One of the perks that many Annual Passholders enjoy is the discounts on dining and shopping. Remember, though, that not all restaurants and shops that are on Walt Disney World property are owned by Disney. These businesses may not offer an AP discount.
I’ll start with dining discounts. I’m not going to list all of the restaurants, because these do sometimes change. You can see the current list of restaurants at Walt Disney World that offer a dining discount to Annual Passholders here.
Breaking down the basics, the Annual Passholder discount is usually available for Disney-owned full service restaurants and buffets. The discount is for the Annual Passholder and up to three guests. You will not receive a discount for quick or counter service. There is also no discount at snack kiosks.
If you book a Dining Package, don’t expect a discount. Ask anyway, but be prepared for a polite “no”. I’ll always ask if there’s an AP discount, just to be on the safe side. The discount is ten percent.
Coffee drinker? Use your Annual Pass at Joffrey’s, and you could end up saving 20 percent! I’m fairly certain that this is available at all Joffrey’s kiosks. There could be restrictions.
Occasionally, Walt Disney World will offer additional dining discounts to Annual Passholders. Don’t count on it, but it’s nice when it happens. I’ll keep you informed on Disney Over 50. You can also check The Passholder Buzz section of the My Disney Experience App.
Onto shopping. The standard discount for merchandise is 20 percent off. Believe me, that is significant! You can find the latest on merchandise discounts here. Again, not all stores are owned by Disney, so there may not be a discount, or it could be for a different amount. Several offer a ten percent discount. Always ask when making a purchase. You’ll need to show your pass and an ID to make the purchase. If you use Mobile Checkout, the discount will be applied automatically.
There have been times when Walt Disney World upped the Annual Passholder discount to 30 percent. Sadly, it’s been a while. Also, usually there is no discount online at The Disney Store. Occasionally, a discount code is offered, with plenty of restrictions. When that happens, check Disney Over 50 for the information. Your Annual Passholder discount is not valid at the two Disney Character warehouses, although it has been offered in the distant past for a limited time.
One final note about Annual Passholders and merchandise. Disney has realized that we love our exclusive little club, and now creates merchandise that is only for Annual Passholders. You’ll find plenty of items during the four festivals at Epcot, but that isn’t all. The price on the tag is full price, before the discount. You’ll need to show your Annual Pass and ID to buy these items, they aren’t available to everyone.
Want to know more about Annual Passes? Here is the information on Annual Pass levels, Park Reservations, and renewing your Annual Pass.