annual passes question

[Latte Lover]

Is there any advantage to buying disney annual passes for just one 2 week holiday? Previously, we have bought Hopper plus passes. Are annual passes worth the money?

 

[allie5]

The main advantage of an Annual Pass, is the discounts off of WDW resorts. As an example, AP rates for Sept 04 for All Stars are $49 per night and Animal Kingdom Lodge at $109 per night.

Other benefits include free parking at the parks, discounts on mini golf, some restaurants and stores. Also, only ONE member of your party needs an AP.

If you arent staying on site and dont plan to return within the year, then to be honest a Fun In The Sun pass maybe better value as you get all main parks AND the water parks, Disney Quest and Pleasure Island (you would need a Premium Annual Pass to cover these) for 30 consecutive days. Possibly one AP and the rest of your party with FITS tickets???

Here are the prices for the Annual Passes:

Annual Pass (Ages 10 and Over) $379.00 (All 4 main parks, MK, AK, MGM Epcot)
Premium Annual Pass (Ages 10 and Over) $499.00 (Premium pass includes 4 main parks, Water parks, DQ and Pleasure Island)

Hope that helps a bit.
Allie

 

[DisneyBB]

If we were going back within a 12 month period we would buy AP's. We are going in Feb05 and Dec05 next year so we will buy AP's, but we would just get the park only type. The prem AP's for us are not worth the money for us as we only visit one water park on holiday and it would be better to buy the ind. day pass for that. We have been to DQ and it is ok, but we would not visit every holiday.

If we were going only once in 12 months we would buy "fun in the sun" tickets. These give access to all the parks, water parks, DQ and PI. Also KSC and free char breakfast. These are our favourite tickets and our DIL's that are on holiday with us in Feb are using them.

I like having unlimited access to the parks and not feeling that we have to stay all day as we have used a day from our ticket. Both the AP and the FIT give this freedom. We could just pop into Epcot for Dinner and nothing else. It takes a lot of pressure away from touring the parks.

 

[UKDEB]

The biggest benefit of APs over Hoppers for me is the flexibility they give you to just dip in and out of the parks without feeling you've 'wasted' a day. Of course, the FITS pass would also provide the same benefit. BUT, any unused days on a Hopper never expire which is clearly an advantage over APs or FITS.

Our Orlando trips get more and more frequent and I'm sure having APs has a lot to do with that. Although we might not plan to do more than one trip in a year, I never miss an opportunity to twist dh's arm . It's one less cost to factor in.

 

[Hilary]

I agree with all the points already made

If the cost isn't an issue for you, then there is 'value' to be had with an AP for the freedom you get in being able to spend as much or little time in a park as you wish, without feeling you're wasting a day on a limited pass.

Also the potential discounts on accommodation are certainly also very worthwhile if you plan on booking independently and staying on-site.

If you're talking about monetary 'value' then the AP may not be the best option for one trip in the year.

$379 divided by 14 days = $27 per day if you visit a park every day of your trip and never use the AP again. Not bad value whichever way you look at it, but just not the cheapest you can find.

 

[disneyholic family]

i guess the fun in the sun pass must be something available to the UK market only......it sounds like a great deal though...

by the way, my kids (17 and 19) love Disneyquest and have since it opened....we usually go several times each trip, but just for an hour or two at a time....generally in the afternoon...

 

[Latte Lover]

Thanks for the info everyone. Beth, we have teenagers too (14 and 15) and they liked Disney Quest too. Most people seem to only stay a few hours, but we stayed all day and did pretty much everything!
Where can I find info (ie prices) on the FITS tickets? I've seen them mentioned on the boards but not on any ticket lists.

 

[squitty]

Hi Latte Lover

We have purchased the FITS tickets for our trip in Oct
We bought them from Paramount travel
The adult price is $311.00 and children ages 3 - 9 $251.00 plus a $30.00 delivery fee.

Disney's Florida Fun in the Sun Ticket
* Your Florida Fun-in-the-Sun Ticket entitles you to admission for thirty (30)consecutive days to the MAGIC KINGDOM Park, EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios Park, DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM Theme Park, DISNEY'S BLIZZARD BEACH Water Park, DISNEY'S TYPHOON LAGOON Water Park, DOWNTOWN DISNEY Pleasure Island, the DISNEYQUEST Indoor Interactive Theme Park, DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS Complex, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center, Salvador Dali Museum, Edison-Ford Winter Estates, Miami Seaquarium, and Everglades Safari Park, starting with the first day of use at ANY park or attraction listed below. (Admission to sporting events at DISNEY'S WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS Complex is valid only on events days; some events require an additional admission charge).

* One (1) Traditional Resort Breakfast or Disney Character Breakfast at participating restaurants located within the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort. Each breakfast includes choice of juice, one (1) main breakfast dish, one (1) hot beverage and one (1) bakery item OR full breakfast buffet. Applicable gratuities are included. (Priority Seating is required).

* Use of the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort transportation system (includes monorails, ferry boats and motorcoaches).

* The Florida Fun-in-the-Sun Ticket expires 29 days after the date of first use.

The Florida Sun in the Sun Ticket requires the use of biometrics and may required proof of identification via passport or international driver's license with support photo ID for admission

I emailed with loads of Q's before I bought them and Rosa was more than helpful.
If you would like you can email her on rosa@pit-email.com

Hope this helps

 

[Latte Lover]

Thanks Squitty. The FITS tickets sound excellent value.

 

[squitty]

They do, especially if you get a good exchange rate