How does the premium annual pass discounts work?

[kenman]

How far in advance can you get a hotel discount?
How much discount?
When does the pass start when you buy it or first use it?
What are the benefits?

 

[kenman]

help!

 

[Deb & Bill]

AP discounts only come out a few months in advance of the time period. Your first AP or PAP is activated when you first use it. Then, if you get it renewed, it is renewed on the date of your first activation. We get the PAP and when it expires, we don't renew it, we just get another one when we need it again. We usually get three trips off one pass. For example, we need new passes again, our old ones just expired today. We will get them for our Christmas 2002 trip. Then we will use them in July 2003 and Nov 2003. Then we will buy another new one in summer 2004 and do it again. Renewals are bit cheaper than new ones, but not worth the cost to us.

Discounts vary by resort type - deluxe, moderates, etc. Also by time of year.

You can also purchase a Disney Club card yearly to get discounts on lodging, tickets, meals and activities. They change from time to time, and do not include every dining facility and resort.

 

[GoofysPrincess]

Note that you don't have to have the AP (or PAP) to book the passholder rate. You can book the room now (or whenever it's available) then buy the pass the day you check in -- which is when you need to have it. Room discounts will usually be in the 15-20% range during the value season and the 10% range during the regular season -- not sure about peak or holiday as we never go then.

In addition to the Disney Club members, AAA members also receive lodging discounts which can be similar to the AP rates.

 

[#1 TITANS FAN]

AP discount rates are almost always the best rates offered and usually end up being close to 30% off rack rates. In the past AP rates weren't offered during certain months (such as Oct.), but that seems to have changed in the last year.

 

[DisneyMissey]

My DH and I are buying APs and won't need them until this August. If we buy them right now, will the start date be the day we buy them or the first day we actually use them?? In other words, if we bought them on June 5th and got them sent to us, would the start date be June 5th or August 25th, the first day we will actually be using them?? Thanks!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I ordered my PAP's back in March. What I received in the mail were cards that I have to exchange at one of the parks for the actual PAP's. So the effective date is as of the date you activate them at the parks.