Annual Passes - UK

[Jammy31]

Dear all,

I apologise, as I am sure that you have had this question before hundreds of times!

I am due to go to Florida in October, and then again next May. Due to this, I feel it would be beneficial to get Annual Passes for the below:

Walt Disney World Resort
Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios
Animal Kingdom
Typhoon Lagoon
Blizzard Beach

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios
Islands of Adventure
Volcano Bay

Other Parks
Sea World
Busch Gardens Tampa

What are the best APs to get for those respective parks/resorts?

As someone living in the UK, what's the best way for me to obtain these?

Does the date of the AP start from when I buy or when I use it for the first time?

Sorry again for all the questions, but this is a confusing subject for me to get my head round, so I thought it best to ask the professionals!

Many thanks in advance

[RockTheDots]

For WDW and Universal we bought the 14-day tickets from the UK before we went and then upgraded them at Guest Relations the 1st day we used the tickets in the park. The APs are then valid for 1 year from then.

WDW offer either a 4-park (no water parks) platinum or a 6-park platinum plus pass with no blackout dates. DVC members and Florida residents are able to purchase cheaper passes with black out dates. Universal offer several different levels of pass, from seasonal with black out dates and no discounts to a premium pass with no black out dates, free parking, discounts etc. We just got the seasonal pass at it worked for our dates. All the info about the passes is on the Universal Orlando website.

[Tinkjon]

Originally Posted by Jammy31

Dear all,

What are the best APs to get for those respective parks/resorts?

Re. Disney, there are only 2 APs available - one that includes waterparks and one which doesn't. I don't know about the others

As someone living in the UK, what's the best way for me to obtain these?

You buy online, direct from the Disney website. You get a confirmation email which you then present at the gate to get your physical AP. Be warned that you can only hold 7 days of FastPasses in any 30 days though, which is a real pain. You also get a Passholder magic band which you can pick up from Liberty Square in MK.


Does the date of the AP start from when I buy or when I use it for the first time?

When you use it for the first time.

See more...

Hope that helps!

[Shooby doo]

It actually doesn't matter when you buy them, it's the first time that they are used through the gate. i'm not sure that buying Ultimates & upgrading makes any difference as it's all down to the worth of your pass on the day. As far as the others are concerned, look at each website & check out block out dates, if none of these affect you then you can have one in your party with an AP that includes "Free parking" & higher discounts & the remainder can have the next one down- you all don't have to have the same one IYKWIM
SD

[Guest]

Originally Posted by RockTheDots

For WDW and Universal we bought the 14-day tickets from the UK before we went and then upgraded them at Guest Relations the 1st day we used the tickets in the park. The APs are then valid for 1 year from then.

WDW offer either a 4-park (no water parks) platinum or a 6-park platinum plus pass with no blackout dates. DVC members and Florida residents are able to purchase cheaper passes with black out dates. Universal offer several different levels of pass, from seasonal with black out dates and no discounts to a premium pass with no black out dates, free parking, discounts etc. We just got the seasonal pass at it worked for our dates. All the info about the passes is on the Universal Orlando website.

See more...

Do you have to upgrade them the first day you use them? I am thinking of doing the same, although the price increase is making me wonder if it is worth it.

[Shooby doo]

Claudette no just have to be upgraded before they run out, the first day of use on the upgrade will be the first day on your original pass. the only caveat is that if you have used it for a waterpark you then can't upgrade to a pass that doesn't include them - Plat + or Uni 3 park
SD

[YorkshireT]

You may wish to reconsider given the ap price rises today!

[Jammy31]

Thank you all for your help and responses!

I know that prices have gone up recently, but having calculated what I will be spending and roughly the amount I will be saving, I'm still going to go for them.

Thank you