The benefits of AP?

[Wavy Blue]

Are there any benefits to being an Premium AP holder other than just being able to enter the park on any day? I'm considering getting one next year but I want to make sure its worth it.

 

[Sherry E]

Are there any benefits to being an Premium AP holder other than just being able to enter the park on any day? I'm considering getting one next year but I want to make sure its worth it.

I am also considering one, Wavy, and have been asking a bunch of questions on here about it. Your question was one of the things I was wondering as well, although if I get one, it will be in early October, as opposed to next year. I think it is a good investment for me, because it will basically pay for itself in a couple of trips, and the discounts on hotels, food, merchandise and tickets will be helpful. As to your question about the other benefits besides 365 days a year admission, I THINK there is a certain parking pass that comes with it that does not come with the Deluxe, from what I heard. Other than that, I would like to know the answer too! I guess the 'no blackout days' is the biggest draw.

 

[wdwrich]

Additional benefits of a premium AP:
Free parking in the Mickey & Friends parking structure.
15% discount at most food places and 10% on most merchandise purchases.

 

[Sherry E]

Additional benefits of a premium AP:
Free parking in the Mickey & Friends parking structure.
15% discount at most food places and 10% on most merchandise purchases.

You mean the discounts on food and merchandise and hotels don't come with the Deluxe AP? I thought that both the Deluxe and Premium got those benefits. It was the parking that was exclusive to Premium APs, from what I had heard. Not true?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

hotle discount is with any ap,
merchindise (world of disney) is only with premium
food you get 10% off with normal ap 15% premium

 

[Sherry E]

hotle discount is with any ap,
merchindise (world of disney) is only with premium
food you get 10% off with normal ap 15% premium

Cool! Thanks, Jade! I was already on the fence about getting the Premium when I go in October, but hearing that the merchandise discount is only with Premium and the food is 15% rather than 10%, the Premium is looking better all the time! I assume the AP discount can be used at places like Goofy's and all the sit-down restaurants in DLR? Are there any places where it cannot be used?

And as for the merchandise, does that include both stores IN the parks as well as in Downtown Disney?

 

[JaneJetson]

Cool! Thanks, Jade! I was already on the fence about getting the Premium when I go in October, but hearing that the merchandise discount is only with Premium and the food is 15% rather than 10%, the Premium is looking better all the time! I assume the AP discount can be used at places like Goofy's and all the sit-down restaurants in DLR? Are there any places where it cannot be used?

And as for the merchandise, does that include both stores IN the parks as well as in Downtown Disney?

Yes, you also get the discount at Downdown Disney stores (well, at least at the World of Disney...because I think that's the only place I tried using it.)

It is WELL worth the money...especially if you plan on going on weekends and around holidays.

 

[Sherry E]

Yes, you also get the discount at Downdown Disney stores (well, at least at the World of Disney...because I think that's the only place I tried using it.)

It is WELL worth the money...especially if you plan on going on weekends and around holidays.

Thanks, Jane! I didn't even start this thread, but between this one and two other recent threads on AP's, I have been well-informed on the pros and (very few) cons of the Premium AP. In my case, I would more likely only be able to get to DLR around weekends and holidays, and so the Premium is ideal for me for that reason alone. But any kind of discount I can get on the hotels, food and merchandise is a big plus for me.

I have one other question - can you get discounts on regular tickets/hoppers with the AP, or is that ONLY in the event that you need to buy a ticket for a blackout day (which wouldn't apply to the Premium AP, since no days are blacked out), in which case you can buy a $40 ticket or whatever? Like, let's say I wanted to get a discount ticket with my AP for a friend of mine. Is that possible, or are there no ticket discounts?

 

[disneyobsessed808]

As far as I know, there are not any discounts for tickets. Also, the discount does not apply to Napa Rose (where it would definitely be the most useful)

 

[JadeDarkstar]

im on the fence if i cant aford the premium ap then id just upgrade next time i go dec or something. and order the aps from disney and order the package with lanyards and coupon book (10% off at wordld of disney) for 20dollers and be fine this time..

that way i save 120 and upgrade next time we go.
we were just talking about this last night
and with all the luck we hope this job comes though the guy told him come in tomoorw to fill out papers so im thinking thats a good thing (thats after 2weeks of a new credit and background check) so tomrorow i hope its hireing papers

 

[Sherry E]

