AP vs. 10 day MYW question

[dreamalittledream]

Ok now it is my turn to ask a dumb question. try to follow my logic and let me know what I am doing wrong.
I always thought if you are going to the parks for more than 10 days the AP was the way to go.
I have checked the prices to the AP (420.68) and 10 day MYW hopper advance purchase that expire (247.08).

the 10 day works out to be 24.70 per day and at these AP rates you need to go 17 days to get the same rate per day for an AP.

If I only plan for a 12 day vacation, I could purchase the 10 day and plan 2 "off" days and save myself 173.60 per person! I don't think a room code or the meal discount would make up that over 400.00 for our family or would it? (I have AAA so I could use that)

I don't anticipate a 2nd trip within the year. what am I missing?

 

[MotherOf2Princesses]

I've never used an AP discount. Only discount codes when they're announced. But I do know that only one person needs to have an AP ticket to get the discount, not everyone in the room. I hope to get an AP discount and will only purchase one AP ticket and the rest of the family I will get a 7 day base ticket. I hope this helps and good luck.

 

[ptrbryant]

Actually, we got the 10 day MYW non-expiring and it still works out better financially for us. We'll be using the tickets for 2 six day trips and plan one "resort day" on each trip. Honestly, the one trip we didn't take a break from the parks, we all felt frazzled and a bit relieved when the vacation was over! (believe it or not!) When we have a resort day, we really feel refreshed and have a lot more energy for the rest of the vacation.

We're renting DVC points for part of the trip and staying at POR for 3 nts., so even the AP discount on rooms wouldn't have been so great a deal ($109 vs. $129 a night at POR). Prior to the 10-day MYW, I think the AP had a lot more advantages and people worked their vacations around getting the most from their AP they could.

Karla B.

 

[dreamalittledream]

You are right!
and I think you can get the room on a child AP.
*Idea here* so if I get DD the AP then the Grandparents (who have FL AP)can take her to the park and we can relax on the "off" days. Forced babysitting!

 

[ihearttink]

I think you can get the room on a child AP.

I am a first time AP holder and have seen conflicting discussions regarding using a child's AP for securing a room . I would make sure that this is allowed.

 

[denman007]

I don't think a room code or the meal discount would make up that over 400.00 for our family or would it?

It depends on if you are staying in a Deluxe, Mod, or Value.

It most certainly will if you are staying in a Deluxe and getting $100 off per night on a 7 night stay.

Not sure how you came up with $400... (420.68 - 247.08 = 173 difference on 1 ticket. So if you got an AP rate offering $100 off per night, the savings would add up.

The new MYW tickets have made the AP's a little less valuable for room discounts.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I need 2 adult (173 x 2 = 346.00) and 1 child so I think that is about 400. (I didn't calculate the child ticket difference)
we would stay Deluxe, 12 nights = 1200.00

Could I do just as well with a code or AAA?

Now to add to the mix, What if we do a character meal or 1 sit down each day. (I feel like we get our money out of the Buffets because we have a second DD who will be 2 1/2 and we do not have to pay for her at a Buffet, at which she may or may not eat depending on mood)

Would that mean the dining package may be a good value for us? and can you get that with the AP?

 

[denman007]

I need 2 adult (173 x 2 = 346.00)

You only need 1 adult AP to get the room discount. I will price it out for you over lunch - I basically have it done in a spread sheet already. I will price Poly in value season for 12 nights both ways.

 

[denman007]

This is what I came up with...keep in mind I based it on an AP discount of $100 per night. Who knows what it will really be, but I think this is a safe bet.

Poly Garden View in Value season 12 nights

AAA Rate(3437) + 2 adult Prem MYW(295,295) + 1 child Prem MYW(253) comes to $4280
________
AP Rate(2844) + 1 adult PAP(548) + 1 adult Prem MYW(295) + 1 child Prem MYW(253) comes to $3940

Give or take a few dollars either way.

I believe there is a dinning plan available for AP holders as well.

I would not buy any tickets til you know what the discount is. Go ahead and book you room with the AAA rate and then wait and see.

Does this help?

