Reasons you love being an AP

[loves to dive]

It looks like you need to try new restaurants

The funny thing is we try not to repeat restaurants, we like trying new places. I have been able to use my AP for discounts and ask every single time just in case. I just don't buy mine for that nor consider it a great perk since it's not always guaranteed.

 

[Lesverts]

A lot of y’all answered in dollars and cents. Mine is a bit more emotional.

I am Canadian. So I’m a rare AP breed. It’s fun to have those little conversations with people when they find out. I like being treated that little bit differently from some CM because you are an AP. I like other guests seeing the AP on my band and have them ask me questions about the parks or restaurants or Disney in general. I like being able to take my time and not feel the pressure of getting my day just right because I’ll be back. I like feeling like I’m apart of the magic instead of a visitor to it. I love being recognized when I go back to a favorite bar/restaurant. I like looking at my card when I’m at home and smiling because it brings back good memories and feelings. I like that being an AP opened up a whole new world of wonder and enjoyment at Disney because it gave me a new perspective. Most of all I love being an AP because it keeps me closer to the magic and the joy being there gives me.

 

[wfjny]

...I like feeling like I’m apart of the magic instead of a visitor to it...

That says it all! You ARE part of the magic!

 

[bryanb]

I live in California, a quick drive away from Disneyland. A few years ago, I would've found it odd that someone living in California would have an AP for the Florida parks. In Anaheim, AP holders just casually drop in whenever they feel like it. Then I found myself in Orlando on business, and after spending a short while in Epcot, I realized there was an entire world (literally, WDW) to explore. I also realized that going to WDW as a solo traveler wasn't as awkward as I had assumed it would be, and I was motivated to book another trip back to experience it again.

The weird thing is, even though I live 30 minutes from Anaheim, I only once had a Disneyland AP, and even with one I didn't visit enough to break even. Part of the reason is probably because I was a CM in college and basically spent every weekend, summer, spring break, and Christmas there for several years -- so I kind of had my fill. Now that I was a few years removed from the magic, I guess WDW rekindled my interest in theme parks and made me want to be a part of it again (like @Lesverts put so well).

The AP math seemed to work with Premier Passports being only around $849 (how times change fast!)... and it would let me drop into Disneyland as often as I wanted back at home. The math doesn't work out as well today (just six years later), as the price has nearly doubled in that time. But I did put down my money again during this last trip and have one in my wallet once more. It is like having this special power to enter the gates whenever you want. Like now I'm an insider. And I'll probably be thinking about when to book my next flight soon.

 

[CrazyHare]

I was able to take a quick mommy/daughter trip with my 5 year old this past weekend. We upgraded to annual passes because we had 2 trips planned in the same year. But we added 2 trips on for the whole family. Which is just 3 of us, with my husband. And then this past trip. So 5 trips in a year was great. The 2 planned trips were longer. The other 3 were long weekend trips, but not having to buy tickets makes it possible to pick up and go.

The free park parking was nice. We spent 4 days in the parks so that would have cost us $88. We stayed off site to save money this trip. It was our first time doing that and now that I know we can survive, i’m Sure we will go more. Saving money means I can add more trips.

 

[lunasea]

So many people rant on Disboards (I do it too sometimes) so why not create something positive to talk about.I love being an AP. I love being able to get discounts, and being able to get into the parks with Disney's AP line. I get in twice as fast as other guests with reg tickets.

Wait, WDW has an AP line? Jelly! DL does not.

 

[rteetz]

I am not local but am lucky to be an Annual Passholder. I never thought a year or two ago I would be one but with 3 trips this year it finally made sense.

I really enjoy the small perks of being an AP whether its the magnets or pass holder merchandise.

 

[rteetz]

Wait, WDW has an AP line? Jelly! DL does not.

Yep, each park has a AP turnstile. Sometimes that line is longer than others though.

 

[Sweet T n Me]

We are always thanked by CM's for being AP holders.
We respond, "It's our pleasure!"

We go every month and stay at a WDW resort for 2 nights/3 days. That's about "all we care to enjoy".
Love the monthly payment plan.

 

[zobow02]

Wait, WDW has an AP line? Jelly! DL does not.

Yes they do! Sometimes people with regular tickets try to get in the AP line and the scanner turns blue when they scan their MB because they're not AP's. It is quite funny because they act disgusted but in the end it is their fault they wasted so much time in the end

 

[richmo]

...I love that if I am craving Satu'li Canteen for dinner we can head to AK after work for dinner...