As far as I know, there are not any discounts for tickets. Also, the discount does not apply to Napa Rose (where it would definitely be the most useful)

Thanks, Disneyobsessed! Right. Napa Rose is where it would be most useful. Or Blue Bayou (but that one is probably ok to use the AP). I guess there is a list that comes with the AP that tells us where we cannot use it for discounts. So, since no blackout day tickets are needed with the Premium pass, then only with the Deluxe pass and lower can you purchase the $40 blackout or discounted tickets, I gather. That is interesting to note. I wish the Disneyland website were more informative about exactly what the benefits are and where you can and can't use the AP for reduced prices and so on, but they only give you a vague idea, and it seems you only get the detailed info once you have actually purchased the AP and create your AP online account! People might want to know all these specific things before buying an AP, and to know this info might help make the decision to buy it. It doesn't make sense for them to leave the details out until after you purchase the AP!!

Well, I guess that is why DISBoards is so great - so many people on here can fill in the blanks for us/me!

 

[Sherry E]

im on the fence if i cant aford the premium ap then id just upgrade next time i go dec or something. and order the aps from disney and order the package with lanyards and coupon book (10% off at wordld of disney) for 20dollers and be fine this time..

that way i save 120 and upgrade next time we go.
we were just talking about this last night
and with all the luck we hope this job comes though the guy told him come in tomoorw to fill out papers so im thinking thats a good thing (thats after 2weeks of a new credit and background check) so tomrorow i hope its hireing papers

I wish you guys luck with that job, too! I know how that is, waiting to find out if you are hired! It is agonizing. But if it comes through, you will be getting the Premium AP, right?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

yes

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Thanks, Disneyobsessed! Right. Napa Rose is where it would be most useful. Or Blue Bayou (but that one is probably ok to use the AP). I guess there is a list that comes with the AP that tells us where we cannot use it for discounts. So, since no blackout day tickets are needed with the Premium pass, then only with the Deluxe pass and lower can you purchase the $40 blackout or discounted tickets, I gather. That is interesting to note. I wish the Disneyland website were more informative about exactly what the benefits are and where you can and can't use the AP for reduced prices and so on, but they only give you a vague idea, and it seems you only get the detailed info once you have actually purchased the AP and create your AP online account! People might want to know all these specific things before buying an AP, and to know this info might help make the decision to buy it. It doesn't make sense for them to leave the details out until after you purchase the AP!!

Well, I guess that is why DISBoards is so great - so many people on here can fill in the blanks for us/me!

There is fortunately a discount at Blue Bayou

I found a link to a chart with discounts for various APs. Hope this helps

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...nts?name=AnnualPassholderUngatedDiscountsPage

 

[bumbershoot]

Are there any places where it cannot be used?

Royal Street Veranda in NOS and the ice cream place BurrBank or something like that in DCA do not take part in AP discounts. The carts don't seem to either.

You get a handy dandy small brochure that lists the places you can use it. They SAY that the food purchase has to be $10 or more, but I have *never* been held to that as of yet.

and order the aps from disney and order the package with lanyards and coupon book (10% off at wordld of disney) for 20dollers and be fine this time..

Where would you order the package with lanyards and coupon book?

 

[Sherry E]

There is fortunately a discount at Blue Bayou

I found a link to a chart with discounts for various APs. Hope this helps

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...nts?name=AnnualPassholderUngatedDiscountsPage

Thank you! My darn computer is acting up so I have to reboot before I can click on the link, but I will do that and then check it out!

 

[Sherry E]

Royal Street Veranda in NOS and the ice cream place BurrBank or something like that in DCA do not take part in AP discounts. The carts don't seem to either.

You get a handy dandy small brochure that lists the places you can use it. They SAY that the food purchase has to be $10 or more, but I have *never* been held to that as of yet.

Goody! Thanks for that info, Bumbershoot! I am not sure there has been a time recently when I have spent less than $10 on food in one meal, so I think I will meet that criteria! I can always order food for myself and friends and apply the discount that way just in case I thought I might fall under the ten buck limit.

Oh, and the BurrBank ice cream place is the one you said you did not like, right? I love ice cream but I may not try it based on your review! No need to get bland and probably overpriced ice cream.

 

[bumbershoot]

From the Passholder Benefits little brochure/wallet thing. This is the one I got with our AP in September '07 so it MIGHT not be totally accurate, so take it with that caveat.


