ANNUAL PASSES ARE BACK!!!

[BroganMc]

I get the joy of AP’s, but let me ask this question, for bigger families is the AP worth it? Just run quick numbers and if our family did like 7 park days a year , it would take 10-11 years to make up the difference in price from buying direct vs resale. Am I missing something or do AP holders do way more park days a year?

Thanks

Well I do about 30 park days a year. My brother and nephew also have annual passes and they do around 20 days a year. All of us live out of state. So yes when you have an annual pass, you have more of a reason to go. So you make more trips. That's why I kept arguing that DVC annual pass holders definitely we're spending more money than locals. I didn't like it when being counters kept saying that annual passholders don't spend money. They were overlooking us!

 

[Smugpugmug]

So... just got off of a chat with DVC Member Services. Only the Sorcerer's pass will be available on 4/13. If you want the Incredi-pass, you have to wait until 4/20 with everyone else.

Another quick question, it looks like you can add the waterparks and golf (Oak Trail) on for an additional $99 per pass. It doesn't look like those have blockout dates, so perhaps you could use them on a day that the Theme Parks are blocked out (but I may be looking at this incorrectly).

@Sandisw, great job on getting all these merged!

The water parks do not have blockout dates or need reservations, so you can go if your AP is blocked out for the parks, if that is what you're asking. I went to Typhoon Lagoon with my sister on a day where her pass was blocked out of the parks and didn't have any issues getting in.

If you don't buy the add on for the pass, the water parks do have an AP discount and it says you'll be asked to show proof that you're an AP holder at the gates but that didn't happen when I went.

 

[Sandisw]

Well I do about 30 park days a year. My brother and nephew also have annual passes and they do around 20 days a year. All of us live out of state. So yes when you have an annual pass, you have more of a reason to go. So you make more trips. That's why I kept arguing that DVC annual pass holders definitely we're spending more money than locals. I didn't like it when being counters kept saying that annual passholders don't spend money. They were overlooking us!

It was never that AP's didn't spend money, but that compared to those other guests, we did not. I can tell you right now that I do not spend as much in a year as the multi families I am being compared to in terms of spending.

 

[tidefan]

Well I do about 30 park days a year. My brother and nephew also have annual passes and they do around 20 days a year. All of us live out of state. So yes when you have an annual pass, you have more of a reason to go. So you make more trips. That's why I kept arguing that DVC annual pass holders definitely we're spending more money than locals. I didn't like it when being counters kept saying that annual passholders don't spend money. They were overlooking us!

Yep. We went from 1 trip over the next year at 6am this morning (a short trip over labor day for MNSSHP) to now having 4 trips on the books by 11am this morning...

May reconsider putting our VGF contract up for sale and just hold onto it now...

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I’d consider buying them now and letting them sit inactive. Who knows if they’ll be available when you need to purchase next year. You’ll lock in prices too.

The T’s and C’s answer some of the questions in this thread regarding activation:

PASS EXPIRATION: For a new Pass purchase (not a renewal), a Pass is valid for applicable privileges for one (1) year from the date of use of the Pass for first entry into a Walt Disney World® Resort theme park. Pass privileges will not be available until such Pass is activated via park entry; provided, however, that park reservations, as available and subject to associated restrictions, may be made in anticipation of activation of a Pass so long as such Pass has not expired. A Pass will expire if it is not activated within one (1) year from the date of purchase, and upon expiration, such expired Pass may no longer be activated or have park reservations scheduled for it, and any existing park reservations for such Pass will be cancelled. No refunds will be given. The original Pass may not be transferred, and the amount paid for the original Pass may not be redeemed for cash or be used for any other purpose other than the purchase of another Pass or ticket. However, the amount paid for an unactivated, expired Pass may be applied towards the purchase of a new Pass or ticket (subject to availability) at the then current price so long as the new Pass or ticket purchase price is equal to or greater than the amount paid for the original Pass. The then current terms, conditions and benefits associated with the newly purchased Pass or ticket will apply at that time.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/annual-pass-terms-conditions/

So in theory I could buy an AP on April 13th, 2023 then just sit on it... till April 12th, 2024 and activate it and it would be good then from a whole year from April 12th, 2024??

