Someone please sell me an Annual Pass!

[Night-train]

I don't mean literally sell me one, but tell me what benefits come with being an AP holder! Convince me why I should have one rather than one of the many other tickets available. Put yourself in the shoes of a Disney salesman and give me the hard sell!

 

[NeilDrum]

To be honest because of the great exchange rate that we had last year, we didnt need any selling - it was far cheaper for us to buy an annual pass than 2 or 3 ultimate tickets.

We do visit 2or3 times a year, so a lot cheaper for us. When we redeemed our voucher at Epcot, the CM there said lots of Brits buy them now!

Have fun

Claire

 

[paulh]

would only benifit if you were to visit twice in a year.We only get annuals for the waterparks as we have visited parks many time in past
Paulh

 

[Mari annie]

The smart choice is how often to go to FL? If you answer not very often, then no would the option for your family. If you visit every year, or a couple times a year, or even go a couple times in the week you are in FL, you should........if you only go on vacation to FL every couple years or more-no.

You have to figure that one out........

paying those silly ticket prices (that expire) for a couple days or a week is a total waste of money!,

There's no selling needed, just common sense!


4/10 can't wait, get out of this cold for 2 weeks!

 

[tartangirl]

To be honest because of the great exchange rate that we had last year, we didnt need any selling - it was far cheaper for us to buy an annual pass than 2 or 3 ultimate tickets.

We do visit 2or3 times a year, so a lot cheaper for us. When we redeemed our voucher at Epcot, the CM there said lots of Brits buy them now!

Have fun

Claire

I was thinking of getting AP as well as we can squeeze 3 holidays over the next year - I take it you get a voucher that you have to exchange for a pass.

How long does it take to exchange for the pass and can you do it before the park opens? Also, do you get free parking on your first visit or is it only once you actually get the pass?

 

[Goofyish]

Unless you plan to go to WDW more than once in one year the only things that make the AP worth it are:

1. AP Resort Discounts - can pay for the cost of an AP over a 14 night stay!
2. DDE Card - 20% of table service meals.
3. Other discounts on meals, shopping and activities like mini-golf (50% off).

You only need one AP per family to get all the benefits.
Exchange rate also makes them very attractive.

 

[wayneg]

How long does it take to exchange for the pass and can you do it before the park opens? Also, do you get free parking on your first visit or is it only once you actually get the pass?

Only takes a few minutes to exchange, they take your name, address, phone number etc. and show some ID.
We did not pay parking on first visit, just showed the reciept we had.
Not sure but I would think you can exchange at Downtown Disney guest relations if you are there first before visiting a park. We have exchanged vouchers for other tickets there before.
When we go at Easter we will have spent 50 days in Orlando within a 12 month period so they were well worth buying for us this year, not sure if we are going to renew, might only be going for 25 nights this next year, trying to turn it into 39 but we will see.

 

[UKDEB]

You forgot free parking, Tim.

We have been buying Annual Passes for years and, for us, at least in the early days, it was all about flexibility. The first time we visited in 1992 (when there were only 3 parks), we bought the 4 day hoppers, which included some water park and PI add-ons. I think the next couple of times we went, the 5 day hoppers had been introduced. Once we'd cottoned-on to APs, it was such a pleasure to be able to dip in and out of the parks at will. Prior to that, we felt we had to plan very long days in the parks to make the most of our passes. Much as we love planning, to be able to just decide to pop into MK for SpectroMagic, for example, makes for a much more relaxing holiday. The same goes for the last day. In the days when we bought hoppers, there's no way we'd have 'wasted' a day's ticket to visit a park on our last day.

Since buying our first, we've never considered buying anything other than APs - the psychological factor of not feeling that you've somehow wasted a day if you just visit a park for a couple of hours is key. If we had MYW tickets, even if it worked out cheaper, I don't think I'd be able to get past thinking that I had to maximise each 'day'. To visit a park for a few hours and use one day's ticket seems wasteful. I'm probably over-labouring the point, but I'm not sure that I'm explaining myself very well.

The downside to APs is that they expire. Whilst we normally get more than one trip out of each AP, there have been occasions when we probably haven't made the most of them. Still, it doesn't take much for them to pay for themselves.

Another bonus (although you might consider it a downside) is that we've undoubtedly used the excuse of having APs to book extra trips. Even if you don't know that you'll definitely book another trip when you buy the APs, it's a fantastic feeling to be booking one knowing the passes are already taken care of.

On several occasions we've taken advantage of the AP rates to stay for the odd day onsite, even though we tend to stay offsite for the majority of time. The biggest 'savings' for us have been DDP (20% on almost all full-service restaurants, including alcholic drinks), and, especially as we do stay offsite, the free parking. If you're a golfer, there are also discounts on green fees.

 

[UKDEB]

Oops - sorry, meant DDE, not DDP.

 

[Cyrano]

Well your title got my attention Laura

Looking at this ourselves so thanks for all the thoughts

 

[jockey]

John, the AP is an excuse to go back within the year! We also found te DDE great, this paid for itself within a few days!

 

[Disney owl]

How much are they?

 

[Laurafoster]

I had an AP last year ( we got them free for having a Disney wedding) and we saved loads on the parking - resort discounts etc!

Im going to be getting them again this year!!

 

[wayneg]

How much are they?

AP for the 4 parks is approx £240 and £220 to rewew
premium with water parks etc £310 and £285 to rewew

We managed to get ours before last price increase and a Cast member discount so paid about £210 each(4 parks only) we have until 5th Aug to decide about renewal.

 

[foxylady]

Sorry to jump in on this, but am I right in thinking that if you do purchase the DDE card, you can use the discount on meals etc for the whole of your party??? If so, how many people can you use it for?

We are going with another family this year so there will be 7 of us, and either myself or DH are thinking of buying one to get the benefit of free parking and the DDE discounts. Would this be worth it just for these benefits alone?

We may also be back within the next 12 months as well, as DH does not have set holidays any more - YIPPEE!

 

[CustardTart]

...The biggest 'savings' for us have been DDE (20% on almost all full-service restaurants, including alcholic drinks)...

This is the biggest reason for us - it saved us an absolute fortune last summer - 8 of us (6 adults) eating and drinking on WDW property for 2 weeks!!! Plus we love that 10% discount in World of Disney...