Annual Pass vs. Dining Plan

[smithmom]

We have a trip planned for September, with 4 adults and 2 young children (4 & 3). I have our rooms already (using the 40% off pin code) - a great deal.

Now I'm looking at the tickets... What are the benefits of the Annual Pass? Do you think it would be worth it if I bought an annual pass for the dining discounts and other benefits vs. buying a dining plan for all 6 people.

Any thoughts?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

You would really need to run the numbers. An AP will probably cost you more than a MYW hopper for your stay. You would have to take that into consideration. You would also have to pay for membership in the Tables in Wonderland (formerly the DDE), which is currently $60 for AP holders.

TiW has restrictions as to the participating restaurants and an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all TiW bills regardless of party size. You do get 20% off of your total, so to breakeven on your membership, you would need to spend $300 on dining.

Of course, AP holders often get exclusive room-only discounts and often have the ability to purchase the DDP as a part of their stay. And there are other AP benefits, including discounts on tours and shopping as well as at a few restaurants during restricted hours. You can read about AP benefits here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-ap.htm

 

[lifeafterkids]

I am a AP and I don't really get any real perks except that I don't have to buy tickets everytime I go down... The have done away with most of the discounts it used to get you... They do offer discounts on the rooms but it is not as big as it used to be...

If you are going to go to Disney again in the next 365 days, then I say get the AP, but if not, then you may do better doing the meal plan and the MYW hopper passes

 

[Maddle]

When I had an AP, my favorite benefit was the free parking....but if you are staying onsite, that is not applicable.

mj

 

[girli565]

You can book a dining plan with an AP and not have to buy MYW tickets for everyone in the room. That's a perk for having an AP. But I think the downside is that you may not be able to use a PIN code or discount if one came up for your travel dates... but I'm not sure on that so you should ask a cm and they would be able to tell you.