Package -> Annual Pass

[Brad Bishop]

I set up, online, a Contemporary Resort (4-days, 3-nights) w/ 2 adults and 1 kid for 2 days (tickets) at WDW.

After reading here it sounded like it may be worth it for me to have an annual pass.

I called them just a few moments ago to see what I could do.

The lady told me that the 2008 packages w/ discounts for passholders haven't been released yet so there really wasn't much she could do for me.

She did say that all parties in a package have to have the same number of tickets which I got her to clarify. Even if aquired an annual pass, got some discount on the package if one were available, I'd still need 2 tickets for me.

I wasn't going to get passes for my daughters because it's unlikely that they'd be down there that many times with me. I was kind of figuring that with the cost of 2 days for me + any sort of discounts I'd get at shops and at the resort that *maybe* the annual pass would be worth it if I just cruised down to WDW 2 or so more times over the next year. If I still have to have 2 tickets for me to stay in the 'package' then that seems kind of silly.

Has anyone tried to do something similar? I tried to make it real plain to the lady what I was going for and I think she understood me.

 

[Focusdude]

Yesterday I spent some time pricing out the package (for 2008 but roughing out the numbers with the 2007 AP discounts - just to get an idea). Using the AP discount worked out to be a much better deal. You would have to book the room separately - your passes would not be on your room key.

Please correct me, other DIS members, if I am wrong, but if you buy an AP (say my husband buys one), and the rest of us just get 6 day passes, we can still use the AP discount on the room, get the dining card, and get the golf discounts?

I am always amazed on these boards how many people stay at Deluxe Resorts - now I think I know how - by using AP discounts!

This may work for you - since you mentioned not getting passes for everyone!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

If you buy a package, everyone in the room has to have the same ticket. BUT, you can select a one-day base ticket, and then upgrade the tickets individually, so you have an AP and your daughters do not. Or buy your AP and get the AP rate on the room and purchase your daughters' tickets later. You cannot purchase the Dining Plan unless you book a package, though.

Only one AP per room is required to get the discount and purchase a Disney Dining Experience card, which can be used on a party of up to 6, I think.

 

[Disney Fool]

Just to clarify: there are no AP packages. there are Room-Only discounts with an AP. If you want a package that includes dining, or you just prefer to pay up front, and you have an AP, you would need to purchase a package with 1 day tickets, 6 nights for example, and then purchase 5 day tickets for everyone else in your party that doesn't have an AP. You would all have to have the same number of days on the ticket portion of the package. Sometimes, the AP discount is the better deal, but it is not always available, and may not be at the resort you specifically want. If you are willing to be flexible, it may work for you. It always has for me. I have the Dining Experience card, and it pays for itself in just a few uses. 20% off meals and drinks (alcoholic)

 

[Brad Bishop]

Just to clarify: there are no AP packages. there are Room-Only discounts with an AP. If you want a package that includes dining, or you just prefer to pay up front, and you have an AP, you would need to purchase a package with 1 day tickets, 6 nights for example, and then purchase 5 day tickets for everyone else in your party that doesn't have an AP. You would all have to have the same number of days on the ticket portion of the package. Sometimes, the AP discount is the better deal, but it is not always available, and may not be at the resort you specifically want. If you are willing to be flexible, it may work for you. It always has for me. I have the Dining Experience card, and it pays for itself in just a few uses. 20% off meals and drinks (alcoholic)

Ok - That sounds right.

I'm not getting any sort of discount on the 2-day tickets with my package so if I drop those I don't think there's a problem. I just hope I don't get hosed by a $200 change/cancellation fee if I change my reservations to better fit my needs but.

I really don't think I'm getting any sort of deal at all with my package other than it's all-together.

I'll hold out to see what kind of offers they have for January for the Contemporary. May just eat this one (skip the annual pass) as I get the feeling that if I unravel it and then try to piece it back together that it's going to cause painful confusion for me by someone along the way.

