Should I buy DVC Annual Pass renewal June 2019 or wait for my December 2019 vacation?

[RaySharpton]

Should I buy DVC Annual Pass renewal June 2019 or wait for my December 2019 vacation?

When I went on the DVC website at:

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers/ticket-tour/walt-disney-world-pass/

Disney Platinum Pass – New Purchase	$894 plus tax	$749 plus tax	$145
Disney Platinum Pass – Renewal	$759 plus tax	$636 plus tax	$123

If I renew, I saw this info:

Renew Your Pass
To take advantage of renewal savings, be sure to renew prior to the expiration date—up to 60 days in advance. Limit 8 purchases per household

• By Phone: Please contact Member Services by calling (800) 800-9800† to process the purchase for you
• In Person: Visit a Guest Relations location at any Walt Disney World Theme Park or at Disney Springs to renew your annual pass.

I was also looking at block out dates for Gold Pass just out of curiosity since I usually don't travel on Christmas week.

Disney Gold Pass – New Purchase	N/A	$609 plus tax	N/A
Disney Gold Pass – Renewal	N/A	$517 plus tax	N/A

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/

The only days of the year that I see for Gold Passes are the following:

December 19, 2019, to January 2, 2020

and

April 4-17, 2020.

I own a DVC Disney Platinum Pass.

If I buy this month it will cost $636 plus tax for a DVC discounted renewal Disney Platinum Pass.

And if I wait and buy for my December 1, 2019 vacation new it will cost $749 plus tax for a DVC discounted new Disney Platinum Pass.

Do you think that it is worth waiting or buying now?

The savings in money would be about $113 versus six more months if I waited and bought in December 2019.

What are your experiences?

What are your thoughts or strategies?

As far as the Gold passes costing new at $609 plus tax and the Disney Platinum Pass costing new at $749 plus tax.

A difference in cost of $140 for not being able to use it on certain days in April and December.

I don't think that is right for me. I think that I would stick with the Platinum Pass instead.

Yes, I know...I answered my own question on the idea of purchasing a Gold Pass.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You just have to look at when is your next trip that could be covered by that annual pass. We never renewed annual passes, just bought new ones when we needed them again. We usually have gone three or four times a year. Why pay for six months worth of ticket you can't even use.

 

[RaySharpton]

You just have to look at when is your next trip that could be covered by that annual pass. We never renewed annual passes, just bought new ones when we needed them again. We usually have gone three or four times a year. Why pay for six months worth of ticket you can't even use.

Thanks, Deb & Bill.

As I was writing my post, I seemed to come to the same conclusion. I guess writing words out helped me realize it was better. I never really looked at the actual costs and previously, I would just buy renewals every December when I usually travel.

But now that I am retired, I seem to be going more often.

 

[Chuck S]

For me, it would depend upon what trips you have planned after your December trip (assuming the December trip is in the blackout dates for Gold). If you have another trip planned within that year, between June and December, I'd wait and buy a new pass. If none of your planned days hit in the blackout periods (I'd expect a similar blackout for Christmas/New Years 2020-2021) I'd go with the gold pass, if you travel during blackout periods, go with the platinum. I usually avoid the blackout periods, because you know they are also the most crowded, so the Gold works great for me. I'm semi-retired and can travel most anytime, my property manager looks after my rental properties.

 

[RaySharpton]

For me, it would depend upon what trips you have planned after your December trip (assuming the December trip is in the blackout dates for Gold). If you have another trip planned within that year, between June and December, I'd wait and buy a new pass. If none of your planned days hit in the blackout periods (I'd expect a similar blackout for Christmas/New Years 2020-2021) I'd go with the gold pass, if you travel during blackout periods, go with the platinum. I usually avoid the blackout periods, because you know they are also the most crowded, so the Gold works great for me.

Thank you, Chuck. It is nice to hear other folks opinions.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

You just have to look at when is your next trip that could be covered by that annual pass. We never renewed annual passes, just bought new ones when we needed them again. We usually have gone three or four times a year. Why pay for six months worth of ticket you can't even use.

I agree with this post. We have never renewed our annual passes for the very reason stated above.

 

[disfanforlife]

We have done it both ways. So like others have said timing is part of it, I usually only renew if I have another trip within 3 months. If it’s going to be longer than that I get a new AP.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We always renew because we always seem to find another reason to go to WDW.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I am in the camp of not renewing. We were able to buy the Platinum Pass deal, and we paid for new passes, not renewals. We activated them in December, and so far, we have three trips on these passes. When they lapse, I will wait until I can line up at least two trips and preferably three or more. For example, If you always go in March, activate your passes for a late March trip, and use them again the following year for an early March trip. I have found that if I always renew, I might get one year with three trips and the following year with only one trip, for example.