For many people, a trip to Disneyland isn’t a once-per-year event–that’s why you can get a Disneyland annual pass.

For me, it was once-in-a-lifetime thing.  I went on a trip out west back in the late 70s and we made Disneyland part of the trip.  I can still remember Disney pumping out the disco music and rolling out the floats with electric lights for some “electric parade” they were doing.  I don’t think I’ll be back, but many people just can’t get enough (more about some of these people later).  They might want to get an annual pass.

According to Disney, annual pass holders enjoy “a vast array of valuable discounts, outstanding offers and special events.”  These include admission to the park (and the California Adventure theme park, as well), food discounts, parking, special hotel rates, a magazine subscription and email updates.

Disney is notoriously strict about their ticket replacement policy.  Under most circumstances, those who lose a ticket should be prepared to buy replacements.  That’s not the case with the Disneyland annual pass.  They’ll actually replace lost passes, although there is a nominal fee involved.

I know many people will wonder if it’s really sensible to purchase a Disney annual pass if they don’t plan on living in the Magic Kingdom for several weekends out of the year.  Obviously, that’s a completely individual decision based on your amusement preferences.  If you regularly entertain guests in the Disneyland area or have kids who just can’t get enough Mickey Mouse, it may be the smartest purchase you’ve ever made.

There’s another situation that may justify buying a Disneyland annual pass even if you only plan on going once for a few days.  If you’re bringing a larger group to the complex, you may want member of your party to buy a “Premiere Annual Passport.”  These passes come with enough restaurant and shopping discounts that they can make the purchase worthwhile when applied to all members of the group.  Just have the person with the pass use it to help out everyone.

While having a Disneyland annual pass does have its share of benefits, it also comes with a few limitations.

Initially, these tickets aren’t accepted at Walt Disney World.  A Disneyland pass may be great for those in California, but it won’t do you a bit of good in Orlando.  There is a “Premiere Passport” program for those who need ready access at both locations, however.

Additionally, the “So Cal Select” Disney annual pass (which is available only to California residents) is subject to a number of conditions, including a fairly substantial number of “blackout dates” and may not be regularly used for weekend admission.  That’s something to consider when making a purchase as a California resident.

Oh, an one last word of warning.  Remember when I mentioned that some people really couldn’t get enough of Disneyland?  Hopefully you won’t be one of them.  I’m referring to the people who buy a Disneyland pass and then start showing up at the park day after day after day–becoming weirdly fanatic in the process.  These people actually go so overboard that they develop a reputation with the park’s employees.  Seriously.  Just check this out:

“Annual pass holders, and particularly premium APs, are a total pain in the ass,” said April Marie Cummings, a cast member who wishes to remain anonymous. “They constantly complain about cracked paint, whine that this or that thing isn’t ‘what Walt would have wanted,’ and ask us to eject people from the park because they smell like they’ve chewed gum. They are also always pumping us for information about what is changing in the park, when refurbs are going to be done, and things like that. We have sort of an informal policy to just make stuff up if someone gets annoying. “

So, stop short of becoming one of those folks if you do buy a Disneyland pass!