 

[dreamalittledream]

denman007 thank you so much for running those numbers for me. I may actually save more because I wouldn't get the PAP just AP because of not needing the water parks.
I still think the child AP may be the way to go since DD could go with her Grandparents. I know you can't get the DDE then but Mom has FL AP and DDE so we have used her's when she dines with us.
there is so much to think about.

I was just shocked when I realized the AP was not going to be the way to go on the tickets for this trip, I just kept thinking that I would get the AP and not have to consider the MYW tickets at all.
Now it gives me more to plan.

 

[tzuhouse]

We went through this same scenario. I don't like the dining add on, so doing a package wasn't something I was set on. Bought 10 day MYW for DH and sons and I'm getting AP. $175.00 more in price, but if AP rates for December hold true, we'll save app. $500.00 on room over 10 nights with AP rate, plus figure in DDE card discount because I'm AP holder and discounts on souvenirs and such, it'll definitely save us money. Saved us $$ on family magic tour tickets already. I don't think it would be worth it if we were only going to be there a week, but with 10 days, it'll definitely save us $$.

Mary

 

[tzuhouse]

Oh, and I specifically asked if I could get AP discount using my 6 year olds AP and they said that room must be reserved by AP holder and they have to be at least 18 years of age. I had thought I 'd get him the AP instead and save a little extra money, but that didn't work.

Mary

 

[dreamalittledream]

Oh, and I specifically asked if I could get AP discount using my 6 year olds AP and they said that room must be reserved by AP holder and they have to be at least 18 years of age. I had thought I 'd get him the AP instead and save a little extra money, but that didn't work.

Mary

Just curious but who told you that info? I looked on other threads and noticed others have used a child's AP to get room rates. I am just gathering info and not having asked anyone myself. It is amazing the inconsistancies that we all get from the same company. I have lots of time so no decisions are being made, it is just a "what if" scenario. Have fun on your trip!

 

[tzuhouse]

It was the person I spoke with at the 407-W-DISNEY where I call to make changes and such to my ressies. I told them my son (6) had an AP and could we get the AP rate and she said no, because the room has to be reserved by the AP holder and a 6 year old cannot make room ressies. Must be 18 or older. May have been dealing with the credit card holder making the payments being the AP holder, also. Cannot remember. This was a couple of months ago.

Mary

 

[Hieatt]

We struggled with the same decision... knew we would be there twice within 12 months, but even so the 10 day MYW passes were priced such that it was pretty close. We went with APs thinking that the big advantage is you can go to the parks for any amount of time you want and not worry about burning days. In past we had always tried to max out our days in the parks, taking a few days off from them. I look forward to my next trip not feeling like I need get my moneys worth out of a park day, and maybe just going to dinner at Epcot one night and not thinking about park admission.

 

[mommykds]

Ok set me straight here...if you get just an AP for (say) Dad & MYW tickets for Mom & 3 kids & are going to WDW 2x in a year for 9 days park stays each trip (total of 18 park days) then would you get the AP for everyone in your party?

 

[Hieatt]

Ok set me straight here...if you get just an AP for (say) Dad & MYW tickets for Mom & 3 kids & are going to WDW 2x in a year for 9 days park stays each trip (total of 18 park days) then would you get the AP for everyone in your party?

For 18 park days, I am pretty sure that an AP is a no-brainer... definitely the best deal for everyone in the party, assuming everyone is going to the parks all 18 days. Also, definitely sign up for the Disney Dining Experience (available with AP)... for $50 you get 20% off your bill at pretty much all table service restaurants in WDW for your whole party up to 10 people... over 18 days in the parks, this would pay for itself in no time.

 

[goofy4tink]

We got APs for the first time in August '04. By the time they expire, we will have used them a total of 24 days!! That's a terrific deal. But, I don't see us doing that again for quite awhile. So, we are planning a trip in Oct '06, for my dd and myself with another mom and her dd. We'll be there for 5 days. So, I figure that if I buy a 10 day hopper, non-expir. I'll be golden. But, I still can't decide. With this new pricing system, which I love, it makes getting an AP less of a good thing if you only go 10 days or so. Break even is probably up around 15 days now. I would have to go figure it out.