Annual Passes
For out of state DVC members, how many trips does it take to make it worth buying an annual pass? We love the freedom to escape the pressure of needing to be in the parks from rope-drop to final fireworks!
2025 Spring Break and 2026 Spring Break fell within a 365 day period for us. So we got annual passes with the idea of two trips. Well, 5 trips later + an add-on contract...I'm not doing the math on how much our Annual Passes really cost. BUT, we had a fabulous year and enjoyed every trip!
Its usually 2 trips for the Sorcerer Pass for 8-10 days total. It costs $929 + tax to renew a Sorcerer Pass. If you do 2 4-day trips you'd make out better with the AP.
If you consider for a summer promotion, Disney is currently selling a "Magic" ticket with 4 days (1 day at each park) no park hopping for the summer and the price for June 1st for that pass is $460.22 (plus tax) from UnlockedMagic.com which is pretty darn close to a Sorcerer Pass renewal at $920.44, for just $9 more and you get park hopping and other AP benefits.
πΊοΈ DVC Member Since 2019
Home Resorts: π’ Bay Lake Tower, ποΈ Beach Club Villas, π« Villas at Grand Floridian & π² Villas at Grand Californian
We have started doing the new Member Magic Beyond where we use points to pay for the renewal of our APs. I think it is worth it.
We are from Colorado. Our annual pass strategy is to get a new pass, use it for trips in say, October, next May and next October again. Then we do not renew but our next trip we do a resort only visit which is always fun and lots to do. Then we get a new annual pass again ( not renewal) and do it all over again. The small difference between new and renewal is fine with us as we get 3 trips out of one pass and we get a visit to just chill, enjoy our home resort SSR and visit other resorts. Have been doing this for many years!
We calculate the break even point is 5 days for Sorcerer pass and 8 days for Incredipass. This is assuming you purchase park hoppers normally and visit during high priced days sometimes.
Member since 2021
Grand Floridian Based π°
Boardwalk Basedπ’
Dad of 2 Princesses
Flying high on Disney magic βοΈ
Pointsaholics Anonymous - member
Itβs more counting trips than days. Two 5 day passes are more expensive than one 10 day. I typically get at least 3 trips out of one. I plan so that I have 1 trip before it expires and then buy new for the next one in a few months. My last AP expired 4/5, I had a trip in late February. Didnβt renew. My next trip will be 7/20, Iβll buy a new one. I typically buy the new one in advance so that I donβt have to worry about price increases or a case where they shut them off (like they did during Covid).
It is definitely worth it for us. We do multiple trips each year and have an AP. We are renewing this week. Last year we did 5 trips - 23 total park days. The way we vacation at WDW, I can't imagine not having an AP.
DVC Member Since 2016
Home Resorts: Saratoga Springs, Riviera
WDW Annual Passholder