Can anyone help me out with Annual Passes?

[mamato3girls]

I'm trying to do some number crunching and decide what the best value for us is. We do Disney yearly (at least that's the plan), we are trying to decide if the ap may be worth it for us if we plan our trips right. We are a family of 5 (myself, hubby, dd 5 1/2, dd 3 1/2 and an 11 month old). We are planning for next spring to be our next trip and then again in the spring of 2014.

I was thinking that we could do the AP and go in April of 2013 and then maybe March of 2014. I understand we get a bit of a discount on resort reservations and also we could buy the Tables in Wonderland card, is this right? Would the discount on our resort room be enough to offset the prices of the AP? We generally stay in the value resorts and they are fine for us probably until my baby is a bit older.

Or are we better just trying to get the spring discounts or free dining?

 

[waffles77]

Do you usually buy tickets with a hopper?

Even without the extra discounts, the straight out amount for the AP is a better deal. Two 7 day tickets with hopper total $690.

The AP is $611.

If free dining is available at some point, you would be required to buy a minimum of a 2 day ticket for $176. We have done this in the past even though we had an AP because it was still a better deal to get the free dining. The 2 day ticket can be used in the future or you could even upgrade it when you wanted to use it for your next visit - 2015?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I'm trying to do some number crunching and decide what the best value for us is. We do Disney yearly (at least that's the plan), we are trying to decide if the ap may be worth it for us if we plan our trips right. We are a family of 5 (myself, hubby, dd 5 1/2, dd 3 1/2 and an 11 month old). We are planning for next spring to be our next trip and then again in the spring of 2014.

I was thinking that we could do the AP and go in April of 2013 and then maybe March of 2014. I understand we get a bit of a discount on resort reservations and also we could buy the Tables in Wonderland card, is this right? Would the discount on our resort room be enough to offset the prices of the AP? We generally stay in the value resorts and they are fine for us probably until my baby is a bit older.

Or are we better just trying to get the spring discounts or free dining?

You probably have to do the math on each possible option. The AP discount is not as goo as it used to be, most likely 15% to 20% at Values, and certain times of the year, probably around Spring Break, the discounts are probably minimal. Compare it to a 10 Day with hopping and no expiration.

A regular AP is good for entry to all 4 parks and park hopping for 365 days and you usually need to get 10 or more days for it to be a good value. If you have AAA, some locations sell them at a discounted price, they do at the AAA South, which is in GA, FL, and TN and you can buy from them even if you don't live in those states.

The Table in Wonderland card is a good value, in my opinion. Check out www.allears.net for more information on where the discounts are good, but it's most all dining locations on property, some with the TiW card and some with just the AP. There are other discounts, like recreation, tours, shopping, etc.

 

[mamato3girls]

We have never done park hopper before but we are considering it for our next trip. Since we've learned that DHS and Epcot aren't really thrilling for my kids for a whole day we figured we would do park hopper next time so we have the flexibility to go to a different park after lunch.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We have never done park hopper before but we are considering it for our next trip. Since we've learned that DHS and Epcot aren't really thrilling for my kids for a whole day we figured we would do park hopper next time so we have the flexibility to go to a different park after lunch.

I will never go without hopping again. We don't have children, but the flexibility is great even if you do.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Also, if you ever go to the parks and are not staying on property, be sure to factor in the current parking price if you have regular tickets. Parking is free for AP holders.

 

[Dizisfun]

You can also purchase for a lesser amount the Annual Pass with black out dates. I know some of those times include the summer months, Christmas season for a few weeks and also probably a week a spring break. Don't know if this helps you or not, but it's something to consider.....

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

You can also purchase for a lesser amount the Annual Pass with black out dates. I know some of those times include the summer months, Christmas season for a few weeks and also probably a week a spring break. Don't know if this helps you or not, but it's something to consider.....

Those are Season Passes and are only for FL Residents

 

[buzz2400]

We just bought annual passes for the first time (had them for a year). We go every year sometimes twice. We stay onsite and offsite. I am always looking for the best deal every time we go. Here is what I am recommending and would do again next time. We previously always stayed onsite or in a hotel in lake buena vista. This time we stayed at a condo. It was so nice to be able to spread out (even though it was only two of us). We each had a bathroom, able to do laundry, had a whole kitchen to make whatever we wanted. The annual passes do allow you to park hop and since we had the option, we did it. We even went to MK on the night of our arrival since parking and admission is free and unlimited with the annual pass. The annual pass is only worth it if you are going to be there twice within the year. With regards to the condo, I don't have the name at work that I went through but will be happy to post it tomorrow if you want. Oh and another thing about staying at condo, you didn't have to walk a mile to your room every day. The condo was very close to disney and Target was just down the street to go food shopping. I feel we saved a lot of money on food because we made cold cut and peanut butter sandwiches to the park (and since you probably will have a stroller, you won't have to worry about carrying all the food in the parks).

