Are AP really the way& what are the discounts?

[hanncam]

Big question here. Two adults and two kids.

We normally go about twice a year to disney. We are considering buying the Annual passes for the first time ever and now I am hearing that they have all sorts of discount stuff like 10% off merchandise at marketplace and 25% off special ticketed events.....I just want to know if anyone knows all the special stuff an AP can get that a regular MYW doesn't. Free parking? stuff like that... Anyone out their that can help? Also, do they have a payment plan like the one at seaworld? (In case you don't know seaworld drafts like $5 per person out of your account all year and you can visit all year around)

Thank you to anyone who can help me decide....

 

[GoofyDad869]

My wife did the calculations and figured it would pay off for us between 5-6 days in-park.

2 adults / 2 kids

We go 2-3 times per year.

 

[goofy4tink]

Last year, I bought APs for the three of us...all adult even tho dd was about to be 11. I believe I paid in the neighborhood of about $425 for each. They became active on Aug 14, 2004, ended Aug 15 2005. Well, I had 25 days on my pass, as did my dd. Dh didn't have as many days since he didn't go with us last August and left 4 days before us in June. So, that comes out to about $17 a day, with park hopping, with my AP last year. I also used it for the 10% discount at The Disney store in DTD. I did get room discounts for several of those stays for my non-DVC nights.
I just bought an AP with my DVC discount...$317 for mine. But, I'll only have 10 days total this coming year. I'll be there for 5 days in Nov/Dec 2005 and then 5 days in Oct '06. I would have bought the MYW pass but it was cheaper for me to get the AP with DVC discount. Dd's pass will be a MYW pass since she isn't going until Oct '06.

Now, all this being said...having the AP is terrific for the DDE card. I saved about $200 on food on my last two trips with that card. And the 10% at the DTD store was terrific. I get the AP now for basically park entrance. All the rest is gravy. I don't have a car so free parking isn't an issue for me. I guess you have to sit down and figure what the difference is between the costs.

 

[weluvslinkydog]

wondering abut the dining discounts with the AP?... do you have to purchase a special card (as well as the AP to get the dining discounts?) or are the discounts automatic just by showing the AP? what's the discount?

 

[Schmeck]

We had APs for our last two trips (21 days total) and loved the room discounts the AP gave us. But isn't that changing now?

The AP gives a meal discount at a few restaurants (mainly DTD ones?) about 10% I think...

 

[goofy4tink]

wondering abut the dining discounts with the AP?... do you have to purchase a special card (as well as the AP to get the dining discounts?) or are the discounts automatic just by showing the AP? what's the discount?

You can get the basic 10% off at some restuarants with just your AP pass. But we found that was offered mostly for lunches, not dinners or breakfasts. So, we sprang for the DDE card. It was $50 for AP holders. You get a DDE card and then a 20% discount on most meals. We even used it at the food court at Pop last month since they don't have table service. Once you have spent about $250 in food, that $50 is paid for. I believe I saved quite a bit on my food costs. The easiest way I figured it was that it paid for my tip in most cases!!

 

[addicted2disney]

I want to get the DDE card for my trips this THanksgiving and January 06. The dining cards are good for 1 year. I love how they are good at the food courts at the values and some of the moderates!!! This Disney Dining Experience card was only for Fla residents until either last year or Jan of this year. It also takes a few weeks to get the card, and it has to be mailed to your house. So if you are leaving in 3-4 weeks, its something you need to do now!!

I also saved 40 bucks on my MVMCP tickets in December. THere were 2 or 3 dates early in Dec. where AP holders got the discounts. THat was great. Also, even though they are doing it differently with the Best Rate Program, you can still get AP room discounts. Im getting Sports at Thanksgiving for 59/night, and I think CSR was 99/night ( and thats regular season). So if you make more than 1 trip. AP's are worth it. I priced it out even for the kids with MYW passes for this trip and next.. and AP's were cheaper!!!

 

[hanncam]

Gosh, well THAAA AAA NNN KKK you! I appreciate all the goodies that you can get with an AP (room discounts) We have never been able to stay onsite cause it is usually so expensive...

 

[addicted2disney]

AP value season rates at the value resorts ( all stars and Pop ) used to be 49/night. I got 59 for this coming Thanksgiving after Sunday. Still cheap!!!

 

[hanncam]

Do you have to book way in advance if you want to use the AP discount?

 

[raven69david]

An AP for me is useless since i only go once a year. If you travel once a year i'd suggest going with AAA. You get a great price on the vacation and the savings will add up big time once you book everything together. Between me and my wife the 10% savings on food wouldn't be much of a savings, but for larger families i can see it being significant if you go more than once a year.

 

[heathriel]

Actually, my DH and I only go once a year too, but APs are totally the way to go for us. We just alternate the yearly visits so that one year we'll go in November, and the next in October. That way, we've use the AP for two years.

 

[addicted2disney]

you used to wait until Disney released the AP rates, then you would have to call them and see if you could get the rate for where you wanted to stay.

Now, they started the best rate program. Im not a fan of it, but you can book your trip starting at least 60 days out ( was 120 but the changed that already) You have to have your AP or at least the voucher as you can only book online or through a travel agent now. There are people on the dis that will look up AP prices for you though. Then, if you can get a decent rate, you can go ahead and but the AP's.

 

[addicted2disney]

We go twice a year AND we need 2 rooms. So the AP saves us so much money!