Any reason we should NOT get APs?

[kayemgi]

Just looking for some seasoned advice. I've run the numbers, and getting APs for myself and my husband is technically worth it for us this year (if we do both trips). We are considering a 6-day December trip, and definitely doing a 9-day September 2016 trip. APs would save us about $50 between the two trips. Not much, but hey, $50 is $50.

From what I can tell, the other benefits of an AP are pretty limited. Possibly room discounts if we go at the right time, but those are also available to non-AP holders (like I can go right now and book a discounted room for December with Disney's Fall Room Savings promo). Very limited merch and restaurant discounts. We might use it at Via Napoli and/or Sanaa but that's about it for us. We fly and take Magical Express/Disney buses, so no free parking bonus.

Is the $50 savings worth it? Are there any other reasons I should consider to get or not get the APs? Thanks in advance!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I can't see any reason not to get them. You should be looking solely at the cost of park attendance when you decide, and not at perks or benefits. If you do want to look at the benefits, with the AP you might get limited discounts on merchandise and some restaurants, but without the AP you get no discounts at all. And you are saving $50 anyway. I guess I am not understanding why you would consider paying $50 more to get regular tickets. Maybe if you are not sure you will be making both trips.

Were you pricing park hopper tickets? Because the AP does include park hopping.

 

[loves to dive]

I have one and like you the ticket savings isn't huge but there is one so I figure what the heck. I do take advantage of the room discounts, but as you said they usually have general public disounts at about the same time. I have the TIW card, which after you have spent $500 saves you 20%, even on alcohol with is a bonus for me (DS, DIL and I spent that much after two days our last trip so I've broken even and then some on that). Sometimes the discounts in the stores can be pretty good if you buy high ticket items (can you say Dooney & Bourke?) I got a small discount on week day F&W deminars as well. I can't see any reason not to get it since you will be saving some.

 

[kayemgi]

I can't see any reason not to get them. You should be looking solely at the cost of park attendance when you decide, and not at perks or benefits. If you do want to look at the benefits, with the AP you might get limited discounts on merchandise and some restaurants, but without the AP you get no discounts at all. And you are saving $50 anyway. I guess I am not understanding why you would consider paying $50 more to get regular tickets. Maybe if you are not sure you will be making both trips.

Were you pricing park hopper tickets? Because the AP does include park hopping.

Yes, pricing park hoppers. I don't know, I'm just not experienced in the world of APs, so I didn't know if there were any downsides I should be considering! If we decide to definitely do both trips then I don't see a reason not to get them either, as of yet. Thanks!

 

[wdwrich]

Yes, pricing park hoppers. I don't know, I'm just not experienced in the world of APs, so I didn't know if there were any downsides I should be considering! If we decide to definitely do both trips then I don't see a reason not to get them either, as of yet. Thanks!

In your situation, I can't see any downside (except that having APs may entice you to do a third trip before they expire).

 

[kayemgi]

In your situation, I can't see any downside (except that having APs may entice you to do a third trip before they expire).

Haha, yes a third trip is definitely going to be tempting!!

 

[Missyrose]

Just looking for some seasoned advice. I've run the numbers, and getting APs for myself and my husband is technically worth it for us this year (if we do both trips). We are considering a 6-day December trip, and definitely doing a 9-day September 2016 trip. APs would save us about $50 between the two trips. Not much, but hey, $50 is $50.

From what I can tell, the other benefits of an AP are pretty limited. Possibly room discounts if we go at the right time, but those are also available to non-AP holders (like I can go right now and book a discounted room for December with Disney's Fall Room Savings promo). Very limited merch and restaurant discounts. We might use it at Via Napoli and/or Sanaa but that's about it for us. We fly and take Magical Express/Disney buses, so no free parking bonus.

Is the $50 savings worth it? Are there any other reasons I should consider to get or not get the APs? Thanks in advance!

What are the odds the second trip falls through?

Also, AP holders can purchase the Tables in Wonderland dining discount card.

 

[AngiTN]

What are the odds the second trip falls through?

Also, AP holders can purchase the Tables in Wonderland dining discount card.

Honestly, this is the reason we wanted APs. That alone makes them worth it (DH and I are drinkers )

 

[kayemgi]

What are the odds the second trip falls through?

Also, AP holders can purchase the Tables in Wonderland dining discount card.

It would only fall through if one of us lost our job. My job is very secure, but my husband's is a little less so, so it's certainly something to think about.

 

[Fizban]

Just looking for some seasoned advice. I've run the numbers, and getting APs for myself and my husband is technically worth it for us this year (if we do both trips). We are considering a 6-day December trip, and definitely doing a 9-day September 2016 trip. APs would save us about $50 between the two trips. Not much, but hey, $50 is $50.

From what I can tell, the other benefits of an AP are pretty limited. Possibly room discounts if we go at the right time, but those are also available to non-AP holders (like I can go right now and book a discounted room for December with Disney's Fall Room Savings promo). Very limited merch and restaurant discounts. We might use it at Via Napoli and/or Sanaa but that's about it for us. We fly and take Magical Express/Disney buses, so no free parking bonus.

Is the $50 savings worth it? Are there any other reasons I should consider to get or not get the APs? Thanks in advance!

We've always gotten the room discounts up to 30% using our AP and we go several times each year so yes very worth it. Also if you're not a FL resident you also get access to purchase a TIW card which in itself is a big saver. My rule of thumb to folks is if you are paying normal price for 4 days of tickets you should get the AP. Dont forget that there are different levels of AP with price ranges so you may not need a full open AP but instead a seasonal for a lower price.

