AP versus regular tickets

[HollyMD]

So, we are going to WDW in June for 6 days. WANT to go back in Oct for 8. For those of you that have done both, or figured it out for yourselves, am I better of going with AP and getting room only, and paying for food OOP, OR better off getting packages with tickets(as for June, we have the room rate discount and still plan to pay for food OOP and HOPING free dining will be offered in Oct). I know just ticket wise, it would be about $350 cheaper getting the AP- but I don't know if that is enough to discredit my room rate discount or hopeful free dining?

 

[msmama]

If it's cheaper ticket wise then I'd say, yes, it'll be worth it to get the AP.

IF you were to do free dining, you'd be paying rack rate for the rooms. You could most likely get a discount with your AP which will most likely be slightly more than the room discounts to the general public.

Unless you are one of the very rare people who benefit GREATLY front the dining plan (which, I don't use it, but from reading the boards it doesn't seem like there are many), you'll come out ahead. You also need to consider AP discounts on food (where applicable) and merchandise (usually 10%). If you're really a foodie then you could purchase the TiW card which gets you a greater discount and includes alcohol (I think, I've never actually used it).

Plus depending on the AP you could get the photopass downloads (which saves $140 instead of buying memory maker).

The biggest problem with the AP is that I can pretty much guarantee you're going to want to make more trips!!

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

For a $350 savings on tickets alone, buying the AP would be a no-brainer for me.

You're still eligible for RO discounts with an AP. I think you'll find more value in an RO discount than in FD, and to be honest, I think the days of FD are over.

 

[HollyMD]

Great ideas! Thanks so much for your response! Well, I'm kinda hoping that I can talk my husband into ONE more trip before the AP runs out.....haha

 

[HollyMD]

For a $350 savings on tickets alone, buying the AP would be a no-brainer for me.

You're still eligible for RO discounts with an AP. I think you'll find more value in an RO discount than in FD, and to be honest, I think the days of FD are over.

I didn't know this, so it helps. Do they usually offer RO discounts in Oct? Also, IF we upgrade to AP, and we go in June, and they offer a bounce back thing, can I take advantage of that?

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I didn't know this, so it helps. Do they usually offer RO discounts in Oct? Also, IF we upgrade to AP, and we go in June, and they offer a bounce back thing, can I take advantage of that?

Historically, yes, but of course, nothing's guaranteed. This is the first year that BB blackout dates included all of October & November.

Here's a link where you can view historical discount info: CLICK

And if there's a BB you like when you're there in June, yes, you can take advantage of it.

 

[hedberg1661]

With the AP you could also purchase a TIW card to get Table Service discounts. See if that is something that would be worth it for you.

Personally, I did both and don't regret either choice. Having said that, it makes financial sense for my family given how we travel and eat.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Definitely get the Tables in Wonderland Card. That paid for itself our first weekend. Another advantage is the Memory Maker. You have access to download all photopass pictures. That's a really nice plus! Just for the $350, I'd upgrade one of your passes to an AP. You'll find lots of other benefits, too (10% off merchandise, better room discounts, discounts on dining, free parking). This is our first (and sadly, last for a while) time getting the AP's, and it's been so nice!

 

[HollyMD]

You all are so helpful, thank you! I was looking on Disney's site, and I saw that they offer a Platinum and a Platinum plus, are there any others I'm not seeing? Also, we have already purchased a memory maker for our June trip- if we upgrade, can I cancel that since it coms with the AP?

 

[supersnoop]

So, we are going to WDW in June for 6 days. WANT to go back in Oct for 8. For those of you that have done both, or figured it out for yourselves, am I better of going with AP and getting room only, and paying for food OOP, OR better off getting packages with tickets(as for June, we have the room rate discount and still plan to pay for food OOP and HOPING free dining will be offered in Oct). I know just ticket wise, it would be about $350 cheaper getting the AP- but I don't know if that is enough to discredit my room rate discount or hopeful free dining?

I don't think you're doing the math right. Or you haven't fully described your tickets and enumerated your savings. Two 10-day base tickets are less than the AP available to the general public. You won't save month over a 6-day and 8-day ticket unless those are both hoppers or you qualify for the "Gold" AP.

It will also depend on how many people are in your party, but "free" dining can be a huge discount and easily overshadow any discount on tickets.

Even then, you can always purchase the tickets required for "free" dining and save them for later, and thus not lose any value.

 

[HollyMD]

I don't think you're doing the math right. Or you haven't fully described your tickets and enumerated your savings. Two 10-day base tickets are less than the AP available to the general public. You won't save month over a 6-day and 8-day ticket unless those are both hoppers or you qualify for the "Gold" AP.

I am including park hoppers in those- but I STILL may not be looking at it right. I was trying to figure the price of 3 AP's and RO in June and Oct versus the package I have in June and what a package is coming up for Oct with rooms and tickets with park hopper. There are four os us, 2 adults, an 11 yr old, and a (right now) 7 month old- who doesn't qualify for free dining but also doesn't cost us a ticket!

 

[AngiTN]

The issue you have is you are comparing rack rate in Oct to a discounted package in June.
Makes it hard.
But yes, if you are purchasing Hoppers for both tickets an AP will be less

 

[AngiTN]

You all are so helpful, thank you! I was looking on Disney's site, and I saw that they offer a Platinum and a Platinum plus, are there any others I'm not seeing? Also, we have already purchased a memory maker for our June trip- if we upgrade, can I cancel that since it coms with the AP?

If you are not a FL resident, or DVC those are the only 2 AP you can purchase.
FL Resident and DVC have different options

 

[HollyMD]

Thanks, AngiTN! I am thinking I may go ahead and upgrade to the AP's, then patiently wait and see what offers come out for Oct before I book. OR maybe book, then still watch offers and try to get it applied to ours.

 

[supersnoop]

I am including park hoppers in those- but I STILL may not be looking at it right. I was trying to figure the price of 3 AP's and RO in June and Oct versus the package I have in June and what a package is coming up for Oct with rooms and tickets with park hopper. There are four os us, 2 adults, an 11 yr old, and a (right now) 7 month old- who doesn't qualify for free dining but also doesn't cost us a ticket!

There's no real reason to compare your room rates. Yes, the package might seem like a better deal, but the AP offers discounts, too. And you can always do the package in June and upgrade them to AP's during your trip. And, if "free" dining is available and you have to purchase tickets to qualify, simply save those tickets for a later trip. But for now, focus on the ticket prices.