[Other] That's an Annual Passholder...

[Puck2DaHead]

Hey everyone! So, I've been an Annual Passholder for 13 years now, and I remember going to the parks before the pass, and I believe that once you become a Passholder, the experience at the park changes how you enjoy your time there and the things you do there.

What are some things that you did differently with an AP versus when you went for the day here and there??

[clara]

Re: That's an Annual Passholder...

I don't rush through anything...If I miss a show. I'll catch it next visit.

I started to notice the "little things" and enjoy them. One of my favorite things to do is eat dinner at Hungry Bear and wait there by the railings on the deck for the Mark Twain Fantastmic boat to go by. Then I wave to all the characters on it as they are all waving at just me and my son because no one else is around. I even made a sign for them.

20% off of merchandise can be VERY good when you are shopping for xmas gifts...I must have saved well over $100 alone with that discount.

[Puck2DaHead]

Re: That's an Annual Passholder...

This last weekend, I took my 70 year old grandma on Sunday. She doesn't have anyone who will go with her besides me, so I take her to the parks. We probably spent 2 hours shopping on Main Street (and we bought nothing lol) and we sat on a bench eating popcorn, visiting, and people-watching for almost 2 hours to get a seat for the fireworks (she loves Christmas in the parks and she loves the fireworks).

We "wasted" (not in AP terms, but in 'day-tripper's' terms) 4 hours not waiting in lines for rides but just shopping and enjoying the park and the atmosphere.

If I was showing Disneyland around to my cousins in Michigan, I would never have done those things.

[explodingboy]

Re: That's an Annual Passholder...

Having an AP can definitely make you notice the little gems in the park. There is no rush, no hurry, and no need to do anything in particular. It's nice just to stop in for a few hours, ride a few rides and maybe grab some food before heading back home.

With anything though, everything in moderation (even moderation!). Too much of one thing is never a good thing. An AP can also ruin the park for you as well. A friend of mine who has had an AP as long as I have can't stand going to the Resort anymore, simply because he's been so much recently.

[Malina]

Re: That's an Annual Passholder...

It's helped me slow down and appreciate the little things too. It's allowed me to really soak in the details. Things like watching the ducks on the River at the Hungry Bear restaurant, sitting at the Jolly Holiday and people watching, spending the day looking for Hidden Mickeys or the old Skyway station, et al - or coming to the park for the special days like Mardi Gras - all that has been very special for me.

It's also given me the freedom to leave the park if I don't feel well/I'm injured/the crowds are too much. When I had hopper tickets I'd stay as many hours as I could, regardless of how I felt, because I didn't want to waste all that money. I remember one day when I had a hopper ticket, I went around the park with blisters all over my feet because I was determined not to leave....limping was preferable to losing a hopper day. Now I can always say "let me come back another day when I feel better and can enjoy this more."

[MichellenMickeyM]

Re: That's an Annual Passholder...

Having an AP can definitely make you notice the little gems in the park. There is no rush, no hurry, and no need to do anything in particular. It's nice just to stop in for a few hours, ride a few rides and maybe grab some food before heading back home.

Yep, couldn't have said it better myself.