WDW AP question

[jaross]

Question about WDW AP?
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We are going to WDW for 9 days in November. We are thinking about getting the theme park annual pass. It's a little less expensive than a length of stay.

We probably won't be able to get back in the year. And, it does not include Pleasure Island or the water parks. But, I think it will be cold and only Blizzard beach is open. We've been to Pleasure Island and don't really want to go back.

The key to the decision is what benefits come with the AP.
What discounts are there? Any at DS? What about restaurants in WDW?

I read something about a free AP lanyard ~ What's that?
Do you have to go to the parks to pick up AP pins or can I order them if I have an AP.

I also heard something about 100 days free. What's that?

What do you think the best benefit of an AP is?

Thanks for your help.

Chris

 

[KiminChicago]

Unfortunately, the latest I've heard is that the 100 days free only applies to Florida residents. We are going to WDW at the end of the month for 10 days and we did buy annual passes since they are cheaper than the length of stay passes for a stay as long as ours (and yours). Saving money, however much money it is, is always better in my mind. Not only that, but because we got annual passes, we were able to schedule a second trip for January, knowing that we wouldn't have to buy another pass to get in. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you know it would save you some money or you have even a sneaking suspicion that you might go again in less than a year, why not get the annual pass?

 

[snowgooseltd]

If you're staying on the grounds, an AP affords you the best room rates, slightly better than the DC. We also got a better rate for a tour we planned to take, with the AP. You could rebook your rooms with the AP. It must be shown upon checkin but you could drop your luggage at the resort, go to the park and get the AP and then check in. That's what we did the first time. We've had APs for three years now.

Something else that we find...you know how you hate to use a day off your park hopper for a quick first day or last day visit? That is eliminated when you have an AP. We were at MK for breakfast and to get a pin before departing for the airport last week. Can't do that with a hopper.

Plus...it's less expensive for a longer than seven day trip to get an AP, rather than to buy extra days.

 

[Carl]

No discounts at the Disney Store. No discounts at the restaurants.
The advantage of an AP is that you CAN go as often during the year as you wish. You also can get special AP rates at some hotels, some times of the year. However, you have to keep checking to see when and if AP discounts are available at the time you wish to go. I've never gotten any advantage from my AP other than the number of days admission to the parks. I'm too obsessive about booking my vacation way in advance. Thus, I don't have the patience or anything else to keep checking to see if a discount happens to be available.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Here is a link to the discounts page on Deb Wills' site:

http://www.wdwig.com/discounts.htm

It gives you a very nice chart on all discounts: AP, DC, DVC, Amex.

There are discounts on DTD stores, various restaurants, and numerous WDW recreational activities besides the parks.

To give you a second vote for some of what others have said:

1. To my knowledge, there are no better onsite accommodations discounts, except for CMs.
2. The freedom to hop into the park for a couple of hours the day you arrive and/or the day you leave makes the trip much more relaxing for us.
3. Once you have an AP, you magically find the time for an extra WDW trip in that 12 month window.

 

[Carl]

#3 above. If you have a pass, you magically find a way to make that additional trip. Disney gets your resort money, your restaurant expenditures, etc. on that "extra" trip.

But, they have continually gone up on the price and then changed the renewal policy to discourage people renewing the passes. I'm a Disney stock holder and REALLY disagree with any policy they make that discourages people from purchasing APs.

 

[jojo_ct]

Earlier this year, AP holders were eligible for a free lanyard and pin. The lanyard/pin were nice, and came with a pass for special seating at several AK shows.

This month a new AP pin was sold at MGM - Sorceror's Hat. Information indicates that it was the first of a monthly? series of AP pins.

Of course, you have to be in the parks to buy any of these pins.

I've used my AP to get discounts on tours, miniature golf, boats, and DisneyQuest tickets.

And the biggie which everyone forgets - FREE PARKING!!!

Now, emotionally, the option of visiting for an hour here and an hour there is great. And don't assume you won't get back in the next 12 months. I will bet you anything, having the pass makes a return visit almost inevitable. All in all, a wonderful investment.

 

[pintrader]

the fractional days in a park and free parking together makes it worth it. You do get a 10% discount at WoD with a $25.00 purchase in addition to all the other perks mentioned about.
Unfortunately, the latest I've heard is that the 100 days free only applied only until October 4th. Ed, Donna and I went in to get ours and they told us we were cutting it close. Not understanding we asked for an explanation and they offered one. The extra 100 days were offered only if you stopped by GR between October 1, 2001 and October 4, 2001. We also had to cough up money to renew the pass at that same time. Quite an unexpected shock !!!

 

[snowgooseltd]

Kathryn...is it true that the extra 100 days were offered only to Florida residents? If not, how unfair to only offer it quietly from the 1st to the 4th. We were there at that time and would have taken advantage since our passes are up in December. How did you hear of this offer and is it expected to be offered again at any time?