What am I missing about the cost of annual pass versus 2 trips with base tix?

[SnowWhite12]

I've had annual pass before; so I know the benefits of them. But as far as cost goes, I thought we would upgrade our base tix to annual passes when we go in June (have 7 day base tix with our package), and since we are going back in the fall for 6 days. Thought it would be cheaper because I've read on here that it is worth it if you are going for at least a total of 10 days. But when I price the gate admission prices and the annual pass prices, the annual pass will actually cost us about $30 more for myself and DD. Am I figuring something wrong?

 

[clanmcculloch]

You're doing the math correctly. What you're not including is things like:

• free parking if staying offsite (it's already free if you're staying onsite)
• resort discounts which are slightly better than general public discounts
• the ability to park hop
• 10% discount on all purchases
• the ability to purchase Tables in Wonderland

 

[MrsPete]

One thing to consider: How firm are your second trip plans? IF for some reason you had to change your trip dates, your park hoppers would still be good next year or the next year or the next year. That flexibility is worth something.

 

[WeLuvTink!]

I agree with Clanmcculloh - free parking (if staying off site) and 10% discounts at gift shops really adds up. Also, APs are Park Hoppers - are you factoring that in?

I'm not sure if it would work for you, but what we did last year was buy discounted tickets from an authorized seller online (we used Mousesavers link to Undercover Tourist and maximized our discount amount - regardless of days and options) then we used them one for park entry, then upgraded them to APs before we left that first day. HUGE savings that way for our family of four. Now when we go this Sept for Free Dining, we'll still have to buy 2-day tickets, but we won't use them (save them for a future trip).

 

[SandrA9810]

If you're not adding the dining plan to your reservation, it would be cheaper to purchase your AP tickets and book the room with an AP discount. If you do have the dining plan, then go for the upgrade and use a discounted room on your return trip.

Now if you're unsure, but would like to return later in the year, then go with the base ticket and save the $30. That way you don't have to feel like you're wasting money if you aren't able to return.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Not sure about this. The OP said she has a 7 day base tickets and they would expire 7 days after the first usage. If she upgrades she would have to add on the non - expiring option in order to use them for a future visit. Just because you have a park hopper ticket doesn't mean they are good forever like the use to. You now have to purchase the non-expiring option.

One thing to consider: How firm are your second trip plans? IF for some reason you had to change your trip dates, your park hoppers would still be good next year or the next year or the next year. That flexibility is worth something.

 

[SnowWhite12]

I guess we'll just stay with the base tix then. The parking free won't help as we are staying onsite. The 10% discount doesn't help at all because I already get the discount using my Disney Visa. And we don't park hop. I just really thought it was supposed to be cheaper (actual cost of ticket-wise). Oh well. Thanks everybody for you replies!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Remember that the 10% Disney Visa discount is only for purchases of $50 or greater. Lots of little purchases do add up.

I've been in your shoes a few times. We never hop and typically take no more than 2 trips per 12 month period and stay onsite and I try to work my purchases so I can combine things that I'll be buying anyway so that I'm over that $50 limit for the Disney Visa discount. We also seemed to always want to take advantage of promotions that had ticket purchase requirements. Taking all of this into consideration, APs just were never worthwhile.

I finally purchases APs only when I ended up planning 3 trips in a 12 month period. If you're not taking advantage of the various perks of the AP other than straight park admissions and not even hopping and only taking 2 trips in the 12 month period then 2 separate tickets is a better idea unless the emotional gratification of being able to call yourself an AP holder is great enough (I do love that perk). We're not renewing when our current APs expire because right now we only have 1 trip planned for after the expiration. I'm pretty sure we'll do a second trip but it's still not worthwhile for us with only 2 trips.

 

[seashoreCM]

But when I price the gate admission prices and the annual pass prices, the annual pass will actually cost us about $30 more for myself and DD. Am I figuring something wrong?

No, you did not figure something wrong.

Under some circumstances you can get in sixteen non-hopping days for less than the cost of an annual pass. If you are staying on site, you don't need the free parking benefit of an AP.

 

[robinb]

I've had annual pass before; so I know the benefits of them. But as far as cost goes, I thought we would upgrade our base tix to annual passes when we go in June (have 7 day base tix with our package), and since we are going back in the fall for 6 days. Thought it would be cheaper because I've read on here that it is worth it if you are going for at least a total of 10 days. But when I price the gate admission prices and the annual pass prices, the annual pass will actually cost us about $30 more for myself and DD. Am I figuring something wrong?

The difference is only $30 for BOTH of you? Oh heck YES, I would get the AP. I would consider it "insurance" in case you wanted to make a 3rd trip before next June. In addition, I have noticed that a lot of the really good discounts for the general public have been drying up and that the AP discounts are stronger again. You would make that $30 up in better discounts next fall.