AP worth it??

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

I'm moving out to the West Coast at the end of the summer, into the LA area. Naturally, I was thinking of buying an AP for DLR!

But I'm not sure whether or not it would be worth it given my circumstances. I'll be starting a new job. I'll have days off, but I'll definitely be working all the time and getting my life together and organized the first couple of months or so. Ideally, I would like to go numerous times per month, but realistically, I'll probably go 1 - 3 times a month, JUST day trips, and will probably skip a few months too. I'm planning on 1 or 2 long weekend trips.

Is this enough to justify an AP??? Or would I seriously be wasting money? Thanks all!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you are looking to do more than 3 or 4 day trips it is definitely worth it. Those 1 day tickets add up unless you get a 3 day PH to use over a 2 week period. But even then, a DAP is less than the cost of 2 3-day PHs.

 

[Eeee-va]

It sounds like financially an AP will probably be worth it to you. As an out-of-towner, my Deluxe annual pass has already more than paid for itself over two vacations (4 nights/5 days apiece). It's cheaper than two 5-day hoppers and since we always stay within walking distance, we've had no need for free parking.

Since you will be a "local", it's pretty likely that the Premium AP (which includes parking) will pay for itself eventually. Southern California often has deals for residents, like the 2fer (where you can get into two parks on 2 days for the price of one day's admission ($72)). When you throw in 2 days' parking though, that makes it $100 even for those two days. Even if you get Southern California deals, on average it's probably going to cost you something around $50 (including parking) for each day of "day trip" visits.

You basically said you'd do 0-3 day trips/month, so let's say you do an average of 1 day trip a month. Even assuming tickets+parking are only $50/day (which isn't necessarily the case), you would be spending something like $600, which is considerably more than a Premium AP.

Plus you will be able to split it into monthly payments if you like. Or you CAN get a lower tier AP, but I suggest do the math of how much you'll be spending for parking (and if you upgrade a lower tier AP to have parking, then the cost advantage for a lower tier AP is much smaller).

Go for it!

 

[kirkson]

absolutely worth it considering the number of trips you are planning. I moved to LA last year and bought a PAP last summer. It was definitely the right move. We have gone on average about once a month, sometimes more often. You know, when you live half an hour from DL, you say, hmmm, I could spend Saturday doing chores around the house or I could go to DL for a few hours. Which do you think you'll choose?

Having a PAP gives me the freedom to go anytime I want, and the best part (other than, ya know, being at DL!) is that if its too hot/rainy/crowded/whatever, I get back in the car and drive home, knowing I can just come back next week/next month/whenever the heck I want to go

 

[LavenderPeach]

Since you will be a "local", it's pretty likely that the Premium AP (which includes parking) will pay for itself eventually.

Do the math for this though if you're thinking about a PAP in order to save money. I compared that to the cost of adding parking to a DAP and even with the discount on merchandise I figued that, for our family, it was still cheaper to get the DAP. But it's different for everyone so do the math for yourself. Now, if you want PAP to be able to go whenever you want then it may be worth it to you to pay the extra anyway.

To answer your original question, i agree with PPs that it is worth it to get an AP if you plan on going more than 3 or 4 times during a year but since you said you would be starting a new job, and getting organized, etc for the first few months, maybe you should wait until you feel like you've adjusted to the move and then in a few months plan on a trip over to DLR to get your AP.

Good luck with your move and your new job!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Definitely ~ especially if you make more than say 3 single day visits. We have APs and we live in UT ~ as long as we make at least two 3 or more day visits in a 12 month period it makes sense to get an AP.

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Thanks for the advice everyone! From what you've all said, I think a PAP will probably be the way to go. But I have plenty of time to go over the math. I'll be excited when I finally have that AP in my possession!

Good luck with your move and your new job!

Thank you, LavenderPeach! I've always wanted to move out there, and now that my life is heading in that direction, I'm positively GIDDY!

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks for the advice everyone! From what you've all said, I think a PAP will probably be the way to go. But I have plenty of time to go over the math. I'll be excited when I finally have that AP in my possession!

You will NOT regret it! I live in San Diego, which is even farther than you, and I try to make it to the park for at least one day trip a month. Mathematically, my PAP pays for itself after just six day trips I believe, and that's not even including parking or discounts!

 

[bumbershoot]

...realistically, I'll probably go 1 - 3 times a month, JUST day trips, and will probably skip a few months too. I'm planning on 1 or 2 long weekend trips.

A one day one park ticket is $72.00.

A Deluxe AP is $299.00

That is less than 5 day visits.

If you want to hop, that's $97.00 each day visit.



My brother lives in San Diego and refuses to get an AP. He and his wife just buy one day tickets whenever someone comes to visit and wants to go. It's so painful to me!

So get the AP.