Annual Passes

[snookhams]

We have been considering buying AP's for our next trip to the World, our last visit we had the 10 day passes and when you compare the prices and take into account the free car parking they average out at about the same price, but then we could go again at the end of the year and not have to worry about buying tickets just the flights and accomodation!!!

Have any other brits out there gone along this line any info or help would be very much appreciated

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi

We have annual passes to both Disney and Universal, they are a bargain

Here is a link to all the benefits http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/apinfo.htm

Our Universal passes are the $99 Power pass this does have black- out dates, but luckily for us - not the times we go. We ordered these from the website and got vouchers to exchange once we arrived - you get your photos done for the passes here.

We ordered our Disney PAP over the phone and got Disney Club discount as well, (shame the Disney Club ends this year). You get a voucher that you exchange at Guest Services at one of the park's. On our first day we did this at Animal Kingdom - very easy.

Out of both of these tickets we will have spent 5 week's at Disney and Universal so they definately work out a bargain!

Kaylee

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

We've always done this, buying Premium Annual Passes for Disney and Annual Passes for Universal/IoA. We get two holidays from each annual pass, normally planning the holidays in 'pairs' (end of August in Year 1, and the beginning of August in Year 2). When the cost of the tickets are averaged out across the two holidays we think we get pretty good value for money. As AP-holders we get a wide range of discounts including on-site accommodation, restaurants, merchandise, free parking, park tours, etc, etc. The main benefit for us, however, is not having to worry about watching how many days we have used on our hopper tickets. The unlimited access makes for a much more flexible and relaxing holiday. For example, if we want to pop into Animal Kingdom for just an hour or two, we can do this without any pressure to make the most of the visit. APs - definitely the way to go!

Regards

Rob

 

[snookhams]

I certainly think that this is what we are going to do, as we plan an end of Aug hol and beg Aug hol next year, I don't suppose we can get then at the Disney store in the UK can we ?

 

[squitty]

Hi Snookhams

Unfortunatley you can only buy Annual Passes in the US.

 

[crux]

We have Annual Passes for Disney and Seaworld (both include free parking), plus 'Power Passes' for Universal Studios (no parking and 'black-out' dates but only $99). Last year was the first time we'd bought them, but it means that for this years trip the entry into all the parks is 'free' When you add the costs of the three passes together it averages out at $20 per day for 28 days entry, which is MUCH less than the $50+ per day for single day tickets.

As we also joined Disneys Vacation Club the only costs this years trip are for the flights and car (plus annual dues for DVC which I've just paid!).

 

[Penny12]

You can buy AP's over the phone direct from CRO - they send you a voucher which you then exchange for the real thing. (I think you might be able to buy them online at the Disney site too, but you can't get the Disney Club discount if you have it) However, you do still have to line up at Guest Services or a ticket window to exchange them, so the only advantages are

1) If you want to lock in the price before an increase or

2) That's the only way you can budget by buying them one at a time.

 

[Leeds Utd Fan]

The passes are so good, you even get money back and, well for us worked out cheaper than a 5 day pass.

we bought the tickets in the UK on the phone from CRO, we then got $100 off our room rate at the CRB, and while out in Orlando we got 10% discount at the world of Disney.
We received in the post plastic cards within 4 days of booking them we just activated them when we got there, which was no hassle.

We also got the power passes for IOA and USF for $99, even got an escorted tour at IOA when we activated them, this is not usual we were lucky and it is an excuse to go back.

 

[squitty]

Sorry what I should've said that they were not available to buy in the UK Disney Stores!!!

 

[Melcatfish]

I see people saying about calling CRO to buy things...

Whats the number for the magical mystical all seeing all knowing CRO please?!

Cheers
Mel

ps I have only just got up after a heavy night out so please forgive the cloudy brain syndrome which may be making me an extra bit thick here!

 

[UKDEB]

We've been buying APs for several years now (for both WDW and USF) and we love the flexibility it gives us. The first time we went we had 4 day hoppers (the maximum available), which gave you 4 days at the parks (no surprise there) and unlimited entry to the water parks and PI for 7 days from the day of first use. The next couple of trips were 5 day hoppers on the same basis. To get the best value, we found we were spending a disproportionate amount of time at the water parks during the first week. We also felt we needed to be at the parks from opening to closing to get the most from our 4 or 5 days. These days we just do what we want, when we want. Although we do take advantage of the AP benefits in as much as we normally visit twice in each period, and get resort discounts, I think it is worth the (small) extra cost just for the flexibility.

 

[skylynx]

I agree, we have had annual passes for many years while in the UK, and if you take more than one trip a year to WDW, they pay for themselves easily. But the biggest pleasure compared with hoppers is that you dont feel you have to spend all 24 hours in one park to get the value, so even though you are dead on your feet, and walking like a zombie....you dont feel the need to eek out ever second from the hopper... now you can just dip into AK for a couple of hours and then chill out in the marketplace etc....

The AP discounts at resorts have also been good... we got Port Orleans earlier this year for 50 USD with AP discount, and with the ending of the Disney Club card... (who never seemed to get any good discounts..)!!

Plus you can buy exclusive AP pins..;-)

I now live in the USA, so even better....

Go for it...

John