Disneyland:

Bengal BBQ
Blue Bayou
Blue Ribbon Bakery
Cafe Orleans
Carnation Cafe
Clarabelle's Frozen Yogurt (though I've never actually seen that place OPEN)
Daisy's Diner (bleah)
French Market
Hungry Bear
Plaza Inn
Pluto's Dog House
Rancho del Zocalo
Redd Rockett's
Refreshment Corner
River Belle Terrace
Stage Door Cafe
Golden Horseshoe
Tomorrowland Terrace (this is the only place I experienced that ASKED if we had an AP for the discount....EVERY other place didn't mention it until I did)
Village Haus

DCA:

Ariel's Grotto
Award Weiners
Baker's Field Bakery
Bountiful Valley Farmers Market
Burger Invasion (guess that won't be relevant soon!)
Cocina Cucamonga
Corn Dog Castle
Cove Bar
Golden Vine Wine Bar
Pacific Wharf Cafe
Pizza Oom Mow Mow (bleah)
Taste Pilots' Grill
The Vineyard Room
Wine Country Trattoria

Hotels:

Croc's Bits 'n' Bites
Goofy's Kitchen
Hearthstone Lounge
Hook's Point
Disney's PCH Grill
Pool Bars (all hotels)
Steakhouse 55
Storyteller's Cafe
Surfside Lounge
The Lost Bar
The Lounge at Steakhouse 55
White Water Snacks
Wine Cellar
Yamabuki


Guided Tours:

Premium and Deluxe passholders receive 20% off Discover the Magic, A Walk In Walt's Footsteps, and Cruzin' Disney's California Adventure tours.

Downtown Disney:

ALL Passholders enjoy 10% off food and selected merchandise at participating locations (present the AP PRIOR to purchase, discounts apply only to a minimum purchase of ten dollars, excluding taxes, fees, and gratuities, and are not valid on artist originals, limited editions, Disney Dollars, alcoholic beverages, gift cards or admission media. Benefits and discounts are determined solely by the Disneyland Resort and may be valid only at selected locations. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or promotions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice):

AMC Theaters
Anne Geddes Store
Basin
Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar (excludes discounts on special events)
Club Libby Lu
Compass Books and Cafe
ESPN Zone (not valid on holidays and special events)
Fossil
Haagen-Dazs Shops
Hair Wraps
House of Blues Anaheim (only valid before 5pm)
Illuminations
Island Charters
Jamba Juice
LaBrea Bakery Cafe
LEGO Imagination Center
Naples (excludes discounts on special events)
Pearl Factory
Rainforest Cafe (on breakfast and dinner before 4pm)
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen (has a maximum discount of $40.00)
Something Silver
Starabilias
Sunglass Icon
Tom Kelly Caricatures
Tortilla Jo's (excludes discounts on special events)
Wetzel's Pretzels


For premium passholders only:

you are "eligible to receive 10% off selected purchases at most Theme Park and hotel merchandise locations, and at World of Disney Store, Marceline's Confectionery, and Disney's Pin Traders.

Please note, offer excludes the following locations: Disney Vault 28, Fairytale Arts, Three Fairies Magic Crystals, Jewel of Orleans, Silhouette Artist, Portrait Artists in NOS, Parasol Cart, and Crystal shops on Main Street and in NOS.

 

[bumbershoot]

And lastly, at Disneyland resort, you can upgrade from one AP to another higher one any time during your year. There is NO pro-rating, and you don't get the higher discounts retroactively, but if you suddenly find yourself in need of a vacation with multiple blocked out dates on your lower level AP, you can simply upgrade.

So if your first visit is during dates not blocked out, go with the Deluxe (or if you are eligible for a so cal pass and that works you can start with that), then if future trips are during blocked out dates, upgrade to the pass that works for that trip.

If you only have one or two blocked out dates, maybe just get the blockout passes at $40 a person each blockout date, but figure out the discount percentage difference to make an educated decision on that!

 

[Sherry E]

That's very helpful info, Bumbershoot and Andy! I really appreciate it, and I am sure that the rest of the folks on the fence about it will also be appreciative. I also will pay attention to Bumber's comments about the icky restaurants and not eat there. I will stick with the tried and true or something that I know has a good reputation. I will avoid the ones that say Bleah!