 

[Disney Fool]

I'm not getting any sort of discount on the 2-day tickets with my package so if I drop those I don't think there's a problem

You will have to have at least a one-day ticket for the package, and it has to be for everyone in your room.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

To me, the benefits of having an AP have far outweighed the negative. I have saved so much already and haven't even exchanged my certificates yet. We are going for 4 night/5 days in December and I saved $320 on 2 nights (other 2 nights are AAA discount) and we are going to get The DDE and will save quite a bit more on the places we dine. We also saved $623 on our trip next December because we dropped all but a one daybase ticket off our package so we could get the dining plan. The CM said that if I would wait until November 6 to order my DDE card, then it would be good until December 31, 2008 and I have another trip planned for April/May 2008 and know that some of the restaurants we are going to eat at are covered, so I have almost paid for my 3 AP's with discounts already.

I am a real bargain shopper and I look for every discount I can get and this has really turned out to be a great one.

Oh and I got my AP's at AAA and they were less than what Diensy sells them for. I got 3 of them for $1366.66 and Disney wanted almost $100 more for them.

OP, the # of guests on the DDE is up to a party of 10.

Suzanne

 

[Brad Bishop]

I think for simplicity's sake I'm going to trade in my 2-day tickets (just mine) for an annual pass when I get down there the first day. From what I've read I can do that. I'll get full credit towards the annual pass.

I can see me taking the odd trip down to Disney 2 or so more times over the next year. I'd likely only take one daughter or the other (or neither, depending on the timing) so it really isn't worth them having APs.

 

[Focusdude]

Thanks Princess Suzanne - I had no idea you could get APs at AAA! Great tip!

 

[Brad Bishop]

Thanks Princess Suzanne - I had no idea you could get APs at AAA! Great tip!

I checked this, online - may be different in person.

For AAA Club South you can get tickets or passes (discounted) if you're a FL resident. Discounts are more than the normal FL resident discount.

Online, being a GA resident, I could get tickets at face value. I think the discount doesn't come in unless I'm buying something like 4 or more days. No online offers for Disney Annual Passes,though.

 

[rcraw45425]

I checked this, online - may be different in person.

For AAA Club South you can get tickets or passes (discounted) if you're a FL resident. Discounts are more than the normal FL resident discount.

Online, being a GA resident, I could get tickets at face value. I think the discount doesn't come in unless I'm buying something like 4 or more days. No online offers for Disney Annual Passes,though.

Brad, we're also in GA and I interpret AAA's site the same way. Not much for tickets. DH is an ER doc and his hospital is a member of a site that has discounted tickets. I don't know if I can post the link so if you're interested PM me.

 

[Brad Bishop]

I appreciate that - don't worry about me, though.

I think I'm just going to swap out my tickets for an annual pass when I'm at the park and then go from there.

 

[rcraw45425]

I appreciate that - don't worry about me, though.

I think I'm just going to swap out my tickets for an annual pass when I'm at the park and then go from there.

I have to tell you though, once you have an AP you will find all sorts of excuses to make a quick trip . I started out with APs for myself and older DD, DH and younger DD still had leftover days on old tickets. WHen those ran out they bought APs. That year I think we made four trips . The AP makes it seem so easy, no need for tickets and if a good room rate comes along........ Enjoy your AP!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I checked this, online - may be different in person.

For AAA Club South you can get tickets or passes (discounted) if you're a FL resident. Discounts are more than the normal FL resident discount.

Online, being a GA resident, I could get tickets at face value. I think the discount doesn't come in unless I'm buying something like 4 or more days. No online offers for Disney Annual Passes,though.

I just noticed you are in Columbus, Ga. I live in Phenix city and work at Doctor's Hospital.

The info is not on the AAA South website, I had to contact my agent and go to the office to purchase them

Brad, we're also in GA and I interpret AAA's site the same way. Not much for tickets. DH is an ER doc and his hospital is a member of a site that has discounted tickets. I don't know if I can post the link so if you're interested PM me.

I work in a hospital in Ga and we were also given a link for discount tickets, but they wouldn't really work for our situation. I just had to have the AP's especially after I got such a great price from AAA.