Soon to be Passholders

[BrittNeal]

In just a few short days my hubby and I will be newly minted annual passholders!! We will have one Deluxe and one Premium pass.

I'm wondering from those who have had passes for many years what are some of the tips and tricks to making the most out of your pass?

We typically go once a year at Christmas time, maybe once in early November for my birthday. What should we make sure not to miss from other times in the Disney year?

What are things that you spend more time on since you don't have to rush and get all the attractions in during one visit?

Any advice on how to maximize this wonderful year would be much appreciated!

 

[figment_jii]

I'm wondering from those who have had passes for many years what are some of the tips and tricks to making the most out of your pass?

Go frequently! Seriously though, make sure you take advantage of any AP discounts that might be offered for things you are doing (dining, shopping, tours, hotels, special events, etc.).

We typically go once a year at Christmas time, maybe once in early November for my birthday. What should we make sure not to miss from other times in the Disney year?

I love HalloweenTime at DLR, which usually starts in mid-September and run through Halloween (and a little beyond some times).

What are things that you spend more time on since you don't have to rush and get all the attractions in during one visit?

Dining is a big part of my trips, so with an AP it's nice to be able to spend time having a nice sit down meal.

See the shows and nighttime entertainment. Having an AP means you can go more often so you can see everything (or at least more things).

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was surprised how much we loved meandering through all the stores in DL & DCA and noticing all the little touches! We visited 2 summers in a row once & the 2nd time we took our time in the shops (window shopping lol but it was fun) and tried the restaurants we never seemed to make it to- Carnation Cafe & Cafe Orleans & loved them both! We took time to have drinks & apps in Carthay's Lounge one night too & it was the highlight of the trip. It's truly amazing how we felt transported back to the 1930s and totally relaxed in the middle of a Disney Park! And try to ride the Lilly Belle if you haven't one morning. You can search the boards here for more info on how to do that. Oh- and try seeing Aladdin on multiple occasions- the Genie has been known to change up his jokes a bit. Have a blast with the passes!

 

[Hisgirl]

We also had annual passes last year...our first time. We took just about all types of visits possible! A couples only visit, a solo visit, a take the elderly parents visit, and a take the grandkids and kids visit!

We bought a tables in wonderland card and saved TONS on food! We would have never gone that many times but we learned how to save using vacation points. We went early Jan, early Feb, early May, late September, late October.

We realized we loved flower & garden moreso than food and wine and felt the crowds were better. We loved the cool of fall, though. Early January gives you the chance to see the holiday decor without the crowds.

Go often! Use DVC points to save money and resort hop! I stayed in 3 different deluxe resorts in one visit! Have a wonderful fun year! Rent a car, fly, drive, use Magical express! Do it al!

 

[rentayenta]

Great thread. We may be taking the AP plunge as well. Hoping DH inhales lots of pixiedust this next trip.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Go at least once a season to see the landscaping changes. Go for Halloween. October is really fun and the characters dress up in costume. Spend time doing things you wouldn't normally do. I've found a lot of great snacks that way. Go for a day and don't ride anything. Just explore. Seriously, it's so fun. I wish I hadn't let me so cal annual pass lapse. Hoping to someday have a pass and go all the time again. It's amazing to be able to take your time and enjoy yourself.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We bought a tables in wonderland card and saved TONS on food!... We realized we loved flower & garden moreso than food and wine and felt the crowds were better...resort hop...use Magical express!

Umm... I think OP is talking solely about Disneyland APs so while nice ideas they should know these ones are related to Walt Disney World and not available in DL.

 

[Luckymommatoo]

We are in the Los Angeles area, and our favorite thing is being able to go just for three or four hours. Our favorite is Sunday mornings from opening to noon. We leave just as it's starting to get crowded!

Or sometimes we arrive in the late afternoon just to ride a few things and see a nighttime show. But not having to spend ALL day is by far the best thing for us. Enjoy!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We are in Northern California 8 hours away and this is what we do. We buy APs in July for our July trip and stay one week. Then we come back usually in November for a few days, and then again in July before they expire. We then let them expire and get new ones the next summer. We get two summer vacations out of one AP. Since we went to WDW last summer, we are waiting until this summer to get new APs. This year I'd like to see the fall decorations that we always miss (and the Ghost Galaxy in SM), and see the new Jingle Cruise at Christmas time.

So hopefully we can get down there a few more times in between the summers. The hard part is taking a full day to drive there and a full day to drive back. We need 4 day weekends to make it work.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

In just a few short days my hubby and I will be newly minted annual passholders!! We will have one Deluxe and one Premium pass.

I'm wondering from those who have had passes for many years what are some of the tips and tricks to making the most out of your pass?

We typically go once a year at Christmas time, maybe once in early November for my birthday. What should we make sure not to miss from other times in the Disney year?

What are things that you spend more time on since you don't have to rush and get all the attractions in during one visit?

Any advice on how to maximize this wonderful year would be much appreciated!

Use the Premium pass as often as possible for drink/merchandise purchases. It is a small difference but over the course of a year that extra 5%/10% discount adds up!

If you are not local, book your trips now for the year at your favorite hotel even if you're not totally sure whether the dates will work out. Put reminders into your calendar a week out, and 5 days out, to cancel in case you need to. When I remember to book ahead we save $40-$60/night [compared to last minute rates].

It took me several years with AP to relax and not try to do every single thing every single trip; just remember that even if it's crowded, rides are down, someone hobbles you with a stroller...you'll be back soon!

Find the best way available for you to buy Disney gift cards at a discount [Budget Board has lots of tips.] You are going to be spending an incredible amount of money at DL. We save 15% or more on all money spent inside the parks, including our APs. Add to that the AP discount...they practically pay us to go to DL!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I have been known to spend 3 hours on Main Street (looking at the window dressings, enjoying the various atmosphere entertainment, pin trading, checking out the Gallery) and then heading home. A great few Disney hours.

- Dreams

 

[tarheelalum]

Watch cash register when you are buying merchandise. Make sure you get your 20% discount with your premium AP. About half the time the cast members seem to get it wrong.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

Watch cash register when you are buying merchandise. Make sure you get your 20% discount with your premium AP. About half the time the cast members seem to get it wrong.

Good to know! I never even thought of that!

 

[gottalovepluto]

The hard part is taking a full day to drive there and a full day to drive back. We need 4 day weekends to make it work.

Maybe look at flying? If you're near the right airports you could check into Southwest (or others) for flights & see if they have something cheap for hoping down & back. I don't have any experience doing that but have seen others mention it on the boards.

 

[Rubygoose]

We got APs on our trip in August, and we got in 8 days in the park - 3 of those were only partial days, but we wouldn't have bothered going for only a couple hours if we had to buy hoppers. One thing that we had to do a little differently was that DH usually goes to grab a FP for something while I order our lunch. This time we realized that wouldn't work, since I needed my AP to get the discount on food.