Are you renewing your DVC discounted annual pass?

[Tiger926]

We won't be renewing as we went during my maternity leave last year in May, but we will be purchasing new APs for use during our regular yearly July trip as I'm a teacher.

We go for at least 11 days each July, and sometimes more, so we schedule our vacations to be within that 365 expiry, thus getting 2x vacations for the price of one!

We have done the math, and a 10 day, non-expiring hopper is more than an AP, and so for us, it doesn't make sense as we are in the parks each day. We eat at least 2-3 TS meals per day, so we need our APs in order to get in for our ADRs, but most importantly, we like to go whenever the kids want to go, so if it's only for a few minutes to watch fireworks, or, to grab a snack, that's ok.

Having APs has really helped us in having a more relaxed vacation!

Tiger

 

[Golden Rose]

We are about to buy APs for the first time. We know we're going to WDW for at least two trips next year, and we might end up adding a third one if we decide to cruise out of Florida. (With DVC and APs, adding a short land trip to a cruise would just be the cost of meals for us, which would be very tempting.)

After this first buy, we'll probably do what we do for our Sea World Texas passes; get as many trips onto the pass as we can, then take most of a year off before buying the next passes.

 

[Inkmahm]

We never renew and we always plan at least two trips per AP year. In the past found it a better value to let the pass expire and buy new. I don't like paying for months that I am not there.

But if you get two trips per AP with renewing, also, you're better off with the cheaper renewal price than with paying for a new AP.

Our travel habit is to go 3 times per year and we are in the parks most days for all 3 trips. Most of the time, renewal makes the most sense for us.

 

[Teachckg]

Ok-- I a little new to all of this so what is TIW and DDE?

 

[disneynutz]

But if you get two trips per AP with renewing, also, you're better off with the cheaper renewal price than with paying for a new AP.

Our travel habit is to go 3 times per year and we are in the parks most days for all 3 trips. Most of the time, renewal makes the most sense for us.

It depends on our travel dates. So far it's been cheaper to expire and new instead of renew.

 

[Muushka]

It depends on our travel dates. So far it's been cheaper to expire and new instead of renew.

Yup, I just started a thread about it, but it says

When you renew your AP, do you take into account how many days it will be until your next trip?

If my math is correct

Unless you plan to visit within 44 days between trips, it is not cost effective to renew an AP.

Unless you plan to visit within 31 days between trips, it is not cost effective to renew an PAP.

Cost of AP $399.49 cost per day $1.09
Cost of renewal of AP $351.89
Savings $47.60
$47.60/$1.09 = 44 days

Cost of PAP $512.94 cost per day $1.40
Cost of renewal of PAP $469.69
Savings $43.25
$43.25/$1.40 = 31 days

 

[erionm]

Ok-- I a little new to all of this so what is TIW and DDE?

TiW = Tables in Wonderland formerly called the Disney Dining Experience (DDE). It's a plan that gets you a 20% discount on most table services meals and adult beverages. It's only available to FL Residents ($85) and Annual Passholders ($60).

 

[spiceycat]

buy the AP on first trip of the year (if I need it), buy the TiW on the last (or next to the last) trip of the year. so even if I decide to go somewhere else next year (US/IOA, SW) - still have the meal discount for the restuarants

 

[Inkmahm]

Yup, I just started a thread about it, but it says

When you renew your AP, do you take into account how many days it will be until your next trip?

If my math is correct

Unless you plan to visit within 44 days between trips, it is not cost effective to renew an AP.

Unless you plan to visit within 31 days between trips, it is not cost effective to renew an PAP.

Cost of AP $399.49 cost per day $1.09
Cost of renewal of AP $351.89
Savings $47.60
$47.60/$1.09 = 44 days

Cost of PAP $512.94 cost per day $1.40
Cost of renewal of PAP $469.69
Savings $43.25
$43.25/$1.40 = 31 days

It's not a simple math problem though, it is a timing of your trips problem.

Example: Your AP expires Dec 10, 2008. You have trips in 2009 planned for April and November. Then trips again in May 2010 and December 2010.

You'd be better off renewing your AP to cover the April and November 2009 trips rather than getting a new AP to cover them. Either AP, new or renewed, covers exactly the same two trips so why not take the cheaper option?

For 2010, however, I'd get the new AP.

 

[Muushka]

I answered on the other thread!

 

[dvcdisney]

We will be renewing for next year. But perhaps not the following year, depending on our plans.