AP info for 2018?

[Euby]

Has anyone seen anything regarding this coming years (2018) AP discounts and offerings? When does this info normally become available?

 

[Tomh]

I don't know, but I'm looking forward to finding out. I think I may be getting an AP this year.

 

[Robo]

Timing is sporadic and not often tied to a regular calendar.

 

[Surgie2]

Look at Mousesavers. They have historical data on when discounts were released...not that it guarantees the same future dates.

Not sure when you are looking for in April, but AP discounts through 4/14 were released on 11/3.

Last year, room only discounts through June 10 were released on 12/28/16 for general public and on 1/12/17 for AP holders. So if you are going after 4/14 I would start watching later this month and early January.

 

[MDH]

I may be wrong, but I believe the OP is referring to the 2018 total benefits guide for AP holders. Right now if you go to the passholder website and click on the benefits guide it just loads up the 2017 guide. We're going in Jan and I too really want to see the 2018 passholder discounts allready.

 

[Euby]

I may be wrong, but I believe the OP is referring to the 2018 total benefits guide for AP holders. Right now if you go to the passholder website and click on the benefits guide it just loads up the 2017 guide. We're going in Jan and I too really want to see the 2018 passholder discounts allready.

That's exactly what I was referring to! Thanks for translating. LOL

 

[Happy_2_B]

That's exactly what I was referring to! Thanks for translating. LOL

It may change a bit- but overall they should stay pretty much the same. The major 'perks'- room discounts and food/merchandise discounts at select locations won't change at all or may change just a bit. Room discounts for current passholders are available through spring 2018. We have an AP room booked in mid January and again in March. Not sure what specific benefit you are concerned about, but odds are pretty good it will still be on the list. If it's room discounts, and you are going early in the year- a lot of those at certain resorts are already booked. I was looking yesterday for another set of dates this spring, and AP rates didn't come up for some of the resorts. I mention this because you don't want to wait too long if you have an upcoming trip. Your pass won't start 'ticking down' until you use it at the turnstiles- but you will still be able to use it to book rooms and special event discounts.

 

[shh]

Don't want to derail this thread, but hoping someone can confirm or correct me on my pass strategy for 2018. My pass is expiring this Jan. We're not returning till Dec 2018.

I was thinking of buying new APs next month (not renewing existing ones) and just waiting to activate until Dec 18 trip. This way I get the full 2019 year. (I have a FL weekday pass so there's not much of a renewal discount incentive anyway.)

I'm thinking this way, I avoid 2018 price increases. Any flaw to this plan?

 

[Robo]

I was thinking of buying new APs next month (not renewing existing ones) and just waiting to activate until Dec 18 trip. This way I get the full 2019 year. (I have a FL weekday pass so there's not much of a renewal discount incentive anyway.)

I'm thinking this way, I avoid 2018 price increases. Any flaw to this plan?

That'll work.

 

[MDH]

It may change a bit- but overall they should stay pretty much the same. The major 'perks'- room discounts and food/merchandise discounts at select locations won't change at all or may change just a bit. Room discounts for current passholders are available through spring 2018. We have an AP room booked in mid January and again in March. Not sure what specific benefit you are concerned about, but odds are pretty good it will still be on the list. If it's room discounts, and you are going early in the year- a lot of those at certain resorts are already booked. I was looking yesterday for another set of dates this spring, and AP rates didn't come up for some of the resorts. I mention this because you don't want to wait too long if you have an upcoming trip. Your pass won't start 'ticking down' until you use it at the turnstiles- but you will still be able to use it to book rooms and special event discounts.

Except right now it's 45th anniversary, so all the dining discounts are wonky. Its stated they end on the 23rd, but what places will have what after. I'm waiting anxiously to see what the 2018 dining discounts will be and Disney is just not posting.

 

[wgeo]

Except right now it's 45th anniversary, so all the dining discounts are wonky. Its stated they end on the 23rd, but what places will have what after. I'm waiting anxiously to see what the 2018 dining discounts will be and Disney is just not posting.

Yeah I'm curious about this as well, I expect most of the extra dining discounts to go away for 2018, hopefully they'll replace it with something else, but I kinda doubt it.

 

[poodledogs55]

I’m following along. I will be taking my first trip next month without the dining plan, relying on the AP discounts for food. I haven’t been able to plan a budget because I don’t know what discounts to expect.

 

[Happy_2_B]

Its stated they end on the 23rd

Goes back to normal unless they extend it. They provided an expiration date- so expect it to return to normal discount levels.

Yeah I'm curious about this as well, I expect most of the extra dining discounts to go away for 2018, hopefully they'll replace it with something else, but I kinda doubt it.

Don't expect that they will replace these discounts with something else- this was a special offer. The 'standard and customary' amount for an AP is 10% at select restaurants. If 20% is what you want as a discount on food then buy a TiW card.

I’m following along. I will be taking my first trip next month without the dining plan, relying on the AP discounts for food. I haven’t been able to plan a budget because I don’t know what discounts to expect.

It expires in a couple of weeks. They might throw out some pixie dust and extend it- but don't hold your breath.
.

 

[MDH]

Goes back to normal unless they extend it. They provided an expiration date- so expect it to return to normal discount levels.



