Annual Pass Question

[jfoofj]

I'm sorry if this is a repeat of previously asked questions, I am having a hard time figuring out which option is best for us.

We will have 6 park days in January and it is looking pretty likely that we will be back in November for a couple days before visiting my MIL in the Keys for Thanksgiving, so annual passes seem cost effective for our family. None of the times that we will be in Orlando are during the black out dates of the $199 Power Pass so I think I am going to go with that option. Someone gave me an idea on another thread, though- that I should buy myself a Preferred Pass in order to get the added benefits from that pass. The Preferred Pass is $279.99 so I am trying to figure out if it ends up being a better deal. We do want to go to Blue Man Group, so we will save money there and the discounts of food and merchandise sounds good (not sure how much the discount actually is), but we won't have a car to park and we are using the SMSM hotel discount, which is currently a better deal for us than AP rates. Are there any other perks or benefits to having a Preferred Pass that I'm missing?

TIA

 

[Metro West]

As long as you aren't going to be visiting during the blackout dates for 2014, I would suggest buying one Preferred for the parking/discounts and the rest could purchase Power Passes to save a little money. It seems like Power Passes are getting more benefits than before but that's what I would suggest.

My favorite benefits with the Preferred AP is the discounts on HHN tickets and never having to worry about being able to attend an event. Mardi Gras is included with the pass and this year its stretching until the end of May. Also...when new attractions open and there's a passholder preview, Power Pass holders are often left out but that doesn't happen all that often...just thought I would mention it.

 

[macraven]

i found just the opposite than what you did.

i switched my rate to the ap rate for my january stay.
it was a big difference for me in the room costs.

i guess it depends on the dates in january you booked to determine the ap rate wasn't as good for you.


when i renewed my preferred ap this year, it was $171.40 i believe.
the renewal price can increase at any time.

 

[jfoofj]

i found just the opposite than what you did.

i switched my rate to the ap rate for my january stay.
it was a big difference for me in the room costs.

i guess it depends on the dates in january you booked to determine the ap rate wasn't as good for you.


when i renewed my preferred ap this year, it was $171.40 i believe.
the renewal price can increase at any time.

We are staying 6 nights, so the SMSM saves us money over the APH rates.

 

[bumbershoot]

i guess it depends on the dates in january you booked to determine the ap rate wasn't as good for you.

It really does. Even when we had the lowest rate at RPR booked for our dates in January it was still better SMSM than with AP rate. And now we've bumped ourselves up to Portofino concierge (do not ask me how we came to the conclusion that that was a good idea...it was something DH convinced me of over many evening talks LOL!) the AP rate was FAR higher than the SMSM. Of course, if we'd just bump ourselves up to the Despicable Me suite, then the AP rate is lower! But, you know, that's a LOT per night.



OP...discounts on most food, most merchandise... Keep an eye on the rate; it's possible it'll come down. Not sure it's likely, but I like to have hope. You noticed the BMG discount. If the rates come down then it's far more likely to be an overall savings to bump one of you up to Preferred.

 

[itradehilton]

If i buy an annual pass online what is the activation date? is it the day I purchase or the first day of use?

 

[damo]

If i buy an annual pass online what is the activation date? is it the day I purchase or the first day of use?

First use.