Annual Pass Questions

[bangzoom6877]

I am considering upgrading my 7-day base ticket to an AP and getting the TIW card instead of the DDP and my current ticket. We have a 10-night trip planned with lots of restaurants and even though we only go once every other year, it seems that with the DVC member discount on the AP and the AP discount on TIW, we will save more money and have more freedom (what to order) over getting the DDP. I know I only have to upgrade one ticket to an AP and one person needs the TIW card (4 people in our party).

I have a couple of questions about the DVC-member AP:

1. I recall reading that the pass (or the renewal of an AP) is valid for 15 months. Will this be true for me?

2. Our upcoming trip is July 13, 2010 for 10 nights. Our next trip after that will be in July 2012, also for 10 nights. Will it work if I renew my AP in July 2011 to use for the July 2012 trip? I would like to know since it costs less to renew than to buy a new one at the time the trip starts.

Thanks!!

 

[vicki_c]

Only renewals are good for 15 months -- that special runs into August of this year. After that, I assume they will go back to 12 months for renewals so that probably wouldn't apply to your renewal in 2011.

Not sure I understand #2 - your pass is good for 365 (maybe 366) days. If you schedule your 2 trips within that window, you could use the AP for both. You can't have any lapse in your AP coverage period to be considered a renewal - you get +/- 30 days to renew your pass.

Going by current prices, 2 10 day hoppers would cost - $311 each, so $622 for 20 days worth of hopping tickets (used hoppers since APs have hopping built-in).

A DVC AP costs $420 and a renewal costs $373 ($100 and $105 off regular price), so that's almost $800.

APs would cost you about an extra $170, so I guess it depends on how much you think you are going to save with the TiW card. You need to spend $375 to break even on it, then another $340 to equal that $170 (based on the 20% discount). So if you will spend $715 in eligible dining on those 2 trips, it's a wash between APs and tickets. If not, tickets will be cheaper.

 

[drusba]

The 15 month pass does not apply to new APs, only renewals and it will end August 31 (for renewing passes that have end dates on or before August 31). Unknown if it will be extended.

Thus, right now you could not do what you mention -- buy one effective July 13, 2010, then renew it effective July 13, 2011, and then use that renewal in July 2012 unless that July 2012 trip ends by July 13, 2012

 

[bangzoom6877]

Only renewals are good for 15 months -- that special runs into August of this year. After that, I assume they will go back to 12 months for renewals so that probably wouldn't apply to your renewal in 2011.

Not sure I understand #2 - your pass is good for 365 (maybe 366) days. If you schedule your 2 trips within that window, you could use the AP for both. You can't have any lapse in your AP coverage period to be considered a renewal - you get +/- 30 days to renew your pass.

Going by current prices, 2 10 day hoppers would cost - $311 each, so $622 for 20 days worth of hopping tickets (used hoppers since APs have hopping built-in).

A DVC AP costs $420 and a renewal costs $373 ($100 and $105 off regular price), so that's almost $800.

APs would cost you about an extra $170, so I guess it depends on how much you think you are going to save with the TiW card. You need to spend $375 to break even on it, then another $340 to equal that $170 (based on the 20% discount). So if you will spend $715 in eligible dining on those 2 trips, it's a wash between APs and tickets. If not, tickets will be cheaper.

OK, I'm a bit confused...I understand that the AP renewal special (15 months instead of 12 for renewals only) is only going on until August of this year, so it would not apply to me at all. But, if you have 30 days to renew an AP after it expires...then let's look at this scenario...my AP expires July 13, 2011 (this year's trip begins July 13, 2010). I wait until the first week of August 2011 to renew my AP (within the 30-day window after it expired). Then can I use that renewed AP until August 2012 instead of early July 2012? Or is it still only valid until mid-July 2012 since the original was purchased and activated in mid-July 2010?

The reason I am considering all this...according to my calculations (based on cheapest menu items, entrees and sodas only) we will be spending over $1,000 at TIW-eligible restaurants, so it would still save us money.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I belive it goes back to the original purchase date which means it would expire July 2012. We really enjoyed using our TIW card and feel that it saves us quite a bit.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I belive it goes back to the original purchase date which means it would expire July 2012. We really enjoyed using our TIW card and feel that it saves us quite a bit.

OK, thank you! As far as I can tell, the TIW card will also save us a lot of money, especially considering that we would be drinking some alcohol, and it would be 20% off of that too! We also tip 20% normally so the 18% gratuity is just fine for us!

 

[rlovew]

Once you choose a start date for your AP and then continue to renew it - it retains the same day.

If you buy an AP that starts July 13, 2010- then the renewal period will be June 13-August 13 each year but the start date will always be for July 13 and the end date will always be July 13 of the following year- if you renew later than the start date but within the 30 days the date does not move.

You can however buy a new AP at the new price (non renewal price) in August and use that a different year.

 

[vicki_c]

Yep, what they said! That's what I meant about "no lapse" in your AP dates.

 

[bangzoom6877]

OK, thanks guys! I sure wish the 15-month renewal special would go beyond this summer. Oh, well...it's still a great deal for us!

 

[murphyjh]

Another option: Buy only one AP so you can get a TIW card (good for up to 10 people). The others in your party can use 10-day tickets to save money. As for the park hopper option, it costs a flat fee of about $40, and there is no need to buy it with your tickets since you may not need it. If you want to hop later, you can upgrade on the spot for the same flat fee.

Note that the TIW card is good for about 13 months, so one card will probably cover both of your July trips.

 

[discott71]

A DVC AP costs $420 and a renewal costs $373 ($100 and $105 off regular price), so that's almost $800.

Are these new prices? I looked on line because we're planning on annual passes and it says $389 for a new AP and $344 for a renewal. Is this info on the Member services site outdated?

 

[bangzoom6877]

Are these new prices? I looked on line because we're planning on annual passes and it says $389 for a new AP and $344 for a renewal. Is this info on the Member services site outdated?

It is $389 for a new AP, but that's before adding tax. With tax, it comes out to $414 and change.