7-day Park Hopper vs. DVC Annual Pass

[SusieQ79]

I keep going back and forth about this, and figured you awesome folks might think of some things that I'm not.

Our visit is in January, and we'd need 7-day Park Hoppers. (It's just me and DH.) I priced out the Annual Passes with the DVC discount to compare, and it's $204.48 more total to just get the two APs vs the two 7-day passes.

My husband is dying to be an AP (he's a pin freak, so I suspect he wants the AP pin LOL) but I'm having a hard time justifying the $200 price difference. Between our DVC membership and the fact we'll be getting Tables in Wonderland, are there any other benefits that might justify the $200?

We don't know if we'll be able to make it back within the year. We're going "scorched earth" on paying off our debt because we'd like to start our family next year, so while we'd have enough points to go back if we wanted, we hadn't planned on plane tickets, food, etc. to back a second time in 2014.

What would you do?

 

[CarolMN]

I'd get the hoppers given what you posted.

Then if pins are the real reason for DH's desire to have an AP, I'd visit ebay or introduce him to the pin traders on the DIS Collectors Board.

 

[permavac]

Normally I would say go for the APs but since you are trying to aggressively pay off debts this particular year I would stick with the cheaper 7-day passes. It saves you money now and will probably save you more money by discouraging an "extra" Disney trip before the passes expire. I've been there with about-to-expire APs burning a hole in my pocket... Good luck with your decision.

Terri

 

[SusieQ79]

Thanks so much. Yes, there is the "will we be tempted" factor, for sure...if we have the APs, we'd probably put pressure on ourselves to get our money's worth out of them. Which also means Disney would get their money's worth out of us in the form of a second trip, plane fare, food, etc.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The major problem with Annual Passes concerns when they are in a drawer more than 100 miles from Disney World and they whine a lot and scream:

Use Me!

 

[SusieQ79]

The major problem with Annual Passes concerns when they are in a drawer more than 100 miles from Disney World and they whine a lot and scream:

Use Me!

That's exactly my fear. That extra $200 could become an extra $2,000 really quickly!!

 

[nkosiek]

One thing though, if you plan on going back within 11months and 3 weeks, it could pay off. My wife and I buy one every 3rd year, with the expectation of going the first Week of August in year 1, then the last week of July in year 2.

 

[disneynutz]

We match our admission media to our park plans. Sometimes it's an AP but usually a non-expiration 10 day pass.

Bill

 

[WilsonFlyer]

That's exactly my fear. That extra $200 could become an extra $2,000 really quickly!!

And I've seen Cheshire post that before and he is exactly right. One trip per year turns into 3-4-5. Trust me. I know. I don't care anymore, but I know.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

One thing though, if you plan on going back within 11months and 3 weeks, it could pay off. My wife and I buy one every 3rd year, with the expectation of going the first Week of August in year 1, then the last week of July in year 2.

Exactly. Logic being if you're going back every year, why not just go back a week earlier the next year and not have to pay for tickets again.

A lot of people do this. I just don't have the discipline to wait a whole year. Oh well, I guess it works extremely well for those that do it though. It is a significant savings if done correctly.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

That's exactly my fear. That extra $200 could become an extra $2,000 really quickly!!

And it can dos that multiple times also!

 

[SusieQ79]

Exactly. Logic being if you're going back every year, why not just go back a week earlier the next year and not have to pay for tickets again.

A lot of people do this. I just don't have the discipline to wait a whole year. Oh well, I guess it works extremely well for those that do it though. It is a significant savings if done correctly.

OMG such a good point. I never even thought of that. This would be why I check with you guys often.

 

[CarolynFH]

You could also buy one AP and one 7 day hopper so that you could get TIW and your DH's pin. You can upgrade the hopper to an AP - but only if you do it during that first visit (can't wait months).