Disney World Annual Passes

[WickedDreamer]

Hi everyone!

My sister and I are headed for Disney World next year for 16 days in January/February. We were looking at passes and we discovered the Annual Passes.

For the 16 day passes (a 10 day and a 6 day Magic Your Way Ticket, including Park Hopper) it will be $700 US, each including tax.

For an Annual Pass, it would be $554, not including tax.

For a Premium Annual Pass, it will be $691 US each, not including tax.

We are looking at the possibility of coming back for a week in October/November 2012. Even if we don't end up going back, we understand that there are some discounts available at several restaurants that we already have advanced reservations for.

Would it be worth it to purchase the Annual Pass and if so, would it be better to buy the Premium Pass? We had already allocated money to the Disney World Tickets so the money is there to purchase any of the passes.

Also, we couldn't find anything about it online but can be still buy Annual Passes, even though we are from Australia? We saw there was an extra section for residents of Florida but couldn't see anything on any of the other passes.

Thank you

 

[WickedDreamer]

I also should have mentioned that we won't be using any of the Water parks but we are going to Disney Quest, as well as the four major parks.

 

[Metsoskil]

APs are definitely the right ticket for your situation. It will save you money on park admission, as well as on other things as well (dining discounts, 10% on merchandise, etc.)

If you are planning on visiting Disney Quest multiple times, then the premium AP is your best bet. If you are only going once, it's probably cheaper to buy a regular AP and then purchase a one-time admission to DQ.

 

[seashoreCM]

You can get a Disney Quest only annual pass for about $95.

 

[2forMe]

I know that travellers from abroad can get longer tickets than just 10 days. There is a UK forum that would have the info...i am just not sure what is available to Australian residents.
If you are for sure coming back than the ap would be your best bet

 

[TwoIfBySea]

When the Annual Pass is cheaper than the one-time-visit tickets for your length of stay, is there ANY reason not to buy them? Are they less convenient or do they come with any restrictions that don't apply to the regular tickets? Assuming money is no significant object, and your sole criterion is convenience and quality -- but that you don't want to just throw money away for no reason whatsoever -- I'm wondering if one should still always get Annual Passes when the price is right.

 

[prttynpnk]

It's amazing how many reasons you find to come back for a 2nd...3rd trip once you have those passes. It is definitely worth the money!

 

[kent285]

The AP will also allow you to purchase the Tables in Wonderland card which gives you 20% off at many Disney restaurants. We always get the AP when we are going to be at Disney for at least 10 days in any given year.

 

[moonangel]

I would say any time the AP is cheaper than the regular tickets you'd be getting then yes, go for the AP. FYI, the Premium AP also gets a higher merchandise discount at WDW-owned and operated merchandise locations (20%) than a regular AP (10%). Also, if you'll be renting a car while there, parking at the parks is free with either the regular or premium AP-a savings of $14 a day. And if you are definitely coming back within the year, that makes it even more worth it...you may even score a great AP discount on a room/package for that next trip.

 

[Toy Story]

The AP will also allow you to purchase the Tables in Wonderland card which gives you 20% off at many Disney restaurants. We always get the AP when we are going to be at Disney for at least 10 days in any given year.

What is the difference between the TIW discount and the the discount with the Annual Pass?

 

[WickedDreamer]

Would it be worth the extra money for the Premium AP, given the 20% off merchandise? The AP only has 10% and we will probably end up buying quite a bit of merchandise, especially as gifts for family. The premium pass also gives us better discounts on some food places as well. Is there any other benefits to the premium pass?

 

[WickedDreamer]

What is the difference between the TIW discount and the the discount with the Annual Pass?

I believe TIW gives you 20% across more food outlets and restaurants across the parks.

 

[DisGal520]

Here are the spots to look for AP info. And I am assuming you will be using a travel agent who can also get you info. The water parks option makes some passes more expensive, so unless you are crazy about them, check out your hotel's pools for a daily dip instead. Disney heats its pools in cool weather.


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/learnMore?id=PassholderLearnMorePage&bhcp=1

http://allears.net/pl/apass.htm

 

[WickedDreamer]

Here are the spots to look for AP info. And I am assuming you will be using a travel agent who can also get you info. The water parks option makes some passes more expensive, so unless you are crazy about them, check out your hotel's pools for a daily dip instead. Disney heats its pools in cool weather.


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/learnMore?id=PassholderLearnMorePage&bhcp=1

http://allears.net/pl/apass.htm

Thanks!

The water parks are closed when we are there in February so we aren't too worried about them for now. We aren't big on swimming, going to the pool anyway.

 

[DisGal520]

Thanks!

The water parks are closed when we are there in February so we aren't too worried about them for now. We aren't big on swimming, going to the pool anyway.

overall then I'd say get the annual pass, not the premium annual pass.
Good luck.

 

[VeganCupcake]

If the dates you are going don't fall into a blackout date block, you could save even more by getting a seasonal.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

If the dates you are going don't fall into a blackout date block, you could save even more by getting a seasonal.

Are there seasonal passes for non-Florida residents?

 

[Jestocost]

Are there seasonal passes for non-Florida residents?

No. Seasonal APs are for FL residents only, so not an option in this case.

To answer a couple of other questions:

Do the math, but if you plan to go to DQ only once then you will do better buying a one-day pass vs. the PAP (I think there is an AP discount for the pass).

As far as TIW vs. the AP discount on dining, the AP discount is only 10%, is available at only a very few restaurants and is generally applicable only at lunch. TIW gives you 20% off you full bill (including alcohol) and is good at almost all WDW TS restaurants and resort bars (and at a few resort food courts). Note that with a TIW card there will be an 18% tip automatically added to your bill. Also note that you only need to buy one TIW card as long as you don't have more than 10 people that will be dining with you.

 

[VeganCupcake]

Are there seasonal passes for non-Florida residents?

Oh fudge! I did not even think about that! Sorry.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

TIW gives you 20% off you full bill (including alcohol) and is good at almost all WDW TS restaurants and resort bars

Where is it NOT valid? I assume not at V&A's chef's table? If it is, I think we'd save the entire cost of the card on that one meal.