Confused...why would you NOT buy annual passes?

[Snoopymom]

I'm new here so please forgive me for asking dumb questions, but from reading your posts and then checking ticket prices...

$104.95 for 15 months thru AAA South
$99.95 for the 5 days for 2 deal on Universal's site
$59.95 for a 1 day pass

We're going to Univ & IOA for 2 days for the first time this Summer and I'm pretty sure we're going to love it and make future trips within the 15 months, but even if we don't, what's to lose, 5 dollars?

Is this correct? Will the deal on AAA South expire, should I purchase tickets now?

Also, I'm guessing they don't sell children's annual passes at all, so you just purchase adult passes for them?

Thanks so much!

 

[FayeW]

Thanks so much for this information! I am a CAA member, but this offer is not available through the Canadian offices. They did give me the phone number for AAA South, and I have confirmed the information you gave, and that with my CAA membership I am eligible to purchase these tickets. This is an amazing deal! The 15 month membership goes into effect the first time I validate the ticket, so we could get 2-3 trips out of these!

Thanks again.

 

[buzz2400]

If that is a preferred pass, you get free parking plus discounts on most food and gifts.

 

[VW31]

That AAA price is for the power pass, which has blackout dates and no discounts on food, merchandise, etc.
They do offer the preferred pass for $5 off the original price.

 

[FayeW]

That AAA price is for the power pass, which has blackout dates and no discounts on food, merchandise, etc.
They do offer the preferred pass for $5 off the original price.

But you also get a AAA/CAA discount at the parks anyway!

 

[Universal FReak]

i think the preffered annual pace is the best deal you can get for universal
and IOA especially if you are planning to go a lot

 

[Muushka]

We got the best of both worlds. One of us will have the Power Pass and the other one will have the Preffered AP.

 

[FrannyK]

The Preferred Annual Pass gets you a lower rate on on-site hotels than AAA.

 

[damo]

Getting one preferred pass per family is a great idea.

 

[seabiscuit]

Maybe in the past but this year that has not been the case. On several dates i have checked both the AP and the AAA rate and AAA has been lower 7 out of 10 times. Although it is still good for discount throughout the park on merchandise and food (Mythos etc.) They also do not seem to have allotted as many rooms as in the past maybe becaus of tourism rebounding. We bought the (AP 2 for 1 )last year and 3 Powerpasses we found most of the time the Powerpass is a blackout and had to opt for the Stay & Play. I note that this year they did not offer the (2 for 1) deal. If you search the board you will see several complaints regarding the AP rates or lack thereof for this year.

 

[damo]

There are some AP rates out there right now that are about 40 bucks cheaper than AAA. May and June are available at the HRH anyway for about $199 with AP but AAA is $237. The discounts for the summer are basically the same. So it really depends on your dates. The food and merchandise discounts do add up though!

We had a rate of $139 for HRH the beginning of this month and were updated to a deluxe room. That is definitely low season though.

 

[Snoopymom]

more confused now, lol....so, there are two types of APs? the Power Plus for $104.95 and the Preferred one for 174.95, which gives you discounts for the hotels and restaurants on property? So if we're renting a villa during the non blacked out dates, we don't necessarily need the preferred one?

 

[FrannyK]

When I made reservations at HRH they told me only the "preferred" AP would get me the hotel discount.

 

[Back the Badge]

I think at least one member of your party should buy the preferred annual pass.

We got the RPR for $119 per night with it versus $234 per night or whatever the next best rate was. Also used it for discounts on eating and souveniers.

Paid for itself.

Missed out on the buy one get child free ticket they were advertising. This would have been the way to go.

I bought myself the preferred and the rest of the family I bought the annual pass with black out dates. We will definitley be going back within the year so it is a great deal for us.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Because once you have them, you have to go again, and again so as not to waste now free admission.(Partly tongue in cheek but if i hadn't bought Aps last year when they offered 2 yr for 1 yr price i wouldn't have August reservations and plans for next spring)

 

[jlima]

I just made ressies for Mem Day Weekend & the AP rate was not available. Best I could do was AAA for Executive Level at HRH. Should have purchased APs last year!!

 

[Snoopymom]

Because once you have them, you have to go again, and again so as not to waste now free admission.(Partly tongue in cheek but if i hadn't bought Aps last year when they offered 2 yr for 1 yr price i wouldn't have August reservations and plans for next spring)

Exactly the answer I was hoping for, LOL! I hope we love it as much as Disney! Thanks everyone!

 

[cat14]

I'm new here so please forgive me for asking dumb questions, but from reading your posts and then checking ticket prices...

$104.95 for 15 months thru AAA South
$99.95 for the 5 days for 2 deal on Universal's site
$59.95 for a 1 day pass

Was it $104.95 for the 15 month from AAA South? The price now shows up as $115.00

 

[FayeW]

Because once you have them, you have to go again, and again so as not to waste now free admission.(Partly tongue in cheek but if i hadn't bought Aps last year when they offered 2 yr for 1 yr price i wouldn't have August reservations and plans for next spring)

Can you tell me what time of year they generally make this offer available? Obviously, I would prefer to get 2 full yrs vs. 15 mths if I could. Thanks.

 

[packetminnie]

Newbie here. Does anyone know how to contact AAA South?