Annual Pass Questions

[goofyguy1958]

We are planning on a June 2005 WDW trip for 10 to 14 days. Have been bouncing around on where to stay between Swan, Dolphin and Fort Wilderness Lodge (FWL). My question is if we purchase an Annual Pass are there any discounts for FWL? If so, what kind of rate are we looking at? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hhender102]

The earliest I have heard special rates out for are three months in advance. Oftentimes, the special rates are released with even less heads up time. For example, the special July rate was just released a couple of weeks ago! If you want to see the historical data of when codes have been released in prior years (from 2001-2004) check out www.mousesavers.com. Click on the FAQ on the left side of the screen and move down to the historical trends section. She lists what kind of codes were released and when for which time periods, but she does not list the amount off because that is always fluctuating. It is helpful to see when things were released in previous years.

We are going to WL in Feb. The CM told me to call back in late Nov to see if there were any AP rates available, but I will continue to watch posts and mousesavers to get a jump on it as soon as they are available!

Good luck, and happy planning!

And yes, Ft. Wilderness is usually included in the AP rates. In fact, this past Feb. there was a rate code released that was only good for Ft. Wilderness--it was not an AP rate, but a rate that was good for anyone! So if you don't already have an AP, watch for the codes for room rates and AP rates and do the math on if it is worth it to purchase an AP (unless of course you will be returning to WDW within the year so you can keep using the AP). I hope that makes sense -- if not, let me know!

 

[goofyguy1958]

hhender102,

Thanks for the info. I will check out mousesavers andhope they give actual $ so I can get a rough ideal of what kind of rate to expect.

As far as the AP goes, yes we do plan on using it again in May of 2006 for 3 to 4 days before we go on our second Disney Magic cruise. So, I figure we will get at least 10 to 12 days of use from the APs.

By the way, do you know if I can order the APs ahead of time and not activate them until I actually get to the parks?

Thanks again.

 

[hhender102]

Unfortunately, mousesavers does not give the discounted rate info for past offers.

Oooh, you are lucky to be able to go twice in a year. I will purchase the AP for myself, if there are AP rates out that will make it worthwhile for our trip. Unfortunately, there is no way we will be returning within the year after our next visit. We were just there in March, and I had to really work on my BF to get him to agree to return in Feb. Well, I kinda told him me and the kids were going and he could join us if he wished...that doesn't sound like a threat, does it?

My understanding is that you can purchase the APs ahead of time, and they are not activated until you get to the parks or you can stop at Downtown Disney and have them activated. So I believe you don't "lose" any days by prepurchasing the APs because they are not yet activated until you arrive at a park or DD.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong

 

[chell]

Originally posted by hhender102
My understanding is that you can purchase the APs ahead of time, and they are not activated until you get to the parks or you can stop at Downtown Disney and have them activated. So I believe you don't "lose" any days by prepurchasing the APs because they are not yet activated until you arrive at a park or DD.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong

You are correct!

 

[DebbieB]

Here are the AP rates for June 2004:

Ft. Wilderness Cabin - $155

Wilderness Lodge - $124 standard, $139 woods view, $175 courtyard view

I wasn't sure if you were looking for Ft. Wilderness or Wilderness Lodge. There is no Ft. Wilderness Lodge.

 

[OKW Lover]

Originally posted by goofyguy1958
We are planning on a June 2005 WDW trip for 10 to 14 days. Have been bouncing around on where to stay between Swan, Dolphin and Fort Wilderness Lodge (FWL). My question is if we purchase an Annual Pass are there any discounts for FWL? If so, what kind of rate are we looking at? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

First, if you are staying for 10-14 days and going to one of the Disney parks each day, an AP will be less expensive than a LOS pass. The breakeven for a standard AP is about 8 park admission days. Breakeven for a PAP is probably around 11 days, depending on how much you use the "extra" featurs.

That aside, it may be possible to get an AP rate at one of the Disney resorts. (You refer to "Fort Wilderness Lodge" but there isn't any such place. There is a Fort Wilderness, which is a campground/travel trailer park kind of place. And there is a Wilderness Lodge, which is a hotel.) However, availability of an AP discount is by no means a certainty.

 

[OKW Lover]

Originally posted by goofyguy1958
hhender102,

By the way, do you know if I can order the APs ahead of time and not activate them until I actually get to the parks?

Thanks again.

You can. But why would you? By doing so, you give Disney the use of your money for almost a year (I believe you are the OP and won't be going until June 2005). I guess there might be an advantage if there is a price increase between now and then. Or are you doing this as a way of spreading out the cost?

Anyway, to do so you can either call 1-407-WDISNEY and order over the phone, or go to your local Disney Store (if it hasn't closed) and order one there.

Jeff

 

[goofyguy1958]

First off, my bad, I got myself all confused and mixed up my Wilderness with my Fort; I meant the Wilderness Lodge. This place has been one that my DW and I have wanted to stay in since we ate at Whispering Caynon in October of 1998.

hhender102, We are going to get the most out of life until my DS is in first grade and we can pull DD out of school; for a week without being too guilty of her losing out at school - she is going into third grade and we figure fourth grade is the latest we can go in taking her out of school.

OKW Lover, you are correct, I am looking at ways to spread out the cost of the APs.

Thanks everyone.