Annual pass....discounts?

[spectrecat]

Mods- I don't know if this is in the right place! Sorry!

DH and I are thinking about a trip in late '09 when our boys will be 2 and almost 4. Looks like if we plan things right (especially after all of the info I've gathered here after lurking for barely a few weeks!) we can get some good deals.

So, is it ever worth it to get annual passes even if you're only going to be going once during the year? It seems to me that AP holders get some good benefits or discounts or something....

I haven't tried to crunch numbers yet, as my brain is spinning from learning about pins and codes and bouncebacks and room only's and dining plans....etc....

Oh, and DH's is in the air force- we might stay at SoG, in which case, I don't know if an AP would make any difference since SoG doesn't work the same way the Disney Resorts do. (We stayed at SoG in 2006 and LOVED it, but we're wanting to keep our options open for a little while longer....)

TIA!

Keriann

 

[raven69david]

From what i've learned, AP's get you discounts similar to the bounceback offers. I just picked up my AP yesterday at Lackland AFB for $448.00 (no tax) and two 10 day PH for $270.00 before the price increase today and i'm so glad I did.

If you're going to be using SoG then I'd not worry about AP's unless you're gonna be going at least twice to get your moneys worth out of the AP. The hotel will be pretty cheap depending on your DH's rank and tickets purchased at SoG will be tax free.

I just booked a quick weekend getaway with Spirit Airlines from San Antonio to FLL for $9.00 each way. I still have to drive to Orlando but for the price it's worth it. Since we're going in December too, it only made sense to get an AP. We may also convert our 10 day PH's to AP's too. Since this airline has had these promos quite often throught the year, we'll continue to take advantage of the AP so to us it's worth it.

Bottom line IMO is to get AP's if you'll be visiting at least twice for about a week. The DDE card would do some good too at $60 to receive 20% off meals which we pretty much exclusively eat at WDW throughout the duration of our trip. The DDE (Disney Disney Experience) is only available to AP holders.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I would not buy an AP with high hopes of getting a better room discount. It may happen. But it may not.
There are currently some other perks, such as lunch sit down discounts, tour discounts, and 10% off at WoD. However, those could even change come 2009.
Of course purchasing the DDE membership is another AP (or FL resident) option.
That is all dependant on what will work for you at that time.

 

[spectrecat]

From what i've learned, AP's get you discounts similar to the bounceback offers. I just picked up my AP yesterday at Lackland AFB for $448.00 (no tax) and two 10 day PH for $270.00 before the price increase today and i'm so glad I did.

We're in Schertz! My DH is at Randolph! I'll have to look into Spirit Airlines....

 

[abouley]

Just wanted to add that you only need to get one AP to get the discounts. So, figure out the difference in price of upgrading 1 ticket and then figure that against any savings you might get for food, merchandise, and hotel (or parking as in our case where we are off-site for a week). The DDE card seems like it would make a huge difference in food costs at 20% off.

 

[nickandlarisa]

We are also consider the AP route, and don't know what to do. We are traveling in June 09 for our Honeymoon and will be there for more than 10 days. Probably in the 12-14 day range for our ticket needs.

We are doing 6 nights at WDW, then 4-night cruise, then back to WDW for whatever length of stay we can afford. By the time we buy 2 separate MYW tickets for both land stays, we are at about the same cost as an AP.

Is it better just to get the AP for the discounts, although they don't sound definite, especially for resort rooms?

Can we still add the dining plan (not DDE) if we have APs?

Has anyone bought an AP for just one long stay? (We will most likely not be back w/in 12 months. - planning our 1 year annv. trip for the fall when its cheaper!)

Thanks!