Break Even on APs/When Does It Make Sense to Invest In APs Question

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I think the confusion here is that the ticket expires 14 days after the first use. So, you can use a 10 day ticket within a 14 day period for 10 park admittance days, but you under normal circumstances cannot add days past 10. I didn't even know what @supersnoop mentioned was possible (but it does make sense).

http://www.disboards.com/threads/regarding-adding-days-to-10-day-tickets.3510740/

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

From NY, so obviously we're not "right there."

We go every year for Christmas and get a 7-Day Park Hopper: $439

This year, we've decided to go for Easter from April 15th through April 18th. We would have gotten at least a 3 or 4-day Park Hopper: $345-$394

We're also contemplating going for a long weekend during Halloween. We'd need at least a 3- or 4-day hopper: $345-$394.

- Even if we just go for Easter and Christmas, we've pretty much broken even. The Platinum Pass costs 797.69 after taxes and we'd spend between $784-$833

- If we go during Halloween, as well, we'd come out ahead. We also were able to get the AP rate for CSR, which was about 30% off.

 

[richmo]

Friends, thank you so much for your experience and insight. On our yearly trips we always get memory maker and park hoppers, so I didn't realize these should be factored in to the AP question. Thank you!

I now have a few more questions regarding AP logistics:

1. Is there a difference between when you purchase APs vs when you actually use them? I know that they are good for 365 days. Does the 365 days "start" from when you purchase them or from when you use them on a trip? I assume it's when you actually use them on a trip, but I want to be sure.
2. Does it matter if you have APs and use a TA to plan/book a trip? We have a great TA that we have started using over the last couple of trips we've taken. I would like to continue using her services in future booked trips. Are APs and TAs mutually exclusive, or can we use her to book at trip if we have purchased APs? How does this work?
3. Is there a different cost for APs for adults vs children? Our boys are 12 and 15...so would our cost be $749 x 4, or is there a lesser cost for children?
4. How would I actually go about purchasing APs? Can I do this through my TA or do I need to call WDW directly or can I purchase through the website?
5. Is there a place where I can view all of the discounts connected to APs? I hate for you all to have to spell this out for me...I'm glad to review a link or go to a place to check this out.

Again, I value fellow DISers' knowledge. Thank you so much for your help!

I'll take a shot at these:
1. You can purchase AP's anytime. Actually what you get when you purchase is an electronic voucher that you tie to your MDE account. When you arrive, you go to a Guest Relations at the park or Disney Springs and activate it. The 366 day clock doesn't start until you activate it onsite, which presumably would be the first day you use it.
2. It shouldn't matter, but you should let your TA know that you are in possession of an AP. The good TA's continue to monitor discounts for you and may be able, for example, to take advantage of an AP discount for you.
3. Your boys are adults....sorry. I think the kids age ends at 9.
4. I'm not sure if a TA can do this for you. I'd be inclined to do it myself by signing onto MDE and purchasing that way.
5. Once you have purchased your AP, you can get into the passholders section of the Disney website. Unfortunately, I don't think you can do that pre-purchase. Prior to that, a good place to look on this website is: http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-ap.htm . There's other unofficial places to look too...just Google it.

 

[Cinderella94]

Yes. Well, actually, no AP includes "Memory Maker." They include "unlimited Photopass downloads. "Memory Maker" is a very specific product.

Thank you! Now, what will we be missing if we just get the digital downloads and not the Memory Maker?

 

[supersnoop]

Thank you! Now, what will we be missing if we just get the digital downloads and not the Memory Maker?

"Missing?" "Just?" Nope.

Memory Maker allows you to download photos for 30 days. Photos are available for 45 days. So, if you stretched it, you could download 75 days worth of photos.

The feature that comes with an AP keeps your photos available for an entire year, and you can download them any time.

 

[Cinderella94]

"Missing?" "Just?" Nope.

Memory Maker allows you to download photos for 30 days. Photos are available for 45 days. So, if you stretched it, you could download 75 days worth of photos.

The feature that comes with an AP keeps your photos available for an entire year, and you can download them any time.

Thank you! That makes sense. Do either or both of them have the photo editing options (borders, stickers, etc) from home? (Sorry, I'm so clueless!)

 

[Lothlórien]

I'd say go for it if you are able to drive to WDW. I only got them since we live 2 hrs away. I imagine breaking even won't be hard by going, but I assume flying vs driving is the factor.

APs are based upon cost of admission, not how you get to Orlando. As long as you visit enough to maximize your AP over the cost of individual ticket purchases, you have your calculation.

 

[Miss Frankie J]

I'm from NY and in October I planned a trip for 5 days worth of hopping. I knew next year I'd be going to WDW and with all the discounts and special stuff for the 45th I felt the need to upgrade.

