Benefit in DVC owner getting an AP

[VanMickey]

Hi all, I tried to see if this question had been asked already, but was unsuccessful in my searching. :idea:

My question is, would it be benefitial for a DVC member to get an AP if they use their points for 1 week and only go once a year (I know, I know, it sounds blasphemis to write). I know there are restaurant discounts and some other available to AP holders, but is it enough to justify the cost if it is only used for 7 days?

[iloveokw]

It would be, especially if you booked each of your trips a little less than one year apart. Also we no longer commando tour the parks, especially during very busy times. We don't feel guilty only using our passes for a few hours but if we had paid a full days admission we would. I would divide the number of days by the discounted cost and see if you save money over hoppers. Just my two cents:thumbsup2

[JaxFLBear]

Most people say the breakeven point is 10 park days. The are not many AP dining discounts in the parks. When there are, they are mainly for lunch.

[salmoneous]

About the only way an AP would be worthwhile with only 7 park admissions is if you (1) use the AP to get the DDE, (2) eat a lot of nice meals.

However, with some good planning, one week a *calendar* year in WDW can still mean 14 days an *AP* year.

One AP covers:
Second week of July in 2008
First week of July in 2009

Next AP covers:
Second week of July in 2010
First week of July in 2011

[DisFlan]

Yup, that's what we're doing this Sept. We're going for a week at BWV 11 and a half months after our 2007 trip - to use the APs, DDE's and golf cards a second time before they expire. The only thing we have to do is get there.

Then we'll wait a year - or a little longer - and do it over again. Gotta love that AP discount.


DisFlan

[gamomof2]

i think with tax added to the cost of the MYW tickets we figured up that it would take 6 days with the hopper option to equal out to an AP. Plus you get the food discounts and some store discounts. Plus the neat AP-only trading pins. Then there is also the room cash-rate discounts.

[Simba's Mom]

DH broke even with an AP vs. a 5 day park hopper. In his case, it was because he golfed every day, and got the AP rate. I know there's a DVC golf card, but it only applies for tee times after 10:00am, and he's an early morning golfer (it has its advantages-one morning he was first out and got to pick the pin placement on the 18th hole. He got a nice certificate and a photo-a WDW dream for golfers!) Also, I think we did use a couple of AP meal discounts.

[Deb & Bill]

We have a seven night trip to OKW planned for Jun 7-14. Next year, we are planning on more nights (10-12) beginning in late May. We'll get two nice trips on one PAP or AP. Plus we'll get the DDE instead of the DDP.

[VanMickey]

So really the trick is to get the DDE to get the restaurant discounts and figure out if we plan to water park or park hop to compare to MYW tickets. That makes sense. Ugh, so much math! Thanks for the help.

[Noreendisfour]

DH broke even with an AP vs. a 5 day park hopper. In his case, it was because he golfed every day, and got the AP rate. I know there's a DVC golf card, but it only applies for tee times after 10:00am, and he's an early morning golfer (it has its advantages-one morning he was first out and got to pick the pin placement on the 18th hole. He got a nice certificate and a photo-a WDW dream for golfers!) Also, I think we did use a couple of AP meal discounts.

What is the discount for golfing on a AP?

[szymcl]

Part of the AP benefit to me is the luxury of not having to think about how to use tickets. Should I "waste" a day's ticket just to go to the park for a few hours? To me that is worth the extra money, even if I don't get back for the second trip. This year I bought the DDE for the first time and it paid for itself with our one trip to Ohana's for 10 people.
Of course having the Annual Pass does make that second trip more likely...

[Simba's Mom]

What is the discount for golfing on a AP?

The AP discount for golfing is 30% off the day visitor rate. Not nearly as much as the DVC card, but since the DVC card is only good after 10:00am, this is pretty decent for an early-morning golfer.

[dgaston]

And the AP provides a 10% discount at the World of Disney -- only discount I know about there.

[lizanne]

Just for your information, the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) that is available to AP holders is not free. I think it was $65.00, not sure of the current price.

It's well worth it for us, we eat one nice meal every day and it pays for itself very quickly.

[VanMickey]

That was my original thought. Get the AP & pickup the DDE. We usually go to the nicer sit-down restaurant, with a 3yr DD, we tend to break with a nice meal. My concern is that I would not make up the cost of the AP & DDE if I only used them for 7 days in the year.

