What are the advantages to a WDW Annual Pass?

[Silver Queen]

For us, the best benefits by far are being able to purchase the TiW card and being able to park hop. On the day we arrive we can go immediately to a park and don't he to worry about using up an admission day. The same thing goes for the day we leave. We can go to a park for a few hours and then go back to our resort for the ME to the airport. We also appreciate the DVC discount for APs will probably always have them.

 

[juliebug1997]

use me!

lol

 

[w0rM]

I was on the fence but this thread has just about convinced me to buy an AP for our multiple trips next year.

 

[Doug7856]

We've come to the conclusion that for this year AP are the best option. We banked our 2010 DVC points and will be going three times (possibly four) over a twelve month period. The AP perks are a bonus!

 

[DirtyDiana]

I have a question as well. Does a WDW Annual Pass also work for Disneyland CA and Disneyland Paris? Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to ask

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have a question as well. Does a WDW Annual Pass also work for Disneyland CA and Disneyland Paris? Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to ask

No. But you can get a Disney Premier Pass which is the equivalent of a WDW Premium Annual Pass and a DLR Premium Annual Pass.

 

[Doug7856]

Can we book an AP discounted room before turning in our voucher for our AP?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you do not have the actual "live" AP in hand when you check in, you will be given until the next evening to report back to the Front Desk and show the AP. If you do not return within the time limit they will bump your rate up to full rack rate and charge your credit card on file immediately.

 

[Doug7856]

If you do not have the actual "live" AP in hand when you check in, you will be given until the next evening to report back to the Front Desk and show the AP. If you do not return within the time limit they will bump your rate up to full rack rate and charge your credit card on file immediately.

Thanks! We won't be activating our AP's until our next trip, so this information is very helpful!

 

[julie1218]

from disney site, "Annual Passholders are eligible to receive a 10% discount on select merchandise purchases at Walt Disney World® Resort owned and operated Merchandise Locations." and then there is a long list of exclusions.

does this mean that i basically get 10% off shopping everywhere within the parks unless it's not owned by wdw? isn't that almost everywhere except a few pavillions at epcot? or does it end up being really limited?

i'm also a little fuzzy on the dining discount. is it 10% everywhere? seems like there is a list within each land of where you can get a discount, and counter service is nowhere on that list --- except all it says for mk is, "Magic Kingdom® theme park dining discounts are valid for purchases made by the Walt Disney World® Passholder and valid Pass ID is required for redemption." everywhere in magic kingdom? for example, is hollywood and vine the only dhs place where you get a discount?

thanks!

 

[TPCShauna]

If you check out the www.disneyworld.com/members site, there is a list of all the AP benefits. We just purchased our Premium passes this week which gives a 20% discount on merch at most places including some of the little stands at AK, etc.

The 10% dining discount is only good at a few places, and usually only for lunch between certain times. Neither the AP discount nor Tables in Wonderland is good for most counter service. Exceptions are CS at AK because that's almost all they have and the Food Courts at the various resorts.

 

[julie1218]

If you check out the www.disneyworld.com/members site, there is a list of all the AP benefits. We just purchased our Premium passes this week which gives a 20% discount on merch at most places including some of the little stands at AK, etc.

The 10% dining discount is only good at a few places, and usually only for lunch between certain times. Neither the AP discount nor Tables in Wonderland is good for most counter service. Exceptions are CS at AK because that's almost all they have and the Food Courts at the various resorts.

this is confusing to me because, in regards to ak, the disney site seems to say that there is only a discount at rainforest cafe and yak and yeti. i'm sure you're right about cs at ak, but why does the website not include that? this is confusing.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/dining-discounts/

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Dining Discounts

Disney's Animal Kingdom® theme park dining discounts are valid for purchases made by the Walt Disney World® Passholder and valid Pass ID is required for redemption.

Rainforest Cafe®: 10% discount off the regular price (excludes alcohol, applicable tax and gratuity) of lunch and dinner entrées. Valid for the Passholder and up to three (3) Guests. Priority seating is available. Call 407-827-9100 for reservations. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Yak & Yeti® Restaurant: 10% discount off the regular price (excludes alcohol, applicable tax and gratuity) of lunch & dinner entrees for the Passholder and up to three (3) Guests. Call 407-824-9384 for reservations. Offer not valid at Local Foods Cafés

 

[julie1218]

If you check out the www.disneyworld.com/members site, there is a list of all the AP benefits. We just purchased our Premium passes this week which gives a 20% discount on merch at most places including some of the little stands at AK, etc.

The 10% dining discount is only good at a few places, and usually only for lunch between certain times. Neither the AP discount nor Tables in Wonderland is good for most counter service. Exceptions are CS at AK because that's almost all they have and the Food Courts at the various resorts.

also, that link just takes me to the main disney site, so now i am even more confused...

 

[bas71873]

If you do not have the actual "live" AP in hand when you check in, you will be given until the next evening to report back to the Front Desk and show the AP. If you do not return within the time limit they will bump your rate up to full rack rate and charge your credit card on file immediately.

Awesome. Thx. We've been thinking about AP's for a long trip we are planning for 2013 and then that would give me an excuse to plan another within that year

But when I go to book my "room" a yearish out in 2012, do I tell them I am purchasing an AP so I can get a quote based on the discount or do I just purchase my AP voucher then so I can get the discount?

 

[snykymom]

this is confusing to me because, in regards to ak, the disney site seems to say that there is only a discount at rainforest cafe and yak and yeti. i'm sure you're right about cs at ak, but why does the website not include that? this is confusing.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/dining-discounts/

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Dining Discounts

Disney's Animal Kingdom® theme park dining discounts are valid for purchases made by the Walt Disney World® Passholder and valid Pass ID is required for redemption.

Rainforest Cafe®: 10% discount off the regular price (excludes alcohol, applicable tax and gratuity) of lunch and dinner entrées. Valid for the Passholder and up to three (3) Guests. Priority seating is available. Call 407-827-9100 for reservations. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Yak & Yeti® Restaurant: 10% discount off the regular price (excludes alcohol, applicable tax and gratuity) of lunch & dinner entrees for the Passholder and up to three (3) Guests. Call 407-824-9384 for reservations. Offer not valid at Local Foods Cafés

Yes, the website is ridiculously confusing. The link that lists Rainforest & Yak & Yeti is talking about the standard AP discount. The TiW, which is different from the AP discount but which requires you to have an AP or be a FL resident, is accepted at Yak & Yeti, Tusker House, Pizzafari & Flametree Barbecue (I'm not sure about Rainforest).

 

[conniehar90]

Did the annual pass prices go down recently? I created a spreadsheet several months ago to see if I should go with an AP. I had put in $567 for a regular AP and $670 for premium. Now I look and it is $499 and $629. Just wondering if I was going crazy as it is surprising that prices would go down.

 

[bytheblood]

It all depends on how many total days you will be spending in a WDW park over the course of a year. If you will spend enough days at a park to equal a savings over purchasing park hoppers, then it is worth it.

Also, an annual pass allows a discount on many merchandise purchases as well as various other discounts. The biggest piece is the savings over park hoppers.

 

[CarrieR]

Connie, the $567 is probably the price with tax -- it's $499 before tax. Seems like the difference in the premium should be higher, though.

 

[conniehar90]

Ahhh - you are probably right about the tax. Thanks - I was thinking I was going crazy!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

$531 and $670 are the prices including tax.