What are the advantages to a WDW Annual Pass?

[ChrisHartman]

DH and I were talking about Disney tickets and DH figured that since we're already going in November of this year and want to plan 1-2 weeks in 2012, that we might be better off just buying an annual pass later this year. I did the calculations of where we'd need to break even, so the price isn't a factor.

But, what I was wondering was, what are some of the advantages that you get with an annual pass that you might not otherwise get with regular tickets. Like discounts, shows, events, is there anything like that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!!!

 

[JLR]

DH and I were talking about Disney tickets and DH figured that since we're already going in November of this year and want to plan 1-2 weeks in 2012, that we might be better off just buying an annual pass later this year. I did the calculations of where we'd need to break even, so the price isn't a factor.

But, what I was wondering was, what are some of the advantages that you get with an annual pass that you might not otherwise get with regular tickets. Like discounts, shows, events, is there anything like that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!!!

Some of this is in Cheshire Figment's Sticky - I just checked it yesterday because I was wondering the same thing!

Some highlights:

#1 You can buy the "tables in wonderland" card which will save you about 20% at many WDW restaurants.

#2 There are many passholder room-only discounts up to 40% so you don't have to wait around for a PIN

#3 There are special passholder events although those are harder to take advantage of.

#4 I believe there is free parking even if you are not staying on site - but you should check the sticky just to be sure.

 

[cruisingkat]

Annual pass also includes discounts at some places in DTD, discount on purchases at WDW resort gift shops, discount on tickets for certain dates for MNSSHP and MVMCP, 50% off minature golf as well as free parking at the parks when staying off site.

 

[mesaboy2]

#4 I believe there is free parking even if you are not staying on site - but you should check the sticky just to be sure.

You are correct, as long as the AP is not a seasonal pass. This type of AP does not include parking and is available only to FL residents.

 

[shelby101301]

Ask before you buy anything in the park if there is an AP discount. Most of the time there is. It adds up.

 

[sharadoc]

For us, we love popping in the park on our arrival day, even if it's just for an hour, since we're not using a "day" on our tickets. Every day is a park day!!!

There are also some restaurants that offer a discount just with the pass, usually lunch. There is a list on the Disney website, like Biergarten is 10% off at lunchtime and no TiW card required! A few are at DTD too.

 

[ChrisHartman]

Wow, it sounds like its definitely the way to go since we're planning 2 trips in less than a 12 month span. I was able to find a few things on Tables in Wonderland as well, we will probably consider that as well since. Can DH buy one TiW and then the three of us use it or do all three of us have to have it??

 

[Orsino]

We just got passes this month. The 10% off purchases at most stores was a pleasant surprise. It's not too much of a discount, but every little bit is better than nothing.

 

[JLR]

Wow, it sounds like its definitely the way to go since we're planning 2 trips in less than a 12 month span. I was able to find a few things on Tables in Wonderland as well, we will probably consider that as well since. Can DH buy one TiW and then the three of us use it or do all three of us have to have it??

Only one card neccessary

 

[ChrisHartman]

We just got passes this month. The 10% off purchases at most stores was a pleasant surprise. It's not too much of a discount, but every little bit is better than nothing.

Considering we spend like $750 on our last trip on just souveniers...I'm thinking the 10% is a good deal. LOL

 

[bumbershoot]

Wow, it sounds like its definitely the way to go since we're planning 2 trips in less than a 12 month span. I was able to find a few things on Tables in Wonderland as well, we will probably consider that as well since. Can DH buy one TiW and then the three of us use it or do all three of us have to have it??

One TIW card covers up to 10 people at a meal. But your husband will need to be with you; they check card and ID! If your family will be splitting up for meals, you'll either need to go without the discount or pay for another in your name (I think it's $50 for a spouse card).

We knew we'd want to come back inside the year, once we'd been there a couple days, so we upgraded, and just for the admission alone it'll be a savings. The TIW was great. We aren't big eaters, and we're vegetarian so our meals tend to be on the cheap side, AND we tend to share (at least me and DH), but we still hit the $75 in discounts mark before our last meal. We only ate one table service meal per day (approx 10 total days), and never used it for the few food courts that take it, but still, the discount paid for the card in just that one visit. So our second trip will be just pure savings with the card.

The discount on merchandise was a great surprise as well. It even worked on food and sundry items at the Conch Flats store at OKW, which was cool (but that might have been a loophole that has been closed since December).

 

[danielle782001]

We just got passes this month. The 10% off purchases at most stores was a pleasant surprise. It's not too much of a discount, but every little bit is better than nothing.

Premium pass got us 20% off in July...It saved us a ton

 

[Cruz91]

If you're going to the parks over 10 days in any one trip, or more than four days on any two trips, buy the AP.

AP Cost - ~$500
4-Day BASE ticket - $232 times 2 (two trips) = $464

Plus, if you're staying offsite for those two 4-day trips, you'd have to add $14/day in parking, or $112.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We just got passes this month. The 10% off purchases at most stores was a pleasant surprise. It's not too much of a discount, but every little bit is better than nothing.

This discount has been continued until the end of 2011.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The major problem with Annual Passes concerns when they are in a drawer more than 100 miles from Disney World and they whine a lot and scream:

Use Me!

 

[Karlzmom]

Annual pass also includes discounts at some places in DTD, discount on purchases at WDW resort gift shops, discount on tickets for certain dates for MNSSHP and MVMCP, 50% off minature golf as well as free parking at the parks when staying off site.

I had the parking attendant at the gate give me a hard time when I tried to use my AP to park. She said that it didn't include parking? Anyway, my Swan room key worked. We checked into the BWI before we did another parking attempt and was able to sail through with the dashboard placard.

 

[cruisingkat]

We never had a problem parking with an Annual Pass - it is listed as a benefit on the passholder page. However, it is with a regular or Premium AP not a Seasonal AP.
From the passholder benefit page:

Annual Pass Entitlements
Discover all that your Annual Pass entitles you to at Walt Disney World® Resort. Entitlements at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios™, Epcot® and Magic Kingdom® Park include:
•Theme Park admission during normal operating hours
•Theme Park parking (excluding special events requiring separate admission charge)
•Same-day multiple-park visits

 

[mcgraws]

Does an annual pass include entry into the water parks and disney quest?

 

[keishashadow]

They do tend to call to you for a 'bonus' trip. Seriously, I think twice about going anywhere else (i.e. great last minute deal on cruise, etc.) as i feel guilty about not using them to fullest...have a feeling that's exactly what disney wants lol

 

[dizzneebabe]

Does an annual pass include entry into the water parks and disney quest?

That is a Premium Annual Pass.