Annual Pass tips

[disney4me4ever]

Since we became DVC owners, we have always bought park hoppers, because we liked the fact that unused days didn't expire. Now with the new discount on APs and the enthusiasm voiced by many, I'm reconsidering. Can somebody explain the ins and outs of the APs? I just really haven't paid any attention before and now I would like to know so that I can make the best decision. BTW, with DVC, we have been averaging 1-2 trips per year.

Thanks,
Nancy

 

[Pa@okw95]

Season passes are not for everyone. First there is a break-even point ,over the years this point has been argued about, but just figure for yourself how many days you go to the parks and is it cheaper than the other tickets on a per day bases. With the discount it may be. Also keep in mind that WDW changed its policy on renewals which is now the anniversary date of your first purchase, before it was a lot better when the renewal did not kick in until you used the ticket. At any rate if you go a couple of times a year but do not always like to go to the parks like a lot of us then it may not be for you, on the other hand if you go to the parks 7 or 8 days a year it might be for you.

 

[KNWVIKING]

In addition to Pa@okw95's post, the AP's offer some of the best remaining discounts. If you play mini golf, it's 50% off. Several restaurants offer AP discounnts ( some are duplicated thru DVC). You can get some great cash discounts for resort stays.

One of the things we like the most is the unlimited access. No feeling like we need to spend the whole day at a park to get our monies worth, no hand stamps to get & show. It's just very easy.

 

[jekjones1558]

One of the things we like the most is the unlimited access. No feeling like we need to spend the whole day at a park to get our monies worth, no hand stamps to get & show. It's just very easy.

Ditto! The AP has changed the way we vacation. For example, in the past when we went for 7 days with a park hopper, we killed ourselves on park days and just "hung out" on non-park days. Now we come and go at the parks as the spirit moves us. Weather, crowds, etc. are no big deal. We just work around them because we can go whenever we like. In addition, we can go to restaurants at Epcot whenever we like. I ADORE Fantasmic, so I can go there as often as I wish.
BEWARE! Once you have an AP you WILL want to maximize it by going to WDW more often. Read: add-ons, cash stays.

 

[Terry S]

One of the best advantages as others have mentioned is that you don't mind going to a park for only an hour on a particular day if you feel like it.

Another nice advantage and money saver is the 10% off at World of Disney. What we have done is the past is make a mental note of things we see we want at other places and then make a trip to DD towards the end and pick everything up at WoD since they have most everything there that they have at the rest of the park.

 

[disney4me4ever]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Before we bought DVC, we used to always buy the LOS passes (now the UPHs) when we stayed onsite. With the AP, it seems you are less restricted; for example, you don't "waste" a day of a hopper to go to
Epcot just to watch Illuminations. The only thing that is still a little unclear is the renewing part. What if you miss the renewal date? Do you then have to buy another AP at full price?

Thanks for your patience! I imagine there will be alot of people with these kinds of questions with the new "perk".

Nancy

 

[tjkraz]

The main thing to remember about renewals is that they are always retroactive to the expiration of your prior pass. Officially, you are supposed to renew within 30 days of the expiration of your old pass. But I've read that people had no problem renewing even 60 days out. You pay the same renewal price, but you've essentially forfeit 2 months use of your pass. There's little reason for Disney to not honor the renewal.