a frequent WDW visitor it really does make the most sense to get an AP. Have fun with it!!

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I buy an AP - then use it as an excuse to take as many trips as I can. Family trips, solo trips, meet a friend trips, F&W, F&G, Christmas...... You get deep room discounts (less at values), merchandise discounts, TIW, all of your Photo Pass photos, etc. I have a SW Visa and always pay (with points) for direct flights out of MCI. I do like to schedule in advance although I think you could easily do last minute trips if you are flexible with where you stay. I say go for it!

 

[dolewhipdreams]

I buy an AP - then use it as an excuse to take as many trips as I can. Family trips, solo trips, meet a friend trips, F&W, F&G, Christmas...... You get deep room discounts (less at values), merchandise discounts, TIW, all of your Photo Pass photos, etc. I have a SW Visa and always pay (with points) for direct flights out of MCI. I do like to schedule in advance although I think you could easily do last minute trips if you are flexible with where you stay. I say go for it!

I also fly out of MCI! Do you have any examples of past room discounts you've gotten? I think I've seen historically that for values it's around 15%, moderates it's 20% and deluxe its 30%+. I would most likely stay at a value when I go by myself. If I can convince others to go then we can split the cost of a moderate!

 

[kaybird]

We are AP holders from Kansas. Ticket-wise, two trips make it a win for us. We fly sometimes, drive more often depending on how many of the family is going with us. Our record is probably 5 trips in one year, would guess more of an average of 3.

 

[Best Aunt]

I am not from the midwest, but I wouldn't count on last minute travel deals. Airfare goes up, not down, as you get closer, and Disney hotel deals get booked when they are announced.

 

[loves to dive]

I also fly out of MCI! Do you have any examples of past room discounts you've gotten? I think I've seen historically that for values it's around 15%, moderates it's 20% and deluxe its 30%+. I would most likely stay at a value when I go by myself. If I can convince others to go then we can split the cost of a moderate!

Another person not from the Midwest but am an AP holder. I would caution you not to be buy just for the discounts, I've only used mine for a room discount once, I was able to get better deals either with the general discount or using the general discount through Orbitz and stacking an Orbitz discount on top.

 

[McKelly]

Wisconsin here - we purchased AP's once, when flights used to be a lot cheaper. I think we went in June, Christmas and then spring break. Best year ever!! Now, we can't afford three trips in a year - especially Disney.

 

[IndyJammer]

10 Days - that is the cut-off where it is Financially worth it ticket-wise.

However, Disney Math will NOT end up saving you any money in the Long run. You Will make more trips bc "it's already paid for" so any savings just end up going for more trips! lol

We are Indiana AP Holders - our DS is in the DCP (Disney College Program) and I will personally testify that APs are just another excuse to visit WDW!

 

[bumbershoot]

We are in WA and when we already have trips planned out that is when we get an AP. We have longer trips so for us it's just two wdw trips inside a year that makes it worth it.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I also fly out of MCI! Do you have any examples of past room discounts you've gotten? I think I've seen historically that for values it's around 15%, moderates it's 20% and deluxe its 30%+. I would most likely stay at a value when I go by myself. If I can convince others to go then we can split the cost of a moderate!

Your percentages are pretty accurate. Deluxe is usually 35% and value 15-20. We usually stay deluxe, but I also book value when traveling solo. I have never stayed mod because I feel AKL is more for the money. I prefer to book and handle my trip from start to finish, so Orbitz and such are not for me.

 

[Skywise]

I'm also from an Indiana and an AP holder - It's justifiable for me as I do multiple "short" trips of about 3 days per trip so my ticket discounts wouldn't matter much. So that turns into about $900 so an AP at around $700 is a savings for me even before you include the room/food discounts.

