Preferred vs Premier AP?

[aubriee]

I go to WDW several times a year, but for some reason have never made it over to Universal. However, with HP World opening up, I bought the 2 park, 7 day $99.00 tickets a month or so ago, when they came out. I plan to go to Universal at least 1-2 days in May (three if HP is open), then will be going back for another 2-3 days in Oct, then again 2-3 days in Dec, and again the following May. I bought two of the $99.00 tickets planning to use one in May and another in Oct. However, it looks like an AP might be a better deal. If I upgrade one of the $99.00 tickets to an AP when I'm there in May, I assume the other $99.00 ticket will be good indefinitely and I could use it next year to upgrade to another AP? Also I assume they'd just give me credit for the $99.00 I paid for it, not the current gate price. Right?

My problem now is, do I upgrade to a Preferred or Premium AP? I won't have a car, so would not need the valet parking and don't have any interest in the City Walk Clubs, so it seems like for me the main difference between the two is 10% vs 15% off merchandise and meals, free water, and a free ticket to the Halloween Horror Nights? Unless I'm missing something? I won't be there but a few nights each trip and will be solo at least two of those trips, but know food and merchandise can still add up. How much are tickets for the Halloween party? I guess my question is: would it be worth the $60.00 more to upgrade to the Premier AP or would the Preferred AP work better for me. Also which restaraunts inside the parks accept the AP discount?

Also I usually stay at WDW for 9 days each trip and use either the free dining offers or an AP discount for the rooms. If I decided to stay a night or two at Universal, how do I find room discounts for over there? and how do their resort prices compare to say the moderates at WDW? Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

I go to WDW several times a year, but for some reason have never made it over to Universal. However, with HP World opening up, I bought the 2 park, 7 day $99.00 tickets a month or so ago, when they came out. I plan to go to Universal at least 1-2 days in May (three if HP is open), then will be going back for another 2-3 days in Oct, then again 2-3 days in Dec, and again the following May. I bought two of the $99.00 tickets planning to use one in May and another in Oct. However, it looks like an AP might be a better deal. If I upgrade one of the $99.00 tickets to an AP when I'm there in May, I assume the other $99.00 ticket will be good indefinitely and I could use it next year to upgrade to another AP? Also I assume they'd just give me credit for the $99.00 I paid for it, not the current gate price. Right?

My problem now is, do I upgrade to a Preferred or Premium AP? I won't have a car, so would not need the valet parking and don't have any interest in the City Walk Clubs, so it seems like for me the main difference between the two is 10% vs 15% off merchandise and meals, free water, and a free ticket to the Halloween Horror Nights? Unless I'm missing something? I won't be there but a few nights each trip and will be solo at least two of those trips, but know food and merchandise can still add up. How much are tickets for the Halloween party? I guess my question is: would it be worth the $60.00 more to upgrade to the Premier AP or would the Preferred AP work better for me. Also which restaraunts inside the parks accept the AP discount?

Also I usually stay at WDW for 9 days each trip and use either the free dining offers or an AP discount for the rooms. If I decided to stay a night or two at Universal, how do I find room discounts for over there? and how do their resort prices compare to say the moderates at WDW? Thanks!

For me...the Premier isn't worth the money. I have the Preferred AP and I get park discounts on food and merchandise and free parking...that's all I'm concerned about.

The Premier offers additional discounts plus the big benefits are free valet parking, free off-peak HHN ticket (which usually runs about $30.00 for AP holders for off-peak nights) and free Express access after 4pm...now apparently only once instead of unlimited. Some people love the Premier but again for me...it's not worth the extra money.

For what you're looking for, the Preferred would be a wise choice.

 

[patster734]

I go to WDW several times a year, but for some reason have never made it over to Universal. However, with HP World opening up, I bought the 2 park, 7 day $99.00 tickets a month or so ago, when they came out. I plan to go to Universal at least 1-2 days in May (three if HP is open), then will be going back for another 2-3 days in Oct, then again 2-3 days in Dec, and again the following May. I bought two of the $99.00 tickets planning to use one in May and another in Oct. However, it looks like an AP might be a better deal. If I upgrade one of the $99.00 tickets to an AP when I'm there in May, I assume the other $99.00 ticket will be good indefinitely and I could use it next year to upgrade to another AP? Also I assume they'd just give me credit for the $99.00 I paid for it, not the current gate price. Right?

