Annual Pass or Not

[merrittmom2]

Hello! We just became DVC members and are really interested in taking advantage of the annual discount going on right now. However, we are wondering if it would be wise for us. Here is our situation.
We are planning a trip in December as well as next June (we wouldn't activate the passes until December). We were just going to do the military passes as we have done in the past for $169 both times...which would be $177 savings per ticket if we didn't do the annual passes. So all that to say, if we have the discounts of DVC, Visa Cardholder and military are there really any other savings/discounts I could get with being an annual passholder?
And yes, there is always a possibility that we could go more it just depends on if I get pregnant again this year
Thanks for your feedback!!

 

[SuperRob]

Check out MousePerks.com. It's a good way to compare the different discounts.

Honestly, given what you said, I probably wouldn't bother with the Annual Pass unless you're sure you'll go again. Your military passes should be good enough.

 

[merrittmom2]

Thank you SuperRob!!!

 

[MarlaSingersLaundry]

If you are only going twice, I think the military discount is better. Total of $338 plus tax for two trips. The promotion going on right now is a little more than $500 including tax for the AP. Even if you go three times at $169 per trip, you will spend nearly the same as purchasing the AP.

 

[merrittmom2]

That was kind of my thinking too...
Are there any discounts with AP that DVC members wouldn't get?

 

[Kidanifan08]

I'm not entirely sure what the military pass offers, so it is a little difficult to reply. Any AP is probably only worth it if you plan to spend 10+ days in the park over a 365 day period. The PAP offers entrance into the water parks and Disney Quest, which may add to the value of that option. The DVC PAP offer ending tomorrow may be worth it if you think that what you spend on military passes will exceed $484/person ($515 with tax). If you buy the DVC PAP offer and don't use it until December, it will be active until December 2015. So, if you see yourself going in the fall of 2015, then it may be worth it, particularly if you are into the water parks.

It was more of a no-brainer when there was the 20% merchandise discount with the PAP. At the current 10%, it does not beat out most other discount options. We bought the special PAP offer since we plan to access the water parks in July and next summer.

 

[merrittmom2]

We might do it...we were just talking about maybe doing to food and wine festival with just us and no kids

 

[Msmithmd]

Military passes are four day park hoppers that expire each September (when the offer is renewed.) There are a very few blackout days, but they're valid basically everything except spring break and the two weeks around Christmas. We use these in years we don't get AP.

The big thing to consider is that you can only buy six military tickets per service member per year. So for my family of five, it only covers one four-park-day trip. For families of two or three, it is a great deal for eight days worth of admission. Beyond that, you'd come out ahead with the AP.

 

[merrittmom2]

AHHH! I did not realize that about only being able to buy 6 per year! I can't thank you enough for mentioning that!

 

[papertraveller]

AP will cover your parking, if by chance you're off-site for any visits.
And it also gives you a 10-per-cent discount on purchases -- however your DVC membership covers that already.