AP vs. MYW ticket

[lisaviolet]

A wonderful part of the APs is that you can run into any park for an hour or two and not feel like you are "wasting" anything if you don't go back in that day.

One trip at BCV I went into Epcot just to pick up Fish and Chips and back out. Another time I went to MK only late in the evening to see Spectro Magic. I would never use one day on a MYW ticket for just an hour of a park.

We got APs in 2005/2006 and I really missed it and that feeling this last trip. We used old PHs, were with WDW newbies, and didn't like feeling like I had to get a lot into each day. And I'm certainly not a commando. I've had a couple of "no park" WDW holidays and love them. A very lazy vacationer.

So if you can afford it there is nothing like the feeling of those "whatever I wish" APs!!

 

[lisaviolet]

Do you buy a MYW ticket on the off year?

I'm interested in what Diane does as well.

We are taking at least a year off of APs. And for us we had old PHs to use that we bought way before the APs (two sets 1999 and 2002!!!). And then we'll take a "no park" WDW vacation. Or several. They are very relaxing. Or HHI/VB. And go from there. If I could afford it it would always be great to have MYWs in my hand to use in between APs. Would be nice to have the option. A 10 day could last for years and years with that scenerio.

 

[cinderella97]

How soon after the AP expires can you buy a new one. Our AP expires 2/16/07 this month. We are going back on 4/6/07 and I want new passes with the 4/6/07 date because we will be going back at Easter in March 2008. If I buy my passes at the park on 4/6 that will be the new date???

 

[CRSNDSNY]

How soon after the AP expires can you buy a new one. Our AP expires 2/16/07 this month. We are going back on 4/6/07 and I want new passes with the 4/6/07 date because we will be going back at Easter in March 2008. If I buy my passes at the park on 4/6 that will be the new date???

If you buy a brand new pass, teh date begins on the day you active it.

 

[MommaX03]

Do you buy a MYW ticket on the off year?

I am not sure what Diane does, but many DVCers use three years worth of DVC points over the course of their AP year to get the most use out of the APs. Then there is a year off in between to amass more points, try some non Disney stuff (gasp!!), and then start the process again with a brand-new AP for another cycle of using the APs for multiple trips over 366 days with banked and borrowed points for DVC lodging. So, essentially, with APs, some DVCers travel to Disney every other year on banked or borrrowed points. Some save on points by using the AP room-only discount that appears at certain times.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I buy an AP at the point in time Disney puts in some fairly sizeable changes. At this point I haven't seen the new Haunted Mansion or Everest or the new Sea Cab ride. That isn't quite enough to get me back into an AP.

When I don't have an AP I'm quite unlikely to go into the parks for anything less than 4 hours. On the plus side that's when I do so many other things like go to Universal. For example right now I have a two year pass to Universal and I'm using that in combination with my hoppers. The next time I go to WDW I'll probably use a coupe of hoppers to catch what I haven't seen then I'll head over to Universal to ride what I haven't gotten to yet (specifically coasters) plus Spiderman.

When I do have the AP its so expensive that I feel obligated to make sure I've gotten my money's worth out of it. I do pay attention when I go in for a couple of hours and in my mind it doesn't count until I've gotten another evening's use out of the card. I usually wind up just barely breaking even on it. As for the premium pass...if you have plus passes lying around don't buy it, get the regular pass.

 

[BroganMc]

We got APs in 2005/2006 and I really missed it and that feeling this last trip. We used old PHs, were with WDW newbies, and didn't like feeling like I had to get a lot into each day.

I'm like that. I was getting 7 day PH in the old days. Go to Disney for a week every March and always feel like I had to get up at the crack of dawn and get to the park as early as possible and stay until it closed. I'd do 2-3 days of this and need a down day just because my body refused to move. Then I'd drag myself through my remaining two days at half speed. Talk about limping across the finish line.

But then I had some extra vacation weeks and decided to take a second trip that year in October. I got my first AP and it's been an entire new lifestyle every since. Now my vacations are 10-12 days at a time and I plan two a year (spring and fall). I love just going into a park for an ice cream and people watching (just so I can).

My last trip though I took a friend who had never been. We used up some of our leftover PH. First day we went to MK for the MVMCP. We were at the gate at 3pm. They made him burn a day on his PH. One hour and he could've just gotten in via the MVMCP pass. I didn't even realize it because I had my trusty AP. And we spent a very busy commando-style vacation, scurrying about for fastpasses, eating on the run, squeezing in things here and there. I was so tired by the end.

The trick to an AP is to plan for at least 10 days in the park per calendar year. I'm letting my current AP expire in March just so I can get one in May and have 4 trips on my new AP (May, Oct, Dec & Apr '08). I'm just debating what to do about PI and DQ. I've no interest in the water parks, but these I can see visiting alot. Not sure it's worth a PAP or just AP's for those. Wish I could get the PI deal they're offering this spring.

 

[sanbornangel]

I am purchasing my first AP for my first DVC trip this May. We will be maximizing our AP with 3 trips; May 07, September 07, and April 08. What is this PI you mention?

 

[lisaviolet]

What is this PI you mention?

Probably a Pleasure Island reference. Whether to pay out of pocket (if you don't have unused extras on a MYW or old PH) for PI or upgrade to the PAP (premium AP) which includes Disney Quest, water parks and Pleasure Island admission.