Best Discounts??

[cruise-o-matic]

I am already a member of AAA and also have a Disney Visa. Besides moving to FL or joining the military (too old, btw), what other ways can I become eligible for Disney discount offers?

Also, I've seen where the break even point for annual passes is 9-10 days. If I were to maybe go only 1 week a year, would the $ I save AP discounts make it wothwhile anyway???

 

[jiminy14]

You can get some decent discounts with the AP. The best is the room discount which can be up to 45% off. I got a garden view room at the Poly last Christmas for $190/night with tax. That's less than the rack rate for a standard view at the AKL.
You get a 10% discount at the WOD in DTD, 15% off tours at WDW, 10% off selected restaurants (usually at EPCOT and for lunch only), and 50% off mini golf for you and three friends.
Some added benefits that are rarely mentioned are the Annual Passholder events and previews. My family and I were able to ride Mission Space last summer at an AP special event. They were only letting AP holders in. My DH and DD rode it about 3 times in less than an hour.
I find that my AP pays for itself with the room discount alone. The money I saved on my room at the Poly paid for my AP in less than three nights. If you like staying at the Moderate and above resorts, then the AP might be a good investment for you.

 

[crisi]

Do keep in mind that AP hotel discounts are limited in availability and often released relatively late. They are great deals - and will probably pay for the difference between a seven day hopper and an AP, but you have to be willing to watch and wait for them, which some people find frustrating.

And AP holder sometimes end up sneaking in an extra trip to "make use of" their AP and "save" money.

A lot of people find that a single AP for the room discount, and hoppers for the rest of the party works well.

Disney has traditionally not offered a whole lot in the way of discounts - and since the demise of the Disney Club, even less. When people are willing to pay full price for their product, they really don't need to. In the past (and perhaps currently, I don't know) certain professions (teachers, policemen, firefighters) have been entitled to discounts. There have been good deals on park passes given to conventions (and some of these conventions are pretty open to the public for the purpose of pass purchase).