Annual Pass questions About This Page:

[Meggera]

I want to plan a huge trip to DLR in 2010 for when my DH gets back from being deployed. I'm looking at either October or the week after Thanksgiving. I was considering getting annual passes. For those who have done this, how much of a discount can be expected to stay at one of the DL resorts? Does it vary year-to-year? Is it worth getting the annual pass in order to get the discount at a resort as well as restaurants and shops? I want this trip to be extra special since this is the place my DH said he wanted to go after his deployment. But, I need it to be as budget-friendly as possible. Thanks for any advice or help you can offer. (I know it is a long way off, but I need to know how much money to set aside each month, especially since I'm planning a mommie/daughter trip to WDW while he is deployed.)

[HeatherD]

Take a look at what the annual pass costs. First, compare it to what the cost of tickets for your stay would be. Then, usually, the hotels, restaurants and gift shops (most) are 10 - 15% off. There is a list on the Disney website.

Purely with tickets prices, you'd have to visit more than about 12 days in the year to cover the cost. But, if you add in meals and hotel, etc, it might work out. However, we always stay off property, since we can get a close room for maybe $115/night and even 15% off Paradise Pier isn't going to equal that!

[hapyg0luky]

We stayed at Grand Californian last year with the AP6 rate. We stayed there the 2nd week of Nov for $239 a night. I would have never been able to stay at GC at regular price. This year these really good rates for APs came out 7/23 & the rates are through Dec18 (about the same time as last years discount) So I would assume those kinds of rates would be avail in 2010, but who knows?
For a stay at Grand CA this year for the same week I went last year is $249. Without an AP it would cost about $360. To me that is a great discount.
Disneyland hotel list AP7 rates for most of Nov 2008 at $159. W/out discount $260.
Paridise Pier AP7 $149. W/out discount $240.

Really only one person needs to get an annual pass to get the discounts. As long as the AP holder makes all the purchases. So the savings may be worth it. W/ a premium AP $389 you get 15% of retaurants, 10% off merchandise, 20% off tours, No blackout dates & parking. The Deluxe $269 you get 10% off restaurants, no disc on merch, 20% on tours, some blackout dates (no blackout dates in Oct or the week after Thanksgiving when you r planning to go .) If you are not planning on buying tons of merchandise then the deluxe may be more cost effective.

The rest of the family can get Military Discount tickets which you can get at your MWR. If your MWR does not sell Disneyland tickets they can usually order them for you. My DH is in the military too. I'm not sure if this is true, but he has been spending a lot of time at Camp Pendleton lately. He walked by and thought he saw that you can buy an AP on base at a discount. I have never noticed this before and the bases we get out tickets has never offered that. We will be going back to San Diego 1st week of Sept so I will confirm this.

Hope this helps a bit. Sorry it's so long.

[Meggera]

Thank you, hapyg0luky. That is exactly what I was looking for. We are brand new in the Army, and I'm still learning about the discounts the military gets. Plus, knowing the prices you got on a room helps, too. Thanks!

[DopeyGirl]

Hey Laura!

Just wanted to chime in about the military discount DL tickets! When we went last, I found out that the only bases that sell DL tickets are on the west coast. I called my local MWR office and they weren't able to order them for me for some odd (dumb) reason.

HOWEVER . . . I was able to call a base in CA (Naval Station San Diego, since we are Navy) and they told me I had 2 options . . . I could either come in and buy them when I was in San Diego OR I could "order" them directly through them. The only thing would be that they needed to be ordered at least a month to six weeks in advance and they would charge something like $12 shipping, which was no big deal to me.

Definitely do some comparison "shopping" before you settle on APs or whatever . . . it may be cheaper to do it "off-site" room only with military tickets (it was for the week I went. ). Like Heather said, the AP discounts are usually not too much off the room cost, so it might be more advantageous to go the military route.

Check with your base MWR/ITT/ITR office . . . and if they can't help you out, check for the contact info for DL area offices at:

Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation
U.S. Army MWR - Family and MWR Command
MCCS - Tickets & Travel

[Meggera]

TYTYTYTY!! I am a comparison shopper, that's why I wanted to know about the APs. That is great to know about the MWR at the Naval Base. Super! Thanks so much for your help.

[hapyg0luky]

Hi again
My DH and I went to our local base today to get some of his uniforms taylored. While there I spoted a flyer for discounted DL resort hotel rates for active military personnel.These rates last until Oct 31. Paradise Pier starting @ $139, DL Hotel $149 & Grand CA $239. They seem to be the same pricing and time as the current AP7 rates. So they may have an offer like this when you are planning to go in the future. If so, you wont need an AP to take advantage of these rates.

A little fairy dust to you for great rates in 2010!

[Meggera]

Great info! Thanks so much! I'll definitely contact a MWR in CA when it comes time to book the trip.