First time Annual Passholder - any advice?

[tlmadden73]

After much debate and some feedback on these very forums, I am deciding to take the AP plunge this coming year -- Nov. 2018 - Nov. 2019. So I am looking for some advice
How often did you use it?
How to use it most effectively?
Where to use it most effectively?
What you learned after having it for a few years .. etc.
Basically, some helpful tips and lessons learned.
Did you get "sucked in" and renew year after year?
Etc.

I am an out-of-stater (NC) about 9 hour drive away.

The main reason to get it? To squeeze in two trips within 11 months of about 4-5 park days each before my daughter turns 3 (and thus starts making the trips hundreds of dollars more expensive).

The initial hope was to be able to catch the opening of TSL in 2018 and then SWGE in 2019, but it probably appears that won't happen. (My guess is that a "late" fall opening means late November to early December of 2019 (past my AP expiration).

The secondary reason to get it? My sister's family just decided to go in March of 2019 and an AP makes it a lot easier (and more cost effective) to go meet them for a few days (though I may have to pull my son out of school a second time (a debate that I've gotten advice from in the Family forum)).

The plan?
1) Upgrade my 5-day non-hopper tickets (purchased a few years ago from UT) into APs when I get there at Disney Springs Guest relations.
2) Use Target-bought Disney gift cards to pay for the balance (to save 5%)
3) Use the AP for any discounts on the upcoming Nov. 2018 trip.

Doing the math, two 4-5 day trips seems to more than pays for the pass (if you buy the tickets separately), plus all the perks save even more money.
(Granted - NOT going at all would save the most money .. but who are we kidding with that thought)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Ben E N]

When I first got an AP, it was for the same reason. Cheaper to do two trips on either end of the year than it was to buy two sets of tickets. Careful - they're addictive. We added a third trip in the middle, staying at Pop, because why not?
We did not renew, and instead repurchased them after a year's time and are doing the same thing. This time we have 4 3-4 day trips scheduled throughout that calendar year.

The only suggestion I wish I had thought of at the start is to always have your card on you. For some reason, I didn't think to start asking about discounts until we were almost done with our second trip. 20% off every merchandise purchase really adds up over time.

And I also did the Target 5% deal in purchasing them. That 5% adds up as well.

 

[Fangorn]

As mentioned, you'll want to have your AP card with you at all times. You'll need it and your ID to get any discounts.

Important behavior/habit to develop - always ask about discounts at shops and restaurants. Also, special events such as tours may have AP discounts that aren't necessarily advertised. At WDW you have to ASK for the discount. It is not automatic, and the CM will not ask you if are a passholder (whereas Disneyland does ask). You will have to show your card and ID.

Steve

 

[Upatnoon]

It's a big investment, and the more you visit the more you reduce your "per day" cost of visiting the parks.

Just remember that tickets are only one part of the expense. There's also food, lodging, transportation and shopping.

My advice is to plan more and longer trips to take advantage of the passes, but save in other ways. You can eat offsite, rent a property with a kitchen, browse the shops -- but not buy, etc.

My other advice is that while infrequent visitors are compelled to focus on headliner attractions, as a more frequent visitor you can take advantage of secondary attractions and shows. Spend some time people watching.

As for AP discounts on food and merchandise, always ask. Many people forget and it isn't automatic.

 

[gharter]

We really enjoy our APs. WE space our trips out so that we can get 3 trips out of a 13 month AP.
It makes it really nice to be able to decide to go into the park on a day when we hadn't planned to go.
Keep the card with you when you are at Disney. There are many discounts that go with your AP, but you have to show the card.
Depending on where you eat, consider adding the Tables in Wonderland card .

We really enjoy the free PhotoPass. Before getting our APs, we never used PhotoPass, now we love having it. the onride photos are fun and now we often stop where the photographers are.

 

[grumpy28]

After much debate and some feedback on these very forums, I am deciding to take the AP plunge this coming year -- Nov. 2018 - Nov. 2019. So I am looking for some advice
How often did you use it?
How to use it most effectively?
Where to use it most effectively?
What you learned after having it for a few years .. etc.
Basically, some helpful tips and lessons learned.
Did you get "sucked in" and renew year after year?
Etc.

I am an out-of-stater (NC) about 9 hour drive away.

The main reason to get it? To squeeze in two trips within 11 months of about 4-5 park days each before my daughter turns 3 (and thus starts making the trips hundreds of dollars more expensive).

The initial hope was to be able to catch the opening of TSL in 2018 and then SWGE in 2019, but it probably appears that won't happen. (My guess is that a "late" fall opening means late November to early December of 2019 (past my AP expiration).

