AP tickets vs. package deals

[Phelia325]

We have never purchased APs before but have been going to Disney twice a year. This year we are thinking about taking a third trip, so APs will definitely save us money. However, I'm wondering if there is any drawback to AP, which may be preclude us from package deals. For example, we are booked in a package over Labor Day that is basically a room discount but requires a minimum ticket purchase. Also we often travel with my parents who do not have APs. In the past, we have done villas with them. Will this be a problem if we have APs and they have to buy tickets?

 

[Jestocost]

We have never purchased APs before but have been going to Disney twice a year. This year we are thinking about taking a third trip, so APs will definitely save us money. However, I'm wondering if there is any drawback to AP, which may be preclude us from package deals. For example, we are booked in a package over Labor Day that is basically a room discount but requires a minimum ticket purchase. Also we often travel with my parents who do not have APs. In the past, we have done villas with them. Will this be a problem if we have APs and they have to buy tickets?

If the package requires a minimum ticket purchase, then you generally have to purchase the tickets even though you have an AP. One exception is that you can get a paid DDP package without the usual ticket purchase. For free dining, however, you still would have to purchase the tickets. You don't have to use the tickets at that time, however, so you can save them for a future trip and even use them to apply toward the purchase of an AP.

Everyone on the same reservation generally has to have identical packages up until check in, but after check in you can upgrade individual tickets without upgrading all of them. So the idea is to buy the minimum for everyone, then just add days or features to the members of the party that need them. In your case, if you have APs and your parents don't, you'd buy the minimum tickets required and then upgrade theirs to whatever they need for the trip after check in. You would save your required tickets, without upgrades, for future use.