Should I get an Annual Pass?

[goNsoon2WDW]

My DH and I have a plan scheduled for this fall and I have another trip to Orlando for work in the spring that I'm going to squeeze in a couple days at the parks. I'm looking at the costs and the annual pass is just slightly more than buying individual park tickets for each trip. I heard there were other benefits that could make it better to buy an annual pass.

• What are some benefits that may not be so well known that we could take advantage of?
• How would I attach to existing reservations?
• Is there a discount or benefit for purchasing other tickets for my DH that wouldn't have an annual pass?
• How does an annual pass impact making dining reservations or LL selections?

Any and all info would be appreciated.
TIA

 

[gottalovepluto]

There are no secret benefits, it’s all listed on the website. You can only get hotel discounts if there is availability, anyone can call WDW and ask but know it can change minute by minute.

No ticket purchasing benefit, no making ADRs or LL benefits.

 

[Kerry1957]

It's all on the website; just look it up and not expect others to do for you what you an easily do yourself..
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/

 

[frannn]

We always make good use of the AP for resort, dining & merch discounts. Then there are bonuses like sometimes we are able to get first dibs on new rides, discount on Disneystore.com usually at least once/year, and access to certain merch. We don't usually take advantage of the special AP food items in the parks, but they are there.

 

[CarolynFH]

How would I attach to existing reservations?

Once any ticket, whether regular or AP, is linked to your profile in MDE, it’s automatically linked to everything else that’s linked to your profile, including resort reservations. So when you go to book LLMP, for instance, the system will know that you have an AP and that you have a resort reservation for whatever dates.

 

[lilmc]

Do you stay offsite and drive in? Parking adds up quickly without an AP

 

[Best Aunt]

Do you stay offsite and drive in? Parking adds up quickly without an AP

and it takes time to get to the parks, depending on where you are staying. When I stayed at a hotel connected to the convention center during the summer I got a Sea World annual pass instead. I wasn't going to last more than a few hours at a time in the heat. Sea World was closer and cheaper.

 

[goNsoon2WDW]

Do you stay offsite and drive in? Parking adds up quickly without an AP

We typically stay on property. I think that covered our parking costs, but this is a good point to consider if we did stay offsite.

 

[goNsoon2WDW]

Thank you all for the information. I appreciate your time and comments.

 

[pixieprincess925]

We typically stay on property. I think that covered our parking costs, but this is a good point to consider if we did stay offsite.

Since you are staying on property, you may be able to get a passholder rate for your hotel stay that would make up that difference in ticket prices - obviously no guarantee since that's all based on availability. Once you have the annual pass on your account, and before you actually activate it, you will be able to see any resort discounts for passholders.
You do get table service and merchandise discounts.
One disadvantage of an AP is that you will need to make park reservations for each day that you're going to a park. Not a big deal, but I have found myself ready to tap into a park and realizing I hadn't yet set that up...

 

[amw]

My only warning for you is that as an annual pass holder, you still have to make park reservations before your trip even if staying on property. I’m international, and had an annual pass that I let expire in August. I miss the retail and dining discounts for sure, but will not get another pass until they take away that restriction — and least for pass holders who are staying on property.