Annual Pass - cheaper in the long run? Vacation Planning Tips & Tricks Discuss Annual Pass - cheaper in the long run? in the Vacation Planning forums; Hi, all! The podcast led me to the forum where I've been lurking till now, so with a question in hand I ask you... My family and I are taking ...

[Sarilas]

Hi, all! The podcast led me to the forum where I've been lurking till now, so with a question in hand I ask you...

My family and I are taking our first trip to WDW in January '09. We're going all out for 8 days and I'm elbow deep in preparing our ADR's for that 180 day mark. Here's where my question comes in though: I keep reading that it may be cost effective for us (me) to buy an Annual Pass, even though we don't know if we'll be back at WDW in '09... I've seen some breakdowns of how the discounts can benefit a family, but it doesn't make sense to me... I can't seem to get it across my thick skull that spending $200+ more than my regular ticket prices will even out or even lessen my ultimate spending over the course of the week.

We're a large family - three adults (my husband, myself and our 13 year old) two kids (9 and 3) and our 1 year old who is still under the radar. I've already reserved our room (that's all I can do at this point) at All Star Music's family suites, and we know we'll be partaking in the dining plan (whether or not we'll go the Deluxe route is still up in the air). (Maybe too much info but better too much than too little?!)

So, does anybody know a way to figure out the cost differences between packages with and without the AP discounts? This newbie has her fingers crossed!

[disneycrazy1956]

Welcome to DWT. Mousesavers.com has a calculator for figuring out when an annual pass is worth it for savings on your room and you only need one per party to book the room. I bought one in March '04 and saved big on our moderate room for that year and then was able to use the AP again the following March for my ticket and saved big on the room again. Lately, my AAA discount has been a better value for us because the room prices weren't discounted as much as they used to be. Keep in mind that AP discounts aren't always available especially on a popular room like the suites. Just a thought. Have fun. Just keep watching mousavers for the AP discounts and you can always use the code and then buy your voucher at the disney store.

[Sarilas]

Thank you for the welcome (and reply)!

I'll look for the calculator - I've been wondering about AAA being as cost effective as an AP! I do have AAA, but with next years rates not being out yet I'm left to my own devices to attempt calculations... and I hadn't even thought about the fact that the AP room discount isn't constant, and may or may not be in effect for our room at all!

Thanks for pointing that out for me!

[disneycrazy1956]

I don't know if they discount the suites because they book up so fast. There are other discounts with the annual pass; like tours, 10% off at the world of disney in downtown disney. You can always call and ask about AP discounts on the suites, sometimes if you get the right cast member you can get some insights from them.

[disneycrazy1956]

Remember you only need 1 AP per party to get the discounts, so if your not sure you'll be going back you've only spent the extra $200 or so on 1 ticket not the whole family. We just returned from WDW and we saved over $20 per person on our 7 day park hoppers from undercover tourist. You do have to buy a package with at least a one day ticket if you want the dining plan unless you have an annual pass and do the annual pass package with the dining plan. I've booked my room several times before the next year's rates were out just to make sure I got the resort and location I wanted. You just get the new rate when it comes out.

[GIOny]

Not sure how to figure this out but this is a very popular question on many podcasts. 8 days would be a close call, I know I've heard that 10 days may be worth it, you may be better off trying to get AAA rates, you would have to check to see if they are available, if you have AAA you could go right through them, but AAA only has so many rooms available so if you want their discount book it now. If you were going more then once in 2009 then the AP would be hands down a benefit but not sure if it would benefit your situation. You can get discount tickets from several places, I think it is Orlando Fun Center that sponsers Lou and there are some other places to look for discount tickets but check them out first before you do business and never buy tickets off EBay. Here is some AP info.....Annual Pass Information and Benefits good luck

[disneycrazy1956]

We used undercover tourist off mousesavers and saved $20 per person on our 7 day park hoppers. check it out

[eyeinthesky]

Thanks for the tip about Mousesavers!

[zima-cheryl]

I think you may want to call a TA for some help w/this (either use an AAA TA or a Disney specialist).

There is so much to consider (AP, Non-experation tix, packages, discounts, etc) that it can be tough. And w/all the deals that keep coming out it is a changing landscape. The best deal today may not be the best deal 2 months from now.

Our TA has stayed on top of everything & changed our ressie about 3 times, each time bringing the price down at least $100.

And the TA won't charge you for the service (they get their commission from WDW).

[Stitchgirl1]

Remember you also get free parking! This soon adds up, the buses are okay but at busy times, when you just want to be back at your room, taking your car is great.

You can also buy the tables in wonderland card which gets you 20% off in lots of table service restaurants.

Whatever you do, have fun!