AP discounts worth it?

[Cdnmommy]

Hi all,

I'm planning my family's first trip to WDW this December, and am trying to figure out the best way to go. We're staying for 9 nights and plan to spend 8-9 days at WDW, staying on-site for some (booked through DVC rental points) and off site for the rest, so if there is a room discount we wouldn't be taking advantage of it. We're two adults, 11 yr old and 5 yr old.

My quesiton is regarding the annual pass and if it's worth it for one of us to get an AP knowing that we won't be going back to use it again in a year? We were originally going to get Magic Your Way Park Hopper passes ($283.29/day for adult), however I'm wondering if it's worth it to pay for one annual pass (477.12) to take advantage of the discounts offered with it?

Any input on the discounts you AP holders take advantage of?

I've read for some of the discounts offered that the AP holder can get the discount for up to 3 additional people (which would work perfectly for us), does anyone know if the AP holder has to be an adult? An AP for our dd would only be $420.68, can we get the discounts through her AP?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[abolanwoski]

Hi all,

I'm planning my family's first trip to WDW this December, and am trying to figure out the best way to go. We're staying for 9 nights and plan to spend 8-9 days at WDW, staying on-site for some (booked through DVC rental points) and off site for the rest, so if there is a room discount we wouldn't be taking advantage of it. We're two adults, 11 yr old and 5 yr old.

My quesiton is regarding the annual pass and if it's worth it for one of us to get an AP knowing that we won't be going back to use it again in a year? We were originally going to get Magic Your Way Park Hopper passes ($283.29/day for adult), however I'm wondering if it's worth it to pay for one annual pass (477.12) to take advantage of the discounts offered with it?

Any input on the discounts you AP holders take advantage of?

I've read for some of the discounts offered that the AP holder can get the discount for up to 3 additional people (which would work perfectly for us), does anyone know if the AP holder has to be an adult? An AP for our dd would only be $420.68, can we get the discounts through her AP?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

The main benefits would be dining discounts (if you bought the DDE) and resort discounts. Since your onsite rooms are bought through points, no discount there. Figure out where you plan on eating and do the math. Unless you are really big eaters (or expensive wine drinkers) I find it hard to see where you could ever come up with $250 in dining discounts (190 in extra pass cost, plus 65 for DDE) I did the math in Sept for a family vaca with 6 adults and 2 kids and even with CRT and HDDR, I couldn't make the numbers work (although we get cheaper passes because we're military). The DDE can only be purchased by an adult AP holder. so you can't get it for your kiddo (thought of that one too ) So, unless you're going to use it again within a year, it's unlikely that you'll break even.

 

[Cdnmommy]

The main benefits would be dining discounts (if you bought the DDE) and resort discounts. Since your onsite rooms are bought through points, no discount there. Figure out where you plan on eating and do the math. Unless you are really big eaters (or expensive wine drinkers) I find it hard to see where you could ever come up with $250 in dining discounts (190 in extra pass cost, plus 65 for DDE) I did the math in Sept for a family vaca with 6 adults and 2 kids and even with CRT and HDDR, I couldn't make the numbers work (although we get cheaper passes because we're military). The DDE can only be purchased by an adult AP holder. so you can't get it for your kiddo (thought of that one too ) So, unless you're going to use it again within a year, it's unlikely that you'll break even.

Thanks for the input, I didn't really think so but so many on here know so much I thought I would see what info I could get.

 

[Cdnmommy]

I was doing some more rough figuring and I think for us it may be worth getting one AP. Over and above our MYW (w/park hopper) passes it would cost me $193.83 more to get the AP instead. We are staying off site for 7 of our nights (on site for 2), and we are planning on driving most days to the various parks. With parking costs at $12.00/day per park it would cost us $84.00 in parking which we would save with an AP, plus my husband is doing the Richard Petty driving experience and we save $20.00 off of that; so already we've saved over $104.00. We have a family of 4 and I'm pretty sure that saving 20% off of food (with DDE) for the full week would be at least $100.00+ so I think for us we would be ahead to get the AP.

I have no idea if this makes any sense at all....? Suggestions, corrections anyone?

 

[byoung]

I was doing some more rough figuring and I think for us it may be worth getting one AP. Over and above our MYW (w/park hopper) passes it would cost me $193.83 more to get the AP instead. We are staying off site for 7 of our nights (on site for 2), and we are planning on driving most days to the various parks. With parking costs at $12.00/day per park it would cost us $84.00 in parking which we would save with an AP, plus my husband is doing the Richard Petty driving experience and we save $20.00 off of that; so already we've saved over $104.00. We have a family of 4 and I'm pretty sure that saving 20% off of food (with DDE) for the full week would be at least $100.00+ so I think for us we would be ahead to get the AP.

I have no idea if this makes any sense at all....? Suggestions, corrections anyone?

With the DDE yout the discounts at most TS meals. Only counter services at all sports, pops etc.

 

[abolanwoski]

I was doing some more rough figuring and I think for us it may be worth getting one AP. Over and above our MYW (w/park hopper) passes it would cost me $193.83 more to get the AP instead.

You also have to calculate the 65 bucks to buy the DDE.

 

[Cdnmommy]

With the DDE yout the discounts at most TS meals. Only counter services at all sports, pops etc.

Okay, more thinking required I guess as I didn't realize that it was only discounted counter service at those....I did calculate the cost to add the DDE but I'll have to take another look.

Thanks!

 

[Tumblwd501]

FYI, I don't know if you've already found the answer to this part of your original post, but the AP holder has to be 21 years or older in order to purchase the DDE.

And not that it will affect your calculations too much, but just for completeness' sake, remember that all DDE transactions are now automatically charged 18% gratuity regardless of party size. That may not affect your numbers at all if you generally tip more than 18%.

 

[collcass]

I thought it was going to save us money until I realized that we have the 10 day WPF&M. It would only be approx $150 (can't remember the exact figure) to go up to the AP, but that the AP holder would lose the WPF&M option unless we opted for the premium AP.

My real;ization: I can spend countless hours researching in an attempt to cut cosats, but WDW definitely has their hand in your wallet one way or another

 

[Cdnmommy]

My real;ization: I can spend countless hours researching in an attempt to cut cosats, but WDW definitely has their hand in your wallet one way or another[/QUOTE]