Annual pass

[lin85prest]

What are the advantages of buying annual passes, we are going in October this year and are going the end of September next

 

[crabbie1]

Like u we are going this november and again end aug/ sept. I hv looked into this a lot and i hv decided to upgrade our 14 day passes to the ap. Benefits discounts off some resturants and 10% off in some shops. Not having to fork out for more tickets saving us nearly £ 700. If you buy the TIW card as well for approx $75 u get a further 20% off meals but some dnt combine both discounts. Downside is if u want free dining u wnt get it from the UK site BUT if u purchase a one day base ticket which is cheaper than paying for the ddp for your holiday stay , from the US site u can get the free ddp.
Hope this helps a bit.

 

[dixonsontour]

Free parking aswell (you pay for parking usually - only free if staying onsite)

 

[Pegasus928]

If you are going twice in a year it is definitely worth getting the AP and then the TIW card.
While the AP does give you free parking and discount in some (very limited) restaraunts the TIW gives a bigger discount and covers a lot more. We looked at it that for $75 dollars up front we had covered the cost of all our tips while we there due to the 20% discount. It pretty much paid for itself on our first 2 meals.
AP also only gives you discount - unless they have changed it - at the World of Disney at DTD whereas the TIW card is accepted in most of the shops in the parks

 

[dishguy1977]

Does anybody know how much it costs to upgrade the 14 day ultimates to the annual pass? Is it even possible?

 

[iris1910]

If you buy the premium annual pass you can get a 20% discount on merchandise. This applies to many of the shops in Disney not just World of Disney. We found that your have to ask before you pay for the items if the discount is available as they don't necessarily ask if you have a pass.

The TiW card can be a good investment as it gives a 20% discount in a number of restaurants, and the discount includes alcoholic drinks. There are a number of restaurants participating in TIW which do not participate in DP, so it is a good chance to try something new.

 

[lin85prest]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely buy them. Another question can I only buy them on the US site?

 

[Elise79]

They don't post the passes out - only an exchange voucher so you may as well wait and buy once you get there. The only time it is worth getting the voucher is if there is an price rise coming.

You will need to take ID to get your passes too.

 

[penlanspice]

You can most definitely upgrade the 14day tickets we did this in may for the in-laws, we paid around $90 but that was with the dvc discount, so to upgrade to the normal rate should be around $190, you will also need someone who knows how to do it, we did ours at dtd and it took the guy about 20 mins and a lot of visits to the back but he managed to do it in the end.

 

[crabbie1]

I was advised that epcot and holiwood studios tend to be the best. Its also worth noting tht if you use ur pass befor u exchange it which u can as long as u dont use your exteas like water parks you can upgrade to the basic AP and get $4 off gate admission to them but if you do use any water parks you can only upgrade to the premium AP.

 

[Tink2312]

Its also worth noting tht if you use ur pass befor u exchange it which u can as long as u dont use your exteas like water parks you can upgrade to the basic AP and get $4 off gate admission to them but if you do use any water parks you can only upgrade to the premium AP.

I did it last year with the DVC discount and it was under $100. I was told that I could only upgrade to a premium AP (I hadn't used it anywhere other than the main parks).
I also found the discount to be across the board in nearly all the shops in March

 

[disneyholic family]

we're at WDW now - with the premium annual pass you get 20% discount on all merchandise EVERYWHERE in WDW...
the parks, the hotels, everywhere...
even on the pictures taken on the rides..

but you have to mention your pass to them...i've forgotten on some of the rides....but it makes a big difference..

we've saved a bundle with that 20% discount!!!!

 

[crabbie1]

I did it last year with the DVC discount and it was under $100. I was told that I could only upgrade to a premium AP (I hadn't used it anywhere other than the main parks).
I also found the discount to be across the board in nearly all the shops in March

Oh thts not what I was told. I hv phoned them and checked with the guy on here on the theme park boards and was def told tht we could upgrade to normal AP as long as we didnt use the water park days. Do u think it was because u had dvc discount it was only AP. If u paid less than $100 to upgrade thts really good. We hv our dvc tour booked on the 10 th so hope they will let us get the discount if we buy. Dont know if we will get dvc card but hope they give us proof so we can benefit from dvc discount.

 

[jockey]

The AP is great, I especially like the benifit of the TIW card. The discount was only available at the world of disney at DTD but is available in nearly everystore and Kiosk now!

 

[Elise79]

Oh thts not what I was told. I hv phoned them and checked with the guy on here on the theme park boards and was def told tht we could upgrade to normal AP as long as we didnt use the water park days. Do u think it was because u had dvc discount it was only AP. If u paid less than $100 to upgrade thts really good. We hv our dvc tour booked on the 10 th so hope they will let us get the discount if we buy. Dont know if we will get dvc card but hope they give us proof so we can benefit from dvc discount.

If you sign out there they will give you a temporary membership card take that & ID to guest sevices to get your AP.

 

[penlanspice]

Oh thts not what I was told. I hv phoned them and checked with the guy on here on the theme park boards and was def told tht we could upgrade to normal AP as long as we didnt use the water park days. Do u think it was because u had dvc discount it was only AP. If u paid less than $100 to upgrade thts really good. We hv our dvc tour booked on the 10 th so hope they will let us get the discount if we buy. Dont know if we will get dvc card but hope they give us proof so we can benefit from dvc discount.

Alyson don't worry you can definitely upgrade to the regular annual pass we did it in May, as you said as long as you've not used the water parks or disney quest option you can get the regular annual pass.
If you sign and pay the deposit for your DVC then you will be given your dvc cards on the day, when we added on last year we got our cards right then (nothing this year as it was an add on at the same resort) we paid around $95 up upgrade, I think it was around £65 on my cc when we got home.

 

[crabbie1]

Alyson don't worry you can definitely upgrade to the regular annual pass we did it in May, as you said as long as you've not used the water parks or disney quest option you can get the regular annual pass.
If you sign and pay the deposit for your DVC then you will be given your dvc cards on the day, when we added on last year we got our cards right then (nothing this year as it was an add on at the same resort) we paid around $95 up upgrade, I think it was around £65 on my cc when we got home.

Thanks Sam I thought I was right after checking and checking. Sam just for information how much is the Prem AP? with the 20%off it may be the better option

 

[Tink2312]

Alyson don't worry you can definitely upgrade to the regular annual pass we did it in May, as you said as long as you've not used the water parks or disney quest option you can get the regular annual pass.

I'm not too happy about that - I specifically asked the two MK CM who upgraded my ticket, they told me no. In the end it's worked out as used my AP at DQ in March and the 20% discount is great but I don't like that I've been lied to!

 

[crabbie1]

I'm not too happy about that - I specifically asked the two MK CM who upgraded my ticket, they told me no. In the end it's worked out as used my AP at DQ in March and the 20% discount is great but I don't like that I've been lied to!

Tinks I copued the reply I had off the guy on the theme park thread as there was a big debate over this. I also asked our dvc rep who made a phone call and advised us to go to epcot or HS as thts where he sends most us brits.
Im sorry you hv been misinformed but the guy on here says we need to stand our ground because it can be done but some cm'm dont know how so just plead ignorant so he told go insist on management. From what you hv said though if you got the PA for only $95 and had 20% off tht sounds a better deal? I thought the AP was that much not the PAP.