My problem now is, do I upgrade to a Preferred or Premium AP? I won't have a car, so would not need the valet parking and don't have any interest in the City Walk Clubs, so it seems like for me the main difference between the two is 10% vs 15% off merchandise and meals, free water, and a free ticket to the Halloween Horror Nights? Unless I'm missing something? I won't be there but a few nights each trip and will be solo at least two of those trips, but know food and merchandise can still add up. How much are tickets for the Halloween party? I guess my question is: would it be worth the $60.00 more to upgrade to the Premier AP or would the Preferred AP work better for me. Also which restaraunts inside the parks accept the AP discount?

Also I usually stay at WDW for 9 days each trip and use either the free dining offers or an AP discount for the rooms. If I decided to stay a night or two at Universal, how do I find room discounts for over there? and how do their resort prices compare to say the moderates at WDW? Thanks!

You need to check your 7-day tickets. The only 7-day ticket that I'm aware of are only good for 7 consecutive days. So if you plan on using additional days outside of the 7 day window from first use, that ticket will have expired by then. If this is the ticket you have, and you still plan to visit multiple times throughout the year, you should upgrade both to an annual pass.

 

[Purseval]

I go to WDW several times a year, but for some reason have never made it over to Universal. However, with HP World opening up, I bought the 2 park, 7 day $99.00 tickets a month or so ago, when they came out. I plan to go to Universal at least 1-2 days in May (three if HP is open), then will be going back for another 2-3 days in Oct, then again 2-3 days in Dec, and again the following May. I bought two of the $99.00 tickets planning to use one in May and another in Oct. However, it looks like an AP might be a better deal. If I upgrade one of the $99.00 tickets to an AP when I'm there in May, I assume the other $99.00 ticket will be good indefinitely and I could use it next year to upgrade to another AP? Also I assume they'd just give me credit for the $99.00 I paid for it, not the current gate price. Right?

They will give you what you paid for it. Premium Passes are really only good for locals or people who visit a lot more than you are going to, so the Preferred would be the way to go.

Also I usually stay at WDW for 9 days each trip and use either the free dining offers or an AP discount for the rooms. If I decided to stay a night or two at Universal, how do I find room discounts for over there? and how do their resort prices compare to say the moderates at WDW? Thanks!

If you go to the Universal hotel forum you will see date and rate threads plus alerts on special offers, that is the best way for you to compare.

 

[n2mm]

We have preferred passes for the past 3 years and are happy with them. We use ours for the parking discount, and sometimes hotel discount. Their hotel discount are generally pretty good and are about 40% off. Their discounts on citywalk change often, monthly, but generally it's 10% off meals and merchandise, but sometimes more. Recently (Feb) there were discounts off for some restraurants for 1/2 entrees. We are Disney DVC members, but do enjoy zipping over to USF at least once a trip (about 5 times a year). We are not local to FL. You will need to check the passholder website as their specials change often and you will never get anything in the mail on a timely basis. I check right before a trip and PRINT it, because everytime I go someplace at Citywalk and ask about it, they are clueless, but when you have the printed copy it helps. Several times a year (recently) they offer you the opportunity to purchase tickets for friends and family (one day and two day) for 50% off. We love this perk and use it whenever offered. Keep in mind that these perks I mentioned are only for the perferred pass. The Power pass gets you none of this and is only for park admission. I can't comment on the premium as I've never had this one.

 

[aubriee]

You need to check your 7-day tickets. The only 7-day ticket that I'm aware of are only good for 7 consecutive days. So if you plan on using additional days outside of the 7 day window from first use, that ticket will have expired by then. If this is the ticket you have, and you still plan to visit multiple times throughout the year, you should upgrade both to an annual pass.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I know the 7 day tickets are only good for seven consecutive days. I bought two for me and one for my husband when I saw they were just $99.00. I'll be in Orlando solo in May and planned to hop over to Universal for 2-3 days just to check it out and see if I liked it (which I'm sure I will), then I'm going back in Oct with my husband for maybe 2-3 days. I planned to use my first ticket in May, then my second one in Oct, then if I really liked it, I'd buy two more tickets for Dec and next May. After thinking about it though, I'd be able to get four trips out of an annual pass, so even if it's just for a few days each trip, an AP seems like a better deal.

Thanks guys, a preferred AP it is. For just $60.00 I didn't know if the free water, an extra 5% on food and merchandise discount, and the Halloween ticket would be worth it. We'll definitely be going to the Halloween party.

Which restaurants inside the park accept the AP discount?

 

[Metro West]

Which restaurants inside the park accept the AP discount?

Pretty much all except for the food/drink carts.