Are you thinking about becoming an Annual Passholder to Walt Disney World? Are you wondering what the perks are? Look no further! Last year my husband and I had the opportunity to invest in Annual Passes (AP) and I can say it was a great choice! Not only do we get 365 days of park admission (with park hopping), we also get room, food, and merchandise discounts! There are also perks of special event discounts, discounted tours, and complimentary parking!
DIStracted Tip: I say “invest” because each AP will cost about $675 to $800 with tax. It’s not the right solution for every Guest but for many it can be well worth it. So I encourage you to do your own math!
When is it wise to invest in an annual pass? If you are planning a long trip (12 days or more), or are planning more than one trip per year, I highly recommend considering an AP! Are you staying offsite? If so, factor in that it costs $17 per day to park your car at any of Disney’s 4 Theme Parks.
The decision for us occurred during an 8-day visit last November when we stayed off-site. Seven days of parking at $17 per day meant $119 in parking fees, plus a 7-day Park Hopper is $425! We knew we were returning in January to support my sister during the runDisney Dopey Challenge. That would be another 2 days worth of tickets and parking (because of another off-site stay). Those two trips paid for our Annual Passes, plus some!
Another advantage is the option to purchase Tables in Wonderland, a dining discount card. Not only does it give you 20% off food and drinks (including alcohol) at most Walt Disney World table service restaurants, it also gives you free valet parking at certain resorts!
There are two different annual passes. The regular Annual Pass gives you entry to each of the 4 major Theme Parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) everyday for a year (including Park Hopping). Then there’s the Premium Annual Pass that gives you access to the 4 Theme Parks as well as Disney Quest, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
Florida Residents have even more options and can get great deals on APs! In addition to the Annual and the Premium Annual Passes there are Seasonal Passes, the Weekday Select Passes, and the Epcot after 4 Passes. The Seasonal Pass and the Weekday Pass both have blackout dates and do not give you free parking, but you do have access to the 4 Theme Parks. The Epcot After 4 Pass speaks for itself with admission to Epcot after 4:00 pm (during regular operating hours). If you are a Florida resident you also have the option of making a down payment on your pass then paying it off using monthly payments.
Are you a Passholder? What are your favorite perks?
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