annual passes

[DisKim]

I need some expert advice. I'll be going down for 8 days in July. We each have one regular day and 4 plus days on our old passes. I've been thinking about saving those and buying AP's this year. I thought we could return twice in the year to come. I'm feeling guilty about spending so much for four AP's. I'd like to know what the experts think. Actually, I'd like you to help me justify spending the extra money so I don't feel so guilty.

 

[wuv tigger]

The break even is approx. 8 park days, so if you plan on going to the parks every day or more than 8 days over the next year you will save money. You will also have the potential of applying for AP rates at resorts. If you prefer to only do the parks a few days, do Universal, or hang out at the water parks it will be cheaper to buy a plus pass.

If money is a real concern you can trade in your old passes for credit towards your A/P. I did this and got a $300 credit towards my A/P. It is usually about $40 per day depending on ticket.

Bottom line is if you are going to Disney a lot it is great. My next trip is in 50 days and I have already used more than 8 park days so I have 2 weeks for free at DW

David

 

[DisKim]

I didn't know that you could apply the amount of the old passes toward the AP. That is a great idea. It will probably save me a couple hundred dollars. Great advice! Thanks!

 

[bobcat]

I don't believe the plus days are worth anything when you trade old passes in towards an AP, just the main park days.

I love having APs and while the initial investment is larger we always get many park days for our money. I had 23 days on my AP last year. I paid around $350 for my Ap (back when I could get a Disney Club discount) so I paid $15 for each day I entered the park.

 

[Disney Debbie]

They're saying on the Theme Park board that they're going up $10.00 tomorrow or Sunday. So make up your mind QUICK!!

 

[DisKim]

I heard about the price increase. It's stressing me out. I have to make up my mind. Does anyone know if I can apply the amount of my leftover park days toward my AP's without sacrificing my plus days? Does that question make sense?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by DisKim
I heard about the price increase. It's stressing me out. I have to make up my mind. Does anyone know if I can apply the amount of my leftover park days toward my AP's without sacrificing my plus days? Does that question make sense?

You will not get any credit for your pluses on the passes, only the major park days that are left. You will not be able to use those plusses once you trade in the pass and if you do use them for the plusses before you upgrade the remaining day to an annual you will have to purchase an premium annual pass.
Also, you can only use one pass per upgrade.

 

[DisKim]

That was what I figured. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Belle5]

What if you took your existing passes to WDW and used your plusses (or at least SOME of them) at the beginning of your vacation and then took the remaining days on your passes and applied them to AP's? Just a thought so you wouldn't lose your plus features.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
...and if you do use them for the plusses before you upgrade the remaining day to an annual you will have to purchase an premium annual pass...

Only true if it's a brand new ticket being used for the first time and upgraded within 7 days of the first use.

In the OP's case, these are already used. She will get credit for the single major park admission remaining unused and lose the unused plusses if she elects to apply the dollar value of them toward a new AP. There is no requirement for purchasing a PAP in this case.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Is the trade in value $40 per day?

Thanks,
Alice

 

[Duet]

Were you thinking of buying Premium AP's that include entry into the water parks, etc. or just regular AP's? If you will be going to the water parks & Pleasure Island, I guess my suggestion would be to hold onto your passes
and purchase regular AP's. Use your plus options for entry into the water parks, etc. and save your 1 day on your hoppers for a future visit. This will save you money as the difference between a PAP & AP is $127.80 (adult) & $108.63 (child).

I hope this helps. I know how tough it is to make these decisions, especially the day before ticket prices go up!!

 

[tednvon]

Hi..and don't forget the little perks from a pass:

Free parking

10% off here and there in Disney stores and restaurants

Some really good deals on moderate and value resorts. (a person in our office bought one AP and 3 Hopper passes last year and the one AP saved her $70 a night at Carribean Beach and paid for itself in a hurry.

Af fun little magazine and internet stuff year round.

Special seating at some concerts, and a couple of AP only lounges in the parks.


Enjoy...Ted

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by tednvon
Hi..and don't forget the little perks from a pass:

Free parking

10% off here and there in Disney stores and restaurants

Some really good deals on moderate and value resorts. (a person in our office bought one AP and 3 Hopper passes last year and the one AP saved her $70 a night at Carribean Beach and paid for itself in a hurry.

Af fun little magazine and internet stuff year round.

Special seating at some concerts, and a couple of AP only lounges in the parks.


Enjoy...Ted

There are no more AP lounges.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Alice Sr.
Is the trade in value $40 per day?

Thanks,
Alice

the trade in value is what you paid for the ticket divided by the number of days. IE: if you bought a 5 day hopper for 250.00 the value per day for upgrade is 50.00.

 

[tednvon]

OOPS!!! Sorry, thought there was still a lounge in EPCOT...Ted

That is why these boards are great!

 

[4greatboys]

I would keep the passes, buy AP's and use the plusses on the passes to hit the water parks. You do receive some discounts with your AP such at 10% lunch at certain restuarants. Plus the often (not always) but often have resort discounts for AP holders. Plus if you are planning a trip within the next year your admission will already be taken care of.

 

[DisKim]

Thanks for all the advice! I decided to buy the AP's. I know I'll be back at least one more time this year and I'll kick myself if I don't do it. I'm going to buy them today before the rates go up.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by tednvon
OOPS!!! Sorry, thought there was still a lounge in EPCOT...Ted

That is why these boards are great!

I wish there were, they went away Sept. 02

 

[DisKim]

I just bought my passes! I'm very excited. Thanks for all the help.