AP: Help me convince my husband...

[Pocahontas1]

Ok, I need your help convincing my husband that we need annual passes this year.

This is the situation...DS (5), DD (1) and I will be making at least two very long trips to Disney this year. We will be going in June for 7 days with my mother and again in December for 10 days with DH.

Now, usually we spend a day at each of the parks and in June, we were only going to go to MK and SeaWorld. Then I saw AP prices and I'm thinking...hmmmm...if I had an annual pass we could run and see Fantasmic one night or go to AK and see the Festival of the Lion King (my mom's favorite thing of all...).

Then I started thinking, if I had annual passes, we could go for a long weekend in October and see MNSSHP (we go to MVMCP in December). I could take DS to Disney Quest while my mom watched the baby. I could also make another long trip the end of next May before my passes expire. The people at work want to go to WDW for a girls weekend sometime.

We're DVC members so if I read the information correctly, we get a discount.

What is your best argument in favor of the AP ...DH just told me that is $715.00 you could use toward your new car . If I had an annual pass, would I just find more reasons to go to Disney and spend money?

Thanks so much for all your help...

 

[Chuck S]

DVC members get $100 off an AP, and $125 off a PAP. You would most likely not use the AP room discount a lot, since you'll likely stay on DVC points...but you may decide to extend you vacation or fit in an extra one. Last December AP rates at value resorts were $49 ($55 w/tax) off peak. Also, you could then purchase the DDE card for $50, which would give you 20% off at virtually all Disney operated full service restaurants and buffets, as well as counter service at AK, and food courts at POP and AllStars, including "adult" beverages.

 

[mrsR123]

With the DVC discount, your annual passes will be about the same as 7 day MYW plus hoppers, but you're already planning twice that many days aren't you? ALso, with an AP you're eligible to purchase for $50 the DDE card good for 20% off a slew of restaurants. That will add up quickly to a sizable savings over two trips.

We're going for 12 nights inJune. DH wants to do several days at Universal, but I just cannot see buying anything other than AP's.

 

[seashoreCM]

Sit down now and figure out how much it will cost you to buy all the tickets you will need for all of your planned vacations.

I'll give you a hint, thirteen days with hopping within a year and the AP is better, not counting the AP's DVC discount (and also not counting advance purchase MYW discounts). The AP may be best for eleven days for some three trip annual vacation schedules.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/dispass.htm

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I bought my AP last year knowing that I'd spend a week at Disney in Feb and at least a week in Dec (2004). I ended up with that first Feb week, 5 days in the fall with my DH, 13 days in Dec (most of that at WDW), and then 5 days in Jan. Boy, did that AP ever save me $! LOL

It's those extra "the park admission is already paid for" trips that are a killer (but oh so much fun).

T&B

 

[Pocahontas1]

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I think it would save money, but he is resistant.

We usually sandwich our DVC in between two Disney resorts (usually a value and a deluxe) so I think we would use the room discount too. How much of a discount do you usually get for being an AP holder? We really liked AKL, savannah view of course.

I know I would go more if I had the AP, but really need the new car to get there.

I'm pretty sure we'll go with PAP since DS likes the waterparks and I'd like to take him to DisneyQuest. Would hate to spend the money on a ticket and then get in and decide he doesn't want to do anything.

Definitely going to look into the DDE. Off to find information right now.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Chuck S]

AP room discounts may or may not become available for your travel times. The best discounts have been in "Value" season, I was able to get POP for $49 per night last year ($55w/tax).

For info on the DDE, look here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

 

[Pocahontas1]

Chuck:

Thanks so much for the link. Most of the restaurant we eat at are on the list. We're more of the sit down type rather than counter service. It will definitely pay for itself in one trip!