Break even point for APs

[LovePug]

Anyone do the math on this yet?

I think, for my family of 3 (since we stay offsite and have to pay for parking), my "come out ahead" point for an AP is 11 days in the parks (not including other discounts to be had).

Can anyone tell me what they've come up with?

 

[seashoreCM]

Ignoring AP discounts and benefits and ignoring regular pass advance purchase discounts the break-even between AP and hopping Magic Your Way is about twelve theme park days.

The break even between regular and premium AP is four visits to water parks, etc. regardless of the number of days spent in theme parks. (Six consecutive nights of Pleasure Island count as one visit for this computation because of their five more nights for five more dollars promotion)

One year (2004-5) I made four trips with about 25 days getting down the admission per day to about $11. after AP benefits and discounts including parking. I countted no more than $20. per night for room discounts since much of the time with some shopping and luck, other discounts come within $20. of the AP rate.

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

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At www.allearsnet.com they have a breakeven analysis at this location. You still have to do some math, but it helps a lot. Also, they have a link to all the benefits which are available to Passholder's and not the general public.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well I bought an annual pass for for our December 2004/ late November early December 2005 trip and spent 14 days in the park and the darned thing cost me money!! Okay - that September trip we threw in because we already had passes cost me money of course I got 8 more days in the parks too. I loved having an AP these last three trips with my DD (13 months the first trip, 23 months the second, and 25 months the third). I didn't feel any pressure about when we got to the parks or when we left. If she was tired we left and didn't feel like we were "wasting" money or days on a ticket. But I think DH has banned any future AP purchases for me. At least for a couple of years. I will say though if you have children the peace of mind that comes from it not "costing" you anything to leave a park because they're having a bad day/tired/sick, etc is worth a lot - even if you can't put a number on it.

 

[NancyIL]

I bought an AP voucher in 2004 at the cast member price of ~ $364. I was trying to decide if I should exchange it for the AP in November 2005, or pay the slight difference for a 10-day non-expiring hopper at the gate. I chose to exchange it for an AP ...so used 4 days in 2005, and will probably use 7 days in March 2006, and 4-5 days next year at Thanksgiving before it expires. When it expires, no more AP's for me...especially now that the price is $442!!!

I bought a 10-day premium non-expiring ticket from Ticket Mania before the end of 2005. Sure glad I did, because it went up $69 on Jan. 1st!