annual pass vs. park hopper

[melindaandrob]

Is the buy one get one 1/2 price an every year special? My TA seemed to think so. We are weighing the pros and cons of AP vs. park hopper. Dd will turn 10 a couple of weeks before the trip so will I have to buy her an adult pass?
What kind of discounts are available for AP holders with resorts? and are they available only on certain resorts?

 

[MichelleTO]

Purchasing and AP can be a better buy than a hopper, as long as you can get the benefits from it. The difference between a 5 day hopper and an AP isn't that much. If you can save the difference buy getting a discounted AP rate it is worth. Check first what rates you can get for your dates with or without an AP and compare, sometimes with the codes you amy be able to get a good rate without an AP. You don't need the AP when you make the reservation, just when you check in. It is also a good deal if you are going to return before your year on your AP is up. You also only need 1 AP to get the discount, not everyone in your party needs one. Check the budget and resort boards for more discussion, lots of great info. We chose to get an AP for our last trip as we saved so much on the room getting an AP discount. We are now returing this year before the AP is up so its nice not to have to purchase another pass.

 

[DisneyLisa]

Hi there,

I think, in most instances, you're probably better off with a hopper, unless you'll be heading to WDW again within 52 weeks or are staying for a very long visit.

For us the best deal was joining Disney Club...we got a discount on our 3 adult passes (reg 7 day hopper is $472 at Disney Store - with DC discount it's $447.31) so it basically paid for our membership. What I like about the hoppers is that they never expire. We always seem to have something left on ours & we use them the next year. When we convert our Canadian $ to US$ it hurts so I hate to not make use of everything we pay for.

I had booked a resort with the AP rate for a while (& was intending to buy an AP if I had to), then with DC but ended up getting the same rate without any passes a while later. I find it takes a lot of time planning these trips to get the best value...but it's fun.

By the way, when are you planning to travel...sometimes that makes a difference as to what rates will be available.

Lisa

 

[melindaandrob]

Hi Lisa we are planning to visit WDW in Jan., we were there this past Jan (02) and thought if we had the AP we may have spent a couple of 1/2 days in the parks and split it with some time in the resort. We had 7 day park hopper passes with a 10 day trip. It would have been nice to spend a day at the resort and go to Epcot and see the parade and fireworks unfortunately you don't want to waste any of your days so the later fireworks would have been pushing it for my 4 year old. I think I'll have to look at the disney club and crunch some numbers. Thanks everyone for your insight!

 

[DisneyLisa]

We're staying 10 nights but only bought a 7 day Hopper (we usually buy a 5 day but have always done US/IOA & Seaworld- this year we are not doing US/IOA...might do Sea World one afternoon on a non-WDW park day). I'm hoping the 7 day is enough...we are doing the Luau on a relax/pool day and want to spend a day shopping/touring (& my friend wants to do Olive Garden for dinner), so I figure we should be able to make due with the 7 day. I know how you feel...we want to be able to pop into a park if the urge hits...too bad that darn Canadian $ is so bad (although it seems to be getting better ) They always seem to have some kind of Canadian special at the time you are going though so you will probably be able to find a good deal.

Happy planning.

Lisa

 

[Susan-Ontario]

Good Sunday Evening Everyone,

We have had AP's for a few years now. It's the only way to go. We love to be able to whip over to MGM only to see Fantasmic or to Epcot or Magic Kingdom for the fireworks. I love not having to get my hand stamped or be stuck on a schedule. We always get in two trips for our passes. One year we go in April and the next in February or March. One time we even got a fall vacation in there as well. The passes give you really great deals on the resorts. You can practically pay for one pass with what you save on the room rate.
For us it is the convenience of not feeling guilty for going to the parks for a few hours. They also have discounts at restaurants and shopping. Be sure to check out the price difference between a hopper and an AP. I just bought some in January and I think they were only around $515 CDN at the Disney Store with Disney Club discount. Remember that the exchange rate at the Disney Store works out to about 1.39 instead of the 1.60 you'll pay if you purchase them in American funds.

Hope this helps.

Visiting the Mouse in just 14 days.

Susan