4/3 or AP

[johnnyr]

Can someone please help with the math. I currently have 9 nights at GF (garden view) value season with the 4/3 deal including tax and 10 day non-expiring passes for $4,138.00. I'm going to upgrade to AP's after the first day I use the tickets. We are returning in Decemeber for a send trip. I have not seen anything posted for a GV room at GF with the latest AP discounts. Would booking room only with the latest AP discounts and purchasing AP's beat the 4/3 deal?

 

[fla4fun]

Well, I can give you some pieces of the puzzle. Since I don't know your exact dates, I picked 9 nights from late July into early August, and the Passholder site said the total would be $3068 for GF GV. It didn't indicate higher rates for the weekend, so the days of the week shouldn't affect the quote (although quotes are only good the moment you get them - I could do the same thing tomorrow and the number might be different). I also don't know how many AP's you are buying, so I can't add that in for you. But maybe with an estimate of the room info, you can figure it out.

I know I'm going 8/4 to 8/14 on the 4/3 deal, and obviously I have an AP. Since the cutoff date for the summer AP deals is the 8th, it didn't help me out at all. When I tried to get a quote for my dates, I got the discount up to the 8th and then full rack rate for the rest. It worked out much higher than the 4/3. I noticed there are a lot of date restrictions on the AP website for the summer rates, so depending on your dates you may encounter some blackout dates as well. I think the best thing for you to do is call Disney and get a quote with your actual dates and party size, so you can calculate a comparison accurately.

 

[sabrecmc]

I did as the PP suggested and called Disney to ask about the AP rates. It turned out, it will save me about $400 to do the AP rates instead of the 4/3. I think the 4/3 works best if you are actually staying 7 nights. We are staying 9 nights in mid-July, and with those extra nights, the AP rates work out better for us. But, it really depends on your travel dates and hotel choice, so I'd definitely call Disney (or your TA). The CM I spoke to was very helpful and gave me rates for a couple of different hotels and with/without the dining plan to let me figure out what worked best.

 

[johnnyr]

Well, with the 4/3 deal Aug 3 through Aug 12, I get 9 Nights at the GF (GV room) with 10 day MYW NE tickets for $4138.00. We are 4 adults. With the 4/3 package, I am only paying for 6 nights and 6 day tickets with the package. After I use the tickets once, I can upgrade them to AP's at the full 10 day price. AP's upgrade should only cost around $277.00 total for all 4 tickets. Total cost of trip is $4415.00

If I go with a room only at GF (GV room) at the AP rate for the same dates, it comes out to around $340.88 per night 8-3 through 8-8 and full price ($448.87) 8-8 through 8-12. Total $3499.92 just room. Then I have to add the cost of the AP's which is $499.51 per person ($1998.04). Total trip is $5497.96.

Unless I am missing something, the 4/3 deal is better.

 

[fla4fun]

I think you are in the same boat I am. I think when we try to do the AP rates, and our trip is half in and half out of the elligible booking dates, that having to pay rack rate on the last part of the trip negates the extra savings on the beginning of the trip.

If I could have applied the AP rate on the entire trip, then the AP would have been the better deal. But since I can only get it for half the trip, and then would not have enough days left over for the 4/3 to work correctly, I'm better off just sticking with the 4/3. I can't move the trip up to earlier dates, because I'm staying at BLT and it doesn't open until the 4th - so my dates are pretty much carved in stone.

 

[bru_ellman]

The 4/3 deal IS better as long as you're staying exactly seven nights as it comes out to a 43% discount. The AP rate seems to be around 38%.

However, why not keep your current 4/3 as a SEVEN night reservation and then split off the last two nights as a seperate AP ressie? That should save the 38% (approx.) off the two extra days and you'll have your APs post-upgrade for check in.

Just my .02.

Well, with the 4/3 deal Aug 3 through Aug 12, I get 9 Nights at the GF (GV room) with 10 day MYW NE tickets for $4138.00. We are 4 adults. With the 4/3 package, I am only paying for 6 nights and 6 day tickets with the package. After I use the tickets once, I can upgrade them to AP's at the full 10 day price. AP's upgrade should only cost around $277.00 total for all 4 tickets. Total cost of trip is $4415.00

If I go with a room only at GF (GV room) at the AP rate for the same dates, it comes out to around $340.88 per night 8-3 through 8-8 and full price ($448.87) 8-8 through 8-12. Total $3499.92 just room. Then I have to add the cost of the AP's which is $499.51 per person ($1998.04). Total trip is $5497.96.

Unless I am missing something, the 4/3 deal is better.