If I was a local, that alone would make the AP worth it for me!

 

[richmo]

...Sometimes people with regular tickets try to get in the AP line and the scanner turns blue when they scan their MB because they're not AP's....

I wasn't aware of that. Is the blue light for non-AP's something new? Last summer I was able to bring a non-AP in the AP tapstile line with me without an issue.

 

[zobow02]

I wasn't aware of that. Is the blue light for non-AP's something new? Last summer I was able to bring a non-AP in the AP tapstile line with me without an issue.

No, normally in a reg line when your ticket or MB doesn’t work it turns blue, so sometimes when a non-AP goes in an AP line it turns blue because it detects it is not an AP

 

[khertz]

I love how the burn holes in our pockets and make us book more trips! lol The last time we had APs (October 2015-October 2016), what was supposed to be just 3 weeklong vacations turned into those 3 trips, plus 3 quick 3-4 day trips to say goodbye to the Osborne Lights, visit Flower & Garden festival for the first time, and go to the DIS 10th Anniversary Mega Meet.

Free parking is a great perk since we oftentimes stay offsite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek.

Food & merchandise discounts are always great.

Love the free Photopass downloads too!

 

[Shir Kahn]

A lot of y’all answered in dollars and cents. Mine is a bit more emotional.

I am Canadian. So I’m a rare AP breed. It’s fun to have those little conversations with people when they find out. I like being treated that little bit differently from some CM because you are an AP. I like other guests seeing the AP on my band and have them ask me questions about the parks or restaurants or Disney in general. I like being able to take my time and not feel the pressure of getting my day just right because I’ll be back. I like feeling like I’m apart of the magic instead of a visitor to it. I love being recognized when I go back to a favorite bar/restaurant. I like looking at my card when I’m at home and smiling because it brings back good memories and feelings. I like that being an AP opened up a whole new world of wonder and enjoyment at Disney because it gave me a new perspective. Most of all I love being an AP because it keeps me closer to the magic and the joy being there gives me.

We're from Winnipeg, 2080 miles away from WDW and we just upgraded to APs on our first day this trip! We've been AP holders for 5 days now! We've spent close to $1000 on souvenirs so far so its saved us a ton already! We both bought the limited edition banshees at Pandora as well but unfortunately they dont give the AP discount there. Would have been nice because those were another $200 together!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

We’re getting APs for the first time ever because we’re doing our usual late November trip this year and then going early November instead of after TG in 2019, so we’ve decided it makes sense to get them. We already bought 10 day PHs, so we’ll have to upgrade them. This AP thing is all new to us, but looking forward to the discounts! Maybe having them will be incentive to squeeze in an extra trip or two!

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

We have had APs on and off through the years but as new FL residents I love that if I am craving Satu'li Canteen for dinner we can head to AK after work for dinner and just walk around and enjoy the park for a bit. It's great being able to go so frequently that you no longer care if you are able to get FPs or if the lines are long - we can just go and enjoy the atmosphere.

Does it lose the special feel of Disney going so much?

 

[TeresaWen]

We go at least twice in a 12 month period for between 10 -14 days. I love how our second trip is my "cheap one" since we don't need tickets. And if we find a good deal on airfare we have been known to add a third.

And don't get me started on how much I love photopass. Doubt I would pay for it but it is a great perk.

What I don't like - the year I need to get a new one. The price has gotten so high it is a real decision point for us.

 

[soccermom54]

We are retired and live 50 miles from WDW. The FL Resident Weekday Select AP works great for us. We do not want to go during the heat of summer or on crowded weekends. One of the best things is waking up, turning to my husband and saying "lets go to WDW today!". Most of our visits are pre-planned to use FP but it is just magical to be able to go on a moment's notice. There are plenty of things we love to do at WDW that do not require FP and plenty of counter service dining locations we love. Having theme park parking included with the AP is probably our favorite perk. Now if they would only extend this perk to resort parking for AP holders, it would be golden!

 

[AMK53]

Live in NJ. Love having annual pass as I love the escape Disney provides. Just leave all my cares behind and escape in to the magic

The biggest surprise was that I LOVE Photo pass. Never ever stopped for photos, sometimes bought Splash Mountain photo. Now my friends and I stop for almost every photo, we love the ride videos . And when I convinced my husband to do 2 days before I want to a conference we got the very best photos of us we've had since our wedding 43 years ago!