AP Breakeven with Dining Discounts

[bwbuddy5]

Seems I remember that before the October 2016 AP changes, you would need to visit WDW twice in 12 months to make an AP pay off. Recently, I've read that if you would have bought Memory Maker anyway, and if you plan to eat AP-discounted TS meals every night of your stay, AP breakeven is closer to 5 days (family of 4).

Do you agree? Have any of you proven this theory? (assume not eligible for Tables in Wonderland)

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

That can be a hard determination. I always buy an AP and can usually get a room discount which is the biggest advantage...then right now the 20% off dining at certain restaurants is very helpful. We go for 5 nights currently (and get 3 rooms) in the fall and then try to go for 4 nights again (one room) in early spring. So far, I have always broken even or done better - the memory maker is just a bonus for us because I would not buy it otherwise. Do you think you would be able to get to WDW twice in one year? Are you staying on property and can get an AP discount when they are released for your resort? Once you get an AP, you can renew it each year for less than the initial purchase - that does help a little. Also you get a discount of 20 percent on purchases and that can also help with justifying the AP. Lots of things to consider because it is a major chunk of money!
Let us know what you decide!

 

[jpeterson]

We went in December and I scoffed at the idea of converting to Annual Passes then, now we are going next week and I wish we had converted then, would have saved us money on the upcoming trip. This time we plan on visiting guest relations our first night there and moving to passes. It works for us.

 

[janicept]

I agree with others, it really depends on other things like if you are staying onsite and would get a discount or staying offsite and would benefit from the free parking. I always talked my husband into it since we would plan trips so he could go at least two weeks. If he could only go one week he would get a week long ticket and I would have my AP. Remember that if you have a big group and only going one week only one person needs an AP for most discounts/benefits.

 

[kwelch10377]

I agree with others, it really depends on other things like if you are staying onsite and would get a discount or staying offsite and would benefit from the free parking. I always talked my husband into it since we would plan trips so he could go at least two weeks. If he could only go one week he would get a week long ticket and I would have my AP. Remember that if you have a big group and only going one week only one person needs an AP for most discounts/benefits.

Not sure what you would consider a big group but the AP dining discount is only available for the AP holder and up to 3 people and you can only reserve 3 rooms under an AP discount.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have any of you proven this theory?

Assuming you know your intended trips and tickets for those trips that you would buy, a concept of what you would eat at places with the AP discount (using menus on allears/wdwinfo/WDW's site along with the AYCTE sticky thread here for buffets), and the cost of memory maker, along with parking fees if you were staying offsite, it seems like a basic math situation, yes?