I see what Chuck S is saying. You could sign up for the one year payment plan and then stop paying after one month. During that month, you would have gotten a 30 day hopper pass for $33. I think what Chuck is asking is, what are the companies doing to collect if for some reason you stop paying. It isn't like they're charging you for a monthly pass and you can stop it at anytime. I would assume that, like a health club, they are charging you the entire amount upfront and allowing you to make payments until it's paid off.
I know that this type of thing is used by the health clubs and has ruined many peoples credit. I'm a mortgage banker and I see it almost everyday. Again, I just think it's important for people to know what they're getting into. It wouldn't be Disney collecting if you didn't pay, either. I'm sure that they would farm it out to a collection agency and that wouldn't be the happiest place on earth.
I had similar concerns about the Disney Rewards Visa. People were signing up for it not realizing that it wasn't a replacement for the Magic Kingdom Club Card but that it was a VISA that was underwritten by First USA and Bank ONE.
Anyway, I would steer clear of the payment plan unless you are SURE that you can afford the monthly payments. There are enough entities out there trying to ding your credit....Disney doesn't need to be one of them!
Roy