[LSchrow]

And the AP provides a 10% discount at the World of Disney -- only discount I know about there.

fyi, disney visa gives 10% off purchases over $25 (no requirement to actually use the card for your purchase either)
:)

[Simba's Mom]

fyi, disney visa gives 10% off purchases over $25 (no requirement to actually use the card for your purchase either)
:)


If I show my Disney Visa card when I buy something at WOD that costs more than $25, I get 10% off? This is great news! I never knew that before and your timing is great! I'm planning to go to DTD next week.

[dianeschlicht]

That was my original thought. Get the AP & pickup the DDE. We usually go to the nicer sit-down restaurant, with a 3yr DD, we tend to break with a nice meal. My concern is that I would not make up the cost of the AP & DDE if I only used them for 7 days in the year.

But if you shift your vacation by a week from one year to the next, you will get two trips on one AP. For example, go second week of December this year and first week of December next year. You get two week long trips a year apart, but one week off.

[disfanforlife]

That was my original thought. Get the AP & pickup the DDE. We usually go to the nicer sit-down restaurant, with a 3yr DD, we tend to break with a nice meal. My concern is that I would not make up the cost of the AP & DDE if I only used them for 7 days in the year.
I am trying to figure this out too! Our first trip as DVC'ers is Nov. 08 - BUT I don't know when our next one will be yet - it most likely will be from Nov 09 - March 2010 time period. So for us this year we are thinking of getting 10 day NE tickets. Then by the time we go again - will debate the annual pass. We will still have a portion of our tickets to use any time we want and since I know we will be going back many times - figured I couldn't lose with that. We are planning on the dining plan this trip too, but if I did get the AP I think I would get the dining card and possibly have some meals in too. So much to think about and plan for....but I guess that is part of the fun right?:goodvibes

[brack]

So really the trick is to get the DDE to get the restaurant discounts and figure out if we plan to water park or park hop to compare to MYW tickets. That makes sense. Ugh, so much math! Thanks for the help.

No ... the trick is to go as many times as possible each year. :goodvibes

We have had AP's for about 15 years (living in TX, OK and MD) and plan at least two trips of at least a week each year. This year we will get 4 trips in. Two of those trips became possible at the last minute only because we did have APs.

Being DVC members makes this an even better bargin for us. :thumbsup2

[CTtwins]

The AP discount for golfing is 30% off the day visitor rate. Not nearly as much as the DVC card, but since the DVC card is only good after 10:00am, this is pretty decent for an early-morning golfer.

Someone else will have the exact details.. but it's being reported that the DVC golf discount has been extended into the early morning hours... Might be worth researching if it's important to you...:)

[marvali]

Yes, member perks now shows an early tee time available with DVC membership. Here is the link discussing it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1807087

The cost is just $20 more for the pre-10:00am tee time, and in the thread they also show how this discount pays for itself on the first round.

[islandtimect]

In lieu of APs, have you considered purchasing multi-day passes with no expiration date? As new DVCers, we're trying to figure out the most cost effective way to buy park passes too. We don't get there enough to buy APs (at least not until DH retires in 6 yres and can finally get me to move to FL), so we're thinking the 10 day pass with no expiration date would work for us. DVS veterans - is that a good option?

[disfanforlife]

In lieu of APs, have you considered purchasing multi-day passes with no expiration date? As new DVCers, we're trying to figure out the most cost effective way to buy park passes too. We don't get there enough to buy APs (at least not until DH retires in 6 yres and can finally get me to move to FL), so we're thinking the 10 day pass with no expiration date would work for us. DVS veterans - is that a good option?
I have been trying to figure out the same thing and was told that if the 10 day pass covered two seperate 5 day trips you would be better off with the 10 day NE than buying two seperate 5 day passes per trip. I am waiting for a quote right now from AAA to decide which way to go.

[disfanforlife]

No ... the trick is to go as many times as possible each year. :goodvibes

We have had AP's for about 15 years (living in TX, OK and MD) and plan at least two trips of at least a week each year. This year we will get 4 trips in. Two of those trips became possible at the last minute only because we did have APs.

Being DVC members makes this an even better bargin for us. :thumbsup2
Sounds good to me!!! Going as much as possible, but for us I always thought going once a year was as much as possible. After our first trip as DVC owners, I am hoping to change that!