Also do I need to be in the park to activate it?

Ohh and with the disney visa card.... can I buy the AP and then 6 month free interest to spread out payments? (We did this with our DVC purchase.)

 

[Chirple]

We have active Sorcerer's Passes that expire in early July. We did not take the Covid refunds 3 years ago, and they gave us the 2 month expiration extension. We don't travel in the summer; this new expiration didn't work well with our travel plans. We have been renewing each year just to ensure we have an annual pass but are not up for renewal yet.

If we buy Annual Pass vouchers on 4/13, should we move them to dummy accounts in MDE to not interfere with our active passes? We have a trip scheduled for early May and then not again until early December.

 

[erionm]

So in theory I could buy an AP on April 13th, 2023 then just sit on it... till April 12th, 2024 and activate it and it would be good then from a whole year from April 12th, 2024??

Yes.

Also do I need to be in the park to activate it?

You would activate any Theme Park Ticket Window or Guest Relations Location. Expiration date is set upon actually entering a park after activation.

Ohh and with the disney visa card.... can I buy the AP and then 6 month free interest to spread out payments?

Ticket and Annual Pass only purchases are not eligible for the 6 months interest free.

 

[shoegal9]

The T’s and C’s answer some of the questions in this thread regarding activation:

PASS EXPIRATION: For a new Pass purchase (not a renewal), a Pass is valid for applicable privileges for one (1) year from the date of use of the Pass for first entry into a Walt Disney World® Resort theme park. Pass privileges will not be available until such Pass is activated via park entry; provided, however, that park reservations, as available and subject to associated restrictions, may be made in anticipation of activation of a Pass so long as such Pass has not expired. A Pass will expire if it is not activated within one (1) year from the date of purchase, and upon expiration, such expired Pass may no longer be activated or have park reservations scheduled for it, and any existing park reservations for such Pass will be cancelled. No refunds will be given. The original Pass may not be transferred, and the amount paid for the original Pass may not be redeemed for cash or be used for any other purpose other than the purchase of another Pass or ticket. However, the amount paid for an unactivated, expired Pass may be applied towards the purchase of a new Pass or ticket (subject to availability) at the then current price so long as the new Pass or ticket purchase price is equal to or greater than the amount paid for the original Pass. The then current terms, conditions and benefits associated with the newly purchased Pass or ticket will apply at that time.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/annual-pass-terms-conditions/

No more buying APs to lock in today's price with that one year expiration. Not surprised they made that change.

 

[erionm]

No more buying APs to lock in today's price with that one year expiration. Not surprised they made that change.

The one year expiration on vouchers was implemented the last time NEW APs went on sale.

 

[Sandisw]

We have active Sorcerer's Passes that expire in early July. We did not take the Covid refunds 3 years ago, and they gave us the 2 month expiration extension. We don't travel in the summer; this new expiration didn't work well with our travel plans. We have been renewing each year just to ensure we have an annual pass but are not up for renewal yet.

If we buy Annual Pass vouchers on 4/13, should we move them to dummy accounts in MDE to not interfere with our active passes? We have a trip scheduled for early May and then not again until early December.

I would just make a stop at GR and make sure that it is listed first to be used...and if you already have your park reservations with the current pass, that should not be an issue...if you do not, make sure you choose the correct pass.

It says something about not being transferrable, so you want to be sure that it doesn't mess it up.

 

[Stargazer65]

I get the joy of AP’s, but let me ask this question, for bigger families is the AP worth it? Just run quick numbers and if our family did like 7 park days a year , it would take 10-11 years to make up the difference in price from buying direct vs resale. Am I missing something or do AP holders do way more park days a year?

Thanks

In our case we have a bigger family, but as the kids are almost all no longer "kids", APs would be just for me and DW since we are starting to travel more times alone. On times where the whole family goes, if me and DW decide to go park hopping...and the "kids" tickets have been all used up, there's always the pool or Disney Springs, etc...

