Annual Pass Question

[never_enough_pooh]

Hi All!

My husband and I are Disney fanatics, and have finally decided that it may be time to purchase Annual Passes vs. purchasing tickets every year, as we tend to go back more than once in a 1 year period.

From what I have been reading, when an annual pass is purchased, an exchange ticket is mailed out, and once you arrive at Disney, that certificate is exchanged for an actual pass and the one year starts at that time. We absolutely love the Animal Kingdom lodge, and always stay there. If I were to purchase an annual pass now, and go to Disney in Nov or Dec, and a discount comes up for a room for annual passholders, would I be eligible for that discount, even if the exchange certificate has not been activated yet into an "active" pass (but would be when we checked in of course)?

Also, is there many different benefits from purchasing the regular annual pass vs. premium annual pass? We are not really into the water parks...

Thanks so much!

 

[swilphil]

Yes, you would be eligible for the AP rate with just the exchange voucher, but I think you would have to secure your AP rate before you actually checked in. We checked into the Contemporary before we activated our voucher. The CM told us on the phone that I would need to activate it before I checked in, but they never asked for it at the CR. I think they have the information in the computer. Several people have reported that the CMs at check in just tell AP holders to stop by the front desk with the active AP within 24 hours.

Remember you do not have to all have APs to get the AP rates. We just bought one adult AP and bought 10 day non-expire hoppers for the rest of the family. It was much cheaper that way. I think the premium annual pass adds on the waterparks. I'm not sure about Disney Quest and other places. With an AP you do get 1/2 price admission at one of the Boardwalk clubs. You also can buy the Disney Dining Experience card for $50 and get 20 percent off at almost all the sitdown restaurants plus the counterservice in AK.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

At the moment, you can still book a room at the AP rate (a certain number of rooms are often set aside with these discounts) without your pass in hand. However, you will need to purchase your pass prior to check-in. Technically, you need to activate your pass before check-in (You can do this at one of the parks or DTD.). However, this is not always the case. We were running way behind schedule in May and took a chance in going to AKL with just our vouchers. The CM helping us said he could see in his computer that we had purchased passes and that was all he needed. However, we added on days at CSR at the end of our trip (sadly AKL was completely sold out for the Memorial Weekend) and we absolutely HAD to have our activated passes at check-in. This seemed especially strange since the CM helping us at CSR could see that we had spent the previous 8 days at AKL.

We upgraded to PAP's during our stay. PAP's provide free admission to PI, the waterparks, and DQ. With 3 children (including one teenager), we quickly got our $ back on this upgrade.

Another plus with an AP is being able to purchase the $50 Disney Dining Experience card (see the restaurant board for LOTS of discussion on this). All I'll say is we got our money back within 2 days!!! Wonderful benefit.

 

[kellypooh]

I booked our AKL room at the AP rate and then bought my AP (all done in February for our May trip). Had only the voucher when we arrived at AKL. The CM that checked us in didn't even ask to see the voucher so I think it depends on what CM you get at check in! I don't think it SHOULD depend on that -- there should be one set of rules that all the CMs go by. But, in the short time I've been here on the boards, I've read so many different stories about APs and vouchers at check in that I've come to the conclusion that every CM has their own way of doing things.

 

[seashoreCM]

You can reserve rooms with an AP discount before you have your AP or even a voucher, although one of the discount plans (new for mid-2005) requires that you have the AP in hand. This newest plan permits AP reservations further in advance (and also has a bigger cancellation fee) and may reduce the number of AP rooms available under the other plans.

Also new for mid-2005, only adult AP holders may receive the AP room discounts.

When you get your AP itself, regardless of how you buy it -- advance with a voucher, cash at the gate, etc. -- inspect it to be sure it expires a full year from the date you got it.

It is technically possible although I don't know for sure that the resort check in agent can verify that you were in a park with an AP earlier that day or year and therefore he doesn't have to ask you to see your AP.

AP benefits are the same for regular and premium AP's.

The break even point for AP's versus regular tickets is roughly the same for both regular and premium AP's.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[WillCAD]

Beginning last week, all Disney resorts now ask to see your AP or AP voucher at check-in, probably because of the new Passholder Best Rate Program.

Previously, many CMs did not ask to see your AP, but the policy on that varied from one resort to another, partly because the individual resorts are given a lot of autonomy, so each resort's general manager can set policies in certain areas that differ from other Disney resorts.

 

[DizzKneeLand]

Remember - the Best Rates are now gotten through the AP webpage on the Disney.com site. You have to book out at least 120 days - and you have to put a one night non-refundable deposit down.

If you dont make plans this way - I would rethink you selection of an AP.

I know I am not renewing my AP at the end of this year - I dont make plans with 120 day notice. I live with a 10 hour driving time - and if I want to go to Disney sometimes I get up and go ... othertimes if SWA gives me a great rate - I am off to Disney for a few days.

I will book under public oriented codes in the future - or I just will find other vacation spots (say it is NOT TRUE). Especially since before the end of the year - I will be at WDW for 30+ days this year.

As you can tell I am not very happy about the changes to how you book a hotel room to get the best rate as an AP Holder.

DizzKnee

 

[EthansMom]

From what I have been reading, when an annual pass is purchased, an exchange ticket is mailed out, and once you arrive at Disney, that certificate is exchanged for an actual pass and the one year starts at that time. We absolutely love the Animal Kingdom lodge, and always stay there. If I were to purchase an annual pass now, and go to Disney in Nov or Dec, and a discount comes up for a room for annual passholders, would I be eligible for that discount, even if the exchange certificate has not been activated yet into an "active" pass (but would be when we checked in of course)?:

You can already book the AP Best Rate Program for Nov. and Dec. stays. (I booked POFQ at a 30% discount for our stay Dec. 3-10.) You can use a voucher to book your trip, however, you must already have the voucher in hand and there isn't any guarantee that your resort of choice will be available to book for your dates. In order to book with the AP Best Rate Program, you must order your APs from WDW, either by phone or via http://www.disneyworld.com, then when you receive the vouchers, you can log onto http://www.disneyworld.com/passholder (use the directions at http://www.mousesavers.com/newapdiscounts.html to use the numbers on the voucher to log on), click on "Special Offers" and then click on "Annual Passholder Best Rate Program" to get into the Best Rate Program reservations. Make sure that you check out the unusual restrictions on the program -- one night deposit is non-refundable if you cancel!

Also, is there many different benefits from purchasing the regular annual pass vs. premium annual pass? We are not really into the water parks...

Check out this site: http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm for more information about the Annual Pass and Premium Annual Pass. If you get an AP, you may want to check out the Disney Dining Experience card (info. here: http://allearsnet.com/pl/discounts.htm).

There's a break-even analysis of the AP here: http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/breakeven.php

Good Luck!