Benefits if any to buying an AP?

[mom22cutiepies]

Hi everybody!

This is my first post!

My name is Kelly and I'm a SAHM living in Nebraska. I myself have been to DW twice and can't wait to take my kiddies!

I apologize in advance if I'm posting in the wrong spot and if my question is a silly one, I just figured I'd get fabulous advice from all of you Disney pros! Anyway... My family (myself, DH, and my kids who will be 5, 3.5 and 15 mos) are planning a trip to DW in September 2006. Most likely, we will be there for 8-10 days, staying at Pop Century. From what I understand, to get certain discounts and the dining card, it can be worth it to buy an AP even if you won't be going back within the year if your stay will be of a certain length..true? How do I determine if it will be worth it for our family? Also, is it true that either only myself or DH need the AP, NOT both of us to get the discounts?

Any help/advice you can offer me will be GREATLY appreciated!

TIA,

Kelly

 

[seashoreCM]

Only one of you needs the AP to get the AP discounts on rooms, meals, etc.

To find out whether it is worthwhile, plan your budget both with and without the AP.

Not counting the discounts, an AP is generally best when you spend 13 or more days in the theme parks during a 12 month span, and do park hopping. (You can buy two 10 day non-hopping expiring regular tickets for less than one AP.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[wildbill]

It will save us money for our 9 day trip. When the A/P room only rates came out I compared the cost of the A/P ($420) to a 8 day park hopper pass ($233) and factored in the savings on the room ($25.00 per night X 8 nights=$200.00) Net cost of the A/P $-13.00. So this made it a 'no brainer' then to top it off I bought a Disney Dining Experience card and we get 20% off food AND booze (life is good)

Do the math-it was a good deal for us.

And yes-only one person needs an A/P.

HTH

Bill

 

[civileng68]

Also, figure this..................if you are NOT staying "on site" for your 8 day trip, you'll save $56 on parking as you get free parking with the AP. Of course if you are staying on the resort, do not count that as a savings becuase you would already get free parking if you stay at a resort.

 

[DebbieB]

Check this website:

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm

 

[lllovell]

Also, without buying anything extra, the AP does get you a 10% discount at some stores (World of Disney at Downtown disney) and lots of different restaurants.

However, the is also a program called the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) that is something we jumped on immediately. It gives you 20% discounts as almost every hotel restaurant (including Pop's cafe area) on drinks and food for up to 10 people. It is $50, but with that many folks going with you, it would not take you long to get $50 in savings since you will be eating a lot of meals out. It is also good at most sit down restaurants located throughout the parks (but not counter service). Here is a link that gives you more information about it ( http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm ) just in case you are interested.

As the previous poster said, you will often get room code discounts for AP holders as well which can save you a significant amount. (off season last year at the value resorts were $49 for some rooms versus $79) These are not guaranteed to come out every year, but the do pop up quite often.

There are also other benefits like 25% off Cirque tickets right now. Things like this pop up from time to time and are nice if you are looking for a little extra pop.

Look at your budget both ways, including just one AP purchase and see if it helps. The discount codes for the room come out just a few months in advance so its a good idea to make a regular reservation and call when the discount codes come out to see if its possible to change over.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[lsutigger2]

For me it is worth it 'cause DH insists we go back more than once in a year to use our AP's again!!


What ever it takes!
(I know this may not work for everyone!)

 

[crazyj4488]

The biggest savings, hands down, will be on Disney hotel rooms.

Buy one AP for your group (someone on here said you can get away with buying a child's AP as long as they are travelling with you...that would be a great savings!) and then calculate the difference in price between the AP cost and a regular park pass for the length of your stay. Take the difference and subtract that from the total figure you are saving off the rack rate by using the your AP. Mousesavers.com posts the codes and rates for AP holders.

For two people (bought one AP and one 7 day park hopper), I calculated around $500 worth of total savings off a deluxe room. I saved almost $100 off a moderate room which is fine by me. It won't save you a huge amount off a value resort but every little bit helps.

If you plan on taking tours or buying La Nouba tickets, you can get 10 to 15% off those tickets with an AP.

One more suggestion is to hold off on ALL your souvenir purchases until the end of your trip. Then goto the World of Disney Store located in the DTD marketplace and do ALL your shopping there. The AP will get you 10% off your total but only in that store. You will find that the World of Disney carries just about every souvenir you'll find thoughout all the parks with an exception to a handful of items. Chances are, if you see the same item in more than one park store, that the World of Disney will carry it. It's the largest Disney store on Earth.

The pass will, easily, pay for itself if you vacation with it twice within one year and stay on-site. Go for it! I'm really glad I did.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[mom22cutiepies]

THANK YOU so much! You all have been a tremendous help!

Looks like I have some calculating to do, LOL!

Kelly

 

[alien]

If you just want to buy the child's AP for the discount AND you are interested in the DDE card, I would check with DDE before buying the AP. It says on Deb's site that the member getting the DDE must be 21 years old. If you bought the child's AP, you may not be eligible to get the DDE. I would just check to make sure.
Cindy

 

[cobbler]

That is right if you want DDE you would need an adults AP since the DDE program requires you be 21 years old + because of the alcoholic beverage discount.

Yes always do the math. If you are going more than once in a 12 month period, AP is great because it will save, if not you really need to do the math. Discounts this year aren't as good as last year so far. They are a flat dollar amount off instead of a percentage off.

Also that while hotel discounts are available they are not guaranteed and if they do come out they may not be for your travel dates or hotel preference. So you may have to be somewhat flexible on where you want to stay and when you check in and all that jazz.

September 2003 there were NOT any AP discounts for rooms, Sept 04 there were. Sept 05 reamains to be seen yet.