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[Autumnrain6412]

Ok I am new to all of this. I am planning my very first trip this July [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] , with kids this is the only time we can go. And I was wondering if getting the annual pass would save us in the long run, then getting the Ultimate park hopper. We will be there for twelve days, eleven nights. I have to admit trying to figure it out is starting to confuse me. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[chezp]

I just wanted to say hi and welcome to the boards! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] I'm sure someone will be along shortly to help you. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Cheryl

[Colexis Mom]

I would suggest visiting Mary's site www.mousesavers.com and then go to the Walt Disney World section and click on tickets. Mary gives a great explanation of what your options are. I don't think you want a UPH for that long of a stay. You'd be better off getting an AP or looking at the other options.

[HiddenMickey]

You will certainly save money-wise if you purchase Annual Passes rather than the UPH for a 12 day stay. But it really depends on what you plan to do at WDW that should help you make your decision. Here's some things to take in to account--

Are you planning on going anywhere else besides WDW during your stay or taking a day or two off from park hopping? If yes, then don't get a UPH, you'll be wasting your money because you are paying for each day of your stay. A 7 day Park Hopper Plus (4 pluses) or a Annual Pass are better bets.

If you think you'll be in the parks at WDW everyday during your stay AND you plan to do the water parks and Pleasure Island or Disney Quest frequently....then the UPH is what you want.

Remember the the regular Annual Pass only gives admission to the four Main parks. If you want to do water parks, you'll need separate tickets for them....or Premium Annual Pass.

If I were there for 12 days in July, I personnally would buy the 7 day park hopper pluses and spend 7 days of the trip in the main parks and spend 3 of them in the water parks and have the extra plus for a night in Pleasure Island. The other days, I would resort hop, spend time at Downtown Disney shopping, and soak up the atmosphere of my resort.

Does this help at all? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Do you have more questions? -HiddenMickey

[Autumnrain6412]

Thank you so much for your help. I have been to mousesavers, many times since we started planning this trip. I think that is part of my problem I am just confusing myself with so many what ifs. I know we won't be going to Pleasure Island. But we are going to a water park [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] , just not sure if we want to do both. That is also somthing that keeps me confused. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] Just not too sure besides the four parks what we will want to do once we get there.It is so hard to make those decisions this far in advance. But alas we have to come to some kind of decision. Are the discounts that you get with the Annual worth it?? Well I understand that the UPH is not the greatest int he way of savings. Oh and we are spending the whole time at Disney, so all our time will be spent there. I never knew it would be so hard to make a decision about vacition plans. [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

[pflamingo]

Welcome! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img] This is the place to get questions answered! Okay, leave this one to the math teacher here.

According to the trusty Passporter, an AP costs $391, a PAP is $518, and a UPH for 12 days is $482 (prices are for adult tickets). A one-day water park or DisneyQuest admission is about $33/adult, $27/child.

Here's how I figure it. You could buy a regular AP and 3 days at other parks for $7 more than the cost of the UPH. So unless you plan on doing the water parks and/or Disney Quest on 3 or more days, the AP & separate admissions is a better deal. If you're not sure you'll spend that much time at those parks, I'd think about buying AP's and then the separate admissions when you get there. Set aside the money in your budget. If you need it, it's there, but, if you don't go to the other parks much, you've saved a bit. More $$ for Mickey bars!

I agonized over this when I planned our trip last June. We're not really water park people, and we live within a day's drive, so the AP's made sense for us. Now we've discovered we really like Pleasure Island, so if we renew our AP's we'll probably go for separate PI annual passes. More economical that the PAP, for the way we tour.

The AP discounts on hotels are usually a little bit better than the discount codes you read about here (like, $10/night at Deluxes). There are other perks -- some dining discounts, and -- hey, I just looked at my AP perks list, and you get a couple of $$ off the one-day DQ and water park admissions! Changes my previous calculations a bit. AP & 3 days would about equal the UPH.

And I love the idea that I can go back any time during the year, and my admission is paid. Though that has turned me into a bit of a Disney "junkie" -- always thinking of excuses to go back!

I hope this helps! I know how overwhelmed I felt -- I grew up in Orlando, but planning to go back and stay at a resort just intimidated me -- and my bank account. Once I worked out the budget, I felt much better! Good luck, and feel free to ask more questions!