[islandtimect]

I have been trying to figure out the same thing and was told that if the 10 day pass covered two seperate 5 day trips you would be better off with the 10 day NE than buying two seperate 5 day passes per trip. I am waiting for a quote right now from AAA to decide which way to go.

You can calculate the cost difference at http://tickets.disney.go.com/buy/TicketTrans. For our family of 3, buying 3 day passes at each of our next 2 WDW vacations costs $577x2=$1154 vs buying a 6 day pass NE for $810.

[Marc A.]

We will go heading down for an 11 day trip and the AP is a little bit cheaper than 11 day hoppers. And if I can talk my wife into heading down w/in a year we can use them again.
"IF" is the key here and airline prices of course.

[jcf]

fyi, disney visa gives 10% off purchases over $25 (no requirement to actually use the card for your purchase either)
:)

I used my card all over the place this past disney (stores, hotels) buying souveniers. I didn't see any discount.

[granmanh603]

I have been trying to figure out the same thing and was told that if the 10 day pass covered two seperate 5 day trips you would be better off with the 10 day NE than buying two seperate 5 day passes per trip. I am waiting for a quote right now from AAA to decide which way to go.

You should check our prices for Undercovertourist with link from www.mousesavers.com newsletter. sign up on mousesavers site. the news letter comes on or around the 15th. On budget board they say they have the best prices on tickets.


As for 10% discount with $25 purchase with Visa card it is at the World of Disney in DD.

[VanMickey]

In lieu of APs, have you considered purchasing multi-day passes with no expiration date? As new DVCers, we're trying to figure out the most cost effective way to buy park passes too. We don't get there enough to buy APs (at least not until DH retires in 6 yres and can finally get me to move to FL), so we're thinking the 10 day pass with no expiration date would work for us. DVS veterans - is that a good option?
Yes, we bought a 10 day NE right before the last price increase and it has more than paid for itself. I guess I need to run the numbers between the 2 scenarios. It seems that if we don't go more than 2/year the NE pass is a better option.

So much math...

[crisi]

We've discovered that with just four of us and seven days in the same year, the DDE/AP isn't worth it. When we have friends along, or add a few days, it does become worth it. One of the things to remember is that the DDE's discount includes alcohol - which if you order a $100 bottle of wine is a $20 savings. We eat at least two signature meals during our trip and eat out, with alcohol, each night.

However, you need to know that the DDE has a mandatory 18% tip applied as well - if you are not an 18% plus tipper normally, that will eat into your savings.

[jns]

The AP discount for golfing is 30% off the day visitor rate. Not nearly as much as the DVC card, but since the DVC card is only good after 10:00am, this is pretty decent for an early-morning golfer.
for an extra $20 you can book before 10 am now with the DVC card

you could always just get 1 person a AP to get the Dining card
we have just got AP for our 9 day trip this Oct , hoping to get back again before the year is up

[SWVA BGSU Fan]

We've found that the DVC discount is worth it for our family of four. We are fortunate that we are able to use the 2nd week in the following year prior to the AP expiration.

Though it's non monetary, we place a high value in not having to go "commando" and the AP allows us to do that. We find that we visit the parks almost daily with the AP but it may only be for a few hours.

Can someone tell me if DDE is viable if you only do 3 TS meals per trip but will be doing at least 3 more TS meals on the next trip as well (prior to the expiration)? One of the meals will be LeCellier and I'm not sure about the other 2 meals.

[crisi]

We've found that the DVC discount is worth it for our family of four. We are fortunate that we are able to use the 2nd week in the following year prior to the AP expiration.

Though it's non monetary, we place a high value in not having to go "commando" and the AP allows us to do that. We find that we visit the parks almost daily with the AP but it may only be for a few hours.

Can someone tell me if DDE is viable if you only do 3 TS meals per trip but will be doing at least 3 more TS meals on the next trip as well (prior to the expiration)? One of the meals will be LeCellier and I'm not sure about the other 2 meals.


The DDE is (I think) $65. Then it offers a 20% discount at MOST table service restaurants - but not all for parties of up to ten. An 18% tip is automatically included. So you need to do the math. 20% is only $325 to spend to break even, assuming you'd tip 18% anyway - but that's on the $65. If you wouldn't normally get an AP, there is going to be a higher break even point. If you normally tip 10%, there is a higher breakeven point.