Annual Pass or Not

[Lyncha]

I'm sure the research has been done. For guests staying on Disney World property, at what point is it just worth it to buy annual passes?

 

[The Hendies]

If you are staying longer than 10 days and you want to go to parks every day, then you'd need an Annual Pass. A 10 day pass is the most number of days you can purchase. Honestly, even if I was staying 11 or 12 days, I would probably just go with a 10 day.

However (there is ALWAYS a 'however'), if you are staying 10+ days, and paying out of pocket for meals, and plan to eat at TS every day, it might pay you to get a Tables In Wonderland card. It costs $100, but it will give you 20% off your entire meal, including adult beverages at most restaurants.

 

[shocker]

You live close enough that you might be able to swing 2 or more trips within 12 months. So, vacation one summer in July and the next summer in June. If you stay offsite your AP has more value as you will not have to pay for parking. If you stay onsite you'll be able to get AP discounts on the room (subject to availability). Suddenly you will find doing half days is a lot easier when you're not "burning" a ticket day by not staying a full day.

 

[Wendybird55]

If within a year you plan to be in Disney parks at least 10 or more days then I think it is definitely worth it.

We live in NY and will be going to WDW for 8 days in Aug. then again in 4 days in Sept. (for MNSSHP) and chances are will probably go again at least once in 2015.

Even if we were just taking the 2 trips listed I would go with AP (which we did). The cost is about the same if your there 10 days (a savings if going more).

Plus in addition to park entrance you get some nice discounts...you get 10% discount on merchandise - most stores on Disney accept it - just ask when purchasing - even if you purchase food from one of the gift shops you get discount on food. You get 10 or 15% discounts at certain restaurants / CS - it's not many, but there are some...plus you get 50% discount on mini golf and discounts on certain recreation activities.

You can purchase Tables In Wonderland for $100 (usually $125 to FL residents and DVC). With TiW you get 20% on TS meals including alcoholic beverages. There are a few CS places where you can use TiW (POP food court) and you can also use it at some of the bar/lounges just for drinks. If you think you're going to spend more than $500 on these types of meals then TiW will be a savings.

I like having the benefits of an AP..and as soon as I booked my 2nd trip and realized we will be in Disney Parks at least 11 days...I bought our APs.

ONE NOTE: If you like water parks and plan on having some of your park days be water Parkrdays then you might want to go for a 10-day or 8-day ticket with Water Park option. You can get AP with waterpark but that costs more and then at that point a ticket with water park option would probably be a better value for you. We're not waterpark people and we get AP without water park option..we like the resort pools better.

 

[kmb584]

It's the most economical ticket for us as we spend between 18-22 days per year in the parks. We don't do the dining plan (too much food) but do like sit down meals so Tables in Wonderland has been a great investment. It saves me 20% of our total bill and pays for itself within the first couple days of use. I also like that I get 10% off at retail locations.

 

[shadeauxe]

We go every year but try to make the trips slightly less than 12 months apart so we can use the AP. It saves us a lot of money. Also, as others have mentions, we love Tables in Wonderland because we eat TS often.

 

[cleophus12]

For us it was the realization that we would be making 3 short trips this year and the purchase of 3-4 day tickets each time was just too much. We went with the AP when the DVC discount was still available and it was considerably cheaper than purchasing the tickets for each trip. So if you've got several trips in the works, the AP may be your most economical choice.