Annual WDW passes - what is most cost effective?

[mieuxmew]

Considering getting annual passes for of October trip. I am worried about the price increase coming and possibly the fast pass +.

Any advice on getting the best deal on Annual passes?

Can I buy Disney gift cards at Target with RedCard and use them to buy Annual pass vouchers at the Disney Store? That would be like saving 5%. (about $28-30 per pass)

I have also considered buying a 6 day Park Hopper tickets from work site and saving also approximately $30 per ticket. These would be real tickets (not etickets/vouchers). I could possibly then upgrade the tickets to annual passes when we go to the parks on October (after entering the gate).

According to Mousesavers, AAA in Florida gives $50 off annual passes if you go there in person. AAA office is closed on weekends. I will be in Orlando on business and could go April 8th, but am I taking a chance prices may go up by then?

Thank you!

 

[DVC4FUN]

Prices will probably definitely go up by Oct. but not sure if they will by April.

Yes you can use disney gift cards to buy an AP/PAP I did this in dec over the phone though and now have a voucher sitting at will call. I purchased mine with my DVC member discount and the special limited time deal they had for the PAP at $399 + tax ($425 total).

 

[mieuxmew]

That annual pass DVC promo was definitely a no brainer Too bad I am not DVC. Very nice perk!

Can the gift card also pay for the tax?

I like the idea of just buying park tickets now, as it is less layout of cash. Will having an actual ticket be better than having an annual pass voucher for Fast Pass Plus?
The downside to buying tickets is you are at the mercy of Disney to continue allowing price bridging to apply to the annual pass upgrade.

Last year, the price increase on annual passes was huge and they took away the child annual pass price break.

 

[Marionnette]

That annual pass DVC promo was definitely a no brainer Too bad I am not DVC. Very nice perk!

Can the gift card also pay for the tax?

I like the idea of just buying park tickets now, as it is less layout of cash. Will having an actual ticket be better than having an annual pass voucher for Fast Pass Plus?
The downside to buying tickets is you are at the mercy of Disney to continue allowing price bridging to apply to the annual pass upgrade.

Last year, the price increase on annual passes was huge and they took away the child annual pass price break.

Yes, the GC can also pay for the tax.

No one knows what is going to happen with FP+ and the MP+ bracelets. Some people are speculating that MYW tickets will not be able to be put on the MP+ bracelets. Other rumors out there are saying that the AP holders will only be given a certain number of FP+ per quarter and even if they get it put on their MP+ bracelet, they will still need to carry their actual AP for any discounts that go along with it.

The problem with buying MYW tickets now and hoping to upgrade when you get to Disney is that there are no guarantees that you will be able to do this. Disney has always been within their rights to revoke this perk but they seem to use the changes in ticket media to do it. When they went from PHs and PHPs to the MYW tickets, they only allowed upgrades for a short period of time and then they closed that window. You can still use PHs and PHPs but you cannot upgrade them. If Disney switches to a new ticket media when they raise prices and go live with the MP+ bracelets, you may find yourself unable to bridge or upgrade your current MYW tickets.

My strategy was to purchase the tickets that I needed/wanted for my upcoming trip without counting on the ability to upgrade. Once the dust settles, we'll have a better picture of what can and cannot be upgraded. Since I have a few 1-day tickets and a couple 6-day hoppers that are just sitting in a drawer, I have the luxury of being able to do this. I don't think that I would be "investing" in Disney MYW tickets right now with so many question marks surrounding the changes going on. If you want APs, then I think that buying APs is the best route to take.

 

[Readerbug]

No one knows what is going to happen with FP+ and the MP+ bracelets. Some people are spceculating... I don't think that I would be "investing" in Disney MYW tickets right now with so many question marks surrounding the changes going on.

So if I understand you right, MarioNnette, you are thinking there is more possible negative/risk than benefit in buying tickets, even just MYW's as a hedge or "stockpile", then there would be benefits?

I too have been thinking, this would be a good year/trip for APs. (not doing it, though.)

 

[Marionnette]

So if I understand you right, MarioNnette, you are thinking there is more possible negative/risk than benefit in buying tickets, even just MYW's as a hedge or "stockpile", then there would be benefits?

I too have been thinking, this would be a good year/trip for APs. (not doing it, though.)

The only real "risk" that I see is if you are purchasing MYW tickets with the intention of being able to upgrade them in the future. I do not foresee Disney rendering older tickets useless but there's always a very real possibility that they could revoke the ability to bridge and upgrade older tickets.

So if you are stockpiling tickets because you want to get ahead of price increases and they have the number of days and entitlements that you want, the only risk is that you've tied your cash up in Disney tickets when it's possible that you will need the cash for an emergency.