Gold Annual Pass

[Drewmama]

Going to WDW for 3 nights in June and 4 nights in February 2018. Is it more economical to get the DVC Gold Annual Pass?

 

[drusba]

The gold pass would cost less than the combination of either 3 and 4 day magic your way tickets or 4 and 5 days, making the gold pass the choice in either of those situations. The gold pass also gives you photo pass. If instead you intend only two and then three park days, the cheaper option would be the magic your way tickets.

 

[Drewmama]

The gold pass would cost less than the combination of either 3 and 4 day magic your way tickets or 4 and 5 days, making the gold pass the choice in either of those situations. The gold pass also gives you photo pass. If instead you intend only two and then three park days, the cheaper option would be the magic your way tickets.

I hadn't thought about the photo pass. Good to know. The gold pass gets discounts, too, right?

 

[erionm]

The gold pass gets discounts, too, right?

All pass levels are eligible for dining/merchandise discounts.

 

[drusba]

The gold AP gets discounts but they are often the same ones you can get with just a DVC member card, e.g., you get a 20% merchandise discount with either. This year there is special 20% discount for dining at specified places with the AP rather than usual 10%.

 

[cw62803]

Another perk of the Gold Pass is free parking at the parks.

 

[Drewmama]

Another perk of the Gold Pass is free parking at the parks.

If you stay on points at a DVC resort, do you have to pay for parking at the parks? Sorry... I'm a newbie.

 

[erionm]

If you stay on points at a DVC resort, do you have to pay for parking at the parks? Sorry... I'm a newbie.

Disney Resort Guests and Annual Passholders get free parking at the theme parks.

 

[cw62803]

If you stay on points at a DVC resort, do you have to pay for parking at the parks? Sorry... I'm a newbie.

No. When you're on property, parking is free. When we stay on property, we always use the fantastic free Disney transportation, so we don't use the free parking perk. Nice to know it's there, though.

In addition to our park stays, we sometimes stay at an off-property timeshare in the area. That's when I appreciate the free parking that comes with the annual pass.

The pass is good for 12 months after activation. We can usually only visit in the summer. If I plan well, we get two visits on one annual pass. Year 1, we go in August, year 2 we go in July on the same pass.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

We use the free parking a lot, because we are frequently rushing to get to an early reservation or fast pass. Now, your free parking entitlement is contained in your Magic Band, whether you are AP or are staying on property. Just let the parking booth scan your Magic Band.

 

[christianweecare]

Don't forget to check out the blackout dates, though. Usually around Easter and Christmas. We don't normally visit during those times so it's a no brainer for us.

 

[mrsR123]

There are some AP dining discounts this year that are better than DVC discounts. Check them out for your June trip, OP. 20% off many table service places and even some counter service spots.

 

[ToddyLu]

Just a reminder to have the actual pass with you. I tried to use the discount via magic band at the Mara and did not realize she couldn't see it on her end, so she requested the actual card--which of course I didn't have because I thought it would be on the "band"....