AP for Discounts?

[coopersmom]

Hoping some Disneyland vet can chime in and let me know if this even worth looking into ... We are planning a five-day visit to Disneyland sometime between mid-October and mid-November of this year and hoping to stay at the Disneyland hotel. Would a deluxe annual pass (our trip wouldn't fall on any blackout dates) be worth it at about $200 more than five-day park hoppers for the hotel and dining discounts? I don't know what AP hotel rate availability is like, and what the discounts tend to be, which is why I'm asking.

We were hoping to stay theme park view at the DLH or, possibly, a one-bedroom suite if we can swing it, and would probably have several higher-end dinners at the Disney resorts and in downtown Disney during our stay.

We are not planning a return Disneyland trip within 12 months but do have relatives in Southern California, so it's definitely not out of the question that it could happen, but I'd like to factor value based on this trip alone, not possible future trips that might not pan out.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[TheZue]

We generally get one for one person in the travelling party. It works for us...you gotta think, six days in the park at counter service and snacks will likely be around 1000 for food...10% off of that saves $100. Then when you stay on property you save again. Then if you plan on buying merch, you save again. We find it saves us more than the price difference. Granted we bought before the increases...Really you need to figure out if you are going to save more than $179 which is the difference between the tickets. I actually went to allears, looked at all the menus and figured out exactly how much we were likely to spend. The hotel discount is 10% for the fall right now; not great but better than a kick in the pants. I would think if you were staying in a suite the AP would easily pay for itself.

The only downside to the hotels is that for a package with the lanyard etc I was told that either everyone needs a AP or nobody. They are two different packages...but some posters have had some luck with the WDTC booth in downtown disney and getting TTMM tickets. I'll try in September and report back. You also have to be the one paying for everything. No biggie really.

 

[coopersmom]

The only downside to the hotels is that for a package with the lanyard etc I was told that either everyone needs a AP or nobody. They are two different packages...but some posters have had some luck with the WDTC booth in downtown disney and getting TTMM tickets. I'll try in September and report back. You also have to be the one paying for everything. No biggie really.

Thanks for your reply! Can you go into more details about the package you're talking about. And, sorry, I don't know what "WDTC" and "TTMM" stand for.

 

[TheZue]

WDTC = Walt Disney Travel Company
TTMM= Toon Town Morning Madness

When you book hotel & park hoppers through the travel company you get a few perks...a lanyard, a pin, and access to priority seating for some shows, and tickets to toon town morning madness. TTMM lets you in an hour before the rest of the guests, there are tons of characters out, there is a cute little ceremony. It's not a huge thing to miss out on, but it is a consideration.

 

[coopersmom]

WDTC = Walt Disney Travel Company
TTMM= Toon Town Morning Madness

When you book hotel & park hoppers through the travel company you get a few perks...a lanyard, a pin, and access to priority seating for some shows, and tickets to toon town morning madness. TTMM lets you in an hour before the rest of the guests, there are tons of characters out, there is a cute little ceremony. It's not a huge thing to miss out on, but it is a consideration.

Thank you again.

I did not know that. I assume (and you know what happens when you do that) that WDTC is, essentially, just booking directly with Disney. Is that accurate? And does it make a difference doing it online or via phone?

Are those things--especially the Toon Town Morning Madness, which it sounds like my son would love--not available if you're booking through any other agency?

 

[TheZue]

They are, but you can't use your AP discount...then it gets to be really close on whether it's worth the extra $179.

 

[coopersmom]

They are, but you can't use your AP discount...then it gets to be really close on whether it's worth the extra $179.

Hmm, Dreams Unlimited said they could look at AP rates for the hotel for me. And, also, is Disneyland like DisneyWorld where you can just upgrade your existing ticket(s) to an AP upon arrival?