Premier Annual Pass (WDW and DL)

[Rich M]

Has anyone found the value in getting this pass? I am going to WDW in October and planning a DL trip in December but $1600 is hard to justify. Any ideas of how to come out ahead with this pass.

 

[dina444444]

Has anyone found the value in getting this pass? I am going to WDW in October and planning a DL trip in December but $1600 is hard to justify. Any ideas of how to come out ahead with this pass.

As a non local, you have to see if you would spend $789.50 on your tickets to Disneyland in a 12 month period and $840.82 on tickets plus tax on WDW tickets during that same time period. I have had this pass the past two years, but I would normally have a Signature Plus pass and if I am going to WDW for at least 6 days the upgrade is cheaper than a 6 day park hopper.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

I haven't looked at it in a while, but if memory serves me right you are really only able to make out if you are planning multiple trips to both parks in a year. One trip to each is not even close to enough to justify the cost. Even if purchasing the highest end AP for WDW, you can still do a 5 day pass to DL and come out ahead. So, in the end, needing multiple trips to both parks within a year is the only time you could justify it.

We will have 3 trips to WDW and 1 to DL in the midst of our current AP's for WDW. Between our Gold DVC passes and our 4-day passes for DL we will spend far less than a dual-park pass.

 

[figment_jii]

It depends on how long you are planning on going to both resorts and what other things you plan to do. The Premier AP is essentially the DLR Signature Plus and the WDW Platinum Plus APs in terms of benefits; there are no blockouts, it has the highest discounts possible (dining, merchandise, and hotels), parking, Photopass, etc.

If you aren't an AP holder at DLR or WDW, and don't see the need to get an AP at one of the two resorts (i.e., not enough trips to justify it), then it's probably not worth it to get the Premier AP. You'll have to run the numbers yourself to determine if it's worth getting one AP (for the discounts).

My rough feeling is that you need at least three or four trips (depending on length), distributed between the resorts, to make the Premier AP worthwhile.

 

[Rich M]

I am in Northern California so I have had DL Annual passes prior and we would normally make about 3 or 4 weekend trips in those years. I have been going to WDW now for the past three years in a row but have not made any DL trips. We are finally thinking of going back to DL to take my 2 year old GS. So if I do 4 weekend trips in the year to DL and 2 7 day Disney World trips in a year then I would guess I would come out ahead and I am guessing the price of this will increase soon enough when both Star Wars Lands are open. Its a tough decision to put a large chunk of money out like that at one time. Can I upgrade my 7 day park hopper tickets to this pass when I go in October?

 

[dina444444]

I am in Northern California so I have had DL Annual passes prior and we would normally make about 3 or 4 weekend trips in those years. I have been going to WDW now for the past three years in a row but have not made any DL trips. We are finally thinking of going back to DL to take my 2 year old GS. So if I do 4 weekend trips in the year to DL and 2 7 day Disney World trips in a year then I would guess I would come out ahead and I am guessing the price of this will increase soon enough when both Star Wars Lands are open. Its a tough decision to put a large chunk of money out like that at one time. Can I upgrade my 7 day park hopper tickets to this pass when I go in October?

Yes you can upgrade to it from a regular ticket.

 

[figment_jii]

Can I upgrade my 7 day park hopper tickets to this pass when I go in October?

It depends on whether you're going to WDW in October. You can upgrade your WDW tickets to the Premier AP in WDW, but you cannot upgrade WDW tickets at DLR (and vice-a-versa).

 

[MikeRx]

It's all about the number of days you will be in the parks and the opportunity cost of your money in your pocket now or the potential for overall savings in a year. We also purchased the Tables in Wonderland card and have "saved" over $900 in discounts (yes I try to track this) with both the AP and TiW so far (with many trips still planned).

October 2017 WDW World 7 days in the parks
Dec 2017 WDW 3 days in the parks for my wife and I
Dec 2017 DLR 3 days in parks
Jan 2018 DLR 4 days in parks
Feb 2018 DLR 4 days in parks
April 2018 DLR 4 days in parks (Dapper Weekend)
July 2018 WDW/Cruise 6 days in parks

We will not renew our Premier but will get a DLR AP (signature) as we have a 6 day trip scheduled in October 2018 after our pass expires and a 4-5 day trip in early December.

