On the fence about an Annual Pass

[5Hfan]

having a hard time executing the purchase of an Annual Pass...

Have 3 trips tentatively planned, one this Fall, Christmas Season, and next Spring. Our previous trips we used Military Salute tickets, which we can use this fall, and IF they are offered again, we could use in the spring, but the holiday trip will be blocked out/(and we'd only have 1 if we use the 5 for spring). The math works out about even, but I am thinking with free parking and then getting a TIW card for dining discounts we'd come out ahead? But the cost up front I guess is making me pause, vs breaking it up into 3 trips?

Maybe I need to plan a 4th trip to make the math a no brainer LOL?

 

[kbelle8995]

Calculate the days you are going and see if it works out. I would suggest other passes but most block the two weeks of Christmas and other dates as well.

How many days are planning to use it? It sounds to me that it does.

But that's your personal decision. You can try it and if it doesn't work don't renew.

 

[OKW Lover]

It sounds like you are pretty close to the break even point on the AP although you don't say how many days you'll be at WDW during the year. Free Parking is only a valuable perk if you don't stay at one of the WDW hotels.

The TiW card can be very worthwhile. We've had one for years and it easily pays for itself, but we like to have several nice evening meals with wine.

 

[wuzzy6]

Definitely do the math, and try to be as precise as you possibly can. One additional thing to remember, aside from the free parking, is you will get discounts on food and merchandise with the AP - sometimes you get special Passholder rates on the rooms, too.

 

[richmo]

Another thing you could consider, especially if the math isn't quite convincing you, is to get just one AP. That gets you free parking, ability to get TiW, other discounts, etc. I've done this with my family a couple times...I get the AP, they get park hoppers.

One caveat with this is how FP+ works into this. At the moment, I think only the AP can get times in advance, but this should change soon.

 

[5Hfan]

It sounds like you are pretty close to the break even point on the AP although you don't say how many days you'll be at WDW during the year. Free Parking is only a valuable perk if you don't stay at one of the WDW hotels.

The TiW card can be very worthwhile. We've had one for years and it easily pays for itself, but we like to have several nice evening meals with wine.

That is a good point on the parking, we usually stay at SOG, and drive to HS and Maybe AK (once to Epcot for an early morning Bfast as it was pouring), so you're right it wouldn't be parking fee daily. We are planning a split stay for Christmas at SOG/Comtemporary.

and I'm thinking the TiW card we'd make back in a heartbeat on drinks alone, lol.

 

[5Hfan]

Calculate the days you are going and see if it works out. I would suggest other passes but most block the two weeks of Christmas and other dates as well.

How many days are planning to use it? It sounds to me that it does.

But that's your personal decision. You can try it and if it doesn't work don't renew.

I'm having a hard time just picking a number of days, the 4 day Mil tix always were our limit before, so we worked around that and maybe a party day, plus a pool day...

likely looking at 4-5 days in fall, 8-9 days winter, 4-5 days spring.

 

[5Hfan]

Another thing you could consider, especially if the math isn't quite convincing you, is to get just one AP. That gets you free parking, ability to get TiW, other discounts, etc. I've done this with my family a couple times...I get the AP, they get park hoppers.

One caveat with this is how FP+ works into this. At the moment, I think only the AP can get times in advance, but this should change soon.

that is something to consider thanks, as of now it looks like both AP and offsite will be 30 days out, so nothing nudging either direction there. Though if that were to change in favor of AP holders would def tip the scales!

 

[richmo]

...and now I read that parking is $17/day starting today, so that could tip the fences on the side of at least one AP at current prices

 

[Wendybird55]

When we decided to book a 2nd trip this year (our first is 8 days in Aug. then we added another 4 day trip in Sept.) I bought an AP without any hesitation.

First, aside from UT I don't have any other discounts for tickets and once you go over 10 days of parks using PH I think AP is better value and one of our members is a child under 9 who costs same as adult on AP.

The minor savings on park tickets is just the beginning. Most stores and stands in Disney offer 10% discount to AP card holders. Even with little items like Mickey Bars and such that 10% adds up. The AP also offers restaurant discounts that don't need TiW. Some are 10% others are 15%. There are restrictions with some, but still they are additional discounts which are helpful especially for the CS places as TiW is not taken at CS. There is a 50% discount for mini golf (which we enjoy), plus discounts for other recreations such as fishing.
And if over your trips you think you will spend more than $500 in TS meals, TiW is very helpful. DH even used TiW discounts when he went to bar to get a drink. I like TiW much better then DP as it gives us more flexibility. Our son can be picky eater and with TiW we can order him any thing on menu - kids or adults - plus if we want to get him jut 2 hot dogs with nothing else it can be accommodated as with DP it's hard to get substitutions or changes to the menu.

Yes, you need to measure the value of the AP based on your needs. If you go to the AP page n Disney website it will list all the discounts and perks which should better help you decide. Yes, it's a lot of money to lay out initially, but just think after that big payment, park tickets for all your subsequent trips are paid for.