Annual Pass over Dreammaker Package?????

[kariktn]

We are staying for 10 days next August for our honeymoon. Should we get Premium Annual passes, instead of the UPH that comes with the dreammaker. I don't think there is much of a price difference, and I have heard you get discounts on your room, food, and tours with the pass. Is this correct, will I save money? What discounts are included, and how are the discounts on the room?
Thanks

 

[kariktn]

 

[Figaro]

Hi, kariktn, I didn't answer because I honestly don't know what the best choice for you would be. After 8 days or so a regular annual pass becomes the best value, but I don't know what number of days it takes to make premium annual pass the best value. We don't do the waterparks (not very accessible) or Disney Quest and so have only had a regular annual pass.

If you are planning to go back within a year, then the annual pass is going to be pretty cost effective. We usually get two trips in a year and tend to stay 10 days or so each time. The discounts vary quite a bit, and I don't know what the annual pass discounts are or even if WDW is going to do them as much since they seem to be more focused on selling packages at the moment.

The times that we got the UPH (then called Length of Stay Pass), we knew that we wouldn't be using the first or last day because of travel times...didn't arrive until supper time and were leaving pretty early in the morning. The CM at the desk was nice enough to drop off both of those days after we explained our situation, but that isn't something that a person can count on. I was very grateful, because at that time I didn't even know it was possible.

Congratulations on your wedding and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[castleri]

From what I can tell there are discounts available but there are no set dates and times and you have to keep checking for when they come out. It is usually not too far in advance from what I can see. I just bought an AP for the first time because I could get a really good rate at AKL at Christmas and I would have bought a 7 day PHP pass anyway for just $80 less. I also have two trips planned this year and with a little extra saving hope to get one in next fall before the pass runs out. If you get the a premium annual pass and plan it right you could use it twice for a first anniversary trip also. I called about the reservations first before buying the pass and once I had the room booked bought the pass. There are discounts on food and recreation that also make it a better deal than the UPH that comes in a package. You can reserve your room and then watch for AP rates and call and see if you can get the lower rate - people have reported doing this quite a bit. The discounts vary according to the season - My AKL savannah view room is $515 with tax for 3 nights in the holiday season. I had previously priced it on the Disney site for the same three nights and was quoted $1371. I don't know what the history is for AP rates for August. You might check mousesavers.com - she has a remarkable amount of information about discounts. Good luck with your planning.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by kariktn
We are staying for 10 days next August for our honeymoon. Should we get Premium Annual passes, instead of the UPH that comes with the dreammaker.
The Dream Maker only comes with UPH's. If you don't want the UPH's, you can't do Dream Maker. You will have to book your room separately to get PAP's.

I don't think there is much of a price difference, and I have heard you get discounts on your room, food, and tours with the pass. Is this correct, will I save money?
There is an $80 per person difference between the two. The PAP's are more expensive. The break even point on PAP's is a little over 13 days of use. If you will only be there for 10 and don't plan a return trip within a years time, the UPH will be your better bet.

What discounts are included, and how are the discounts on the room?
There is a complete list of the 2003 AP/PAP benefits on Deb's web site. The 2004 benefits may or may not include the same things. That won't be known until January.

AP room discounts when available (and they aren't always) usually run 35-40% off rack.