Mike

 

[Rich M]

We opted for a Premier pass in October 2017 and here is why:
October 2017WDW World 7 days in the parks

I am going for 7 days this October, since you just got it and it will expire the same time I am going have you found the value in it?

 

[CalifLynn]

I’m starting my second year with this pass. Last year we made 2 trips to WDW and probably went to DLR about 15 days total, it makes sense more for someone who goes to DL more because it gets me parking and Maxpass with no extra charge, the $20 a day parking fee at DL and $10ish a day for max pass adds up fast. This summer we are doing 6 nights at WDW and hoping to get another trip in at some point. Last year went to WDW week before Christmas. Also, we got AP discount on Hotel at WDW. If I was a Florida regular I don’t think it makes as much sense.

 

[MikeRx]

We purchased DVC during our October trip so I may have opted for what MickeyFan suggested and get the WDW pass through DVC and tickets to DLR; however we would have still gotten the DLR AP too because of our frequent trips and proximity to DLR (PHX). It really takes an honest look at ticket prices and AP prices and how many trips you will take, not "want to take". The premier pass did allow us to go to DLR just before Christmas when most all of the other passes were blocked out. With our P-AP we look for block out days to go as the parks are a bit less crowded. And dont forget the added perks CalifLynn mentioned. We really have utilized the MaxPass and appreciate it being included. It was a $75 per pass savings or $10/day per ticket if on regular tickets.
Mike

 

[MikeRx]

I am going for 7 days this October, since you just got it and it will expire the same time I am going have you found the value in it?

sorry, I posted prematurely and I think I answered your question with my complete post(s).
Mike

 

[longboard55]

we have done it, it works if you are already buying an annual pass and intend to make at least two trips to the other parks. Otherwise no. We had a situation where we were already planning a WDW trip then added a cruise later in the year, so we would spend a few days before the cruise at WDW

 

[Rich M]

For those of us from the West Coast and have had the pass what is the minimum days you would go to Florida for?

 

[figment_jii]

That's a tough questions because it depends a lot on how you like to tour the parks, whether you want to do non-park things, etc. I would say a minimum of five days (one day per park if you only want to hit the highlights, plus a day to do the non-park things). Ideally, given the travel distance, I would go for at least 8 days to be able to do things at a more leisurely pace and take in more things (like F&W, MNSSHP, Disney Springs, resort touring, all of the dining, the shows, etc.).

 

[dina444444]

For those of us from the West Coast and have had the pass what is the minimum days you would go to Florida for?

My minimum is my break even point which is 6 days. But for the first year I did 26 days over 3 trips and this pass year I’ll be doing 15 days over 3 trips.

 

[dina444444]

My minimum is my break even point which is 6 days. But for the first year I did 26 days over 3 trips and this pass year I’ll be doing 15 days over 3 trips.

This is in addition to at least 35-40 days at Disneyland each year.

 

[Rich M]

That's a tough questions because it depends a lot on how you like to tour the parks, whether you want to do non-park things, etc. I would say a minimum of five days (one day per park if you only want to hit the highlights, plus a day to do the non-park things). Ideally, given the travel distance, I would go for at least 8 days to be able to do things at a more leisurely pace and take in more things (like F&W, MNSSHP, Disney Springs, resort touring, all of the dining, the shows, etc.).

Yeah that is my problem. I have done 7 days and 8 days and even a 10 day. 10 was too many and 7 and 8 seem perfect but wonder if having the pass and if you found the right flight and hotel deals if it would be worth going for like 3 or 4 different 4 or 5 day trips. I know we can go to Disneyland at least 8 visits so I don't see that one being a problem.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I was thinking about doing this but can’t seem to make it work. I have a DL AP but it does not expire until September so too early to renew. We go to WDW in June, if I apply my ticket to an AP at the end of the trip, will they let me do tha? I would essentially have 2 AP’s at that point since WDW can’t touch my DL AP.

 

[dina444444]

I was thinking about doing this but can’t seem to make it work. I have a DL AP but it does not expire until September so too early to renew. We go to WDW in June, if I apply my ticket to an AP at the end of the trip, will they let me do tha? I would essentially have 2 AP’s at that point since WDW can’t touch my DL AP.

Yes, you can apply that ticket to a WDW AP which you can upgrade to a premier at a later date within the year of usage.