Annual Pass Math

[sent]

If you have/had an annual pass, talk to me. I was just barely contemplating this and then I saw a FB post about it this morning and it got me thinking more about it. We have to fly to Orlando from EWR but it’s not too pricey if I plan properly. Hotels and rental cars are not an issue. DD (age 6) would think this was the best thing ever and I don’t care about her missing school here and there next year. DS doesn’t turn 2 until March so he will still be free if I get the pass later this month. The only hiccup would be wrestling both of them through the airport but I can see how things go next week on our trip before pulling the trigger. My husband wouldn’t go, these would be solo trips for me and the kids.

Seems like the math makes more sense to buy the AP for just me to get all the perks and buy DD the age 3 - 9 ticket separately for each trip.

[jaycee]

I don't have an AP, but in reading your post it sounds like you really want to get one. Get it! Try it! I've flown alone with little kids before and it was super scary leading up to it but then it was truly no big deal. Also, maybe your husband can stay home with your son for a trip or two. Do it!

[sent]

Jan 7, 2020 11:38:51 GMT -5 jaycee said:

I don't have an AP, but in reading your post it sounds like you really want to get one. Get it! Try it! I've flown alone with little kids before and it was super scary leading up to it but then it was truly no big deal. Also, maybe your husband can stay home with your son for a trip or two. Do it!

I do want to get it! I've had a rough few years and I think this would be adventurous and fun while being super tame since it's domestic travel and Disney. My husband would keep my son, it's me who would feel super guilty that we left him behind LOL. And it sounds silly, but I love that I almost never have to climb any stairs while I'm there. 

I'm interested in hearing stories of how others use them before I fall down the blog rabbit holes. And if anyone's done the math on buying an annual pass for the 3 - 9 year old set since the AP cost is the same regardless of age. 

[countthestars]

I think it sounds fun! I would love to do it myself but flights for us have been getting more and more expensive. In 2017 we bought APs for H and I and did regular tickets for DD (DS was free both trips). Even with our DVC blue card discount on the APs, it was cheaper for her to not get an AP. I believe we had a 9 day pass and then a 6 or 7 day.

Edited to add that we actually are getting APs from Feb 2020 through Jan 2021. I meant that I'd love to fly down solo with my kids to take advantage of it (this is where the expensive flights come into play).

[countthestars]

Having Memory Maker is also a huge plus!

[alleinesein]

I've got a Disneyland AP b/c I live in SoCal and can visit whenever I want. The basic reasoning for justifying an AP works for both DLR and WDW

1. Consider the time of year you would visiting and pick an AP that doesn't have those dates as block out dates.
2. Find the break even point for whatever pass you buy. Example: my DLR Signature pass renewed in Nov and I've already been to the parks 5 times since then and I've got 2 more days planned for next week, 5-6 days in August and a possible 3-4 days in Sept/Oct. The break even point on my level of AP is 6 visits (based off of paying for parking each visit, maxpass, and a 1 day park hopper).

Not sure what the discounts are in FL but I get a 15% discount on food and a 20% discount on merch. It does save a little bit of $$ but not enough to really make a dent in my park spending. Discounts aren't always available at food/merch carts and some quick service locations.

Look at what you spent on park tickets for your last year's worth of trips. If you spent less than the cost of an AP, continue to buy individual tickets but it you spent way more than the cost of an AP, you need to get one. You won't have the option of hopping in the car and doing a day trip so you really need to consider if you are going you get your money's worth from the AP.

[lishie]

We do AP every other year, and then do several trips within that pass. We have 3 DVC contracts, so we will use the points during the year of the AP. We always to a January trip, and plan the dates to get two January trips in during one year. Then often we'll add in a summer or fall trip as well depending on the breaks.

I love the added on memory maker and the free parking (which came in handy when i did a last minute girls' trip with friends and stayed off-site at a good neighbor hotel).

I did a few trips solo when my kids were younger, and we had a great time. I wrangled my 3 & 5 year old through the airport, rented a stroller and did parks in the morning until lunchtime, came back to the hotel and we swam and rested in the afternoon. I miss those days