Annual Pass Question

[tmj212]

My family went to Disney in Nov 2014 (6 days) and again this past September (6 days), where I booked a Bounce Back for Oct 2016 (8 days). After finding out that this is the last year for the Osbourne Lights, I booked a trip this December (5 days).

This is the first time that I've ever considered an AP as I always thought that Disney would be a 1-2 year trip for us. Given the timing and frequency of these trips, I think an AP could work for us? Would there be any benefits/discounts at this point, or has that ship sailed? I talked to a CM about this at one point and he suggested that my Bounce Back was a better deal than an AP, but I'm not sure if that is still the case.

After this Dec. trip, I'm also not sure if I'll want to return in 2016 or take a break until all the new 'lands' are complete. But if it would be at a significant savings I could be convinced...

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't know details of your bounceback deal, but last I had an AP, the AP room discounts weren't huge. AP also gives you small discounts off some merchandise (10%), but nothing huge.

I think the consideration is whether an AP cost is less than what you would spend on tickets. Also, room only reservations offer better cancelation terms than packages. Not enough to change your current booking, but might be helpful on a future booking.

If you booked an addition trip, the real advantage would be not having to buy tickets.

You can also look into Tables in Wonderland.

covering cost of an AP got harder with recent price increase.

 

[LisaBi]

I believe that with the new AP prices a five-day trip plus an eight day trip are pretty close to break even or possibly the AP is a little more expensive. There are some merchandise and other miscellaneous discounts but don't add up to much unless you buy a lot. And the AP would definitely be more expensive if you give up your free dining. If the AP were to be a savings over the 5- and 8-day tickets, the only way I'd consider the AP in your situation would be to keep the tickets from the package for a future trip. Of course then there's also the question of how many people and the resort category. A good room only discount (possibly an AP discount) could be worth more with an expensive resort and fewer people than the free dining.

For me, two people staying at values, the free dining and no AP would be better.

 

[Mainemama]

I agree that you should consider the AP primarily if it offers savings on tickets. Hat said, as fairly new AP holders, I am pleasantly surprised by the AP discounts we have gotten. We do deluxe, though, and do not do the dining plan, so we may be in a different situation. You can book AP discounts right up until the last minute. This is a big perk for us, as we don't always plan 90+ days out.

 

[Tink3rbell86]

I think it really depends on what the bounce back offer would be. We've also booked rooms this past year with great rates. Once the night before we left. If you have a free dining offer with room and tickets that might be a better deal then the AP's. If you plan on going more between your December and October trip I would think the passes would be a better deal.

For us having the expense of the ticket taken out of the picture really helps us go more often. We watch for go room rates and use rewards points for rooms offsite occasionally.

 

[bsbrady]

The resort discounts depend on the resort category. If you book a deluxe, the AP discount is 30%, the bounce back is 35%. So when you factor in the savings on the tickets themselves, the other discounts and the resort, the AP is a better deal.
I was there in September and we are going back in December, the bounce back offer was no longer available fro 2015, but I was able to book a room with an AP discount

 

[msmama]

I'm finding, overall, I'm spending A LOT more with my AP than without - yes, I'm saving a lot, but I'm taking trips I wouldn't otherwise take!

I purchased an AP because I had 2 trips planned within a year of each other (barely). The only AP break even point with tickets was 10 days, and I would be doing 11 total over 2 trips so it made sense (not sure what the new price is, guess it depends on the kind of pass). I've since added 2 more trips because, hey, why not, tickets are paid for!! I did get 30% off at Contemporary in Feb, though. The trip starting tomorrow I wasn't able to get an AP discount because WDW is FULL this weekend (we actually don't get to WDW until Friday) so depending on WHEN you want to go, and when you book, you may not get the greatest discounts.

If you only have one more 5 day trip in the works though, I don't think it'd be beneficial to you.

 

[BStew]

I have a similar situation. We (2 adults, 2 kids) are going in Feb. for 4 days and Next November for 7. We were hoping for FD next November but that is looking like it won't happen so we would be booking a RO discount. When we go in November my in-laws will be joining us and offered to split the Tables in Wonderland card to get the discount. So we thinking it would be worth the cost of the AP because for both trips the Memory Maker would be free as well. I am thinking we'll basically break even for tickets but save with the RO discount, right?