 

[MrKnight]

It really comes down to whether or not you are certain that you will in fact make a 2nd trip and possibly even a 3rd trip.. If you don't make at least 2nd trip then it will be a loss.. Make sure you are looking at the regular non-resident AP prices as the FL residents prices are different..

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

If you get an AP, it changes how you tour, and even if you can make a spur of the moment long weekend getaway. My Non FLR friend upgraded her 2 day hop when I moved here because she came for a week during Flower & Garden (now that it's gone, I realize how I took it for granted, so fun!) and then she brought her grandson back a few weeks ago for a few more days, she also plans to come back for Food and Wine in Oct. And frankly I wouldn't be surprised if she takes a week out of a potentially horrible Dec/Jan time again. And her AP will still be good again in the spring for more Flower & Garden!

So for her, APs are the total way to go. I think if you can get a few trips of at least 3 days hopping, you can get your money's worth.

It may encourage you to make a few trips of it this year and when you come, you don't have to worry about fitting everything in, you know you can come back. Or you can just go for a evening instead of fighting RD. If you can plan that, its totally worth it!

Also, the discounts and free parking are super awesome too (especially free parking as often as we go. Or for just a few hrs etc, not worth $18 for that. So we gotta have free parking.)

 

[AngiTN]

If you get an AP, it changes how you tour, and even if you can make a spur of the moment long weekend getaway. My Non FLR friend upgraded her 2 day hop when I moved here because she came for a week during Flower & Garden (now that it's gone, I realize how I took it for granted, so fun!) and then she brought her grandson back a few weeks ago for a few more days, she also plans to come back for Food and Wine in Oct. And frankly I wouldn't be surprised if she takes a week out of a potentially horrible Dec/Jan time again. And her AP will still be good again in the spring for more Flower & Garden!

So for her, APs are the total way to go. I think if you can get a few trips of at least 3 days hopping, you can get your money's worth.

It may encourage you to make a few trips of it this year and when you come, you don't have to worry about fitting everything in, you know you can come back. Or you can just go for a evening instead of fighting RD. If you can plan that, its totally worth it!

Also, the discounts and free parking are super awesome too (especially free parking as often as we go. Or for just a few hrs etc, not worth $18 for that. So we gotta have free parking.)

It really does. We felt a whole lot less pressured to go-go-go. We are borderline close enough to make spur of the moment trips. About an 8 hour drive. I hope to get in a few long weekends like that. Plus, my brother moved to Ft. Lauderdale yesterday. We may meet them in Orlando a few times.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just looking for some seasoned advice. I've run the numbers, and getting APs for myself and my husband is technically worth it for us this year (if we do both trips). We are considering a 6-day December trip, and definitely doing a 9-day September 2016 trip. APs would save us about $50 between the two trips. Not much, but hey, $50 is $50.

From what I can tell, the other benefits of an AP are pretty limited. Possibly room discounts if we go at the right time, but those are also available to non-AP holders (like I can go right now and book a discounted room for December with Disney's Fall Room Savings promo). Very limited merch and restaurant discounts. We might use it at Via Napoli and/or Sanaa but that's about it for us. We fly and take Magical Express/Disney buses, so no free parking bonus.

Is the $50 savings worth it? Are there any other reasons I should consider to get or not get the APs? Thanks in advance!

Your math is wrong. You would save $184.02 per person on annual passes versus two park hopper tickets. You need to calculate the costs using the park hopper rate because annual passes are park hoppers. And then if you decide to renew them you will get a discount that is usually approximately $100.

Annual passes are addictive. It is really easy to find excuses to take a quick trip to Disney. And the room discounts can save up to 37%.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

It really does. We felt a whole lot less pressured to go-go-go. We are borderline close enough to make spur of the moment trips. About an 8 hour drive. I hope to get in a few long weekends like that. Plus, my brother moved to Ft. Lauderdale yesterday. We may meet them in Orlando a few times.

If you have FL family, that should seal the deal. I guarantee you are going to want to get out of TN this winter. The hardest part about making a Disney trip come together are the tix $... You can come whenever you like! And you have an instant 30 day window for FPs at all times! So if you decide to run down for a week end, you can just book em any tjme (always have valid admission). We were about 8 hrs away... And then we just moved here instead. Lol. Sounds like the family is embracing FL!

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

This is our first year with annual passes and it's going to be the first year we have been more than once in a year. In fact from May 2015 to May 2016 we are going to make 4 trips to WDW. May, Sept, Dec and TBD. The "tickets are paid for why not?" trip is the September one and I'm so ready for a vacation I'm glad we got that AP discount on the room!

 

[BigAlsGal]

The only downside for me is it burns a hole in my pocket!!! Constantly calling to me. Telling me to use it!! I'm about to take my 5th trip this year and I live 600 miles away!! It might end up costing you more money. Lol

 

[rotlex]

My wife and I are doing the same thing this year as we know we will be doing two 10 day trips, at least, withing a year of each other. After the cost savings on the tickets, the biggest benefit to us is going to be able to fit in a few more weekend, spur of the moment trips this year. The room discounts can be nice, but heck, with the AP, we can stay at a local favorite Hampton as well for $80 per night, get free breakfast, and STILL get free parking and the other perks. (No need to spend the bucks on a Disney hotel for the shorter trips)

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Woohoo! Love hearing about these APs!!!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I believe seasonal APs are available only to Florida residents.