Confused regarding cost effectiveness of AP

[BrittyRo]

So I am trying to do the math and just someone tell me if I'm missing something?
I have a 7 day PH I plan on upgrading to AP in March. I have another 10 day+ trip planned for September.
Now everyone keeps telling me it's worth it to upgrade but I did the math here and it seems like I lose money upgrading to AP. I need a minimum 2 day ticket in SEPT for FD promo. Which is what makes me end up losing money
Am I missing some big secret?!

 

[Dan Murphy]

It will cost you 266.25 to upgrade to AP from your 7 day. If you bought a 10 day in Sept, it would be 440.91. (prices are today's prices, incl tax).

If you need a 2 day in Sept for "free" dining, buy it for future use or upgrade. And AP discounts may be better than the "free" dining.

 

[Ceryssa]

With an AP you can use a room discount plus buy a Tables in Wonderland card that will give you 20% off food, alcohol and merchandise at most places. That may or may not be a better deal than free dining for you; the only way to know for sure is to price it out both ways.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you just wanted to go to WDW and use the AP, it would be the thing to do. But if you are going to get the free dining, you must also buy a 2 day ticket.

You can save that 2 day ticket and use that for a future stay. Or you can use it to upgrade to a longer ticket on a future stay. If you're never planning to go back, then you can transfer the 2 day ticket to someone else as long as it is unused. Or you could check to see if you can do without the free dining.

 

[wdwrich]

You should definitely run the numbers to see if an AP room discount will trump the free dining in September. Especially if you stay at a deluxe resort, the AP discount can save you more than paying full rack rate for the room with "free" dining.

 

[ghtx]

As PPs have pointed out, the 2-day ticket that you have to buy for FD does not need to be used on that trip. If it is saved and doesn't count against your AP costs then you come out ahead. Also as PPs point out it might not be worth it to buy those tickets for FD since you get AP discounts.

 

[robinb]

As others have said, you can save that ticket for later. I'm not sure exactly how that's done in the days of MBs but I'm sure someone will know. I have had APs for years and when we went for "free dining" I saved my passes that I bought with FD and used them months later at WDW to renew my APs.

You AP will also give you other discounts like 10% of some dining and 10% off merchandise. Here is a list: http://allears.net/pl/apass.htm#bene2014 . Going for the AP is a no-brainer.

 

[BrittyRo]

We are staying at All Star Movies so RD would not be a better price than "free" dining. I did the math and we would only have around 700$ (with a 15% room discount) for two week for food (which I doubt would be enough at 350$ a week for two people) We are definitely going back (we love it) I think I saw someone say I can use it towards renewing AP (if we decide to renew) is this correct? And if not I can upgrade the tickets to more days (that's good to know) Thanks for all the information guys. I find this all so confusing. I just want to do what's best financially
What's the AP room discount?

 

[robinb]

We are staying at All Star Movies so RD would not be a better price than "free" dining. I did the math and we would only have around 700$ (with a 15% room discount) for two week for food (which I doubt would be enough at 350$ a week for two people) We are definitely going back (we love it) I think I saw someone say I can use it towards renewing AP (if we decide to renew) is this correct? And if not I can upgrade the tickets to more days (that's good to know) Thanks for all the information guys. I find this all so confusing. I just want to do what's best financially
What's the AP room discount?

Just keep the 2-day as it is until you are ready to upgrade it.

AP discounts vary. Here are current discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis...disney-world-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/#ap

You can get the AP discount on your March trip even if you don't have the AP yet. In general, room-only discounts are not as good as "free dining" at the value and moderate levels even for only 2 people. Once you get to the deluxe level the discounts are usually higher while the value of the dining remains the same.

 

[BrittyRo]

Just keep the 2-day as it is until you are ready to upgrade it. AP discounts vary. Here are current discounts: http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/disney-world-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/#ap You can get the AP discount on your March trip even if you don't have the AP yet. In general, room-only discounts are not as good as "free dining" at the value and moderate levels even for only 2 people. Once you get to the deluxe level the discounts are usually higher while the value of the dining remains the same.

How do I get the AP discount for March if I don't have the AP yet and I will be upgrading to the AP after I arrive??

 

[robinb]

Call and ask for the discount. You don't need to have the AP now. The CM at the front desk should ask you for it when you check-in but they will allow you to come back later with it after you have upgraded your 7-day ticket: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3228475