DVC member benefits vs. buying Annual Pass

[mickgirth]

Bought BLT contract via resale last year and taking first trip this June. Looking at buying WDW tickets now. Need 7 days, and I'm on the fence between buying 7 day PH with Water Park Fun and More vs. a Premium Annual Pass (discounted for DVC members), which gives the same park/attraction access.

AP is still more expensive of course, but also provides flexibility in case we do actually go again within the year. Question is, does the Annual Pass afford you any priveleges (e.g. merchandise or other discounts, access to attractions, earlier reservation windows, etc.) that being a DVC member does not? Seems being a DVC member already gives you everything that having an AP would. Is this correct, i.e. is the only thing my analytical brain needs to consider is the additional cost for flexibility to visit again within the year?

Appreciate any help!

 

[chalee94]

Question is, does the Annual Pass afford you any priveleges (e.g. merchandise or other discounts, access to attractions, earlier reservation windows, etc.) that being a DVC member does not?

there are AP discounts for hotels and some stores that are not available to DVC members without an AP. an AP also allows free parking at the parks even if you are staying offsite (DVC membership does not.)

 

[davedmaine]

Bought BLT contract via resale last year and taking first trip this June. Looking at buying WDW tickets now. Need 7 days, and I'm on the fence between buying 7 day PH with Water Park Fun and More vs. a Premium Annual Pass (discounted for DVC members), which gives the same park/attraction access.

AP is still more expensive of course, but also provides flexibility in case we do actually go again within the year. Question is, does the Annual Pass afford you any priveleges (e.g. merchandise or other discounts, access to attractions, earlier reservation windows, etc.) that being a DVC member does not? Seems being a DVC member already gives you everything that having an AP would. Is this correct, i.e. is the only thing my analytical brain needs to consider is the additional cost for flexibility to visit again within the year?

Appreciate any help!

Totally worth it. Pick up a TiW card too and you'll save a lot of $$.

 

[mickgirth]

Very helpful advice from all, thanks. Wht's a TiW card??

 

[PacoDF]

Very helpful advice from all, thanks. Wht's a TiW card??

Tables in Wonderland. It's a card that allows you to get discounts in a lot of table service restaurants around WDW.

 

[Meggysmum]

If your family like the mini-golf courses then the AP offers a much better discount than DVC.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Very helpful advice from all, thanks. Wht's a TiW card??

Here is their website: www.tablesinwonderland.com

Watch the blackout times for use of the card. If you are traveling during those times, it may not be worth the expense of the card. You also need to spend about $500 just to cover the $100 cost for the card.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Bought BLT contract via resale last year and taking first trip this June. Looking at buying WDW tickets now. Need 7 days, and I'm on the fence between buying 7 day PH with Water Park Fun and More vs. a Premium Annual Pass (discounted for DVC members), which gives the same park/attraction access.

AP is still more expensive of course, but also provides flexibility in case we do actually go again within the year. Question is, does the Annual Pass afford you any priveleges (e.g. merchandise or other discounts, access to attractions, earlier reservation windows, etc.) that being a DVC member does not? Seems being a DVC member already gives you everything that having an AP would. Is this correct, i.e. is the only thing my analytical brain needs to consider is the additional cost for flexibility to visit again within the year?

Appreciate any help!

Using Undercover Tourist adult pricing, if you purchase a 7d PH the adult price is $376. The 7d PH WPF&M is $396. A new DVC member AP is $464 and the DVC PAP is $584. So, you would be looking at paying about $190/ticket more for the PAP vs the 7d WPF&M. That's a pretty big jump in cost. It would be worth it if you KNOW you will be able to use it again within 1 year. The PAP does get you a 10% merchandise discount, but you would have to spend an awful lot of $$ to make up the difference. The WPF&M add-on is only $20 more than the regular 7d PH, so it is definitely worth getting even if you only use one of the &M options.

You could get the 7d WPF&M and start using it on your trip. Once you are there, if you know you could use an AP or PAP, I think you could go to GS and upgrade to the DVC AP or PAP. There are some ticketing experts on these boards who may be able to verify that option. I have never done this befor, so I don't know all the details. See post #7 in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

 

[LSchrow]

If your family like the mini-golf courses then the AP offers a much better discount than DVC.

yup, 50% off with an AP
(we love walking over to fantasia gardens from the BWV - often )

 

[nkosiek]

Another consideration is if you'll go next year a week earlier, the AP/PAP makes more sense. That's what my wife and I have decided to do.

 

[Splashboat]

I was thinking of buying AP this year but when I went to purchase online it has the price listed as $494.16 each plus shipping ($464 plus $30.16 in taxes) is this correct?
We only bought AP when they offered that special 2 years ago. Recently we have only bought UT and the tax and shipping is included.
I know this is still a better deal than buying each year but I didn't remember seeing anyone showing the cost as $494.16 plus shipping.

 

[DVC Sue]

We usually purchase an AP once every three years and take three trips within those 12 months. We bank and borrow to cover all the trips. We save a lot of money on tickets that way.

 

[dgaston]

When we buy APs online, we do not have them shipped to us. We just pick them up at Guest Relations, using Will Call. I print out the will Call numbers and use those for making reservations, or MDE.