 

[bartleyosu]

I live in Ohio and this is my second year as passholder. If you are planning to be there for over 10 days, it is a no brainer. Discounts on rooms are the best. This year you are also getting discounts on restaurants and shopping more than before. Also 13 months instead of 12!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

We're AP -holders from Chicago and we go to WDW 3-5x a year with our passes. We're a family of 5 (technically 6, but our oldest lives in Orlando now), so we usually drive and we usually stay offsite in a condo. We plan our vacations as soon as the school calendar comes out for our kids. We go for a week during spring break, a week in the summer, Thanksgiving week, Christmas week and the week of New Years. We set aside $500 a month in a vacation account and use my Christmas bonus to cover the cost of our passes. People often ask how we can keep going back year after year, and I tell them that I'd have to spend more on therapy, so WDW is my therapy. Best of all, our oldest daughter works for Disney so she can join us on her days off. No place we'd rather be.

 

[RachaelA]

Ohio here. We have APs and go 1-2 times a year. We at DVC owners so we get the gold AP and it's basically not much more to renew it then to get 8 or 9 day park hoppers. Plus then we get all the photopass pictures as well having an AP.

Our trips are normally 8 days. Last trip though was 12 days (we got an 8 day and a 12 day trip out of 1 AP year). This year half of us will get a 4 day trip and then all of us will be there 8 days later in the year.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Hello fellow DISers! (Is that the term? Still kinda new here)

Anyway, I live in Missouri and I'm considering getting an AP next year so I can make multiple trips to da World. I'm trying to figure out the cost and if it's worth it. Worth it financially, anyway. In terms of happy tears it would definitely be worth it. But I can't pay the bills with happy tears.

Anyone out there from around where I'm at who has an AP and flies to WDW multiple times a year? What are your general trip costs? Any tips for saving money on flights and stays? I'm looking at probably 3-ish trips of about 4-6 days/trip. I want to hit up F&G and Christmas time for sure and it will just be me so I only have to worry about my schedule and paying for one person.

Is it easy to book a last minute trip if there's a stellar deal on airfare and rooms?

Any and all tips/experience-sharing would be appreciated!!

I'm sure all circumstances are different but my mother and stepfather (rip) has/has annual passes every year since they bought DVC in 1992 (I think that was the year). She has never regretted it. She lives in northern Kentucky.

 

[Lynzer4]

I live in Missouri too… St. Louis! I have been a AP holder for 2 years now. All Ears has a breakpoint for AP and it has been helpful.

I got my pass in September for a week trip. I did 5 trips on my first AP. I knew I would be down for a week trip, a work trip in Feb, and a June trip. A 3 day ticket each was more than the AP so it was an easy choice.

I didn’t renew because of dates (knowing it would expire before I got my trips in) but I got the 13 months for 12 and just activated it in Feb. I will be down there next week again (work conference is at Disney each year). I then plan to do a weekend in the summer. I have an October trip booked.

I will say that I plan trips because I have and AP! I tell myself to get my money worth! LOL So as other have said you don't really save because you go more.

So if you can plan and know that you will use it I say go for it…. If you plan 2 trips with 4+ days then it breaks even just about plus you will get memory maker that has a $149 value. The passholder room rates are also great but not always the best. If you don't care where you stay and aren't going over a weekend you might get a great deal last min but you do have to plan a little to get the best AP deals. You have to book close to when the deal is released to get the resort and room type you want. Standards go fast so sometimes the promotion that is open to everyone is best because you can get a standard room where as you can't with the AP deal.

I calculated my passes worth last time and here is what I got:

Cost of Rooms: $1,217 vs. $1,580 (Savings of $363)

Tickets: AP $749 vs. $1,858* ($1,109)

Discounts: $279 (Merch and Food)


Tips: I have a Southwest credit card. I use it for everything to earn points. I didn’t pay for 1 flight because it was work but out of the 5 times I went to Florida last year I only paid for 1 flight. I earn points throughout the year to pay for the flights. If you watch SW will host a sale in mid-June for the fall and usually you can get airfare for around $160 around trip.