[cmrncraz15]

We went for about a week and ended up buying season passes because it wasn't that much more expensive than the long park hopper pass. Plus, it gives you free parking, which was a huge boost as we were staying off site. Makes us more likely to just get a room and catch a flight down there to go again. We've already been twice on two seperate trips to use the season pass and we've only had them about 2 months.

[disneycouple30]

That the problem (though a good problem) with annual passes. We have the same problem.

[dznygrl]

This is exactly why I intend to buy annual passes the next time we go. Passes are one of the biggest expenses you have to endure to go on a WDW trip, and I hope that once we have the APs we'll be able to take more frequent trips! When I consider airline specials and the fact that Disney will always have the Value resorts, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to take spontaneous trips with the APs.

disneycouple30...you're right...it's a problem, but one I look forward to having! LOL

[Laneysdad]

intersting thoughts here . . . ::plotting::

[skwak]

We have annual passes this year for the 1st time and really like them. Unfortunately it doesn't make sense for us to renew since next years trip is largely a cruise.

However, these are a great deal!

[EmpressJenny]

Pete and I have easily made back double what we paid for our passes in March already! We've also saved about $100 in parking alone!

[bali]

We got annual passes for the first time in 2004 and just bought this year's. We make back all our money and then some. Plus, it's just so much easier to not have to worry about the number of days you have left, if you got your hand stamped, etc... .

Our plan is to do a trip in the middle of October this year and then at the beginning of October next year before they expire so that we can use the passes for at least 20 days. With the addition of our "birthday-and-Christmas-gifts" trip in December, we're already up to 23 days, and chances are good that we'll head back for at least a weekend in the Spring which will bring us to 26 or 27 days. Definitely worth the mula!! :)

[Captgoodguy]

And don't forget about the discounts on rooms and on merchandise at the World of Disney store. This has definitely helped the passes pay for themselves for us. Some of the rates we get at the hotels are cheaper than what you can find off site.

[cmrncraz15]

One bad thing about the APs is the fact that they're on a piece of paper. They wrinkle so easy and sometimes just refuse to go through the machine at the gate. My brother had a few places where they told him to go get it replaced, but then other places it went right through. Just seems like they should make them a little less flimsy.

[SandrA9810]

Don't you get the plastic hotel key cards for your pass entry, if you book a vacation package now??
It does suck that we get those flimsy little things, but I keep mine in the back of my wallet, behind the credit cards. And then when I'm at disney, I keep it in bill fold part for easy access. I also keep it in the little booklet, along with the photopass card.

Don't you still have to pay for parking even with a seasonal pass?? I know you get free parking with an annual pass, but I don't think it's with the SP. In any case, we've used our passes, 3 times this year, and we're going back next weekend. We've gone four times, but this last time was during black-outs, so we didn't go into the parks. We're still going for the Halloween Party, Christmas Party, and maybe once in Sept and Nov. for a quick spontanous trip, like this next trip. It's great only living four hours away.
Although what does suck, is we used to get the play four day passes for a 100$ at the beginning of summer, then at the end of summer when they blocked out, we upgraded to seasonals. To help cut the major costs. Although renewal rate isn't too bad, and if you do it through AAA there's a 4$ discount on top of the renewal discount rate.
Enjoy, be spontanous... get your monies worth, and then some.

[Allyson]

Yes, Seasonal Passholders do pay parking. I think cmrncraz15 was referring to APs as they are from Virginia...the terminology does get a bit confusing!

[dznygrl]

Wow, I can't believe that they don't make WDW APs stronger than a piece of paper. Does anyone have anything they do to try and keep the AP intact??

Disneyland APs are like a credit card, and thank goodness! With all the times I pulled it in/out of my wallet/pocket last summer, it would have been shredded to nothingness!

P.S. Yes, having an AP even while I worked at DL was great! I could get in free as a CM, but CMs had certain block-out days like 4th of July. I just whipped out my AP, and no worries!

[EmpressJenny]

My AP ripped a little from being sat upon and getting soaked on Splash Mtn. You'd think for $300+ they could at least make them plastic!

[bali]

I agree. It's a pain to keep putting the APs in a plastic bag every time we go on a water ride.

[dznygrl]

I still can't believe they are only paper!! What do you have to do if they get ripped in half or something? Is it easy to get them replaced?

My AP never would have lasted a week if it hadn't been plastic.