UPdate: We rented through disneyneighbor.com at windsor hills

 

[labdogs42]

We just bought annual passes for the first time (had them for a year). We go every year sometimes twice. We stay onsite and offsite. I am always looking for the best deal every time we go. Here is what I am recommending and would do again next time. We previously always stayed onsite or in a hotel in lake buena vista. This time we stayed at a condo. It was so nice to be able to spread out (even though it was only two of us). We each had a bathroom, able to do laundry, had a whole kitchen to make whatever we wanted. The annual passes do allow you to park hop and since we had the option, we did it. We even went to MK on the night of our arrival since parking and admission is free and unlimited with the annual pass. The annual pass is only worth it if you are going to be there twice within the year. With regards to the condo, I don't have the name at work that I went through but will be happy to post it tomorrow if you want. Oh and another thing about staying at condo, you didn't have to walk a mile to your room every day. The condo was very close to disney and Target was just down the street to go food shopping. I feel we saved a lot of money on food because we made cold cut and peanut butter sandwiches to the park (and since you probably will have a stroller, you won't have to worry about carrying all the food in the parks).

UPdate: We rented through disneyneighbor.com at windsor hills

Good to know. That's exactly what we are doing for our Christmas trip -- getting AP's and staying at Windsor Hills! Then we are going back in August 2013. Might do Windsor Hills again, depending how we like it in December. So, the AP's will pay for themselves wth two trips, plus I get the free parking and the shopping discounts! And I love to shop!

 

[buzz2400]

You will love windsor hills. the only thing we were upset with was the pool was closed the week we were there. Very clean place, easy to get to, have a security guard that has to wave you in. Nice and quiet.

 

[labdogs42]

You will love windsor hills. the only thing we were upset with was the pool was closed the week we were there. Very clean place, easy to get to, have a security guard that has to wave you in. Nice and quiet.

How will I know if the pool will be closed when I'm there? Or will I only find out when I arrive?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to look at the Everything About WDW Tickets locked sticky in the TPA&S Forum. Especially the items bolded in the list below.

Post and Contents

1. This Table of Contents
2. Magic Your Way (MYW) Ticket Basics Including Definitions
3. Annual Passes and Water Park Tickets
4. Tickets Available Only to Florida Residents
5. Tickets Not Available to the General Public
6. Upgrading MYW Tickets (Not to Annual Passes)
7. Upgrading Tickets to Annual Passes
8. Dealing With Tickets Issued Prior to 1 January 2005 (Pre-MYW)
9. Children and Adults
10. Special Events
11. Comprehensive MYW Ticket Example
12. Hotel Card (Key To The World (KTTW))
13. Lost Tickets
14. Finger Scans
15. Frequently Asked Ticket Questions.
15A. Hopping Rules
15B. WPF&M With No Expire
15C. No Expire Upgrades
15D. Upgrading an Unused Ticket
15E. Upgrading Special Tickets
15F. Checking on Old Tickets
15G. Renewing Annual Passes
15H. Upgrading a Completely Used Ticket
15I. Getting Park Tickets Before Package Start Date
15J. Upgrading After Departure

Page Two of the Sticky

16. 2012 MNSSHP and MVMCP Information
18A. Prices Effective June 3, 2012
18B. Per Day Pricing for Ticket Combinations
18C. How to Save Money on Annual Pass Purchases
19. "Free" Tickets and Special Promotions
20. Ticket Purchase/Upgrade Locations and Telephones
21. Florida Resident Installment Purchases of Annual Passes

To get there directly, follow the link in my signature. The ticket sticky is your friend!

 

[DisneyEater]

You might want to look at the Everything About WDW Tickets locked sticky in the TPA&S Forum. Especially the items bolded in the list below.

Post and Contents

1. This Table of Contents
2. Magic Your Way (MYW) Ticket Basics Including Definitions
3. Annual Passes and Water Park Tickets
4. Tickets Available Only to Florida Residents
5. Tickets Not Available to the General Public
6. Upgrading MYW Tickets (Not to Annual Passes)
7. Upgrading Tickets to Annual Passes
8. Dealing With Tickets Issued Prior to 1 January 2005 (Pre-MYW)
9. Children and Adults
10. Special Events
11. Comprehensive MYW Ticket Example
12. Hotel Card (Key To The World (KTTW))
13. Lost Tickets
14. Finger Scans
15. Frequently Asked Ticket Questions.
15A. Hopping Rules
15B. WPF&M With No Expire
15C. No Expire Upgrades
15D. Upgrading an Unused Ticket
15E. Upgrading Special Tickets
15F. Checking on Old Tickets
15G. Renewing Annual Passes
15H. Upgrading a Completely Used Ticket
15I. Getting Park Tickets Before Package Start Date
15J. Upgrading After Departure

Page Two of the Sticky

16. 2012 MNSSHP and MVMCP Information
18A. Prices Effective June 3, 2012
18B. Per Day Pricing for Ticket Combinations
18C. How to Save Money on Annual Pass Purchases
19. "Free" Tickets and Special Promotions
20. Ticket Purchase/Upgrade Locations and Telephones
21. Florida Resident Installment Purchases of Annual Passes

To get there directly, follow the link in my signature. The ticket sticky is your friend!

I just want to say I love this sticky and it has saved me hundreds of dollars!

 

[buzz2400]

How will I know if the pool will be closed when I'm there? Or will I only find out when I arrive?

we were there the first week of January and it said it was an annual thing so I would assume they do it every January. You can email the person you are renting from and ask them. They should know for sure.