Anual Passes

[bonnie w]

Can anyone give me information regarding Disney Annual Passes? Can they be used at all four parks just like a hopper pass...in other words you can go to more than one park per day? They are good for 365 days...now is that 365 days from the day of purchase or 365 days for the first day it is used? Any perks with the annual pass other than being able to use it for an entire year? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[B'rer Karen]

Hi Bonnie. Yes, an AP will get you into all four parks, and you can hop as much as you want. When you purchase your original AP, you get a voucher that you than activate as an AP when you're ready to use it. Your one year starts from the first day you use it. You actually get 366 days out of it. For example, I activated my AP on 9/13/02 and I can continue to use it through 9/13/03. The rules are different for a renewal of an AP. Those start immediately. So when I renew my AP, even if I don't go to the park until 10/01/03, it will start on 9/14/03.

There are also Premium Annual Passes that will get you into the water parks and PI.

As an AP holder you get a quarterly newsletter that will let you know of new happenings and special AP only offers. There are often special hotel rates for AP holders, and occassionally they will hold special events. In March they had 6 nights where MGM was kept open an extra two hours just for APers to ride RnR and ToT.

There are other discounts as well, although the number of offers has declined through the years. Right now we still get 10% off purchases at the World of Disney, I think there are specials on miniature golf and regular golf, things like that.

If you're going to spend 8 or more days in a year at WDW, then an AP makes sense. Although I've found that I use it as a license to make more trips to WDW than I used to!

 

[MelissathePooh]

Hi Bonnie,

Check out the official Disney webpage:

http://www.disneyworld.com

if you go to the shortcuts area you can highlight the tickets section and it should give you all the info you need.

AP's do act as park hoppers and are valid for 365 days. Say you buy your pass on 6/1/3 - it will expire on 6/1/4. If you renew before it expires there is a small discount on the cost and the new pass will be good as of 6/1/4. The original pass overlaps a days in a way, but the new pass starts on that same day so its not really an extra day unless you don't renew your pass.

There are some discounts attached with the passes - minor dining and activity offers, mainly people like the resort room discounts. Bare in ming that the room discounts are not guaranteed and may not be offered. It seldom happens that way, but make sure you know why you want the AP - for multiple trips or just the chance of room discounts.

Hope that helps!

 

[AMClvsMKY]

I purchased ours for the first time last November. They are like hoppers in that you can visit multiple parks in one day numerous times. It depends on where you buy it from regarding when it starts. If you purchase it from a Disney store, they give you a voucher and the pass doesn't become active until you pick up the actual pass at WDW. If you purchase at WDW or the official place in Ocala ( off I-75 in Florida) they are effective the day of purchase. Other benefits we have found so far are deals on rooms with the pass. You also get benefits on certain food and merchandise purchases at certain locations at WDW. You also get a discount at the water parks and off certain sports and recreation. Parking at the parks is included also.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Current 2003 AP benefits: http://wdwig.com/apass.htm#2003

 

[InstImpres]

Sorry to chime in...I want to get an AP for my trip in July. If I have to go to guest services to activate something bought at a local store, is there any advantage to buying the "voucher" in advance or should I just go straight to GS?

Thanks
Sandy

 

[beachbunny]

I believe that if you're going to use your DC to purchase an AP, it must be done in advance. You can't do it at WDW.

 

[DebbieB]

You can get a DC discount on AP's at the gate, I did it earlier this month. Only parkhopper plus' require an advance purchase for the DC discount.

The only advantage to getting a voucher ahead of time is if there is a price increase before you get to WDW.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

In March they had 6 nights where MGM was kept open an extra two hours just for APers to ride RnR and ToT.

Wow, bet that was cool. That's the first I've heard about that!
Just out of curiosity- so it was ONLY for APers? Or could they bring guests? Just thinking of how many people have one person in the family that has an AP (for various reasons- discounts or for like in my case, I'm the only one that needed it for solo trips and such)- they had to go alone for those two hours? Wow, maybe that could be used as an excuse to get away from the entire family for 2hrs. LOL

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
Wow, bet that was cool. That's the first I've heard about that!
Just out of curiosity- so it was ONLY for APers? Or could they bring guests? Just thinking of how many people have one person in the family that has an AP (for various reasons- discounts or for like in my case, I'm the only one that needed it for solo trips and such)- they had to go alone for those two hours? Wow, maybe that could be used as an excuse to get away from the entire family for 2hrs. LOL

As far as I know it was only for AP'ers. You had to show your AP to get a wristband. And the park was empty. For the most part it was just FL residents since it would be easy for them. I just got lucky that an already planned trip happened to fall during this time. Couldn't have been more than 1000 people the night I was there.

And going to Disney alone for two hours is nothing. I love my Disney alone time!

 

[bonnie w]

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. I think the AP will be the way to go for us since we will be taking at least 2 one week trips during a year period. Thanks again.