Is the Annual Pass worth it in this case?

[Roguez]

Here is my 2018 planning scenario (Dates Flexible):

(For sure) Late February 2018 - short 4 to 5 night stay
(For sure) Novemberish fall 2018 – 10 night stay
(Tentatively) early or mid-February 2019 - short 4 to 5 night stay

It would just me and my husband. No kids (don't have any) we usually like to stay at the POR or POFQ but are flexible in trying other moderate resorts or if the price is really, really right try a deluxe.

Now I have been to WDW many times but always with the help of a Disney Agent. Upon contacting this agent she informed me that her agency does not deal with Annual Passes or Annual Passholder room rates so it looks like I’m on my own if I go this route and that makes me a bit nervous. She also warned me that this might not be the best option in terms of savings.

I’ve spent days searching and reading up on these boards to get an understanding of how this all works, all the pros and cons, the tips and tricks, and overall trying to determine if this route is worth it but I’m beginning to get a massive headache and my anxiety is kicking in big time.

Would anyone be able to provide their expertise or have some information or be able to give me a referral to an Agent that deals with Annual Passes that I could contact? Really anything would help.

Took me long enough to convince hubby on doing multiple trips in one year; I really want to make this work.

TIA

 

[loves to dive]

I'm not sure about Canadian ticket prices but for regular ticket prices it would make sense if you normally get a park hopper, you are going to break even there. If you normally get photo pass you get memory maker with the annual pass so you would factor that cost in as well, which mean you would do better than break even. As far as booking a room, it's easy enough. Once you get your AP confirmation, if you have a MDE account it will show up in there or you can just add the number. Any time there are current AP discounts they will show on the WDW site under deals or specials, if you are signed in under your name you will be able to see those prices.

 

[Donald - my hero]

Well let's look at just the cost of tickets first
Assuming you go to the parks 1 day less than your nights (to take into account travel days) and that means needing 3 separate sets of tickets
So: 4 day, 9 day, and 4 day -- if you are able to buy the tickets before May 20th when the CDN discount goes poof you'd pay (prices are in US funds, include tax and are only for ONE person)
$259.60 * 2 for the 4 day = $519.20, $311.52 for the 9 day TOTAL ticket price would be $830.72
Annual Pass = $829.64 SO current savings is $1.08 Not huge BUT it includes all of your pictures taken thru Photopass
usual discounts with your card include certain dining and merchandise (don't know the exact amount because it's higher currently for the 45th anniversary of Magic Kingdom)

NEXT I can look at current room prices because i have an Annual Pass and you would save $191 at POFQ for the 4 night stay and $486 on the 10 night say
Total savings for the 3 stays = $868

NOW, finding an agent who would be willing to work with you using Annual Pass discounts (which look pretty significant to my slightly flu influenced brain power) should be fairly easy if you want the help, easy to understand when i saw the phrase "my anxiety is kicking in big time." Not everyone can handle the stress involved with planning a single trip never mind multiple. I would be leary using someone who doesn't want to help you with all the ins & outs of saving money! I know you can do a search and find travel agents who specialize in Disney only (there are a few you should avoid like the one you mention who doesn't want to help you get the biggest bang for your buck!!) We never use an agent because i'm a control freak and like doing the research myself so I can't personally recommend someone --- I also know some are banned from posting here (or even being mentioned)

Hope i haven't overwhelmed you with my rambling but i wanted to show you that YES, if you are planning 3 trips within a 1 year time span an Annual Pass is more than worth the cost! If you aren't able to lay down the cash to get the CDN tickets your savings would be even higher since the recent increase in tickets was significant while the Annual Pass only saw a small increase.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just keep in mind you never know if there will be AP resort discounts.

MG

 

[Donald - my hero]

Just keep in mind you never know if there will be AP resort discounts.

MG

YUP, you caught something my flu-fogged brain missed including! I used the numbers that are currently out because it looks like February is often a discounted time period but you never know if that will happen next year!

 

[Roguez]

Thanks for the breakdown, that helps a lot. I tried and got lost in my numbers...lol

I usually get Hopper and Photopass so that adds to the savings as I would not need to worry about adding these.

ha ha, Yes I do suffer from anxiety. It's really a bummer when you want to be adventurous and try something new but after experiencing it once I'm fine and that's when the control freak in me comes out to play. It's a fear of the unknown kind of thing I guess. Even my agent didn't have much to do for me. I'd do all the research and just tell her what I wanted and she would book it. That's it. I just liked having someone looking out for the deals as they came out. So Yes I am very disappointed that my agent can't help me as I never usually have questions but AP's are a new beast and I have many questions. The agency is a Disney only agency but I guess they only book Magic Your Way packages.

I guess my next question at this point would be when is a good time to purchase the Annual Pass? from what I understand if I purchase it on ME I will get a voucher that I will then need to have activated at guest services upon arrival. Will my one year start from that day or from the day I purchased it online?

Also how do I get to see and book the deals offered to AP holders if I can't activate my pass until I get to the park?

What about Tables in Wonderland? Worth it? Hubby and I used to do the Dinning Plan but are interested in trying without.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Thanks for the breakdown, that helps a lot. I tried and got lost in my numbers...lol

I usually get Hopper and Photopass so that adds to the savings as I would not need to worry about adding these.

ha ha, Yes I do suffer from anxiety. It's really a bummer when you want to be adventurous and try something new but after experiencing it once I'm fine and that's when the control freak in me comes out to play. It's a fear of the unknown kind of thing I guess. Even my agent didn't have much to do for me. I'd do all the research and just tell her what I wanted and she would book it. That's it. I just liked having someone looking out for the deals as they came out. So Yes I am very disappointed that my agent can't help me as I never usually have questions but AP's are a new beast and I have many questions. The agency is a Disney only agency but I guess they only book Magic Your Way packages.

I guess my next question at this point would be when is a good time to purchase the Annual Pass? from what I understand if I purchase it on ME I will get a voucher that I will then need to have activated at guest services upon arrival. Will my one year start from that day or from the day I purchased it online?

Also how do I get to see and book the deals offered to AP holders if I can't activate my pass until I get to the park?

What about Tables in Wonderland? Worth it? Hubby and I used to do the Dinning Plan but are interested in trying without.

Are you drinkers?

MG

 

[Roguez]

Never to the point of ruining other people's magical day, but yes we enjoy one or two drinks each with dinner while on vacation.