 

[Sharene0724]

We will be there next week, and I'm really hoping to be able to upgrade our tickets. I called this morning and a CM said it looks like the sales on 4/13 will be online only, then I chatted with a CM who said I will be able to upgrade. I even had her confirm since the email only mentions online and she said she checked and the answer was yes. I just sent an email in before too to see what kind of answer I can get. Will update here if I receive another response!

Did they say if upgrading tickets to an AP would be possible online or has to be via phone?

 

[kes601]

This is because they changed things last summer to verify that someone is eligible to renew the Sorcerer Pass...once verified on the phone, then the ticketing department will issue them.

Interestingly today when I go to the AP page to see what I am eligible for it shows me both Incredi-Pass (which we currently have) and Sorcerer's Pass and specifically says it is for FL and DVC members. There is a "Purchase" button that is grayed out next to it (with a note that indicates they are not currently for sale).

I am curious if come the 13th if DVC-Y members will be able to purchase them online instead of calling.

 

[dioxide45]

Quick question. If I buy one these passes on line when they go on sale, how long can I wait to activate it? Or does it start the day I buy it? We're not going to WDW until October this year or March next year. Thanks Canadian Tom

How do passes work now? Do you get a voucher or are they active as of date of purchase? We always renewed until covid so I'm not sure how it works currently.

This is very good news. Hope IT is ready lol.

Can you buy these (Sorcerer's passes) and sit on them unactivated? Or do you have to activate them in a certain amount of time?

You have one year from purchase to activate it and then it is good for one year from activation.

Ok, so question... I didn't get the email but will DVC-N members be eligible for the Sorcerer pass on 4/20? Or is Sorcerer only available to DVC-Y at any time?

Only DVC-N that live in Florida will be able to get the Sorcerer Pass on 4/20

The email sounds like DVC members will be able to buy it on the website beginning April 13th. They're giving us a one week advantage. Actually I think that's a good idea. For one it will give them a really clear picture of how many DVC members buy annual passes. Second, there's some writing in there that this is subject to availability. The last thing we want to do is compete with every Tom Dick and Harry for an annual pass.

Well, you would only be competing against every Tom Dick and Harry that lived in Florida...

Can anyone share how they verify household for family members? My MIL just moved in with us, no drivers license or bills under her name at our address. We have tickets for her for our July trip that we want to now upgrade as an AP.

Go and get a state ID for your MIL.

We have Sorcerers AP’s and does anyone know the renewal rate. I need to renew for our July trip, and the first day I can renew is April 13….

I beleive the renewal is a 15% discount off of regular prices.

 

[varns529]

Well I do about 30 park days a year. My brother and nephew also have annual passes and they do around 20 days a year. All of us live out of state. So yes when you have an annual pass, you have more of a reason to go. So you make more trips. That's why I kept arguing that DVC annual pass holders definitely we're spending more money than locals. I didn't like it when being counters kept saying that annual passholders don't spend money. They were overlooking us!

Impressive ha

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Yes.

You would activate any Theme Park Ticket Window or Guest Relations Location. Expiration date is set upon actually entering a park after activation.

Ticket and Annual Pass only purchases are not eligible for the 6 months interest free.

Ohh here is a crazy question.... could I activate a WDW AP at Disneyland??

 

[erionm]

Ohh here is a crazy question.... could I activate a WDW AP at Disneyland??

NO.

 

[Sandisw]

Interestingly today when I go to the AP page to see what I am eligible for it shows me both Incredi-Pass (which we currently have) and Sorcerer's Pass and specifically says it is for FL and DVC members. There is a "Purchase" button that is grayed out next to it (with a note that indicates they are not currently for sale).

I am curious if come the 13th if DVC-Y members will be able to purchase them online instead of calling.

Per the email, it says we can! So, hopefully, they have worked out the behind the scenes tech to allow DVC Y owners to get them that way!

 

[vcasey]

I didn't get the email (can't make sense how these come because I get others) Anyway not sure if anyone knows but are we still getting a DVC discount or just early access? EDITED: Nevermind Just saw Sorcerers was just Florida residents and DVC

 

[dioxide45]

No more buying APs to lock in today's price with that one year expiration. Not surprised they made that change.

That isn't how I am understanding the text you quoted.