Discounts with AP?

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Trying to decide if we should get an AP or not. We are planning on coming Christmas 2012 at the Fort and would buy a 7 day pass without park hopper and then we will be coming summer of 2013 either a value or Mod hotelor maybe at the Fort again, and buying 6 day pass. We really didnt use the park hopper option when we bought it before so its no big deal to have it as part of the AP. So far its a little cheaper to not buy the AP but i've heard of the discounts that WDW gives AP holders. What if any discounts do they give at the Fort and hotels. I heard there is a food discount and a Dining Plan discount but how much is it. Also we are going to California this summer to visit family and where thinking about going by Disneyland. Do the APs work there or do they at least give you a discount? any and all advice will be greatly appreciated, and Lou if your reading this have Magical day! Lol

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

There's no dining plan discount with the AP but they do occasionally offer AP discounts. This one is offered right now...

For stays most nights from 3/9/12-3/31/12:

• Value Resorts $114 weekdays, $136 weekends
  
• Other resorts available at varying rates
  

For stays most nights from 4/15/12-5/24/12:

• Value Resorts $86 weekdays, $102 weekends
  
• Other resorts available at varying rates
  

For stays most nights from 5/28/12-6/14/12:

• Value Resorts $104 weekdays, $124 weekends
  
• Other resorts available at varying rates
  

(full offer info on MouseSavers)

In addition you get 10% discount on dining at some locations (mostly table service) and can purchase a Tables in Wonderland discount card which gets you 20% off on nearly all table service locations (beverages included) and some counter service as well.

TiW cards cost $75 for passholders and are also good for a year. (we save a lot with this)

You also get a flat 10% discount on merchandise at WDW shops and 10-15% at some select locations.

There are also discounts on some of the tours offered (usually about 15%)

More details on everything included here...

http://disneyworld.d...holder-program/

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

You don't have to add the park hopper option, an AP comes with the park-hopper feature I believe. If you are buying a 6 day no expiration pass and a 7 day pass ($560 + tax), I think the AP ($553 + tax) may come out cheaper. If you are going to Disneyland, the Premier AP ($771 +tax) is good for both parks. You might want to check this page at allearsnet.com for a comparison of ticket prices.

http://allears.net/p...tchart.htm#MYW1

eta: changed premium to premier

Edited February 20, 2012 by PureTcrazy AKA Rita

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

One thing to keep in mind is that Passholder discounts on resort rooms (and the Fort) are only offered at certain times of the year. The discounts are typically offered during otherwise slow periods of time as a means of filling up rooms. It is unlikely that you would score a Passholder discount during Christmas time.

When there are Passholder discounts offered, it seems like the discount might knock about $10 a night off of the cost of a campsite at the Fort. Not a lot, but at least it's something.

Also, a WDW pass won't do you any good at Disneyland.

TCD

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

The regular AP's do not include DL, but the Premier Annual Pass includes both DL and WDW. From http://allears.net/pl/apass.htm

The Disney Premier Passports entitles guests to:

At Walt Disney World

• Unlimited admission for a period of one year to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, including park hopping privileges
  
• Unlimited admission to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks
  
• Unlimited admission to DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (valid only on event days; some events require an additional admission charge) and Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course (greens fee only. Tee time reservations are required and subject to availability)
  
• Parking at all four Theme Parks
  
• Subscription to Mickey Monitor, a collectible Passholder-only publication
  

At Disneyland Resort

• Unlimited admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Parks for a period of one year, including park hopping privileges
  
• Parking at any pay-on-entry parking lot
  
• Subscription to Backstage Pass.
  
• Complimentary subscription to Disney's Family Fun Magazine (one per household)
  

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

You don't have to add the park hopper option, an AP comes with the park-hopper feature I believe.

Correct! No additional charge for park hopping with an AP.

One thing to keep in mind is that Passholder discounts on resort rooms (and the Fort) are only offered at certain times of the year. The discounts are typically offered during otherwise slow periods of time as a means of filling up rooms. It is unlikely that you would score a Passholder discount during Christmas time.

Very true. And even when they are offered, there are generally a limited number available... at least when it comes to the Fort (not exactly sure about other resorts).

However you do get the dining/merch discounts year round, so depending on how and how much you eat and shop, that can end up being a decent savings.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

One other point, you can purchase the dining plan WITHOUT having to purchase a package deal with tickets etc. if you have an AP.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Yup! The only time an AP holder has to buy a ticket to get the dining plan is if/when FREE dining is offered. Then you used to have to buy a 1-day ticket per person, although I think last year they upped that to a 2-day ticket?? (can anyone confirm?)

It'll be interesting to see how that works later this year if/when FREE dining is offered again.

The good news is that you could hang onto that ticket indefinitely (unused tickets don't expire) and upgrade them to APs next time around.

But of course don't forget that you can't get free dining with campsites at the Fort, but you can with a cabin.

[BR60103 5]

When we went for the whole month of January (last year) we found the AP cheaper than any combination of other tickets. And then we used it again in November!

You eventually stop being embarrassed at asking "Is there a passholder discount on that?"