Need some guidance- preferred vs premier pass

[jmhillrph]

So we (or at least I) am ready to try something different. We have been frequent annual pass holders at WDW but, due to my disenchantment with their direction, have recently sold our DVC and are headed to Universal July 26-Aug 2. We have only been to Universal once before, for 2-3 days, about 10 years ago. So while I have a general knowledge of the layout and attractions- I am at a loss in terms of knowing whether I "need" to purchase premier passes (for the three of us- self, wife, and 12yo son) or if preferred will "suffice."

Here are some of the pertinent considerations. We will be staying offsite (Marriott Cypress Harbour). We will most likely return one or two more times before the passes expire- possible times for return would be this October (Columbus Day week), Spring break (the week after Easter), and/or again next July. Accommodations for those future visits will, likewise, be at some offsite condo.

Looking at the differences in the perks- we will utilize the valet parking if we get the premier but its not a big enough deal to be a deciding factor, we might use the HHN tickets but again this is not a significant factor. We won't use Citywalk club access, we will drink our "free" water. But, really, the (unknown) crucial factor for us is the potential value of the post-4:00pm express pass. This is where I especially need your help- considering the visit times and frequency that I have laid out- is their likely to be great enough benefit, in terms of enriching/improving our park experience, to justify upgrading to the premier?

Thanks in advance for any insight/advice that may be offered.

 

[macraven]

wow, you must be serious since you sold your dvc.....

i have the preferred and stay onsite.
so i get the unlimited express usage due to the hotel stay.

bought it in 2003 and have renewed it yearly.

the premier was available back then but the perks and discounts were about above the preferred.

over the years, the premier discounts, perks, etc have stayed the same but preferred hasn't.

the after 4 for free ep lines is good but when the park closes early, you only have a couple of hours for them.
(8 water bottles and one non peak hhn night ticket is a good value though, no cover charge for some eateries in city walk when it is imposed after 9 pm)

you can do each ride once with the premier pass for the after 4 pm express lines.
if you want repeats on rides, it's the standby line then.

for what you have to lay out in advance for the premier ap, figure out how many dates you will be using the after 4pm express lines for rides/shows.
if you only have 3 rides to do each evening, not worth it.

it will be beneficial for your planned trips this summer as parks will be open to 10 i believe.
the ep for each ride once, will come in handy.
if you do the parks in late sept/ all of october, the ep won't be there for you except for one hour at the studios.
studios close at 5 on hhn nights.
ioa will be open later so you could get 3 park hours done there in october.

if you go with the preferred ap, the perks are less.
only 10% discounts on food and merch, free garage parking after the ap is activated, discounted hard ticket events.
no ep park perks, no water, no nothing free for hhn.

the discounts for renewing ap are very good.

my preferred renewal rate is $159.
brings it to $170.xx with tax added on.
look at the pass chart in the uo site.
it will show you what the renewal price for premier is currently running.
there has not been an renewal increase for the past two years on the aps.
for me, i don't need to buy an ep as its a hotel perk.
i get the discounted hhn tickets with my present ap.
i use car service so the free garage parking isn't meaningful for me.
i hit the parks for about 18-20 days a year total.

my ap pays for itself just in park entrance.

look what you would spend for 3 premier ap at the current rate, figure out how many park days you would use that ap.
look at the present costs of a multi day park to park ticket runs.

if you will be going to the parks above the break even point just for entering the park, then it would be worth if to go for it.
everything else that comes with the premier will be gravy..

if the only reason you are considering the premier due to the ep usage after 4, decide if it is worth the money over buying the preferred for the basic perks.
if park attendance is your main thought, you might want the preferred.

use the single rider lines as waits are less than standby.

don't know if you can buy the preferred and if not satisfied upgrade to the premier and pay the price difference?

 

[HM]

Get the preferred. Then figure out whether you want the premiere during your first trip. You can then upgrade at guest services if you feel like it will be worth it to you.

I think you can do this because we were told that you could upgrade a power pass to a preferred later if we wanted.