Ap???

[laurabelle]

Could we start an AP primer thread? (Ok, I just did ) I'm thinking about trying to scrape up enough to buy one for my next trip, but trying to decide first if it's right for us. We (family of 4) have always had either length of stay or ph passes, stayed in All Stars or POFQ, off-season. I know APs offer discounts on hotels, among other things, are the AP codes that much of a savings compared to codes offered to the rest of us - as found in the newspaper or on the web? I've also heard that people just buy an AP for one person in the family and buy ph for the rest just to get the hotel discount. Please enlighten me about the joys and benefits of being an AP holder! How much have you saved?

 

[cinmell]

Here are 2 links to the benefits of being an AP holder and when an AP becomes cost effective from Deb's page. I hope this helps you!

http://www.wdwig.com/breakeven.htm



http://www.wdwig.com/apass.htm

 

[worm761]

i dont really know. i have never had an AP before but here are some links to help in you decision.
you may need to scroll down a little.
http://www.mousesavers.com/tickets.html#ap
http://www.wdwig.com/apass.htm
http://www.wdwig.com/breakeven.htm
http://www.wdwig.com/ticketchart.htm
i hopw these help.

 

[BrianD]

I would not buy APs just for the hotel discounts. The reason I say this is because while there are AP discounts during most of the year, they are not always the best rate. Sometimes it is the best rate, but sometimes there are better rates available to the general public.

I would recommend making your main motivation for purchasing APs to be because you plan on being in the parks for 8 days or more during a given year. That is when an AP truly becomes cost effective. The discounts that come along with it are nice extra perks.

Now, if you also enjoy the water parks, Pleasure Island, & Disney Quest and you plan on being at WDW for at least 12 days or more in a given year, then a premium annual pass would be your best bet. The run about $120 more than an annual pass. I like having the pap because it is basically an "all access" pass to WDW. So I don't have plan park days, etc. I just come and go as I please.

One word of caution though, while buying an annual pass might seem to save you money, it is becomming my experience that it is costing me more money. This is because having the annual pass is causing me to take more trips to WDW (more hotel stays, more Disney merchandise, etc), which IMO, is not necessarily a bad thing!

 

[tricia]

I have bought annual passes twice, both because I planned on spending more than 12 days in the World over a 12 month period. I only buy them for that reason, then the AP discounts on the rooms are a bonus.

 

[momejay]

At first we got APs because we had planned a short trip in Dec. & another one in August. It was a total of about 14 days. Then we got them because we went the first week in March & then the following year the last week of Feburary. Still a yearly trip but, within the 365 days.

Now that we are older Santa puts an AP in our stockings every Christmas. I'd prefer an AP to a bunch of clothes I'd never wear & the kids have enough toys. (& no video game noises & fights)

We plan one trip a year, 5-7 days. Then we check for cheap flights often. We go during the value season or we check for discounts if we happen to have a few extra bucks we go. (usually twice more for 4 or 5 days) That way I can afford to fly down for a long weekend & surprize the kids.

I think it depends on your ideal style of a vacation & your pocketbook. If you don't mind staying at All Stars & eating McDonalds it's worth it.

 

[TDC Nala]

I buy a PAP every year. I make 7 or 8 trips a year. I own DVC, so hotel costs aren't massive. Flights from my area are still relatively cheap. I go to Pleasure Island all the time, and water parks when it's warm, so the PAP is worth it for me. Besides, there's only one of me, so I don't have to purchase multiple APs. Needless to say, my travel habits are not very much like those of most folks on the boards.

I would recommend APs if you are absolutely sure you're going to spend enough days in the parks to need one. Mine is wonderful, but I'm at WDW a lot.

There's a comparison chart somewhere at www.wdwig.com that shows you when an AP would become cost-effective, as opposed to a UPH or park hoppers. That could help you decide.

 

[laurabelle]

I was helpful in my decision making!