Annual Passes, worth it?

[Lebestiole]

Hi!

So, I'm pretty sure that it is worth it. But I'm not from the US, so maybe for international guests is not worth the price?

 

[Mr. lncredible]

Are you going to go more than once a year?

 

[Lebestiole]

Yeah, that's why I want to get it. So I can go to Disney more than once a year. I still don't understand how it works tho. Like, park tickets are now "free"? Do I get discounts on Disney hotels?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

It's one of those times where you just have to do that math to know! We're Florida residents, so for us, we can get the Seasonal Annual Pass (which has blackout dates) and it's less than a 5-day parkhopper. So if we go for a weeklong trip, it's worth it to us, and then we'll usually do at least one "bonus" trip later in the year to get one more use out of them before they expire.

Essentially, if you have an AP, you can have as many entrances to the 4 main theme parks as you wish. If you pay extra for the Premium Annual Pass, you also get unlimited admission to the water parks and (for now) DisneyQuest. Yes, there are also discounts on merchandise (10%) and some dining (depends on restaurant) and resorts (depends on the season, resort level). You can also buy a Tables in Wonderland card for $100, which gives you 20% off most table-service (and a very few quick service) restaurants, including alcohol. Many AP holders think that's a much better deal than the dining plans.

The only downside to having an AP is that it burns a hole in your pocket and constantly begs to be used!

 

[supersnoop]

Yeah, that's why I want to get it. So I can go to Disney more than once a year. I still don't understand how it works tho. Like, park tickets are now "free"? Do I get discounts on Disney hotels?

An annual pass is a 366-day park hopper ticket.

 

[loves to dive]

I think the average is if you go for at least 10 days during the year, AP is a better deal. Do you normally get PH? If so, just look on the website for the cost of the PH for how many days you plan on being there a year and compare to an AP. Yes you get a discount at some stores, some restaurants and sometimes they have room discounts. I take at least 2 five night 6 day trips a year so it work for me, especially if I get a room discount.

 

[loves to dive]

Oh, and there is about a $100 discount when you renew.

 

[Marionnette]

Hi!

So, I'm pretty sure that it is worth it. But I'm not from the US, so maybe for international guests is not worth the price?

Yeah, that's why I want to get it. So I can go to Disney more than once a year. I still don't understand how it works tho. Like, park tickets are now "free"? Do I get discounts on Disney hotels?

An AP will allow you to enter the parks without additional charge for 366 consecutive days. In addition, AP holders are offer some benefits which can change from time to time. The current AP benefits can be found here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/

Room discounts are not always available, so if you have your heart set on a specific resort you may not be able to get a discount. I would not purchase an AP with the expectation of getting a room discount.

 

[Lebestiole]

Thank you guys for your comments! I really appreciate them!

So I did the math and it seems that it's really not worth it right now. But in a year and a half I'm going to move to California (well, that's the plan! Who knows?) And then it will be nice to get an AP to go to Disneyland as much as I want to! I'm guessing that it also works for WDW?

 

[sophie832]

Thank you guys for your comments! I really appreciate them!

So I did the math and it seems that it's really not worth it right now. But in a year and a half I'm going to move to California (well, that's the plan! Who knows?) And then it will be nice to get an AP to go to Disneyland as much as I want to! I'm guessing that it also works for WDW?

No, the Disneyland AP only works for D-land, just like the WDW AP only works for WDW. However, there is something called the Premier AP, which is what we have, and it is the equivalent of having an AP for both D-land and WDW. It is over $1000 (and you can only do the payment plan for the D-land portion, so you have to pay the WDW portion in-full), but it is worth it if you are going to go to WDW for 8 days like we are (we live in SoCal, so we have D-land APs anyway). You get the AP discounts for both parks, and you can still buy TIW at WDW if you plan on doing a lot of Table Service meals.

 

[Minniekins]

No, the Disneyland AP only works for D-land, just like the WDW AP only works for WDW. However, there is something called the Premier AP, which is what we have, and it is the equivalent of having an AP for both D-land and WDW. It is over $1000 (and you can only do the payment plan for the D-land portion, so you have to pay the WDW portion in-full), but it is worth it if you are going to go to WDW for 8 days like we are (we live in SoCal, so we have D-land APs anyway). You get the AP discounts for both parks, and you can still buy TIW at WDW if you plan on doing a lot of Table Service meals.

Next year we are planning a 6 night, mon - sun trip to DL in May, then a 7(possibly 8) night trip to WDW in Dec. would a premium AP really be cheaper than buying tickets for each park separately? With the DL 5 day hopper at about $315, that'd be like buying an AP for WDW for only 7/8 days(in May it was $696). That doesn't seem like much of a deal at all.

We have an AP now that will run out about May 20th. Can we renew before that a couple weeks, to the premium AP if we were going to do that and would we be able to get $100 renewal discount if we were renewing/upgrading to the prem AP from the WDW AP?

 

[Accident]

As someone that just upgraded to AP and is kicking themselves for not doing it sooner, it could be really beneficial depending on what your needs are.. As mentioned earlier, there is a few versions of the passes and different discounts depending on which you get. Also mentioned earlier, you can get tables in wonderland also and get more food discounts.