The secondary reason to get it? My sister's family just decided to go in March of 2019 and an AP makes it a lot easier (and more cost effective) to go meet them for a few days (though I may have to pull my son out of school a second time (a debate that I've gotten advice from in the Family forum)).

The plan?
1) Upgrade my 5-day non-hopper tickets (purchased a few years ago from UT) into APs when I get there at Disney Springs Guest relations.
2) Use Target-bought Disney gift cards to pay for the balance (to save 5%)
3) Use the AP for any discounts on the upcoming Nov. 2018 trip.

Doing the math, two 4-5 day trips seems to more than pays for the pass (if you buy the tickets separately), plus all the perks save even more money.
(Granted - NOT going at all would save the most money .. but who are we kidding with that thought)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

We are also a NC family and we also have APs. We do 4 trips a year. Yes, APs are addictive. But oh so worth it! The shopping/food/hotel discounts really add up too. Even the small discounts on parties. We have had them for 2 years now. Before APs we were doing 2 trips a year. Not sure what the future hold for our APs, but I do know we will always renew at least 1 persons AP for the discounts alone. Have fun with them!

 

[pitpat]

Agree about the discounts and Photopass.

Sometimes the AP entry line is a benefit, sometimes it's not. Go wherever it's shorter.

 

[alliecat523]

My other advice is that while infrequent visitors are compelled to focus on headliner attractions, as a more frequent visitor you can take advantage of secondary attractions and shows. Spend some time people watching.

^this. We spend more time doing things like searching for hidden Mickey’s, tours, etc. it’s like experiencing the Park in a whole new way!

As for the AP card, it’s been hit or miss for us. Sometimes we have to show it, sometimes not. I do get asked a lot if I’m an AP so it’s not as if they never ask. It’s always helpful to ask yourself though.

 

[randumb0]

My #1 piece of advice would be to not stay on property as there are many nearby hotels with a shuttle to the park. They money you save could pay for an extra trip.

 

[Ben E N]

My #1 piece of advice would be to not stay on property as there are many nearby hotels with a shuttle to the park. They money you save could pay for an extra trip.

And, as an AP holder, you get free parking at the parks. If driving down, that does make tons of sense.

 

[estnh]

Addictive is right! Once you have it, it is tough to even think about giving it up at expiration time. If you fall head and shoulders into the AP abyss like we did, you might consider another AP perk which is the the ability to purchase Tables in Wonderland at $150.00. We find this to be much more cost effective than the Dining Plan if you visit three or more times a year and tend to frequent Disney restaurants/lounges.
Annual pass discounts are 10% on food only, but TIW includes 20% on food and drinks.

(Only one family member needs to purchase and all get the discounts)

 

[glassslippergirl]

My advice is to stay on top of happenings at WDW and be ready to take at least one more spontaneous, last-minute trip to take advantage of some special event, like the VIPassholder nights or some passjolder preview, that doesn’t have a ton of advance notice. One of our most memorable weekend trips as pass holders was to go to a Pixar anniversary event and see a really great presentation by Michael Giacchino. We only had about two weks’ notice, but the event was well worth it.

Also, I agree with others. Stay off site. You can take more and longer trips with the money saved. Subscribe to mousesavers newsletter for good off site hotel deals.

 

[tlmadden73]

My #1 piece of advice would be to not stay on property as there are many nearby hotels with a shuttle to the park. They money you save could pay for an extra trip.

This makes sense, but staying onsite is addictive too. . On our 2nd trip planned my sister's family is staying at Port Orleans French Quarter and despite our only trips thus far (including this November) being at Values, we may jump to Moderate to join them - though I will have to see what that cost will be. Paying more for a room for a 4 day trip in March 2019 than I am in November 2018 for a 6-day trip just seems wasteful, but being in the same place as them will be convenient.

Since the new parking fee was implemented it seems like Disney is almost encouraging AP passholders to stay offsite. You can stay offsite and get free parking at the parks .. or stay onsite and PAY for parking at the resort (negating a lot of the savings you get with an AP discount).

Agree about the discounts and Photopass.

Sometimes the AP entry line is a benefit, sometimes it's not. Go wherever it's shorter.

Oh .. there is an AP entry line? Didn't know that.

As for Photopass .. yes . .that is another main reason we are doing this. We like the photo pass (especially when sharing with other friends and family).

My sister being able to use our Photo Pass (whether we go or not) seems like a definite benefit. If I can save them $160 and download their photos for them -- seems like another huge savings in getting the AP.

