AP Advice

[LisaT91403]

Looking for some advice here. When DS was really young, we had the lowest level pass and would visit on weekdays. I think it cost us about $150 for that pass (!) We did that for a few years, but eventually started buying the next level pass that included some Sundays. After doing that for a couple of years, we did Deluxe for a year, and that was a big splurge because the prices had gone way up. When that pass expired, we decided to take some time off, as we'd had passes for about 6 years.

Fast forward to now. DS is almost 11 years old, and of course, a huge Star Wars fan. Since SWGE will be opening this summer, Grandma and Grandpa decided to buy our family new APs for the holidays so that their grandson can visit SWGE early and often They checked the blockout calendar, and deemed that Deluxe was worthless and that we all needed Signature Plus Passports. So here are my questions:

1. If we buy Signature Passports and add MaxPass, how is that any different from having a Signature Plus Passport...other than the 15 blocked days? I can't imagine wanting to visit on any of those 15 days because the crowds would be awful, right? Would there be any other advantages to have Signature Plus?

2. We do not want to activate the passes until closer to when SWGE opens so that we have maximum Star Wars coverage. Am I correct that I should buy vouchers now so as to avoid a price increase?

3. We haven't visited the parks since October of 2017. Is there anything major (in regards to APs, or anything else you can think of) that has changed? I'm aware of big things like Pixar Pier, but wasn't sure if there were any smaller/less publicized things that I should be aware of.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dina444444]

Looking for some advice here. When DS was really young, we had the lowest level pass and would visit on weekdays. I think it cost us about $150 for that pass (!) We did that for a few years, but eventually started buying the next level pass that included some Sundays. After doing that for a couple of years, we did Deluxe for a year, and that was a big splurge because the prices had gone way up. When that pass expired, we decided to take some time off, as we'd had passes for about 6 years.

Fast forward to now. DS is almost 11 years old, and of course, a huge Star Wars fan. Since SWGE will be opening this summer, Grandma and Grandpa decided to buy our family new APs for the holidays so that their grandson can visit SWGE early and often They checked the blockout calendar, and deemed that Deluxe was worthless and that we all needed Signature Plus Passports. So here are my questions:

1. If we buy Signature Passports and add MaxPass, how is that any different from having a Signature Plus Passport...other than the 15 blocked days? I can't imagine wanting to visit on any of those 15 days because the crowds would be awful, right? Would there be any other advantages to have Signature Plus?

2. We do not want to activate the passes until closer to when SWGE opens so that we have maximum Star Wars coverage. Am I correct that I should buy vouchers now so as to avoid a price increase?

3. We haven't visited the parks since October of 2017. Is there anything major (in regards to APs, or anything else you can think of) that has changed? I'm aware of big things like Pixar Pier, but wasn't sure if there were any smaller/less publicized things that I should be aware of.

Thanks in advance!

1. Correct the only difference as of now is that two week blockout period and maxpass included.

2. Yes, you can buy a voucher now but hold off on activating it.

3. Pixar Pier is probably the biggest change.

 

[LisaT91403]

1. Correct the only difference as of now is that two week blockout period and maxpass included.

Thanks. When you say "as of now"...is that because you believe there will be other differences coming soon? Or it was just a figure of speech? The difference in cost is only $75/pass, and the grandparents have already paid to cover it...but it just seems like a waste of $225 if we don't plan to visit during the holidays. Having said that, if there were potential benefits coming soon, that would make me lean towards the S+ pass.

 

[dina444444]

Thanks. When you say "as of now"...is that because you believe there will be other differences coming soon? Or it was just a figure of speech? The difference in cost is only $75/pass, and the grandparents have already paid to cover it...but it just seems like a waste of $225 if we don't plan to visit during the holidays. Having said that, if there were potential benefits coming soon, that would make me lean towards the S+ pass.

I look at it as Disney could always add more blockout dates to the signature pass because of the wording. Disney did away with the language that x pass is valid for # days a year and now says it may have some block outs or a lot of blocks outs etc. They could also change the extra benefits at any time. That pass used to come with photopass included then when maxpass came out they took it away from that pass except if you were diligent about renewing on time and/or then have to pay for maxpass.

 

[LisaT91403]

I look at it as Disney could always add more blockout dates to the signature pass because of the wording. Disney did away with the language that x pass is valid for # days a year and now says it may have some block outs or a lot of blocks outs etc. They could also change the extra benefits at any time. That pass used to come with photopass included then when maxpass came out they took it away from that pass except if you were diligent about renewing on time and/or then have to pay for maxpass.

Ah, valid point. I wonder if that's a possibility when SWGE opens. No idea how they are going to manage crowds for that area...my head explodes when I think about it. I remember when Carsland opened, and the lines for RSR. That was at DCA, and not nearly the franchise that SW is...so I can't even imagine.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I currently have Signature and my son has Deluxe. He is a huge Star Wars fan so I need to take that into consideration for next year. I was first going to just upgrade him to Signature with me but now I’m seriously considering just getting Signature Plus for us both because I’m worried they will create Star Wars blackouts for Signature.

 

[tarheelalum]

Thanks. When you say "as of now"...is that because you believe there will be other differences coming soon? Or it was just a figure of speech? The difference in cost is only $75/pass, and the grandparents have already paid to cover it...but it just seems like a waste of $225 if we don't plan to visit during the holidays. Having said that, if there were potential benefits coming soon, that would make me lean towards the S+ pass.

Disney can change the terms of your pass after you purchase it. They could limit you even more days than the few weeks around Christmas with the sig pass. That is why I bought sig plus passes for my family back in October. I do not want anything to do with Disneyland around Christmas time but I also don't want to be limited by Disney if the Star Wars crowds are overwhelming and they decide to change the terms on some of the passes to thin the heard. It could still happen with the Sig Plus passes also but I think it is the one they are least likely to change/limit. But there are no guarantees either way. Nobody knows what will happen when Star Wars opens.

 

[starry_solo]

I expect they will add more blackout dates to all passes except signature plus.