Need advice from Annual Pass Holders

[CowboyCO]

Hi and thank you in advance!

My family and I are planning a trip to WDW in Early 2008 and are considering buying an annual pass instead of our usual Parkhoppers. The cost of the AP only about $60 more than 7-day Park Hoppers and less expensive than a 10 day by $170.

Usually, I am agressive about finding the best deals on our disney vacations.

So, here's what I need advice on:

Do you save significantly over code rates for Disney Resort hotels? We usually like to stay MOD, but have also stayed Value once.

There is about a 50 percent chance that we would use the pass more than one trip in the year, but if we were able to go again, at least our park tickets are paid for.

We have done the DDP in the past (both free and paid for) and we really liked it. Is there any way to use the AP and get the dining plan with your hotel stay?

I'm just wanting to make sure I get the best bang for our buck and save enough to be able to return sooner. Unfortunately, we live in Colorado, so we can't just drive down over a long weekend to go. We have to spring for airfare, which adds $800-$1000 right on the top of vacation costs. Thanks again!

 

[mtemm]

I bought an ap for the first time for our october trip because I got an ap code rate on our room at the yc. we originally had a AAA rate which was pretty decent. when I called to change it to the ap rate and change my ticket from a hopper to an ap, I think the overall change was only $30 saved(factoring the increased cost of the ap, and the lower cost of the room).

we were not interested in the ddp, but what we did get was the dde card. it was fantastic! perfect for us. it cost $60, but saved us 20% at almost all of our meals. wooo-hooo!

 

[goofy4tink]

I've done the DDP twice now, but used my DDE card every single visit to WDW in 2 years. If you are thinking of getting an AP just for room discounts, that's fine. But, you can't do that and get the DDP. You have to get a package in order to get the DDP. There are some folks who have gottent the package, but only one day park passes. They already had AP's but wanted to get the DDP as well, with the room. But, you aren't going to be able to get a discount on the room. I prefer to get the AP, get any room discounts I can, and then use my DDE card and save 20% on table service meals. But, you have to have an AP to get the DDE card, which in turn costs about $60.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I just purchased AP for the first time for our xmas trip because it was cheaper. We are going again in August and my DH and son will be there in Oct. on a convention so it's well worth it. I also purchased the DDE card because as an AP you get that cheaper as well and the card already paid for itself during our last trip.

 

[Miffy]

As the other posters have said, you can't get the DDP unless you book a package. The AP discount (when it's available) is a room-only rate, not a package, so you can't get the DDP along with it, but you can get the DDE card.

Re your question on whether you save significantly over code rates: it all depends on the code. We're going in 3 days, and the AP discount was much better than any published public code and also far better than the pin code that was emailed to me. But this isn't always how it works out. Just to let you know--you don't have to purchase the AP before you make your reservation. You just have to show your AP when you check in. So, you can shop around for the rate you're looking for. No need to buy the AP before you absolutely know you're going to be using it.

HTH.

 

[CowboyCO]

How do you "shop around" for a good AP rate? I tried to look up passholder rates on the Disney website and it prompted me for password, etc. Is calling the Disney line the only way? Or is there a special number for AP holders?

With the DDE cards, do you buy it prior to the vacation or when you get there? Do you get 20 percent off ALL dining , or just off TS?

Thx for all the responses!

 

[susancl]

Where are you getting your prices? I show WDW prices for AP as around $434/adult and $382/child. I've been able to find (on one of the authorized discounted ticket sellers) 10 day PH expiring for $271/adult and $233/child. The 10 day PH non-expiring is $436/adult and $398/child.

We're planning a 12 day trip next month and I'm struggling to try to justify buying an AP so we can go again next January. For our family of 5, we'll be spending $900 more for the AP.

 

[DisneyFans4]

With the DDE you get 20% off all sit downs except in AK where some of their counters they will give you the 20%. It takes about 4 weeks to process your DDE card so what I did is I called their number direct and ordered it and they had a temporary card waiting for me at Epcot guest relations which was used throughout the vacation. Last week I actually got the permanent card. The discount also applies to all beverages you order as well which is nice. The DDE is definitely worth the $60 and it's good for an entire year.