 

[loves to dive]

I've had one for about 5 years, I live in Georgia about a 7 hour drive away. I got it because I go at least twice a year for at least 5 days and always get park hoppers so it cost less than the tickets did. That is still the only reason I get it. Sometimes I go ahead and renew within the 30 day period, and some times I let it expire and buy a new one later on, depends on when I think my next trip will be after the AP expires. We don't use the photo pass, never bought it before and don't use it now that it's included. We also don't use it for parking in the parks, we stay on site, always have and always will, so we park our car at the resort and use Disney transportation. I think I've gotten a room discount maybe twice in all the years of having it, it seems the general discounts or stacking the general discount on top of an Orbitz discount come out better for us. I always have it with me when in the parks and when eating and always ask if there is a discount, we seem to eat at places that don't give the discount more often than not (I have the TIW as well). Every once in awhile we get the discount at shops but again, we tend to shop places that don't give one (darn you mask shop in Italy). We have used the discount for tours when offered. I think the biggest perk for us is park hopping. We have always bought park hoppers, we have been going for about 35 years and enjoy the freedom to move to a different park for whatever reason. For me, it's simple math, if I know how many days I think I'm going during the upcoming year and the AP is less than park hoppers, I get one.

 

[gatormom2tots]

LOVED my AP...but it totally sucked me into completing more trips than I ever planned. This summer I spent about 4 weeks total at Disney and I live in Georgia. Spent way more money because of the AP.

Yet, I renewed mine. I have 3 more trips planned for the upcoming year (unlike the 8 last year!)

 

[SaintsManiac]

My advice: Enjoy it! I won’t travel to Disney without one again. Love the freedom and discounts and special touches. I’d rather take a year or two off, then get APs and take 3 trips in a year over going once a year.

 

[tlmadden73]

My advice: Enjoy it! I won’t travel to Disney without one again. Love the freedom and discounts and special touches. I’d rather take a year or two off, then get APs and take 3 trips in a year over going once a year.

I am definitely looking forward to the flexibility - not worrying abuot "doing everything" (be I'll be back) or being able to extend or shorten my stay and not feel like you are "wasting" anything.

Heck .. I am already planning on a park just for a few hours on our departure day .. just because we can!

 

[SaintsManiac]

I am definitely looking forward to the flexibility - not worrying abuot "doing everything" (be I'll be back) or being able to extend or shorten my stay and not feel like you are "wasting" anything.

Heck .. I am already planning on a park just for a few hours on our departure day .. just because we can!

Yes! Exactly! I would never dream of not "popping in" on arrival and departure day now.

 

[wdw&sonny]

We bought our first just one year ago when we had a September 17 trip planned, and figured even if we just went one more time in September 18' we'd get our money worth. Well, our September 17' flight was cancelled so we changed carriers. We earned a free trip. Considered MIA, Vegas, etc. But discount air fare lead us back to Orlando...for a non-WDW trip...Yeah right! Once we got there, we figured why not? So, we ended up with a couple of days in January. Winter in CLE is tough. Decided to go again in March. Now headed back in 10 days for 4th trip in a year. I'll let them expire and purchase again before our next trip in March 19' and hope to get another 3-4 trips out of that AP.

When at WDW, I keep the AP with my CC and always pull both out, in case there's a discount.

 

[greg9x]

Since you live in a reasonable driving distance and your kid is not in school, maybe you will be able to get those extra trips in. Bought my AP last year with that intention, but son's school schedule and not a lot of good deals at Disney due to high crowds, never got any bonus trips in.

We did do our 2 one week long summer trips, so didn't lose any money on them.. but to 'save' money with AP discounts you have to spend money. If you normally eat table service in the park/resorts, then yes, the discount is nice. But if you normally eat quick service or out of the parks then that discount isn't as useful. Same idea with merchandise... you have to buy it to save on it, which means overall you may spend more. In our 2 trips we saved maybe a total of $50 on meals/merchandise. Some people save MUCH more but they also SPEND much more than we did.

I even got a much better rate at the Dolphin than I could have gotten at a Disney resort with AP discount. Paid ~$120/night at Dolphin including fees (Hotwire), where AP discount for ASSp (never mind a Deluxe) was ~$125/night for time I went.

Things like AP entrance to parks are 'meh'... only once did we use one with no wait when there was 4-5 deep in regular line.... usually found people crowd the AP entrance just because they have AP and want to use it, even though other lines are shorter, plus amazing how many AP holders can't tap through quickly.

Didn't drive, so no savings on parking.

We aren't renewing AP.. but we are burned out on Disney anyway.

So, if your going to come out ahead or even for your planned trips for tickets by buying AP then sure, go ahead and get it. But only you know if the extra perks will be of any value to you.