FROM: Disney Travel Tips from Mouseketrips Published Saturdays

To Annual Pass or Not to Annual Pass

Keith Anderson wonders whether 'tis best to Annual Pass

- Keith Anderson, March 12, 2011

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Twenty years ago, when I made my first trek across country to Walt Disney World, the only available discounts were AAA room discounts, which were poor, and Annual Pass (AP) discounts, which were pretty decent.

Back then, of course, there wasn't easy access via the Internet to current deals. You had to make a call to WDW reservations and ask every few days if a discount was available for your travel dates.

How times have changed.

Annual Passholder Discounts

One thing that hasn't changed much is the AP discounts. While Disney now releases many deals throughout the year, including package and room-only deals, there are times when the AP discounts are by far the best, and it actually may be cheaper for you to spend the big bucks on an Annual Pass just to get the room discount.

Keep in mind that you only need one AP, and with it, you can get up to three rooms discounted per stay. Not everyone in your family has to spend the extra money to purchase their own annual passes.

If Disney has released discounts to the public for your travel dates, it's rarely worth the extra money to buy an annual pass unless you plan to return to Disney frequently or unless you're planning a long stay, especially at one of the deluxe or villa resorts. In those cases, check both the public and the AP discounts to see which would save you more.

The Calculus of the Annual Pass

Here is the math you need to do for each reservation:

An adult AP runs about $531 per person (good for all four theme parks with hopping) while a 10 day hopper runs about $336 per adult. Your extra cost for the AP is around $200. If your savings on an AP reservation is $200 or more, then go for it.

A decent travel agent (yes, Mouseketrips included), will do the math for you and check all current and future options available to you.

A few things to note:

• When you book a reservation that includes the AP discount, you can book either room only or a package that includes just the room and one of the dining plans (which themselves are never discounted).
• You cannot combine deals. So, if you book a discount such as free dining, you can't also purchase an AP and get the room discount as well. It's either one or the other, never both.
• Annual Passes are, as the name implies, good for a year. If you are planning more than one trip during the year, it is almost always worth purchasing the annual pass just for the savings on the tickets. Figure any future trips into your calculations.
• You do not need an annual pass to book a discounted room. When you arrive at Disney World, they will require an annual pass only at check-in, not before, so don't purchase a pass until you actually need it.
• Annual Passholders also receive discounts at some restaurants and stores, though the discounts are pretty small, and really shouldn't be factored into your decision making.

Bottom line: always check for an AP discount.

For a short, single vacation, it is rare that it will work for you or save you money, but I have seen clients save thousands, especially when nothing else is available to them.

While you're waiting for Keith's next Disney tip, why not ask him to plan your next Disney trip? Mouseketrips does nothing but Disney - and they're really good at it! Hook up with them at their website, through Twitter, or on Facebook.

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