Don't expect that they will replace these discounts with something else- this was a special offer. The 'standard and customary' amount for an AP is 10% at select restaurants. If 20% is what you want as a discount on food then buy a TiW card.



It expires in a couple of weeks. They might throw out some pixie dust and extend it- but don't hold your breath.
.

I hear you, and I understand that normal discount is 10%, what I don't know is which locations. Its my understanding that for the 45th a lot of the restaurants with discounts were new. What I'm really waiting formula the Disney list of which restaurants will have the 10% discount.

 

[Happy_2_B]

list of which restaurants will have the 10% discount

I certainly wouldn't wait to make ADRs while waiting on a list that might not be available for a while. As Robo said, don't hold Disney to a regular calendar- if you do, you will be disappointed. As mentioned in a PP, expect it to go back to the normal list- with maybe some additional DS restaurants participating that have either just opened or will open soon. Disney is accountable to stockholders on a quarterly basis- and 10% more profit at a restaurant is better than giving away 10%, so don't expect any miraculous positive changes to the current list once the special offer is over.

 

[MDH]

I certainly wouldn't wait to make ADRs while waiting on a list that might not be available for a while. As Robo said, don't hold Disney to a regular calendar- if you do, you will be disappointed. As mentioned in a PP, expect it to go back to the normal list- with maybe some additional DS restaurants participating that have either just opened or will open soon. Disney is accountable to stockholders on a quarterly basis- and 10% more profit at a restaurant is better than giving away 10%, so don't expect any miraculous positive changes to the current list once the special offer is over.

I completely understand, everyone here keeps saying "normal" or "normal list", but I don't know what that is? Is there anyway to find this list? Disney doesn't have it posted, they only have the current list up. I've made my ADR that I really want already, I'm hoping some of them will have discounts. Are any of the Quick service places part of the "normal list" or were they all just 45th anniversary only?

 

[HopperFan]

It may change a bit- but overall they should stay pretty much the same. The major 'perks'- room discounts and food/merchandise discounts at select locations won't change at all or may change just a bit. Room discounts for current passholders are available through spring 2018. We have an AP room booked in mid January and again in March. Not sure what specific benefit you are concerned about, but odds are pretty good it will still be on the list. If it's room discounts, and you are going early in the year- a lot of those at certain resorts are already booked. I was looking yesterday for another set of dates this spring, and AP rates didn't come up for some of the resorts. I mention this because you don't want to wait too long if you have an upcoming trip. Your pass won't start 'ticking down' until you use it at the turnstiles- but you will still be able to use it to book rooms and special event discounts.

There could and probably will be a MAJOR change in food and merchandise discounts.

Right now we are enjoying double the normal merchandise discount for the special celebration. Get your shopping done soon in person or on the Disney Shopping App. It was to end in September but got extended through December.

Right now we are enjoying double the normal dining discount at more locations, especially at some QS locations that never have discounts. These are due to end in a few weeks, December 23rd.

If Disney opts to not extend these ......... that is a major hit to the value of an AP, particularly to locals and folks who stay offsite aka don't use resort discounts.

 

[Happy_2_B]

that is a major hit to the value of an AP

AP is admission media- and ONLY admission media. Perks are just that- perks. Disney is under no obligation to provide the extras, and they get added and taken away all the time. As you said- it is a special celebration- and guess what? The party is almost over Hope you're right, but having been a passholder off and on over a couple of decades I don't expect things to change all that much. I'm local- and expect no added value for my AP, the admission discount is substantial and that's why we have them. Don't get me wrong- I am appreciative for the extras- but I don't expect them. Anyone that has an expectation of a bunch of extras that haven't been offered in the past will probably wind up being disappointed.

 

[HopperFan]

AP is admission media- and ONLY admission media. Perks are just that- perks. Disney is under no obligation to provide the extras, and they get added and taken away all the time. As you said- it is a special celebration- and guess what? The party is almost over Hope you're right, but having been a passholder off and on over a couple of decades I don't expect things to change all that much. I'm local- and expect no added value for my AP, the admission discount is substantial and that's why we have them. Don't get me wrong- I am appreciative for the extras- but I don't expect them. Anyone that has an expectation of a bunch of extras that haven't been offered in the past will probably wind up being disappointed.

Most folks expect their AP to include more than the media, just like it does at every other theme park, museum and zoo membership. It is promised over and over on Disney promotional pieces, website etc. that the AP includes much more than media; always has.

Just the top line alone on the website says ...

As a Passholder, you’ll enjoy a year of magic filled with 4 theme parks, special events and entertainment—including offers and opportunities just for Passholders. You’ll also be treated to exclusive discounts and more!

That is great that you will purchase yours for no other value than the park ticket (and I might too), but I will bet most calculate the full value of the offerings to see if a pass is worth their money. I have dropped or changed annual passes when perks were lost. Yes, I said and agreed that the current discounts are for a special celebration. Disney clearly saw an uptick in spending when they decided to extend it. And yes, I fully expect them to go away. My point was for someone trying to purchase a new AP, that was maybe unfamiliar with the past or thought these perks (which are very good) were standard ... they need to decide if the AP is worth it if they go away.

 

[Happy_2_B]

edited out- incorrect link