Passholder math

[blondemomma007]

Has anyone done the math recently on when it's worth it to just get an annual pass at WDW? Are passholders able to take advantage of the room/ dining deals?

Here's the background to my question. I'm toying with the idea of taking a trip Dec 2019 for a few days. I'd also like to take each one of my kids individually for a special weekend getaway in 2020. No real reason for that, just thought we could get some cheap flights/ hotel and do a fun little getaway. The girls will be 8, 5 and 5 in 2019. I know there are certain periods that are blocked for passholders, so I'll have to look into the December dates and see if it'll work out.

[stephm0188]

The Platinum and Platinum Plus plans are the two you can choose from if you are not a Flordia resident or DVC, and neither of them have blackout dates. Passholders do get special room rates from time to time and 20% off for some dining (but not all).

We broke even after two trips, but ended up going 3x.

[alleinesein]

Buy the annual pass for you and then get park hopper tickets for the kids. You will end up spending more than the cost of an AP if you have to keep buying tickets for yourself every time you go down. With the new ticket pricing, you are locked into the dates that you can use your ticket so you really can't carry the extra days over to another trip. Prices will most likely go up in 2020 after Galaxy's Edge opens at the Studios.

A 4 day park hopper for mid December 2019 will cost you $520.02.
A 3 day park hpper during spring break will cost $430.03* (based on 2019 prices, 2020 will probably be higher)
A 3 day park hopper in the summer will cost $400.63*
Memory Maker for each trip will cost $169 ($507 for 3 trips)

The Platinum AP costs $952.11 and it includes Memory Maker, plus you get discounts on hotel rooms, merch, F&B

So some basic math based on 2019 prices

3 park visits (4 day park hopper & 2 3-day park hoppers)=$1350.68
With Memory Maker for each trip= $1857.68

A Platinum AP will be $952.11 and you won't have to pay for Memory Maker for each trip.

You will save $398.57 (tickets w/ no memory maker) to $905.57 (tickets w/ memory maker for each trip) if you buy an AP for yourself.

[curbsideprophet]

I agree that at a minimum it seems you should get an annual pass for yourself.

[chocolatepie]

Dining is 10% at most table service spots (not all) and no discount on QS outside of a handful at Disney Springs. Occasionally they offer a higher discount for some restaurants (like they are this month) but it's not often.

Merchandise is 20% but unless you're buying $$$$ items, it certainly wouldn't be a selling point for the pass. Just a nice bonus

IME, the AP hotel discounts are not great and the regular promotions they offer are better. We've yet to take advantage of one because they just aren't enticing.

Unless you're a FL resident or DVC, you won't have any blackouts as the AP's available to you don't have any. If you're planning 3 short trips (or 2 long trips), I think an AP for you would be worthwhile (esp if you usually buy memory maker).

[irishbride2]

I use the AP deals often for hotels. They are better than most of the other deals that pop up.

We live a little over an hour away so we often decide to make a weekend of it last minute. I can get good passholder deals at almost any time.

For example (just plugged in random march dates) a room at AKL is normally 564, but is 360 with my AP discount. The next best discount available is my Floridian discount which would get me 400. So it's not a TON better than the florida resident rate, but it's still consistently the best deal (especially if you aren't looking for packages).