Benifits of Annual Pass?

[Poisoned_Apple]

i'm going at the end of may and was thinking about just getting an AP. odds are i'll go another time within the year. I live 4 hours away and i'd like to know what the benifits are, and if you have one- what you like most about having one.

thanks!

[Neo]

discounts at most stores and theres many benefits like special deals on movie releases and special premieres

[mrhappybomb]

discounts on food if you spend over $10!

[protostars]

going when ever I want for free

[barfownz]

You get hotel discounts. 10 percent off food with Deluxe and you get to look like all "rad" when you flash your AP.

[Mousekiteer]

If you're someone who watches the shows at Anaheim's HOB quite frequently, getting a pass can allow you to visit the Happiest Place on Earth while waiting.

That and you get a whole new perspective on the park... well, maybe. But you do feel elite.

Speaking of which, can APers get discounts during Grad Nite? I know it's an entirely different even in itself but I was wondering...

[Disneyluvr2]

I have a Premium AP which has NO black out days. You also get 15% off all food at Disneyland and DCA plus discounts at restaurants in Downtown Disney. You also get 10% off all items purchased at DLR as long as it's over $10.00. There are also discounts at most stores in Downtown Disney. You also get free parking and hotel discounts. They offer special pins that only AP holders can purchase at the park. We also get a newsletter with all the inside scoop on up coming events. Boy, that's a lot of stuff!!!

[debijeanm]

I got a SoCA Select last July thinking I would try to go one more time within the year. I've been nine times! Knowing that each time you go makes it that much cheaper... Well, anyway. The best part is the feeling that you don't HAVE to gag it out if you're not having a great visit. If it's too hot, too smoggy, too crowded - you know you can come back and not have to shell out the bucks to get in again. I also like being able to drop by DCA for a ride on Soarin' then back out to DL for the day. When it's time to renew, I'm upgrading to a Premium to get the parking paid AND to be able to go with my family on weekends.

[RankoAnime]

You know what's really nice about APs (that hasn't already been mentioned)? No waiting in the lines to buy a ticket every time I go! Before I got my AP, I remember waiting in those long lines just to get my park ticket. But now I can just head straight to the front gates of either park OR I can just hop on the Monorail from the parking lot tram.

I also love how I don't have to shell out extra money to go to DCA. There are only a few rides there that I actually like, so it was a real burden to have to pay the extra money for a park hopper (because it didn't seem worth it). Now I go there all the time! But mostly for a free tortilla and a ride on Soarin.

[debijeanm]

Wait a sec... How do you get the Monorail from the parking lot tram?

[barfownz]

From the DTD monorail station.

[Neo]

walk through DTD or across the parking lot of DTD. Sometimes it is quicker

[RankoAnime]

The parking lot tram drops passengers off in front of the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. It's a short walk from there to the Monorail station in DTD. It's not always quicker than just going through the front gate, but I like to make Space Mountain my first stop of the day, so it's a lot more convenient for me to use the Monorail entrance instead.

[caimakale]

I am from out of town and decided to upgrade our 5 day park hoppers to premium AP's (thanks PeopleMoverMatt). Having the premium over the deluxe has actually saved me quite a bit of money. I have (including myself) 5 mouths to feed. Two to Three meals a day gets expensive and to save between $20 - $30/day on a seven day trip was a no brainer. Not to mention all of the money it saved me on purchasing merchandise. It has already paid for itself and we still have several more trips this year and next!

We also found out that with an AP you get double the points at ESPN Zone. We spent $25 on points and had them doubled because we are AP holders. We had a blast playing all of the games and will visit it again on our next trip. There are a bunch of little perks that are unpublished. Mostly just advance purchases and AP specials only.

If you plan on visiting for 8+ days in the next year, I strongly urge you to get one. We visited in August and decided to pass on the AP then and I am kicking myself now. I didn't make the same mistake during our current visit.