When does an Annual Pass start to make sense?

[bord1niowa]

When we booked our 10 nights at fort wilderness, the AP was about $180 more per person than what it would have been for buying the 10 day park hopper and water park option too. If I knew I was going to go again, I would buy an AP, but otherwise, $180 each is a lot! The customer service person offered me the AP and I calculated the 10 day and whan he saw it was that much more, I asked why would I take that? He said they are told if you go more than 10 days then offer the AP for savings. I didn't see the savings....neither did he.

 

[griswalds]

How many rooms can you book with your AP discount? If I got an AP and went with a friend who did not have AP, could I book both of our rooms in my name at the discounted rate?

 

[k5thbeatle]

Do all Disney hotels offer a AP discount? Are there just certain times when the discount applies?

 

[pepe of ohio]

I've read most don't buy for the room discount, thats exactly why we purchase it. In all the years of having AP's, we've always gotten a discount at the resorts, and we go at different times of the year but never summer months. 75-95 bucks off per night at a delux in a 10-12 night stay, pays for one AP, but we each have one and we always hopped before AP's. We like darting into a park, few hours, back to resort for pool lunch or quick shower and off to another park, maybe just for dinner. Dying in a park from opening to closing is crazy, melt downs occur more so in adults than kids, but you got to get your money's worth out of that day pass. AP's solves all that and since having AP's, we plan on going down to WDW twice a year. Half the cost of a vacation is the travel so we stay at least 10 nights to justify and can see Disney at a more relaxed, leisurely pace. Alot to see on property besides the parks.

 

[chrome64]

Here's a thought, it's kind of tricky, but let's say that you buy the 10 day tickets, but then once you get there you decide that it would have been better to buy the annual passes for what ever reason. You can exchange your remaining days for Annual passes. There are alot of rules involved with doing this but it is an option.

I'm sure someone on here can provide more information.

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you want to upgrade from a multi-day ticket to an annual pass:

*It needs to be done within 14 days after the first use of the ticket. (or before you begin using the ticket)

*If you have the water parks fun 'n more option, and you USE one of those admissions, you will only be able to upgrade to a premium annual pass.

*You will pay the difference between the gate price of the ticket you purchased, and the price of an annual pass.


Also, people have been burned on the room discounts. September of 2003. Fall Annual Pass rates were released, but they did NOT include a period of time between beginning of September and mid-October.

Then recently, when Best Rate began, they required 90 days advance booking, which locked guests out of the first three months they were available.

It doesn't happen often, but you do run a risk in purchasing only for the room discounts. I'm not saying not to do it. I'm just saying that it does happen. What I would suggest is if you're looking at the annual pass for room discounts - book what you can afford now. Make your ticketing budget to include annual passes. Then, if annual pass rates are released for your dates - you can then change your room reservation to whatever works within your budget with the discounts.

That way, if rates come out - bonus! If not, you've still got the cash for your tickets, but you're not out the money on the room. It also makes it a LOT easier to do the math and find out if the annual pass IS a good financial option.

 

[MelanieC]

I think it depends on how you tour. When we buy an AP we go for two weeks one year and two weeks the next year. We get free park admission the second year.

It also allows us to buy the Disney Dining Experience. 20% off of dining for our 2 week stay (x two years) is SOOO worth it. We usually spend aprox. $1500 on food for two weeks. That's a $300 savings bringing it down to $1200. That right there pays for almost one AP (we don't buy the Plus and we get a discount at Shades of Green).