Help: UMP vs Premium APs???

[Tigger's Friend]

Hello,

I need the opinion of the experts out there in DIS land. On previous trips I never really thought too much about the trip and just booked a package deal (minus the airfare). For the trip I am planning for 2002 I started checking out what was out there for me. Since I have always done a package I just used to get the UMP for the length of my stay. I am wondering if the Premium APs would be a better (and cheaper) way to go.

The length of the trip is planned for 14 nights/15 days. We will be staying on-site. As with our last trip I am sure my Mom will want to go to Pleasure Island once or twice and quite a few nights were spend at Disney Quest. And, believe it or not we have still to get to any of the water parks so that is top priority on our "things to do list".

So, with that itinerary would it be cheaper to purchase Premium Annual Passports for the both of us? If so, how do annual passes work? If I purchase them now I understand that I get a voucher. When does the clock actually start ticking on the year time frame? When I get the voucher or when we get the actual passport?

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by Tigger's Friend

The length of the trip is planned for 14 nights/15 days.

So, with that itinerary would it be cheaper to purchase Premium Annual Passports for the both of us? If so, how do annual passes work? If I purchase them now I understand that I get a voucher. When does the clock actually start ticking on the year time frame? When I get the voucher or when we get the actual passport?

As far as whether it is worth it financially to get a premium AP over a UMP, the answer is a resounding "YES!". The longest "length of stay" i could find for UMP pricing is 13 days/12 nights and that's $455 with disney club discount. Assuming UMP's average around $35/day, a 15 day UMP would cost almost $525!

A premium AP, on the other hand, costs $475. Not too bad a savings. (those are both disney club discounted prices by the way!).

In addition to the up front savings you'd get with a premium AP, if you go once a year and decide to book 2003's trip 2 weeks earlier than 2002's trip, you'd be able to get an additional trip out of your AP's (unlike the UMP's which expire on midnight of the day you check out).

Don't forget the possibility of annual passholder discounts on rooms as well! Those aren't generally released until a few months before your travel date, but people typically save around 40% off of the rack rate of the room... on a trip we just booked, we are saving 55% off the rack rate (getting a $319 garden wing room at the contemporary for $139!).

The way annual passes work is that you can either buy them at the gate (the resorts don't do them) or at a disney store. Be sure to get a disney club card because you will save the $40 you spend on joining the club and then some on your passes.

If you buy it at the gate, you buy an active pass right then and there. The first time you go through the turnstile you will scan your fingers in their biometric reader and it will be encoded on your pass. Every time you enter you'll need to scan your fingers... but, the upside of that is that you never have to get your hand stamped for park re-entry again (well, as long as you use AP's!).

If you buy one at the disney store, it takes a few weeks to get in and you get a voucher that must be exchanged at the gate. The pass isn't activated until you exchange your voucher, so you can hold the voucher for a while.

Have a great trip! Beware, though, an AP burning a hole in your pocket makes WDW very addicting when you realize you can save 40% on room and don't have to pay for admission!

Lisa

 

[Tigger's Friend]

Lisa F....

Thanks for the information. Both Mom & I are Disney Club Members so we would be able to get the discount.

I like the idea that the clock on the passport doesn't start ticking until you get the passport and not the voucher.

Mom never wants me to spend alot on the hotel for our trips so the last two trips have been at the ASMu (which we completely enjoyed). But, if I could get a discount on one of the other hotels maybe I can convince her to try one of them out.

Thanks again!!!

 

[SueEllen]

Do the Premium APs include DQ? I didn't think that they did. I was under the assumption that it was the water parks and Pleasure Island only.

Sue Ellen

 

[Kaa]

I'm with Sue Ellen. I don't think the Premium AP includes admission to DisneyQuest. I believe there is a DQ Annual Pass, but I don't know much about it.

 

[Tigger's Friend]

Hello,

I just went to Disney's website to check about Disney Quest and according to their website on tickets and passes, Disney Quest is one of the things included on the Premium Annual Passport. It is not included in the regular Annual Passport. If they have changed it to not include Disney Quest they have not updated their website.

Maybe I will give Disney a call just to confirm what their website is saying.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Lisa F]

Yes, premium AP's now include Disney Quest. They didn't always and I'm trying to remember when this change was made (sometime in January). It was really great too, because if you already had a premium, you could use it at DQ (it wasn't just for new purchases). Whatever they are calling length of stay passes nowadays also includes DQ. The only thing that doesn't are the plus options on parkhopper plus passes.

Because two moderators are saying they don't think it's true, I figured I'd include some proof (hey, when I'm reading the boards I'm much more likely to believe a moderator or a very frequent poster than an occasional poster like myself!) Below is a scan of one of the pages in our 2001 premium AP sleeve.

Lisa

 

[Kaa]

Hi Lisa!

Thank you for the information. I didn't know this had been changed. While we moderators know alot, we certainly don't know everything!

 

[Tigger's Friend]

Thanks Again Lisa.

I think you have cleared up the confusion. And thanks for posting the copy of the information about it. Disney is constantly changing things that it is no wonder no one can keep up with the changes.

Funny story....I sent an email to Disney last night and wouldn't ya know it...I get an email back saying "Premium Annual Passes do NOT include Disney Quest". So ya see....even those at Disney do not know what is covered and what isn't. I sent an email back telling them to check their own website as it says Disney Quest IS INCLUDED in a premium Annual Passport.

Thanks for trying Kaa and SueEllen but hey, if Disney doesn't even know then I wouldn't expect anyone else to know.

 

[Tigger's Friend]

I got another reply from Disney. As I previously posted I sent an email saying website says Disney Quest included yet they had sent me an email saying not included. Here is the reply I got tonight:

"Dear Guest,

Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

We do apologize, however the last message that was sent to you may have been an automated response that apparently did not reflect the latest infomation on the Premium Annual Pass in regards to Disney Quest being a part of the unlimited admission. So, yes Disney Quest is part of the unlimited admission for the life
of the Premium Annual Pass.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Thank you - and have a DISNEY day!"

Thank you to those who replied to this post and sorry it caused a bit of confusion.