Becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder is a bucket list dream for so many people.

It’s no secret that Annual Passes are expensive, and with Disney recently announcing that they’ll be going on sale again — you might be wondering if they’re the right choice for you. We go to Disney World every single day, and these are the reasons we think Annual Passes are worth it.

Disney World just announced that Annual Passes are going on sale again! We’ve seen sales pause and resume a few times now, and passes sell out pretty quickly. If you’re deciding on whether or not becoming a passholder is right for you, there are a lot of factors to consider. But if you ask us, there are even more reasons why purchasing a Disney World Annual Pass is worth it.

The way you visit Disney World can drastically change whether an Annual Pass makes sense for you. Do you typically visit the parks once per year, but have an extended stay? Or maybe you prefer to visit Disney World multiple times throughout the year in shorter spurts.

Regular theme park tickets actually decrease the longer you stay. For example, if you want to visit Disney World once but for a 10+ day trip or more, getting an Annual Pass might not be worth it.

An Annual Pass could absolutely be worth it, though, for folks who prefer to visit Disney World a few times per year. Park tickets can be expensive, and if you’re planning on staying for a shorter amount of time, the value might not make as much sense as purchasing an Annual Pass.

But, passes are expensive too — here’s a look at the breakdown:

• Incredi-Pass: $1,399
• Sorcerer Pass: $969
• Pirate Pass: $749
• Pixie Dust Pass: $399

For our purposes today, we’re going to look at the Incredi-Pass, because it is currently the only pass that everyone can buy. The other three passes are restricted to Florida residents, with Disney Vacation Club Members also eligible to buy the Sorcerer Pass. On average, Disney World Park Hopper tickets cost about $130 per day if you buy tickets five days at a time, since prices for Disney World tickets decrease when you buy them in bulk. We chose 5 days at a time because Incredi-Pass holders can hold 5 park reservations at a time.

At $130 per day, you would need to visit Disney World for about 11 days each year to make the price of $1,399 break even. So if you’re planning on visiting Disney World for 11 days or more total in a year, this pass might be worth it! The Incredi-Pass is available to anyone, just note that the monthly payment option is only available to Florida residents.

So, Annual Passes could be worth it depending on how you like to visit Disney World.

You know we’re all about the food here at DFB, and if you are too — you might want to consider becoming a passholder. Why, you ask? Because you can get discounts at restaurants and snack spots all throughout the parks and hotels! Certain third-party-operated restaurants might not offer an AP discount, but most of the Disney-operated dining locations do!

Typically, passholders get 10% off the entire bill (excluding alcohol), and you can find discounts at restaurants in Disney Springs, too! Plus, if you’re looking for a morning or afternoon pick-me-up, you can get 20% off at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company!

In addition to dining discounts, Annual Passholders also can score some pretty stellar deals on merchandise! Between ride gift shops, hotel stores, and hot spots at Disney Springs, there are plenty of places where you can shop till you drop.

Most of the time, passholders can get 20% off their entire purchase at Disney shops. Not only that but over in Disney Springs, passholders can find savings at popular retailers like Pandora Jewelry and Columbia Sportswear. If you can’t get enough Disney merch, becoming a passholder might be worth it for the discounts alone!

Want to stay in a Disney World hotel? We don’t blame you! But, they can be pricy and a huge chunk of your budget. If you’re looking for ways to stay at some of the best hotels without breaking the bank, becoming a passholder can help. Disney releases hotel discounts exclusively for passholders pretty frequently, and we’ve even seen stays for up to 35% off.

Sometimes, you’ll find non-exclusive discounts for hotels, but it’s a pretty safe bet that there will be an AP discount available whenever you’re planning your trip. And, let’s face it, staying in a Disney World hotel can make your trip just that much more special. While this is a bonus perk, we think it makes getting an Annual Pass worth it.

Disney World is going through quite a transformation, and that means there’s almost always something new and exciting to see. And, being an Annual Passholder means you just might get to experience such new and exciting things before everyone else does! TRON Lightcycle / Run is officially open to guests, plus Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening soon, too.

Disney often hosts ride previews for select groups, and that includes passholders! Before the rides are officially open to the public, you might get the chance to experience them. Not all passholders get the opportunity, since space is usually limited, but it’s a great opportunity to go on some of the newest rides without having to deal with opening day crowds.

Last, but certainly not least, Annual Passholders get FREE Standard Parking at all the theme parks. What?! Something you can get for free at Disney World? Yep, it does exist. While it may not seem like a huge benefit, parking can add up quickly and if you like to drive to the parks, this might make a lot of sense!

Here’s a look at the current parking rates for Disney World:

• Standard Parking: $25 per day
• Preferred Parking: $45 to $50 per day
• Oversized Vehicle Parking: $30

But if you’re a passholder, you can get in for free! You also have the option to upgrade to Preferred Parking by paying the difference. When it comes to spending thousands on a Disney World vacation, saving where you can — even if it seems insignificant — can really make a difference!

Only you can truly decide if buying an Annual Pass makes sense for you and your family, but if you ask us — there are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider it! If you’re a one-trip-per-year sort of group, becoming a passholder might not make the most sense. But, for those who like to visit several times per year for shorter stays, it could be a great option.

No matter what, you can count on DFB to bring you the latest news and more from around Disney World, so stay tuned!

Everything You Need To Know About Disney World Annual Passes

Are you a Disney World Annual Passholder? Let us know in the comments.