For room deals, they aren't as plentiful, limited on resort options and sometimes not out very far in advance. If your flexible on shorter reservations and not as picky on resort choices it can be a noticeable savings. You also don't need everyone as an AP member to get a lot of the benefits but it can change how/what you book especially when tickets are tied to a really good package deal (some of which have AP versions without the tickets, but from what I understand not too many). Again a reminder, JUST upgraded so I haven't seen too much.

When you have a longer trip, it can look like your saving money not going AP, which is what I thought I was doing and it ultimately turned out after I ran the numbers again recently that I could have saved a lot more than I did if one of us had an AP sooner.

Now our main reason for upgrading recently is because we're going to save money on tickets within the first year, the rest is just an eye opener that I wasn't paying attention too previously.

There is a down side to getting an AP, you could be at disney and you don't have the cost of park tickets and nice AP deals to make it cheaper is in your mind at all times.

 

[sophie832]

Next year we are planning a 6 night, mon - sun trip to DL in May, then a 7(possibly 8) night trip to WDW in Dec. would a premium AP really be cheaper than buying tickets for each park separately? With the DL 5 day hopper at about $315, that'd be like buying an AP for WDW for only 7/8 days(in May it was $696). That doesn't seem like much of a deal at all.

We have an AP now that will run out about May 20th. Can we renew before that a couple weeks, to the premium AP if we were going to do that and would we be able to get $100 renewal discount if we were renewing/upgrading to the prem AP from the WDW AP?

I am not sure in your case it would be worth it. We have our Premium Disneyland AP regardless. I did a spreadsheet with the cost of 8-day PH tickets (which ignores the fact that APs include water parks, etc.) vs. the AP upgrade to the Premier, and it was very close. Factoring in AP discounts such as TIW and merchandise, we feel like it is a better deal.

I would compare the costs side-by-side and see how much the difference is. I am less familiar with having a WDW AP and upgrading to the Premier vs. having a D-land AP and upgrading.

 

[Minniekins]

I am not sure in your case it would be worth it. We have our Premium Disneyland AP regardless. I did a spreadsheet with the cost of 8-day PH tickets (which ignores the fact that APs include water parks, etc.) vs. the AP upgrade to the Premier, and it was very close. Factoring in AP discounts such as TIW and merchandise, we feel like it is a better deal.

I would compare the costs side-by-side and see how much the difference is. I am less familiar with having a WDW AP and upgrading to the Premier vs. having a D-land AP and upgrading.

Yeah, you're right, this really is not a good plan for us! Looked up tickets and 8 day hoppers are $435. Added to the DL 5 day ticket of $315, that's only $750! A lot to be sure, but not close enough to see the premier pass as a better deal, lol. We like the TIW card but I think that'd only work at WDW, so not a very good value next year. Guess it'll be a 5 day DL Hopper and an 8 day WDW hopper for us next year! Thanks sophie832!

 

[Marionnette]

I am not sure in your case it would be worth it. We have our Premium Disneyland AP regardless. I did a spreadsheet with the cost of 8-day PH tickets (which ignores the fact that APs include water parks, etc.) vs. the AP upgrade to the Premier, and it was very close. Factoring in AP discounts such as TIW and merchandise, we feel like it is a better deal.

I would compare the costs side-by-side and see how much the difference is. I am less familiar with having a WDW AP and upgrading to the Premier vs. having a D-land AP and upgrading.

Regular APs do not include the water parks, etc. They only cover the 4 theme parks. PAPs include the water parks, DQ, WWoS and Oak Trail Golf Course admission in addition to the 4 theme parks.

 

[RachealM]

If you structure your trips around the blackout dates and aren't interested in the water parks, the Seasonal pass might be a much better option instead of the annual. There really aren't that many blackouts, and honestly it only cuts out the busiest (and IMO the most miserable) times to go The only month we don't visit the parks due to blackouts is July.

Oh, and there is about a $100 discount when you renew.

On the Seasonal, it's about $50 off per ticket for renewal.

 

[loves to dive]

If you structure your trips around the blackout dates and aren't interested in the water parks, the Seasonal pass might be a much better option instead of the annual. There really aren't that many blackouts, and honestly it only cuts out the busiest (and IMO the most miserable) times to go The only month we don't visit the parks due to blackouts is July.



On the Seasonal, it's about $50 off per ticket for renewal.

Aren't the seasonal only for Florida residents?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Aren't the seasonal only for Florida residents?

Yes, only Florida residents can get the Seasonal Annual Pass.

 

[RachealM]

Aren't the seasonal only for Florida residents?

Oooh, I guess they are. I'm sorry, I never realized that : /

 

[smiths02]

Yeah, you're right, this really is not a good plan for us! Looked up tickets and 8 day hoppers are $435. Added to the DL 5 day ticket of $315, that's only $750! A lot to be sure, but not close enough to see the premier pass as a better deal, lol. We like the TIW card but I think that'd only work at WDW, so not a very good value next year. Guess it'll be a 5 day DL Hopper and an 8 day WDW hopper for us next year! Thanks sophie832!

It might be worth it for one person in your party to have the Premier pass. It would only take one person in the party to have the pass to qualify for discounts-dining and shopping and resorts, free parking, Tables in Wonderland
We did 8 nights at WDW, and we saved over $200 with TiW, family of 5 (2 adults, 1 child, 2 toddlers), so even in one trip, it more than paid for itself.