Is it cheaper to buy an annaul pass if you are going 2x's in one year?

[Disneypal]

We are thinking of planning a girls trip to Disney over Labor Day. One of the girls going is also planning a trip over Thanksgiving with her family. The question is should she buy an annual pass. If so what are the benefits for booking rooms, food and so on. We would all like to stay at a Deluxe resort when it is the girls trip and she hasn't decided where to stay for the family trip. Lastly can you get a discount by using your Disney Club Card on an annual pass?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Yes, you can use the DC discount for an annual pass, yes, it would be a good idea to buy the annual for more than one trip IF the trips combined equal 8 or more days (that seems to be the payoff point) and she cannot book a room with that annual unless she is 18.
However, I will say, no one ever asked me for my pass when I went to AKL this year, so, what they hey, give it a try.
There are many discounts with the AP, too many to list. However, many web sites list them.
I have been asked by the moderators NOT to post my favorite source, so, out of respect for this request, I will refrain.

 

[musicfan]

It's a little hard to figure, because there are so many ticket options and only you know which "extras" you may use, but the break even point on regular (non-"ultimate" or whatever they call it!) APs is around 8-9 days, as Gail Hayden said.

That being said, I have found that for me, personally, the biggest advantage of the AP is the park admission discount. Most of the time, when I call well in advance (6 mos) for AP discounted rooms, they are all gone, at least in the places I want. I don't think they put aside many rooms for AP discounts, especially in the value resorts. And not all of the restaurants give AP discounts -- in fact, it seems like about only 10% of the ones we go to give an AP discount. Since we don't buy souvernirs I have no idea if there are decent discounts there or not.

This is not to discourage you from buying APs! We bought one last year for each member of our family, and it is literally going to save us hundreds of dollars. We did a 10-day vacation last August, and we're going down for three-week s this July! It's just that if you're right on the break point and you're counting on the additional discounts over and above the park admission to make it worth your while, you may want to look very closely at the fine print.

 

[tink2dw]

Here is a site that can help youjust click the link below
http://www.mousesavers.com/annualpass.html

 

[Lanshark]

We love the AP's. It gives us flexibility and we get two vacations and one small trip between. Our first day we arrive late in the afternoon and don't worry at all about whether we are going to "blow" a day on our passes if we just go into the park for a few hours. It really makes the vacation more carefree.

 

[Disney Doll]

If you are going to be in WDW for more than 8 days in any 365 day period, then an annual pass is the way to go.

 

[AuntBJ]

I just got my AP on my trip in March. I immediately came back and booked another trip in May because with my AP I got a good discount at the ASMU so I talked two friends into going with me. I have now convinced myself that it is hardly costing me anything to go to WDW. (Ha-Ha!!) I think the more I go, the better the bargain, right. Stop me before I call CRO again. Mousesavers just posted new AP rates for September!

 

[nancycels]

we always buy annual passes, plan two trips w/in the year, and stay for two weeks each time. this way they more than pay off, even w/the annuals w/the waterpks added on. we like
being able to come and go at will from the parks w/o worrying about wasting a day! better yet, we like being able to decide to just head for the waterparks instead of the hotel pool somedays! (personnally, i cd just buy a waterpk annual, and a couple of park passes for the day and be happy...give me that lazy river, a few days at the parks! and i'm in heaven!