 

[DisneyFans4]

We're a family of 4 and both my boys are teenagers so that is why this year I said heck with it and got the AP's because if you know your going at least twice then it's a good choice. I pay over $1,000 for tickets as we stay 2 weeks.

 

[Miffy]

You can only "shop" for AP rates when the rates appear. I always call Disney reservations; I've never used the website for room booking. There's no special telephone # for passholders. You just call and ask for the AP rate for the resort(s) you want to price.

You can look up historical discounts on the mousesavers.com site, but that's no guarantee there'll be discounts like it (or discounts at all) during the time frame you're going. What I was trying to convey was that you shouldn't buy an AP, like, now, and then hope the rates will be there for you when it's time to book. Instead, it's better to see if the rates appear, book, and THEN buy the AP. If there are going to be AP discounts for a particular period, the rates are usually announced somewhere about 2-3 months before that period.

You said you're going in early 2008. Do you mean January or February? If so, the AP rates for that period would probably not appear until sometime in October, at the earliest. You can keep track by checking the Codes and Rates section on this board and/or by subscribing to the mousesavers.com "changenotes" updates.

I know that some people book their room, then "apply" the AP code when the rate appears. I've never done that, so I don't really know how it works. I always wait and see the rates, then call and book.

Re the DDE: There's detailed information about it somewhere here on the DIS, probably on the Dining/Restaurants forum. The DDE card only applies to TS restaurants, iirc, and there's a detailed list of which restaurants it applies to. I'm not fully informed on it because we decided not to get it, since it seemed that, at best, we'd break even on it. It's $60 and you buy it before you leave, although apparently it takes a while to process. If they can't mail it to you before your trip, then you get some kind of a letter from them, which you trade in for the card when you get to WDW.

It can get really confusing trying to figure out what the best way to save on a WDW trip is. A couple of days ago while I was organizing the paperwork for our upcoming trip, I came across (and threw away!) a zillion notecards with various calculations and scenarios on them. A person can go mad figuring all this out, but it's a happy kind of mad!

 

[CowboyCO]

Oops -- you re right Susan! When I typed for the number we need for the park hoppers, I thought it was still in there when I compared for annual passes.

This isn't going to be a good deal for us, even if we CAN come back for one more visit in the year...

It'll be $900+ more for an annual pass.

Well, then, I guess we'll just go for our week of fun and do the best we can!

 

[warriorboy648]

With the DDE you get 20% off all sit downs except in AK where some of their counters they will give you the 20%. It takes about 4 weeks to process your DDE card so what I did is I called their number direct and ordered it and they had a temporary card waiting for me at Epcot guest relations which was used throughout the vacation. Last week I actually got the permanent card. The discount also applies to all beverages you order as well which is nice. The DDE is definitely worth the $60 and it's good for an entire year.

Do you need the AP in order to get the DDE? Can you get the DDE when you arrive or does it need to be done in advance?

I am debating staying at CSR with the Dining Plan or staying with my original res at the Dolphin, getting an AP and the DDE???

Any opinions??

 

[susancl]

Oops -- you re right Susan! When I typed for the number we need for the park hoppers, I thought it was still in there when I compared for annual passes.

This isn't going to be a good deal for us, even if we CAN come back for one more visit in the year...

It'll be $900+ more for an annual pass.

Well, then, I guess we'll just go for our week of fun and do the best we can!

Bummer.....

I was hoping you had the line on a deal!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Do you need the AP in order to get the DDE? Can you get the DDE when you arrive or does it need to be done in advance?

I am debating staying at CSR with the Dining Plan or staying with my original res at the Dolphin, getting an AP and the DDE???

Any opinions??

The only way you can get the DDE card is if your an AP holder or a Florida resident. If your an AP holder he card costs $60 and Florida ressies can get it for $85. You cannot purchase the card there, you have to call and order it and they will issue you a temporary card that you can pick up at Epcot's guest relations. The permanent card will be mailed to you. I purchased the card on the phone one week before we left and had no problems. When we got to Epcot they gave me an envelope with the temporary card inside and a list of all restaurants that accepted it, which was basically every sit down. For our family of 4 it already paid for itself!