Annual Pass Questions

[Kuzco]

I am probably going to buy an annual pass for a few trips I am taking this year. I have a few questions concerning them:

1. Is it worth buying online? Is there an advance purchase price, or is it the same at the gate?

2. What is the normal renewal price?

Thanks!

 

[peacefulgirl]

I bought mine by calling WDW, in Nov they were 402.00. Here is what it is now: from MOUSESAVERS.COM

Annual Pass
Provides one year of unlimited admission to the four major parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom), plus free parking. There is no advance purchase discount for Annual Passes. Prices for Annual Passes last went up on 1/2/05.

$420.68 Adults (10 and older); $357.84 Children (3-9) *tax included

Note that you can purchase a 10-day Magic Your Way Ticket with the Park Hopper option and No Expiration option for $366.36 including tax (or less if you purchase in advance). If you won't visit the theme parks on more than 10 days during the year and you don't care about the Annual Passholder benefits (such as free parking and resort discounts), the Magic Your Way Ticket is a better deal.

Are Annual Passes For You?
For some people an Annual Pass is the most economical choice. Generally speaking, if you will be going into the Walt Disney World theme parks for more than 11 days in a year, an Annual Pass is well worth considering.

An Annual Pass is good for 366 days. If you buy one on April 8, 2004, it will be valid through April 8, 2005! (Yes, you get an extra day, except in Leap Years.) So if you take an annual vacation to Walt Disney World, just make it a little earlier the second year, and you can use the previous year's pass. For instance, if you bought and activated your pass on April 8 and vacationed April 8-14 this year, come back next year from April 2-8 and your passes will still be valid. Bingo - "free" admission on your second vacation!

When you consider the substantial (up to 45% off) hotel discounts and discounts on entertainment that are often available to Annual Passholders, you may find it's worthwhile to purchase at least one Annual Pass for someone in your party. In fact, it's sometimes possible to save so much with Annual Passholder hotel discounts that it makes sense to get an Annual Pass for stays of as little as 3 nights! Click here to learn more about whether an Annual Pass can save you enough on your room to justify a purchase. Be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions about Annual Passes, too.


go here for AP FAQ'S http://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html#apwdw

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I am probably going to buy an annual pass for a few trips I am taking this year. I have a few questions concerning them:

1. Is it worth buying online? Is there an advance purchase price, or is it the same at the gate?

If you purchase it online, you will be sent a voucher in the mail, not the actual pass. In addition to the cost of the pass, you will also pay for shipping. You will then need to go to guest services to obtain the actual pass. If you purchase it at guest services, you pay the same price minus the shipping charge.

2. What is the normal renewal price?

Thanks!

The renewal cost is $378.08 /$321.63 (adult/child) and can be done online or by phone as early as 30 days prior to the expiration of your current AP.

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you purchase it online, you will be sent a voucher in the mail, not the actual pass. In addition to the cost of the pass, you will also pay for shipping. You will then need to go to guest services to obtain the actual pass. If you purchase it at guest services, you pay the same price minus the shipping charge.

Another option is to purchase it online, and order it will call. You'll take your confirmation number and photo ID, and pick it up. It's a good option if you like to get the expense out of the way.

If that's not something you're concerned about, then I'd just wait and buy it on property.

The renewal cost is $378.08 /$321.63 (adult/child) and can be done online or by phone as early as 30 days prior to the expiration of your current AP.

I believe it can be done up to 30 days AFTER expiration as well. Your pass, however, will backdate to the original anniversay.

 

[seashoreCM]

Two ten day expiring non-hopping regular (MYW) tickets cost about the same as an annual pass, both with and without pluspack (MYW) or premium (AP).

With park hopping, the break even between MYW and AP is about 12 theme park days.

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

 

[Kuzco]

Two ten day expiring non-hopping regular (MYW) tickets cost about the same as an annual pass, both with and without pluspack (MYW) or premium (AP).

With park hopping, the break even between MYW and AP is about 12 theme park days.

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

Thanks for your help everyone! I think I'll just wait. Thanks for the tip, seashoreCM! It is still more economical for me to get the AP I think, since I don't think I could do without the park hopping option. Plus, I think I may also be going back in Jan 06.