1st time AP ?

[DeeCee735]

I have never bought an AP, and am thinking about doing so now since I have upcoming trips in April 08, Oct 08 and January 09. I'll most likely do no more than 10 days in the parks on these three trips combined.

Is it more feasible to do a 10 park pass with no expiration or an annual pass? What, if any, are the benefits for the AP over a 10 day ticket?
Since I have no experience with the AP, any info would be appreciated.

Oh, also, how much is an AP for DVC members? TIA

 

[OKW Lover]

DVC members get a $100 discount on an AP and $125 on a PAP. No DVC discounts on the daily passes though.

Advantage to the AP? You can spend more money and get the DDE card which will then allow you to spend more money going out to eat at WDW. Well, sometimes it seems like that's the way it works. Seriously, if you're going to be in WDW that much in a year then spending the money on a DDE card will probably pay off for you with its 20% discount on almost all sit-down restaurants.

 

[TisBit]

I think for the DVC AP 10 days is about the breakeven point with a 10 day non expiring park hopper. The advantage to the AP is that you can be more liberal about visiting parks. With a 10 day hopper you try to be very proactive about getting full use from a day on your ticket, with the AP you can just go to a park for fireworks or to eat at EPCOT, when you wouldn't necessarily do that using a full day admission.

 

[jamhayward]

The other nice part about the AP is the discounts. You get 10% at World of Disney, Dining discounts and the Dining Experience Card is discounted to purchase , which will save you the 20% on your meals (including liquor).

Plus, it is even cheaper to renew the annual pass.

Just our two cents...

 

[DeeCee735]

So the cost would be $348 plus tax for DVC members, correct? This is for the regular theme park annual pass, not the premium? Please let me know if I'm correct.

Also, DH and I are doing the DDP this trip so I would I be able to use the AP discount on liquor if I'm using DDP for the meals? My other upcoming trips I most likely won't be using DDP, so the AP discount would come in handy I suppose. Also, whats the DDE?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[castleri]

The AP does not give you a discount on liquor - the DDE card does. It is the Disney Dining Experience card and the cost is $65 with an AP. It gives you 20% discount at most table service restaurants, some lounges and a few food courts and CS places in locations where there are no table service restaurants. This year they have added an automatic 18% gratuity at TS locations when you use the card which has made some people very unhappy. The discount is on both food and beverages. If you do a lot of TS meals it can pay for itself in a short time.

 

[shaq_d]

It seems to me like the AP w/ DVC discount is a much better deal than a 10 day non-expiring hopper pass.

Its something like 370 vs 450 with taxes added in.

Plus, with the AP, you can go more than 10 days!

 

[CarolMN]

The cost of a DVC-discounted AP, including tax is $370.62. That will give you unlimited admission to the 4 major theme parks for one year and includes the ability to park hop.

The comparable 10 day MYW pass (with park hopping and no expiration) will cost you $479.25 (gate price, including tax). Even if you bought this ticket at a discount (there are several reputable online brokers who sell these tickets), I doubt you will find a price that comes close to the price of the DVC-discounted AP.

If you first use your annual pass for your April 2008 trip, it will cover all three of your planned trips. Without considering any other perk of having an AP, it seems to be a no brainer to buy the AP. The only reason not to buy the AP would be that you do not plan to spend more than 6 or 7 days in the parks for all three trips combined. In that case, you'll want to buy a 6 or 7 day MYW pass with hopping and no expiration.