AP savings worth it for 1 trip?

[bigmama67]

So we have 3 of the $99 7-day unlimited passes for me, DH and DS. Now we may be postponing our trip till after DD turns 3 (not sure yet) in which case we would have to get a ticket for her as well. Would it be worthwhile to get her an Annual Pass even if we only plan this one trip in that year? We would like to stay at RPR and it would get us a discount there as well, right? How about parking...does it cover that? Any food discounts on it?

Guess I'm just trying to figure out if it's the best option or not...thanks!

 

[Metro West]

So we have 3 of the $99 7-day unlimited passes for me, DH and DS. Now we may be postponing our trip till after DD turns 3 (not sure yet) in which case we would have to get a ticket for her as well. Would it be worthwhile to get her an Annual Pass even if we only plan this one trip in that year? We would like to stay at RPR and it would get us a discount there as well, right? How about parking...does it cover that? Any food discounts on it?

Guess I'm just trying to figure out if it's the best option or not...thanks!

The Preferred or Premier AP offers discounts off resort hotel rooms, merchandise and food in both parks and CityWalk. Free parking is covered by the AP but only at the garage...the resorts still charge you to park. Most discounts for food and merchandise are 10%..it's a little more with the Premier AP but then it's more money.

 

[Lou Holtz]

For four people, there's no way it wouldn't be worth buying one AP. Depending on how many days you're going, it could only end up being $70 more than a regular ticket, which you would easily make up for just getting the restaurant discount, not to mention hotel and merch.

 

[Hombre59]

I wouldnt even say shes 3, I would just tell them shes 2 1/2 or something if they ask at the gate. They have no way of checking, kids don't have IDs.

 

[braddillman]

Well, a little math:

Diff = (cost of preferred AP) - (cost of 7-day)
Diff = $229 - $99 = $130

Rack rate savings (estimated) = (rack rate) * discount * duration
= $274 * 30% * 6 days = $493.20

Note: savings might be less than that, the rack rate might be lower, or you might get some discount without the AP (e.g. a sale).

If you bought $1,300 of food and merchandise, 10% of that is $130. That works out to spending $185.71/day for 7 days (which is $167.14/day after discount, total expenditure is $1,170). Half of that, say $95/day would still result in total savings of $65.

So, if you're staying at RPR there's a good chance you'll get your money's worth.

Calculations for my off-site trip coming up show the preferred AP would almost justify itself in $15/day parking costs alone, depending on # of days (its a 2-week trip). I went for the premier AP for an additional $60, to upgrade to valet parking. Since I already justified the preferred AP it would pay for itself. So another $60 for valet seems worth it. You go in right by citywalk, no need to walk through the giant garage and walkway.

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

I've never bought an AP before, but I think I'll do it for my next trip... But I have some questions :

Do you know when I'll be able to buy an AP to use in 2011 ?

Do you buy your AP pass online and get it on the first day at the park ?

 

[braddillman]

I bought mine online, and I'll pick it up next Sunday. It's my understanding that the clock doesn't start until 1st use, then you have 365 days. That's the way it worked for me a few years ago. So I'll go Sunday by myself, then again in February with my family.

 

[Lou Holtz]

Well, a little math:

Diff = (cost of preferred AP) - (cost of 7-day)
Diff = $229 - $99 = $130

A seven day ticket is $170.

 

[mdb78]

A seven day ticket is $170.

OP got the 7 day tix for $99.

 

[Lou Holtz]

But they have to buy another one at today's prices.

 

[bigmama67]

But they have to buy another one at today's prices.

Right! So if I understand it correctly, we can buy an AP now at today's rates and it is not activated until first use...even better! Unlike the Busch parks they do a 12-month deduction plan (Sesame Place does 3). Even if we got a "Stay More, Save More Rate" that would be tied to length of stay, whereas an AP discount would be a percentage per night, not based on how many nights, so that's very cool! I have to look into the parking thing more. Thanks, everyone, for the info so far...

 

[braddillman]

A seven day ticket is $170.

My mistake. That makes it even more likely the AP would be worth it.

 

[Metro West]

Right! So if I understand it correctly, we can buy an AP now at today's rates and it is not activated until first use...even better! Unlike the Busch parks they do a 12-month deduction plan (Sesame Place does 3). Even if we got a "Stay More, Save More Rate" that would be tied to length of stay, whereas an AP discount would be a percentage per night, not based on how many nights, so that's very cool! I have to look into the parking thing more. Thanks, everyone, for the info so far...

 

[mdb78]

But they have to buy another one at today's prices.

ah, that's right!

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

I bought mine online, and I'll pick it up next Sunday. It's my understanding that the clock doesn't start until 1st use, then you have 365 days. That's the way it worked for me a few years ago. So I'll go Sunday by myself, then again in February with my family.

Thanks !