Buying an AP for discount purposes?

[NewbieMouse]

Do people every buy an AP just to get the hotel discount? I'm wondering if I should buy an AP for me (and tickets for the rest of my family) so that I can get the hotel discount for the GCH. I only go once a year (mid-December), but I'm wondering if the discounts offered for the AP would outweigh the extra cost, and if we stayed onsite we'd still get the MM.

Is that a crazy idea?

 

[sonnyjane]

People definitely do this. Unfortunately I can't look up December AP rates yet to tell you if it would be worth it or not. Right now AP rates are only showing through September (they are usually posted about 3 months in advance). Just be mindful of blockout days. If your particular AP is blocked out that day, you would have to pay an extra $50 a day to get in while the rest of your family with parkhoppers can go in without issue.

 

[skiingfast]

Do people every buy an AP just to get the hotel discount? I'm wondering if I should buy an AP for me (and tickets for the rest of my family) so that I can get the hotel discount for the GCH. I only go once a year (mid-December), but I'm wondering if the discounts offered for the AP would outweigh the extra cost, and if we stayed onsite we'd still get the MM.

Is that a crazy idea?

I think that is a totally sane idea. Or crazy good idea if you prefer. The one who pays needs the AP to get discounts. So one for the group works just fine. If you are planning to stay and eat onsite, the 10% off rooms and 10-15% off dining plus 10% of merchandise can really stack up to pay for the AP with long trips or big groups.

 

[LisaT91403]

We did this in March. The difference between the regular rate at GCH and the AP rate was 30%. This amount was the same as the difference between a 2-day park hopper and a So Cal Annual Pass. It was a total wash, so rather than spend the extra money on the hotel, we now have a year of DLR to enjoy

Of course, we couldn't just take our savings and run...both DH and I needed to get the AP because what good would it be for just one of us to have one? It was still worth it...we got to go back once already for the Star Tours preview, and will be back again in Sept or Oct. And in March again before our passes expire!

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thanks for the replies. We were thinking of 4 nights at the GCH, so that could be a significant enough discount to warrant it. Then I'll be tempted to book another trip!

 

[NewbieMouse]

I think that is a totally sane idea. Or crazy good idea if you prefer. The one who pays needs the AP to get discounts. So one for the group works just fine. If you are planning to stay and eat onsite, the 10% off rooms and 10-15% off dining plus 10% of merchandise can really stack up to pay for the AP with long trips or big groups.

Do you know if 10% is typical, or just the minimum for the GCH discount? We're going Dec. 13 - 17, so I know it's bordering on a busy time (but may still be within deal range). If I bought the AP at the current rates before they go up on the 12th, It's only an extra $143, so I'm working on the math!

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you know if 10% is typical, or just the minimum for the GCH discount? We're going Dec. 13 - 17, so I know it's bordering on a busy time (but may still be within deal range). If I bought the AP at the current rates before they go up on the 12th, It's only an extra $143, so I'm working on the math!

Minimum 10% but they can go as high as 30% off I believe. Those bigger discounts are the ones they put up three months out.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Minimum 10% but they can go as high as 30% off I believe. Those bigger discounts are the ones they put up three months out.

Thank you. Do you have to have the pass already activated to get the discount?

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you. Do you have to have the pass already activated to get the discount?

Nope. Call the hotel and book the AP rate. You just have to have an activated AP at check-in.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

I let my AP expire last Dec and am going to be getting one again because of the price going up, with a Premium $459. and a 6 day ticket $216 I just had to cover the difference and with food and merchandise I am still saving money. That is even before/if the price for a hotel is good enough. If you can figure what you might budget for food/merchandise and then take away 15% for Premium or 10% for Deluxe you might also end up saving enough that the hotel discount is just a perk.

I didn't need an activated AP to check in, I showed them the voucher and an ID.

 

[miss.potatohead]

Which level or type of AP gives you discounts for on site resorts, meals and merchandise? I saw a table online that compared the different types but I cannot remember!

 

[Davids-Coco]

Which level or type of AP gives you discounts for on site resorts, meals and merchandise? I saw a table online that compared the different types but I cannot remember!

Had to bookmark it myself so I could keep finding it... lol

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...nts?name=AnnualPassholderUngatedDiscountsPage

 

[miss.potatohead]

thanks! That's an even better summary table than the one I remember seeing before, so much appreciated