Can someone tell me about the annual passes?

[Minnie824]

So, we have never had 2 trips planned within a 1-year period, but now w/DVC we do! Yay! Anyway, I want to start figuring out if we should get annual passes. Can anyone point me to what the cost is for adult and child annual passes? Also, are there any times/days (other than special events) when the passes can't be used? Thanks!

 

[global_mom]

So, we have never had 2 trips planned within a 1-year period, but now w/DVC we do! Yay! Anyway, I want to start figuring out if we should get annual passes. Can anyone point me to what the cost is for adult and child annual passes? Also, are there any times/days (other than special events) when the passes can't be used? Thanks!

I cant recall the prices off the top but they are on the DVC member website and you can order straight from there. There are no blackout dates. We also bought the DDE card and that does have some homiday dates blacked out so watch out for that.

We did annual passes this year (bought them oct. 07) and will have used about 30 days of park admittance so it was a very good deal for us. We are a family of 5 so they are not cheap. Not sure if we will renew them this coming Oct. as our plans will be different this next year. We figure that we will get annual passes if we plan to be at WDW for 14+ days during the time of their validity.

 

[doconeill]

The member discount is $100 of the standard AP, $125 off the Premium AP (which gets you unlimited water parks, DQ, PI as well).

They are definitely a great deal if you are going more than once in a year.

DW and I got the PAPs for our first DVC trip in July (5 days) since we were going again in December (8 days) with the kids and in-laws. Unfortunately we only got to use the "Premium" twice between both trips.

Since we are going again this October, we got the kids standard APs in December, so they are already covered. Still deciding what to do with ours - probably get regular APs, as we will likely go again next April. Would be easier if we were in sync though.

 

[JaxFLBear]

The DVC Price on the AP is $348 + tax for an Adult (age 10+) and $307 + tax for a Child (ages 3 - 9). Renewal prices are $315 (adult) & $278 (child) plus tax.

Other than hard ticket events, the AP is good during regular park hours. There are no blackout dates.

 

[Minnie824]

Great thanks! We're doing 9 day pass in Nov and 8 day pass in either March or June next year, so I calculated almost $700 savings! Definitely worth it!

 

[AnimalPrincess]

We figured out that it was not worth it for us unless we were going more than 10 days over the course of the year.

 

[ilovecoasters]

We literally just walked in from renewing our PAP's at AAA. It was $858.00 for two adult passes, florida resident, including tax. DH is not happy. This makes renewal 12 for us. Passes were something like $235 the first year we had them. They really should offer more of a discount. Luckily DS8's pass isn't due until June 26th or I'm sure DH would have imploded.

 

[photobob]

We bought them late June 2007(5 nights), made a trip in February(3nights), a single night for DD and DW before their Disney Cruise next month, and we will return first week of June this year for 5 nights. We probably won't buy them again until June 2009 and repeat the process. The good thing about the AP's is you can make an unscheduled short trip and not have to invest more $ in tickets. I still may renew mine this summer, I haven't fully decided yet.

 

[doconeill]

We figured out that it was not worth it for us unless we were going more than 10 days over the course of the year.

Note, by days, I'm talking days in one of the 4 main parks. A 7 day trip where you only go to parks 5 days only counts as 5 for the tickets.

For adults, a 7-day non-expiring park hopper, which gets you the same entrance entitlements as the standard annual pass, costs about $12 more after taxes ($370 on AP, $382 on PH, per rates on All-Ears). The difference is those 7 days can span more than a year. But if you are going for at least 7 days during the year, it seems to make more sense for the AP. Plus there are the added benefits (discounts, DDE, etc.)

If you want the Water Parks And More option, then its $483 for the PAP, making the closest non-expiring ticket the 8-day at $475 and the 9-day at $504, so at 9 days the PAP is more effective.

If you don't plan on park hopping ever, then for the no-WPAM option the break-even moves to 8 days, and for WPAM the 10-day is roughly even.

 

[RichieGraciemom]

if anyone knows this, I remember reading about when the passes actually expire. we will be down there this agust during our expiration time. Do they expire midnight of the anniversary date of walking throught the gate, or do you get the day after? I believe I read they work on day after or I might just be hoping. Any help would be appreciated. It is our third trip this year and yes we have loved having them again. it also gives you the flexibility of hoping and not worrying about staying in the park all day. have fun anyone going soon.

 

[JaxFLBear]

if anyone knows this, I remember reading about when the passes actually expire. we will be down there this agust during our expiration time. Do they expire midnight of the anniversary date of walking throught the gate, or do you get the day after? I believe I read they work on day after or I might just be hoping. Any help would be appreciated. It is our third trip this year and yes we have loved having them again. it also gives you the flexibility of hoping and not worrying about staying in the park all day. have fun anyone going soon.

Usually it's really 366 days. If you logon the the disney passholder website using the code on the back of the AP, it will tell you when you pass expires.
Here's the link: http://www.disneyworld.com/passholder

 

[kapeman]

It was mentioned before but the AP discount on cash reservations at non-DVC properties can be significant.

Also, the AP allows you to get the Dining Plan at non-DVC resorts.

 

[BCV23]

if anyone knows this, I remember reading about when the passes actually expire. we will be down there this agust during our expiration time. Do they expire midnight of the anniversary date of walking throught the gate, or do you get the day after? I believe I read they work on day after or I might just be hoping. Any help would be appreciated. It is our third trip this year and yes we have loved having them again. it also gives you the flexibility of hoping and not worrying about staying in the park all day. have fun anyone going soon.

It expires on your anniversary date. The 366 is because you get your anniversary date as a built in bonus. In leap year, it's 367.

Your AP has the expiration date listed on it.

 

[RichieGraciemom]

Note, by days, I'm talking days in one of the 4 main parks. A 7 day trip where you only go to parks 5 days only counts as 5 for the tickets.

For adults, a 7-day non-expiring park hopper, which gets you the same entrance entitlements as the standard annual pass, costs about $12 more after taxes ($370 on AP, $382 on PH, per rates on All-Ears). The difference is those 7 days can span more than a year. But if you are going for at least 7 days during the year, it seems to make more sense for the AP. Plus there are the added benefits (discounts, DDE, etc.)

If you want the Water Parks And More option, then its $483 for the PAP, making the closest non-expiring ticket the 8-day at $475 and the 9-day at $504, so at 9 days the PAP is more effective.

If you don't plan on park hopping ever, then for the no-WPAM option the break-even moves to 8 days, and for WPAM the 10-day is roughly even.

It expires on your anniversary date. The 366 is because you get your anniversary date as a built in bonus. In leap year, it's 367.

Your AP has the expiration date listed on it.

ty

 

[OurDogCisco]

When should I buy them... we plan to visit Nov 2008 and July 2009. Should we buy them before the trip or when we get there?

 

[doconeill]

Buy them when you want. If you can afford to get them now, I recommend you do so - you'll actually get vouchers, and they don't get activated until you turn those in for the actual passes, but it protects you against any sudden price increases.

 

[global_mom]

Didn't last years price increase happen around July/August?

I recall buying our passes right before the price increase even though we did not need them for several months after the purchase. Since they dont start until the first day that you exchange the voucher, you can buy them ahead of a price increase and not waste any days of the pass. You get voucher cards that you exchange for the real AP at the ticket windows.

We have loved having APs this year!