Renewing an annual pass questions

[housemouse]

I've been debating on whether it would work out cheaper to renew an annual pass or just buy one outright. This is what I'm not sure about. If you renew an annual pass does it just automatically renew when your prior one has expired? Or does it renew on the date you activate it?

I'll only travel once a year but do several days at a time. Right now the annual pass I used last year will be used up on the last day of my vacation this year. So I get two trips out of it. If it automatically renews for the same date then even though it is a bit cheaper I can only get next year's trip out of it. So then it would be cheaper to buy an annual pass at full price and not start the clock ticking on it until I actually use it.

Hoping that's not too confusing a question in the way I worded it.

 

[damo]

It renews on the original activation anniversary plus one day. The renewal price of the preferred pass is about the same as a 4 day two park pass. If you are using it to get a reduced hotel rate, it will more than pay for itself.

 

[housemouse]

It renews on the original activation anniversary plus one day. The renewal price of the preferred pass is about the same as a 4 day two park pass. If you are using it to get a reduced hotel rate, it will more than pay for itself.

Ok. That's what I was wondering. So in my case it would be cheaper to just buy one every other year and arrange each years trip to fall within the activation date. Thanks!


Edit: This would probably make more sense if I told you that I have a very narrow range of time in the fall that I can travel. So I can't use it in the fall on one trip and then the summer the next trip. Sorry for not mentioning that. But I do agree it's fabulous for the hotel, dining and merchandise discounts. And worth buying for just one trip if you're staying long enough.

 

[hydrotony]

I'll assume you mean Preferred Annual Pass.
Yes, renewal starts right after the old pass expires even though you get up to 30 days once expired to renew it.
Whether to renew or buy a new pass some months away is slightly more complicated this year since Diagon Alley will be opening June-ish 2014. Because of this, I strongly believe the cost for a new Preferred AP some months from now will be a lot more expensive. So renew now for about 75% of a current PAP or later for an unknown increased cost.

 

[housemouse]

I'll assume you mean Preferred Annual Pass.
Yes, renewal starts right after the old pass expires even though you get up to 30 days once expired to renew it.
Whether to renew or buy a new pass some months away is slightly more complicated this year since Diagon Alley will be opening June-ish 2014. Because of this, I strongly believe the cost for a new Preferred AP some months from now will be a lot more expensive. So renew now for about 75% of a current PAP or later for an unknown increased cost.

Does your renewal rate go up every year or does it stay the same?

 

[Metro West]

Does your renewal rate go up every year or does it stay the same?

Mine for the Preferred has stayed the same for the past couple of years but that's not to say it won't go up in the future.

 

[hydrotony]

Does your renewal rate go up every year or does it stay the same?

Renewal cost jump when big things happen. I renew Preferred AP around October...
2005 $110
2006 $110
2007 $110
2008 $120
2009 $120
2010 $160 <<<<<<<<WWoHP opens
2011 $170
2012 $170
2013 $170
2014 $??? <<<<<<Diagon Alley opens
Based on past costs, renewal next year may be $210. However, I expect new Preferred AP to go up 25%. They are $245 for Florida residents and $280 for non-residents now.