Considering an AP-Think I can talk DH into it?

[starshine514]

So, we have a trip planned for May and our 4-day hoppers will be approximately $200 each. We're considering having another child in approximately 2 years, which will leave many of the rides out for me for at least a couple of years (leading up to the baby, then hanging out with the baby - if we even attempt a trip with a tiny one. We didn't theme park with our last one until she was 2). My DD6 really wants to go to Disney for her birthday (we were at WDW for her little sister's 3rd birthday). So, I'm considering an early November trip. I know that if I actually do the November trip, it will be cheaper for the 4 of us to get AP's than to pay for a 4-day and then a 3-day parkhopper. I'm just not positive if I'm ready to commit to that second trip. If we do commit, then I'll want to sneak in other trips (one right before the Christmas AP blackout, maybe even another for little DD's 5th birthday or Spring Break, possibly one sometime during the summer...). The Saturday blackouts won't cause too much trouble for weekend trips, since we have Sea World APs, we could just go there on Saturday and DL on Sunday and part of Monday before driving home, so just a Monday off from work and a great little mini-vacation!

So, do you think it makes sense to get APs? Think I could talk DH into it? I know we won't have to make the final decision until May, when we're at the parks (I've picked up a few subbing assignments lately that I think will cover the cost of the upgrade to APs, which may be another selling point), but I need to start prepping him now if it's something we may want to do.

 

[kyra's mommy]

I absolutely think you should do it! We get AP's pretty much every year because like you we live really close. We Priceline our hotels, pack food and bring special fun things from home (like cotton candy in the plastic tubs and then put a glow stick in the middle so it lights up) and this keeps our trips so affordable we go 4-5 times a year. We take those 4-5 trips a year for what most families spend on one trip! You'll be surprised at how little it really costs after you make that initial investment and if you have a laid back attitude about getting on the rides, crowds, etc you can have a blast.

 

[clairabell29]

I say do it, we live farther then you and I'm getting AP's for everyone this year. I'm buying mine on my up coming trip, and the rest of the family's this summer. We know we have a trip in Aug/Sept this year and one in early March 2012, so that leaves a lot of room for some extra trips, for those times I find cheap airfare or need a little get away

 

[starshine514]

I absolutely think you should do it! We get AP's pretty much every year because like you we live really close. We Priceline our hotels, pack food and bring special fun things from home (like cotton candy in the plastic tubs and then put a glow stick in the middle so it lights up) and this keeps our trips so affordable we go 4-5 times a year. We take those 4-5 trips a year for what most families spend on one trip! You'll be surprised at how little it really costs after you make that initial investment and if you have a laid back attitude about getting on the rides, crowds, etc you can have a blast.

So, I brought it up to him - and I think he's on board!

You've had good luck Pricelining hotels around DL? We've done Priceline a decent amount (not around Disney), but the last time we did it, we ended up with a hotel in San Diego with a $30 parking fee...I've been reluctant to try it again since then. So, any tips regarding star levels, areas, etc would be appreciated.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Just tell him with the 20% merchandise discount the PAP will pay for itself on the first day!

 

[kkmcan]

Hi Carla! We did AP's in 2008 as we decided to vacation closer to home that year (meaning no flights across the country). We ended up going 3 times as a family and once with just me, the kids, my mom and sis and her kids. It was a fabulous year to know that after each trip we had another planned for a few months later. I love having Disney to look forward to. I think it might have been a little much for Ky. because he was pretty Disney'd out by the time our APs expired. Since then we've been back twice and it's been too far apart for my liking but we've done other things and cruised DCL twice.

I'm itching to get APs again in October!! we can stay in my in-laws timeshare so it can be done super cheap once the Aps are paid for. Knowing that we've taken lots of expensive cruises and trips lately we are probably doing a year of vacations closer to home in 2012 (meaning Southern Cal- Anaheim, Oceanside and San Diego, which I am totally happy with ).

Good luck! If G. loves Disney he'll be totally onboard. Ky. does love Disney but he loves seeing and doing new things so we try to incorporate non-Disney trips and new places every year. We go camping, to the beach, and we went to San Francisco last October and Las Vegas a few weeks ago. I try to keep everybody happy. LOL!

 

[lilpooh108]

I absolutely think you should do it! We get AP's pretty much every year because like you we live really close. We Priceline our hotels, pack food and bring special fun things from home (like cotton candy in the plastic tubs and then put a glow stick in the middle so it lights up) and this keeps our trips so affordable we go 4-5 times a year. We take those 4-5 trips a year for what most families spend on one trip! You'll be surprised at how little it really costs after you make that initial investment and if you have a laid back attitude about getting on the rides, crowds, etc you can have a blast.

What a great idea about the cotton candy w/the glowstick!!! (Sorry to hijack your thread, OP)

Where do you get the cotton candy in the plastic tubs from? I've never seen those at a grocery store...

 

[starshine514]

What a great idea about the cotton candy w/the glowstick!!! (Sorry to hijack your thread, OP)

Where do you get the cotton candy in the plastic tubs from? I've never seen those at a grocery store...

I've seen them at our Walmart, but I don't think they carry them all the time.