Annual Pass-Should we or not? Help!

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Okay, this is the scoop for the following year. DH and I will be venturing to Orlando at least three times during the course of the year. This gives us a once in a lifetime chance for annual passes.

Trip 1 - company paid trip to Orlando in April staying at Caribe Royale Resort with plenty of chances to head to the parks.

Trip 2 - Family trip to WDW Pop Century for Thanksgiving 2006 week.

Trip 3 - DH and I are cruising on the DCL Magic next February, 2007 with possible stay at WDW before the cruise.

As you can see we could make use of an annual pass this year. I ran the numbers several different ways and it appears it would pay off. It also opens up a chance for possible further resort discounts.

What have been your experiences with annual passes. Any devil's advocates out there?

 

[Windy City Heather]

I got an AP this year for the first time. The good is the money I have saved on my resort. This last trip I saved $50.00 a night x 5 nights = $250.00. I think I saved $100.00 a night = x 6 nights = $600. a night last Sept. and I think $30.00 a night x 5 nights = $150. in October. That is $1,000. and I only paid $1,000.00 for my 3 tickets. I also purchased the dinning card at the special rate of $50.00. I used it in October and got my $50.00 back in savings. I saved $80.00 last week. We have two more trips planned so I will save even more money.

The down side is that it is easier to go spear of the moment. My October trip was not planned but when I found air for $116.00 we went. I am not really sure that this is a down side but it gets costly.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Heather hit the proverbial nail on the head! The only "con" to having an AP is that you will find WAY MORE reasons to go to WDW since the tickets are already paid for, and look at what a great discount we can get on a room!

I planned to only go on 3 trips on my AP's this year - well, we've been 5 times already, and leave next week for the 6th!

 

[Kimi313]

I haven't seen a down side to it yet. We only visit once a year and we only get one AP. What we do is schedule the first visit in July and the second in June, this way we get the hotel discounts both years and I only have to buy a ticket one time for two years.

 

[VSL]

Do they give you a code to use or something?

I was just wondering, because my BF and are are going back next year and will probably book online (rather than on the phone - we're in the UK). With the savings it might be worth it to get an AP and use the discount (we go for 2+wks at a time).

 

[Luv2Roam]

We are now FL residents (and own PAPs). We use to vacation here as out of state AP-ers.
Agree, once you own AP's you will find almost any excuse you can to revisit to "save" even more!
The APs ALMOST always gave us a good discount room rate. There was only once when an AP discount rate was not available. But we were able to use a general dicount code that anyone could use.
Having an AP does not guarantee a discounted room rate. But it provides a little more chance of the possibility.
There are some discounts with the AP -- like 10% off at WoD in DTD.
I don't think you will regret buying an AP, as long as you wil get at least 10 days use. Plus if you will be driving a vehicle, you will not have to pay parking fees.
You may also want to think about buying a Disney Dining Experience membership. (additional $)
Occasionally as AP holders we receive an e-mail offering a PIN (Personal Identification Number) attached to a discount.

 

[ajleone]

Do they give you a code to use or something?

Every quater or so the send out an email with the current code. Also if you book online there is a special website for AP holders that lets you know what the current deal is and through when ,and also any additional pass holder info and savings.

 

[VSL]

Thanks ajleone - it's something to think about at least

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

We had APs for the first time this year. We are going to get them again. We spent 21 days in the parks and it was well worth the passes. The room discounts were a benefit as well as the dining card. We saved quite a bit of money on character meals this year. The other benefit for us is that 2 of our trips were taken with other families, so we were able to save money on their rooms and we could use our dining card for all of us. I was also able to utilize the 10% discount at WOD for Christmas shopping. Not that 10% is a lot, but it was items I was going to buy anyway. I will agree with other posters, it does make it much easier to take spur of the moment trips. However, my dh and I disagree on whether that is a bad thing!

Rachel