Annual Pass vs. Non Expiration

[eljefe45]

Does anybody have an opinion on getting an annual pass with the discount or getting a 10day non expiration? I know it all depends on how often you go, so let's say 2 weeks per year and at the park 8x in those two weeks.

I've got a couple days left on my non expiration passes which I bought before I bought DVC so the next decision is looming.

 

[RobDoc]

The break-even on APs vs No-Expire is about 10 days. If you will only be going into parks 8 days per year, the no-expire hopper is the better deal even with the DVC discount. I'd still get the 10 day Hopper.

 

[mdsd8700]

We get the 10 no expiring because our trips don't always fall within the time time frame the APs are valid. We also like to go to DLR every other year if we can so the non-expiring work better for obvious reasons. I think it depends on your vacationing habits. We have been doing the non expiring since our kids were little (they are 14 and 17 now) and way before we owned DVC. It has worked out nicely for us.

 

[Brian Noble]

A 10-day no-expire base ticket is about $506, or $50.60 per day.

If you buy a DVC AP, it costs about $430, give or take. If you use that for eight admissions over the course of one year, it costs $53.75 per day.

If I understand you correctly, you take a single two-week trip, with 8 days in the parks. If you buy an 8-day MYW base ticket for that trip, it costs $268.38, or $26.84 per day.

So, if you are doing a single two-week trip with eight park days, buy expiring tickets. If you are taking two (or more trips) for those 8 days, it is slightly less expensive on a per-day basis to buy no-expire passes. But, the AP may deliver more value. It includes hopping. If you decide that you want to pop in to a park just for dinner, you can, or you can split up "long" days into two "short" days. It opens up the possibility of a Tables in Wonderland card. There are a few other discounts. The small extra cost may be worth it.

 

[dzorn]

If you like the water parks the non-expiration 10 day will give you 10 WP entries also. So that can add quite a bit of value to the 10 tickets. We are still using WP options from 4 years ago.

Denise in MI

 

[CALIFLADY]

If you like the water parks the non-expiration 10 day will give you 10 WP entries also. So that can add quite a bit of value to the 10 tickets. We are still using WP options from 4 years ago.

This is why this year, I'll be buying the 10-day no expiration with Water Park Pass instead of the AP. I only use 1-2 water park days per trip, so it never pays to buy the Premium AP for me.

So I'll buy the 10-day no expiration with Water Park Pass and use it this year, then next year and going forward, I'll get the AP and use the water park days from this year's MYW pass. Until I run out of water park days again...

 

[briangib]

If your park visits are based upon a recurring event, such as a school vacation schedule, check if it comes late one year and early the next. You may be able to stretch out an AP to cover more than one year's vacations.

 

[Kymm1111]

We have gotten the annual passes because there are some perks. For the ap they have offered a 10% merchandise discount. Plus you can get tables in wonderland like a pp said for $75.00. Which will save you 20% on all food and drink- including ADULT BEVERAGES. During food and wine this will be awesome- ok during any of my visits this will be awesome!

 

[RumpleMom]

Being able to purchase the Tables in Wonderland card has kept us buying the DVC annual pass.

It is so nice to enter Epcot just for dinner.

 

[eljefe45]

Ok, that's good to know. But I'm a cheap #$@)*EW)* so whenever we use a day I try to squeeze in something else to make sure I am maximizing value. An annual pass would ease that issue. Of course, I could also stop being a cheap )#*)$#_.

 

[Brian Noble]

so whenever we use a day I try to squeeze in something else to make sure I am maximizing value. An annual pass would ease that issue.

Exactly. That's why it might be worth the extra few dollars per day.

Many years ago, I decided it was worth paying a little more to not have to worry about "days" or "visits". Now, I make sure to buy admission to allow me to just come and go as I please, no matter what---whether at Disney, or at any other amusement/theme/water park. It costs me a few dollars extra, but it more than repays itself in lost agita.

 

[Donna M]

We buy 10 hoppers that won't expire since we only make it to WDW once a year and go into the parks only 2-3 times. But I buy the 10 day to save money since the prices only go up. I still have 2 days on the pass I bought in 2005. I paid $332.00 then, in 2008 I got my DH his for $450 and I just bought myself another one this past sumnmer for $524. Not cheap!

 

[bob_and_mary]

I am a big proponent (if you can) of scheduling annual trips so that 1 annual pass can cover 2 years. We did that in summer 2009 and 2010 and it worked out great for us. The TIW card was a plus as well. It even gave us an opportunity to come down for a long weekend in Jauuary for DD birthday.