Annual Pass - to buy or not to buy??

[peyjax]

Just how great are the AP's? We are leaving for Disney in October with the coveted 40% post card. After much anticipation we ended up staying at the ASMU with the room only discount. We are going with friends who picked the value even after my futile attempts of peruasion. LOL It will be fun.

So my Dh offered for us to go again in May. So I am thinking maybe we should do APs. I really want to be able to upgrade our hotel so I would be holding out for an ap rate. Now I know and have read you should not bank on an ap rate. I have researched the history of discounts and they tend to come out in Feb for May stays.

So here comes the math. We would save $246 by buying an AP versus getting a 9 day and a 5 day hopper. Worth it alone right? However then I take myself out of the running for a package deal. Hoping for a BB offer in October, but after researching it, May is left out of that offer (historically). Now there are other General packages offered in the winter for may, yes??
So is it worth it to bite the bullit and upfront the money for the ap and wait for AP rates?

Not a fan of putting up all that cash up front but we could also possibly get the DDE card. Is that worth it as well.?? Long I know but any suggestions would be great!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

We LOVE having AP's. When mine expires, I will have gotten 4 trips out of it and alot of savings as well. The discounts can really add up. We get several at DTD. We also got the DDE card and it paid for itself in a short time, with discounts at TS restaurants and your resort food court.

For our December trip alone, it saved me over $800 already, since I didn't have to buy tickets to get the dining package and that included $542.22 savings on my room. We will use our DDE card for discounts at the TS restaurants that we booked over and above the DDP for our entire group of 8. I have not regretted speding that much money and we will do it again.

Suzanne

 

[rt2dz]

It is less expensive after 11 days in a 365 day period to have an AP than any other ticket media, assuming park hopper option. To me, it's always about the long run.

With the AP you can purchase a DDE card, that we find a much better value than the DDP. It also has always more than paid for itself in one visit. You can puschase DDP or DxDP with an AP without buying a ticket, if you do want the dining plan.

If a discount comes out on a package that is better than the AP rate (or if there is no AP rate) or a room only rate, you can always purchase one-day tickets and save them to upgrade later.

There are so many other discounts to be had with an AP too that makes them worthwhile.

We always purchase the AP and make two 10 day trips in the 365 day period.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I was wondering about upgrading to AP passes as well. We had already booked a package with DDP in May when we got a pin code and decided to take a short trip in October. We will have park hoppers in May, but not in October. If we upgrade to AP we will still have to buy a single day ticket to keep DDP correct? Can we get DDP with and AP discount (assuming there is one?) What if not everyone in the room has an AP?

 

[lynn71092]

Subscribing, I'd be interested as well.

 

[rt2dz]

If you have a package pin code, yes you will still need to have a single day ticket. If you do not, or an AP code is available, you may book DDP as an AP holder without purchasing tickets.

If you have a package deal for October when you want an AP and that will be when you use it for the first time, have them separate your ticket from your room card at check-in (or at concierge immediately after check in) so you don't temporarily lose your DDP credits during the upgrade. Then use your regular ticket; very important if you purchased prior to the ticket price increase. As long as you don't make any changes to your package, you'll retain your price prior to the increase. On package discounts you get DDP at regular price, except free dining, and tickets at regular price and a discount on room only. FYI--during free dining room is at rack rate and tickets remain regular price. Anyhow, after you use the ticket, walk over to guest relations and upgrade whatever ticket you have (now worth current gate value since it has been used at least once) to an AP.

You can do the upgrade anytime within 14 days of first use. The AP will start the count down from the time you first used the original ticket and not from when you do the upgrade, so there is no bonus to waiting. Additionally, you can start getting AP perks as soon as you do the upgrade, including purchasing the DDE card. We find the DDE card to be a better value than DDP or DxDP, even during free dining.

Clear as mud?

 

[disneyfan55]

I was wondering about upgrading to AP passes as well. We had already booked a package with DDP in May when we got a pin code and decided to take a short trip in October. We will have park hoppers in May, but not in October. If we upgrade to AP we will still have to buy a single day ticket to keep DDP correct? Can we get DDP with and AP discount (assuming there is one?) What if not everyone in the room has an AP?

You can book the DDP that you pay for without buying additional tickets with the AP now. The only time you have to purchase at least a 1 day pass is when Free Dining is offered. You may also want to think about the DDE card if you get an AP. It allows for 20 off at many TS as well as some CS in AK and at the values.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Thanks, we don't have DDP during our October vacation just the one in May. If we upgrade our tickets will we be able to get a room discount and keep DDP? I thought you could only get DDP when paying rack rate (or am I confusing that with free Dining?) Maybe I need a flow chart (just joking)

 

[disneyfan55]

Thanks, we don't have DDP during our October vacation just the one in May. If we upgrade our tickets will we be able to get a room discount and keep DDP? I thought you could only get DDP when paying rack rate (or am I confusing that with free Dining?) Maybe I need a flow chart.

Free dining requires the rack rate, not when you pay for it. I don't have a flow chart sorry. I think this is explained on Mousesavers.com.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Thanks, we don't have DDP during our October vacation just the one in May. If we upgrade our tickets will we be able to get a room discount and keep DDP? I thought you could only get DDP when paying rack rate (or am I confusing that with free Dining?) Maybe I need a flow chart (just joking)

Yes, if you upgrade you will get to keep the DDP. No, there is a package for AP holders that doesn't require you to purchase tickets and you can still get the AP discout if one becomes avail.

Only, for free dining you have to purchase at least a one day base ticket for each person in the party and depending on what resort you choose, the AP rate may be better than free dining.

Confusing I know, but we have found that it is well worth it, even with the DDP and DDE, which we will use both for our December trip. We have taken last minute trips, just because we don't have to purchase tickets and we got a great rate.

Suzanne

 

[haveitall]

We are going in one week. We want to upgrade our 10 day hopper pass to Ap because we are staying on site for 15 days. We also are going during free dining.

My question is: Should we use the 10 day hopper pass at least one day then upgrade? Should we ask that our 10 day hopper pass be put on a different Keys to the Kingdom card so that we don't lost the free dining?

Thanks for the help.

Sylvia in MN

 

[disneyfan55]

You can upgrade anytime during the 14 days of first use. I would just do it on the first day and double check the dining. The AP will be a seperate ticket. That way you can use any of the AP benefits you might want to use. There are discounts on dining, mini golf, regular golf, shops, behind the scenes tours etc. Have a great time!

 

[rt2dz]

We are going in one week. We want to upgrade our 10 day hopper pass to Ap because we are staying on site for 15 days. We also are going during free dining.

My question is: Should we use the 10 day hopper pass at least one day then upgrade? Should we ask that our 10 day hopper pass be put on a different Keys to the Kingdom card so that we don't lost the free dining?

Thanks for the help.

Sylvia in MN

Yes, use the 10 day hopper pass at least once before upgrading. Reason being, once used, it brings the pass to current gate value. If you purchased your package prior to the recent price increase, you purchased your pass for a discount. If you don't use the pass you only get credit for the amount you paid.

Have them put your ticket on separate media when you check-in. If they can't/won't, walk over to concierge and have them do it. The reason being, when guest relations upgrades your ticket they can accidentally wipe your dining credits. They will be found, but you have to go back to or hotel (or possibly any hotel?) and have them put back on. Guest relations cannot do anything to help you; I don't even think they can check your dining credits. Meaning wasted time and energy and possible out of pocket payments in the mean time.