I upgraded my 5 day park hopper to a Annual pass and I am going this year in august for 7 days worth of hopping. To upgrade to an annual pass for me was around $360, a 7 day park hopper for this year would have cost me $467 (Through WDW) That alone was reason enough to upgrade.
I saved $100 on this years ticket.
We stay offsite we saved $120 on parking that trip
We will save $140 this year on parking
and the best park was saving over $140 on merchandise and dining discounts for the 45th for our October trip

So in total by upgrading I'm saving so far $500 for two trips. Not to mention the photopass service and Free magicband are added bonus since I do not stay onsite. For me, the free parking was a huge plus and that was a great reason to upgrade. But I would look at the discounts and look at all your planned trips and see if it makes sense. I wouldn't have upgraded however if I didn't have a second disney vacation planned within the year. of course with multiple trips planned you spend more money so how much you actually save is debatable. It worked out well for me however.

As a Side note, I only upgraded my ticket since I was going twice and not with the same people. so these savings are based on 1 person for a party of 2 or 3.

 

[kwdw]

You really have to do the math for yourself - based on length of the stays you expect and how many stay in the AP year. That's really what it comes down, too.

I have an AP this year - but someone I will be traveling with on one of my trips will not. I expect to spend 14-16 days in the parks over 3-4 trips in the year of my AP. I like room discounts - and never get the dining plan. She plans two trips - one 4 day using the 4 park magic ticket and a 5 day base ticket later in the year. That's $619 before tax - less than an AP. As she will probably use free dining on the second trip and they don't care about Memory Maker - it didn't make sense to do the upgrade. They like souvenirs - and that AP discount is tempting - but that would be A LOT of stuff.

 

[mouserrificmom]

I have a question - headed to WDW in a few weeks, and have an 8 day ticket. Planning on returning in August for 6 days, so I would like to upgrade to an Annual Pass on my March Ticket. We usually don't travel more than once in a year, so we have never had APs. My question is this: does it become part of the current 8 day ticket and upgrade immediately, or can I pay the difference and not activate the annual pass until I arrive in August? I think the first scenario is what makes sense, but I have heard mixed stories. Can someone please clarify? Thanks! I figure it totally makes sense for me, because we purchase memory maker every time, so that is a nice bonus and I am hoping for some good AP room discounts in mid-late August

 

[richmo]

I have a question - headed to WDW in a few weeks, and have an 8 day ticket. Planning on returning in August for 6 days, so I would like to upgrade to an Annual Pass on my March Ticket. We usually don't travel more than once in a year, so we have never had APs. My question is this: does it become part of the current 8 day ticket and upgrade immediately, or can I pay the difference and not activate the annual pass until I arrive in August? I think the first scenario is what makes sense, but I have heard mixed stories. Can someone please clarify? Thanks! I figure it totally makes sense for me, because we purchase memory maker every time, so that is a nice bonus and I am hoping for some good AP room discounts in mid-late August

It would activate right away (in March). What I'm not quite sure of is whether the 366 day clock starts the day you activate it or if it goes back to the first day you used the 8 day ticket. I would think the latter...

 

[mouserrificmom]

It would activate right away (in March). What I'm not quite sure of is whether the 366 day clock starts the day you activate it or if it goes back to the first day you used the 8 day ticket. I would think the latter...

Thank you, that is what I was thinking running on the assumption it would have to be activated within 14 days of first entry, and since it is essentially attached to the original ticket, anniversary date would be tied to the day the ticket was first used. Thank you

 

[Brave teacher]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/regarding-adding-days-to-10-day-tickets.3510740/

After reading the thread you linked, I'd like to point out that a guest posted that they tried to add the extra days to their ticket at both the concierge at the hotel and at Guest Relations and no one was able to do this. As was stated by the CM who provided the information that it is only to be used in special circumstances and not every CM knows this is even allowed. Please be prepared for this plan to possibly not work out as you are planning. If it works, great! If not, please have a back-up plan.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

After reading the thread you linked, I'd like to point out that a guest posted that they tried to add the extra days to their ticket at both the concierge at the hotel and at Guest Relations and no one was able to do this. As was stated by the CM who provided the information that it is only to be used in special circumstances and not every CM knows this is even allowed. Please be prepared for this plan to possibly not work out as you are planning. If it works, great! If not, please have a back-up plan.

I thought I made it pretty clear in my original post on this thread that buying an AP is the most cost-effective for us.

I said that purchasing individual tickets (10 day PHs and separate 2 day PHs for two different trips) is only nominally cheaper (approx. $20) than APs, but that doesn't take into account other benefits of the APs (such as memory maker). I also mentioned adding days to the 10 day tickets because if it works, it would add an approximate $40 per ticket to the 10 day PHs (to turn them into 14 day versus 10 day tickets), and therefore the APs would cost LESS than separate 10 (turned into 14) day PHs and 2 day PHs.

 

[Little E]

Thank you so much for all of your advice and insight!! I'm still not exactly sure what we'll wind up doing, but I really appreciate your expertise!!!!