Pondering an annual pass

[4Hawks]

Hello All,

I'm considering an annual pass. Would it make sense to buy one for me and regular tickets for DH and kids? Do passholders get a discount on regular tickets?

I can buy a 5-day hopper at a 12% discount (through DH's employer) and upgrade to a platinum pass, paying about $740 total. For starters, I would save $298 in memory maker (this year + next year). I would also save $100+/trip in food. If we go to the park 3 times this year and 4 times next year, it would more than pay for itself.

Does my math make sense? Any reasons I haven't though of why it isn't worth it?

TIA!

 

[mrsR123]

Even with fewer trips, the AP might be a good buy. Two five day hoppers will cost you more than this. The free photo downloads and discounts make the decision a good one if you can swing it on this trip.

edited to correct word choice-- oops!

 

[Stuarotra]

I'm kind of interested in the responses you get as we are also considering APs.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Do passholders get a discount on regular tickets?

No

Would it make sense to buy one for me and regular tickets for DH and kids

I dont think so


As PP mentioned we're coming ahead with APs over two 7 day park hoppers, then add in dining discounts, ability to add TiW, memory maker, etc and it's a no brainer.

 

[mbgrace]

Would all of your trips be on site? AP holders also receive free parking...

 

[Accident]

Remember to look at the price of tickets for each trip separately. 2 5 day hoppers is not the same price as 1 10 day hopper and you can't use a 10 day hopper over 2 trips because of how it expires..

basically, if eveyones tickets cost more than an AP, get the ap for everyone. If the discount on food, merch, hard ticket events, tours, parking, memory maker, etc etc etc plus the difference for 1 person to get an AP saves you money, then to me it's a no brainer and 1 person should get it. read the fine print though, 1 person with an AP for a family of 6 is not getting the food discount for everyone. also remember right now there is an increased discount for the 45th anniversary which may not extend after oct 1 or they might do it for epcots anniversary and we'll get another year of it so consider significantly less saving with food for any trip after oct 1.

I woudln't put much into savings on rooms.. they aren't always a savings, very limited and lately it's not the better deal unless your being spontaneous at the last minute (and I mean last minute, not 2 months out).

There is a catch 22 to an annual pass. The second you have one, you start to look for more trips. you might hear of something new and want to go see it, you might find really cheap airfare and just decide to do a 3 day weekend. we all go through it, the annual pass burns a hole in your pocket and sometimes you end up doing a lot more trips spending a whole lot more money than you thought you would..

As far as your math, you need to find out if there is any upgrade restrictions to those discounted tickets. not all tickets can be upgraded.

 

[4Hawks]

Would all of your trips be on site? AP holders also receive free parking...

Yes. We're staying on site this year and will likely do the same next year.

 

[4Hawks]

Remember to look at the price of tickets for each trip separately. 2 5 day hoppers is not the same price as 1 10 day hopper and you can't use a 10 day hopper over 2 trips because of how it expires..

basically, if eveyones tickets cost more than an AP, get the ap for everyone. If the discount on food, merch, hard ticket events, tours, parking, memory maker, etc etc etc plus the difference for 1 person to get an AP saves you money, then to me it's a no brainer and 1 person should get it. read the fine print though, 1 person with an AP for a family of 6 is not getting the food discount for everyone. also remember right now there is an increased discount for the 45th anniversary which may not extend after oct 1 or they might do it for epcots anniversary and we'll get another year of it so consider significantly less saving with food for any trip after oct 1.

I woudln't put much into savings on rooms.. they aren't always a savings, very limited and lately it's not the better deal unless your being spontaneous at the last minute (and I mean last minute, not 2 months out).

There is a catch 22 to an annual pass. The second you have one, you start to look for more trips. you might hear of something new and want to go see it, you might find really cheap airfare and just decide to do a 3 day weekend. we all go through it, the annual pass burns a hole in your pocket and sometimes you end up doing a lot more trips spending a whole lot more money than you thought you would..

As far as your math, you need to find out if there is any upgrade restrictions to those discounted tickets. not all tickets can be upgraded.

Good points. The room discounts are not a factor, since we rent DVC points. Buying APs for everyone wouldn't make sense, since we can buy base tickets for less and we don't need hoppers. The difference between base tickets for 3+4 days and the AP is $70, so the dining discounts (even if only 10%) plus the photo downloads make it worth it, but only if we buy just 1 AP.

The big question is if these tickets can be upgraded. I assume they're regular tickets (my DH's employer is a Disney sponsor), but I need to make sure.

Thank you!

 

[djc9699]

Do they usually have AP room discounts the week before Christmas or Christmas week?

 

[abnihon]

Remember to look at the price of tickets for each trip separately. 2 5 day hoppers is not the same price as 1 10 day hopper and you can't use a 10 day hopper over 2 trips because of how it expires..

basically, if eveyones tickets cost more than an AP, get the ap for everyone. If the discount on food, merch, hard ticket events, tours, parking, memory maker, etc etc etc plus the difference for 1 person to get an AP saves you money, then to me it's a no brainer and 1 person should get it. read the fine print though, 1 person with an AP for a family of 6 is not getting the food discount for everyone. also remember right now there is an increased discount for the 45th anniversary which may not extend after oct 1 or they might do it for epcots anniversary and we'll get another year of it so consider significantly less saving with food for any trip after oct 1.

I woudln't put much into savings on rooms.. they aren't always a savings, very limited and lately it's not the better deal unless your being spontaneous at the last minute (and I mean last minute, not 2 months out).

There is a catch 22 to an annual pass. The second you have one, you start to look for more trips. you might hear of something new and want to go see it, you might find really cheap airfare and just decide to do a 3 day weekend. we all go through it, the annual pass burns a hole in your pocket and sometimes you end up doing a lot more trips spending a whole lot more money than you thought you would..

As far as your math, you need to find out if there is any upgrade restrictions to those discounted tickets. not all tickets can be upgraded.

Very true!
I bought APs because I had 3 trips planned within 12 months.

Since buying the APs I've booked 3 additional trips!!!
It's going to be a good year

 

[soniam]

Do they usually have AP room discounts the week before Christmas or Christmas week?

I didn't see any for 2016. It's a busy time, so it's not as likely. I did end up getting a good one for this summer and got one for last summer as well.

 

[Accident]

Do they usually have AP room discounts the week before Christmas or Christmas week?

most likely no considering that is blockout dates for some of the annual passes because it's really crowded...

AP and florida resident discounts tend to be the last resort, we need to fill up the place last minute... Basically if they aren't meeting numbers or projections, they start to entice AP and residents in to spend money which is why the really great deals are last second deals.