Originally Posted By indysoarin19 Been debating whether or not I want to finally get an AP or not rcently and I'm going to Disneyland next Sunday. If I was to get one, it'd probably be the Deluxe version. What are the pros and cons to having this AP?
Originally Posted By kennedyjane This is my second time having a premium annual pass. I live in Washington so I get down at least twice a year. I love the freedom. I love the 10% off on my shopping sprees. I like that I can save on my hotel room while staying at the Disney resort. I mentioned that freedom part, you can split your day up and doing something else for half the day and not feel like you wasted your ticket by not spending 8 hours in the park. You could go whenever you wanted to. Wish I lived close to the park sometimes. I could visit every weekend and still the park would not get boring. Good luck with your decision.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle I've had a Premium Annual Pass once and I loved it. We were there for 2 weeks (and live in Australia, so we knew we weren't likely to get back within the year, which we didn't) but back then it was the cheapest way to get 2 weeks' worth of passes. I too loved the freedom and flexibility, and especially the discounts on food and dining! I ALSO loved the attention we got for having both accents and APs My serious advice is to get it, but if it's remotely worthwhile for you, think about the Premium pass for the sake of the discount.
Originally Posted By ssturgeo I had one...let it expire last in June (I live in Indiana, so only get to go once or twice a year)...am getting another when I return this November thanks to my generous brother...and do not think I will let it expire this time. One little luxury I plan to allow myself. I too like the discouts, the freedom to come and go, and other resort property perks and mailings.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ I've had a premium AP for 5 years now. I live 400 miles from the parks. I find it's much easier to justify making multiple trips if I don't have the expense of a parkhopper, LOL My husband upgraded his hopper to a deluxe AP in June. He'd like to make another trip within 12 months, so the expense will be justified. His upgrade cost was something like $40. Less than a 1-day ticket. Also, don't forget you'll be eligible for discounted hotel rates at the DLR hotels and 10% discounts on food for your whole party.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Let's compare the different types of Annual Passes. First off, the Hotel room rates and Downtown Disney discounts are exactly the same for all AP's, doesn't matter the type. The Food discount is 10% off most in-park or hotel locations for Deluxe and both SoCal Ap's. Premium's get an extra 5% (15% total) at the same restaurants. ONLY the Premium AP gets a 10% Merchandise discount on most items in the park and at World of Disney. The Premium AP comes with parking, while any other AP can get parking for $59 a year. First thing to look at, the blockout days... <a href="http://www.disneyland.com/ap" target="_blank">http://www.disneyland.com/ap</a> Will you attend on real busy days? Is a Summer visit important to you? Blockout passes cost $30 a day, so how many would you buy, more than 3, you should look to buy a higher priced AP. Summer, that would be a Deluxe. Do you need parking? If you are planning to buy a Deluxe with Parking, the Premium AP is about $60 more. Will you buy over $500 in merchandise a year? You will need to spend that much to cover the difference (if you don't mind the Deluxe Blockout days). Without parking, you are looking at over $1,000 in merchandise to help pay for the price difference. The difference in food discounts isn't that great, so it does help, but would take a LOT of food purchases to help recover the price difference. More on the AP discounts can be found at this link... <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/dlticketprices.html#annual" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/dlt icketprices.html#annual</a>
Originally Posted By ssturgeo I failed to mention that I had a Premium before, will get a Delux this time...for the very reasons DarkBeer mentioned!
Originally Posted By ssturgeo I failed to mention that I had a Premium before, will get a Delux this time...for the very reasons DarkBeer mentioned!
Originally Posted By SuzieQ That's why I have a premium and hubby has a deluxe. I use mine year-round. I use the parking. I shop. Hubby goes twice a year.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Mr. Alice and I live about 250 miles away and have had the Deluxe Passports for going-on four years (it'll be the beginning our fourth season when we renew at the end of our visit in December). Normally, we're there twice a year together, and the last two years I've made an additional trip. This coming year may be different because we prefer the off-season and because there's going to be so many closures for refurb/updating/construction going on this Spring (Nemo, Pirates, Railroad, Monorail, etc.) we *may* not make our usual first-visit of the year. However... Because we stay four or five days each December - the passports more than pay for themselves. We will be renewing for 2007 even though we may not have the opportunity to see Nemo and the changes to Pirates before next December.
Originally Posted By Pollyana We are first year APers. I have enjoyed it very much. Since we live in the Phoenix area, we find the need to go more often. Since we got the passes, we have gone three times, with 3 more trips coming up. It is so nice knowing we don't have to put forth the extra bucks when we go. And I still swear by the Anaheim Plaza for a cheap room. We have always been satisfied and it makes for an inexpensive trip. One day, I will splurge and get a GCH room........The food discounts are nice too.
Originally Posted By indysoarin19 Just to let you all know, I did get an AP after all. It is the Deluxe version while a friend of mine got the SoCal Select version. Thanks to everyone who gave tips, especially Darkbeer.
