AP's or Fairytale pkg?

[frannn]

DH, DD1, and I are going to WDW in Oct for 10 nights, 11 days. AS hotel with APs (both with DC discount) will total 1696.62. Fairytale pkg for same hotel and UPH for same amount of time totals 1434.11. I am not sure when we'd be going back, but we have airline credit to use for next trip, so probably within a year. If I don't get the AP's this time, we will have to get tickets (probably APs) the next time we go. The next trip will probably be about 9 or more days also.

The bottom line is- do I save 262.51 on this trip by booking a package and not AP's? Or am I actually losing money because I have to buy passes next time? By the way, the price of the AP's alone are 377.02/person.

Thanks!

 

[karen1]

I have the same dilemma. While we will save money now for this trip with the FT package--I was looking forward to paying for room only on our next trip within the year. But without knowing if there will be any other Ap discount or general codes room only for our trip in July, iwent with the FT package and have now moved from CSR to GF(my dream resort!!) for 7 nights!!

I think for Christmas I will have to buy the AP"S for future use before the DC membership expires forever!!!

 

[macs4us]

We like to go just after Thanksgiving, but we our taking our niece in August (her parents find WDW too tiring). I think we are going for the package in August, and then if we can, we will go between Thanksgiving and Christmas and buy new APs (ours have already expired). That way we get at least two Christmas time trips. If we normally went in the summer rather than Christmas, I'd get APs now instead of the package. Look at your dates and see what makes sense to you.

 

[Princess49]

I have some personal feelings about the UPH-- you ARE paying by the day & you pay the same price even if you decide not to go to a park two days of your stay- I would prefer to buy 2 seperate hoppers rather than an UPH because the days never expire, & if you DO buy APs you can put the price of the leftover days on your hoppers towards the price. But what I would really do is buy the AP- you may save some money by booking a package but you'll spend it next time to buy tickets. And also, next time you'll be able to get AP rates on your room & all of the AP discounts at restaurants & everything. We went last March & decided against the Aps & just bought hoppers, not knowing when we'd be able to go back. (my bf doesn't like to commit to vacations too far in advance) & then we went for 2 weeks in January- we were both so upset that we didn't buy the AP the last time. We bought it this time & will be going back- I think no matter how you price it if you're going to go more than once in a year an AP is the best way to go! Have fun, whatever you decide!

 

[DrTomorrow]

It is odd that this Fairytale Packages causes such a dilemma! We are planning an October visit, and already purchased our PAP vouchers in anticipation of AP rates. Now we see this package - which is great for us, as we were going for 7 nights anyway and will primarily stay on Disney property. However, I have heard from various sources (mousesavers, RADP, etc) that the popularity of this package, combined with the PO rehab, might reduce - or eliminate - AP rates for this time-frame. I think that, once it goes public, we'll book the FVP; otherwise, we'll be stressed out waiting for AP rates that might not materialize.

 

[house_of_princesses]

I sent you a PM!

 

[house_of_princesses]

DrTomorrow, Your thinking seems sound, if you are purchasing an AP only for better rates. If you plan on another visit within the year, what then? AP or UPH? I don't know the answer.

I agree, it is odd this FT Pckg can cause such an uproar. But if you stop to think that we are sitting here having fun on our computers, while Disney has full time marketing geniuses working on this 'round the clock, it's going to take us a little longer to figure out the maddness! But we will!!! Won't we DIS'ers!!! Don't be fooled, you marketing mavens, we WILL understand!!

 

[dcfromva]

Is it possible to upgrade the UPH's you get with the package to APes? I reserved a Fantasy package hoping that the upgrade will be an option.
-DC

 

[Kallison]

No you can't upgrade UPH's to AP's they are good for length of stay only. So if you get sick or decide not to go into a park you are out of luck.

Same thing here -- for the first time ever I had DH convinced that AP's are the way to go then we definitely would have planned another trip. Now we save enough that we could almost buy our hoppers for the next trip and since we are not so sure.......well I think Disney just talked us out of another trip this year. DH and I are going back solo for a conference and even with that the FTP savings are $1001 so no AP's for us without the room only rates. I just don't want to chance it.