Annual passes and packages question

[cherokeemamma]

Good Morning!
I am debating the value of getting an annual pass. I understand that basically I will need to visit WDW for 10+ days to get my money's worth. My question is in regard to a deal. Since "free dining" is the deal/package I have gotten before I will use that. Let's say FD is released and I want to take advantage and I do not have annual passes. I would just purchase the package as it is advertised and then when I am on vacation I will upgrade my tickets for the annual pass?

But let's say I have already done that and FD is released. How does that work as an annual pass holder? In other words how can I take advantage of a deal and still utilize my AP?

What are the pros and cons of having an annual pass? I do live within a 6.5-7 hr drive of WDW.

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Robo]

1. Let's say FD is released and I want to take advantage and I do not have annual passes. I would just purchase the package as it is advertised and then when I am on vacation I will upgrade my tickets for the annual pass?

But let's say I have already done that and FD is released. How does that work as an annual pass holder? In other words
2. how can I take advantage of a deal and still utilize my AP?
3. What are the pros and cons of having an annual pass?

1. Yes.

2. You could buy the MINIMUM required tickets for the package (usually a 2-day base ticket) per person and NOT USE those new tickets for that trip. But just continue to HOLD them until such time as you can use them, or upgrade them, or use them to pay for an AP renewal in the future.

3. Pros: Save a lot of money on tickets. Can save on certain resort stays.
Get some shopping and dining discounts.

Cons: With an AP, you are constantly being "beckoned back" to WDW.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Thank you Robo!

If you don't mind I have another question: Does having an AP effect when or how I can make ADRs and FP+ reservations?
Thanks!

 

[OB1]

The 10 day comparison is not totally correct. Since you do not live too far away, 2 trips in a 12 month period may work for you. If that is the case, you will find the pass will pay off. We planned just for this scenario because we planned an extra trip in DEC. My wife purchased an ANNUAL pass, because we always go in MAY. Not only will it pay off, but we made great use of the included Memory Maker.

You can book your FP+ according to where your lodging will be. On site = 60 days, off site = 30 days. As long as you have tickets to match to the dates, you can book your FP+.

 

[Robo]

Thank you Robo!

If you don't mind I have another question:
Does having an AP effect when or how I can make ADRs and FP+ reservations?

Timing of booking ADRs and timing of booking FP+ are related to resort stays, not tickets.

ADRs:
If you have a WDW resort stay booked, you can book ADRs 180 days out, plus 10 days after that, no tickets needed.
If you don't have a WDW resort stay booked, you can book ADRs 180 days out, one-day-at-a-time, no tickets needed.
-------------------

FP+:
Regardless of kind of tickets: If you have a WDW resort stay booked, you can book FP+ 60 days out, plus the remainder of the days of your WDW stay.

AP: If you do not have a WDW resort stay booked, you can book FP+ 30 days out, one-day-at-a-time, for 7 days, total.

No AP, regular tickets: If you do not have a WDW resort stay booked, you can book FP+ 30 days out, one-day-at-a-time, for the total number of days for which you have valid tickets.

 

[OB1]

I better add to my previous post. In order to get memory maker, you have to be a FL resident or DVC. That does change the equation a bit. Sorry for any mixup.

 

[AngiTN]

I better add to my previous post. In order to get memory maker, you have to be a FL resident or DVC. That does change the equation a bit. Sorry for any mixup.

No. Our AP include the photo pass feature and we are neither FL resident or DVC.
Both AP sold to those outside FL include Photopass photos.

 

[AngiTN]

1. Yes.

2. You could buy the MINIMUM required tickets for the package (usually a 2-day base ticket) per person and NOT USE those new tickets for that trip. But just continue to HOLD them until such time as you can use them, or upgrade them, or use them to pay for an AP renewal in the future.

3. Pros: Save a lot of money on tickets. Can save on certain resort stays.
Get some shopping and dining discounts.

Cons: With an AP, you are constantly being "beckoned back" to WDW.

I will say without a doubt having an AP has increased our trips to WDW.
But it was part of our intended benefits to having one. We wanted to be able to go more often
We've already added in a trip during F&W that we never planned on, just to get the AP glasses. Without that push we'd have never made the trip
We were able to tack on a few days to Disney when we went to Tampa for the bowl game. Without an AP we would have never done that.
We are within driving distance though we do fly most often, as long as we can get cheap airfare
I love the idea that we can head down for a few days anytime we want.
I love the idea that we don't have to try to get everything in during our trip because we know we'll be back.
It has really loosened up our touring style.
Don't discount the relaxation that AP seems to give you.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Thanks so much everyone!
Have a magical day!

 

[okilydokily]

You can often get pretty good lodging deals and not take the free dining which requires you to pay rack rate for the resort booking. I can't eat that much and the dining plan was a waste for me. I would rather get a good room deal and pay out of pocket for meals. The problem with meal plan calculators is that it is an apples to apples comparison, saying how much you would spend on what is given to you in the meal plan, but as I said, I would never order that much food on a trip without a meal plan. I wasted so much food the two times I tried the meal plan.

 

[AngiTN]

You can often get pretty good lodging deals and not take the free dining which requires you to pay rack rate for the resort booking. I can't eat that much and the dining plan was a waste for me. I would rather get a good room deal and pay out of pocket for meals. The problem with meal plan calculators is that it is an apples to apples comparison, saying how much you would spend on what is given to you in the meal plan, but as I said, I would never order that much food on a trip without a meal plan. I wasted so much food the two times I tried the meal plan.

Another thing they can't account for, sharing meals.
And how an avg meal on the dining plan probably cost more money than an avg meal you pay for. You have to tip on the total cost and a higher total cost is a higher tip. That can really add up over a week long trip.

 

[loves to dive]

Just make sure if you are considering an AP that you are considering it for the ticket cost alone and not any discounts you might receive. None of the discounts are a guarantee. I have an AP, have renewed it twice so have had one for 3 years, I love it but have only used the room discount once. I've found that there are rarely AP discounts for rooms at the time I plan on being there or that I get a better rate using the general public discount and stacking it with an Orbitz discount. For example: I have a trip planned for March 6-12. There are AP rates for that period but I'm getting a better deal by doing a split stay with 2 nights at CBR with an Orbitz discount and 4 nights at Dolphin with the current spring break discount they are running (I got a room there for $206/night and even adding on their silly parking fees I'm doing better). I do use the discounts on merchandise and I got a TIW card last year but won't be renewing that after it expires since with the increase it doesn't make sense for me. I do go twice a year, for F&G and F&W and always stay at least 5 nights. Even with the increase in AP rates, my renewal cost is less than I would pay for park hoppers for that many days. There is something to be said about knowing you have tickets if you get a wild hair and want to go and knowing you have park hoppers. The addition of the memory maker is not a thing for me, I never use it and won't use it now, I do wish they gave you an option not to get it but it is what it is.