Disney annual pass or no?

[1981minnie1981]

i need some help from everyone on here, cause i have called disney a couple times and go different answers. we are going to WDW from december 6 - 16, 2007. we have the ASM with a 9d myw hp w wp&m plus the DDP. we want to know if it would work out cheaper if one of us purchased the AP and used the discount rates for the rooms when they put them out. right now the cost is 3100 for 3 adults. the annual pass would be good too cause i plan on going back next year. if anyone knows please help me out

 

[bbangel]

I would wait for a general discount on the room. There was one last year at that time.
To get the water park and more options on an annual pass you have to have the premium pass. Depending on how many days your next trip is it may not be worth it.
Check out mousesavers.com or allears.net for a breakdown on the various ticket/ap prices to figure out which would be better for you.
I don't know what the usual ap discount is on the rooms.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

You also have to factor in that if you use the AP for the room discount you won't be able to get the dining plan.

Fiona

 

[1981minnie1981]

ok so if i keep the package i have now, and there is a special for the time im going, well disney adjust the price for me if i call them?

 

[yxe dad]

You can upgrade your tickets once you are there and just pay the difference if you feel you might be going back in the same year.

 

[bbangel]

ok so if i keep the package i have now, and there is a special for the time im going, well disney adjust the price for me if i call them?

They may if there is availablility at your resort at that time for that deal. Some deals are only for room and some are for packages. Just keep watch. There is a code forum under Resorts that you can keep an eye out for deals on.

 

[BellyBaby]

So hard to figure, isn't it? I have spreadsheets going trying to decide! Really depends on what you're planning on doing down there. We're definately leaning towards hubby buying an AP, and using the AP discount to get a Disney Dining Experience ($45 instead of $65) probably a very reduced room rate ($61 off a moderate per nite at value season, hoping for the same for 2008) $20 off the Richard Petty driving experience for DH, $4 off water park admission (we plan on going only one day, it's not that hot in Jan). Also 50% off mini golf. If you are going with others your AP discount is good for many people in your party, often up to 8. And you can book up to 3 rooms on the AP discount. We may split the AP cost between my parents and us, even more savings, since we'll be eating together too.

My dining spreadsheet is at about $900 US for 4 of us (8 days,DS will be 13, DD is free), cheaper than the dining plan. That includes 5 character dining, 3 buffet dining, 3 table service, 8 CS, snacks. (That's 11 TS!!)

We'll probably use a room discount (either public or from the wedding block we're attending) if there are no AP room discounts and buy the DDE. It about equals the cost of the dining plan with more options. Don't want to sacrifice room discount to get the DDP when I can eat for the same $ anyways.

Good luck! It's work!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Personally... my unofficial advice is that unless you plan on using up your money's worth in the AP with days in the parks.. don't get one.

While you *can* save money on your room -- there is always the possibility they won't issue AP rates for the dates you wanna go etc.

The AP perks are just that - perks - and few are guaranteed. So unless you're totally flexible.. I find it's better to not get the AP if you're doing it just for the room discount.

Frankly, I made out like a bandit with the 40% PIN code that I got in email. And with future general public codes.. you can save generally almost as much as the AP rates.

Personal choice I guess.

Knox

 

[BellyBaby]

You could book your room now to make sure you have one, see if they announce AP rates in your time frame. (usually announce within 2 -3 months of dates) Book new room rates, BEFORE you cancel old ones, since AP rate rooms are limited. Then order the AP. You don't need to have the AP in hand when you book, just when you check in. That way you don't buy an AP unless it's warranted. ps. I want a 40% code so badly!

 

[pkitty]

I have a DVC and am in a slightly different boat...however last year was our first year purchasing our Premium AP (with DVC discount). We travelled for 10 days on that LY and this year we used it again for 8 days (just got back last night). It expires on the 20th of March so we just travelled later than last year in order to get 2 visits in on one pass. So basically this year we travelled for the cost of our dining plan (3 adults-dd is 13 also) with taxes 957.00. That gave us 24 counter, 24 dinners and 42 snacks over the 8 days. You must purchase dining for length of stay as well.... you cannot pick and choose. You can carry over anything from day to day (on day 8 we had 7 snacks left!!!yikes). Everything expires at midnight on your final day. So even though we arrived on March 7th at 3 in the afternoon , we still had to pay for a full day of dining. Getting back to the passes for a minute though....I feel it was well worth it 18 days of travel on 1200.00 worth of premium passes, plus discounts. Oh and just an FYI when dining...Le Cellier (Canadian Pavillion)...our average meal was 166.00 US for the 3 of us (beverage,appetizer, main course and dessert + taxes and gratuites)...we ate there twices =332.00...for just 2 meals...dining plan definately worth it! Whatever you decide....have a great trip!!!

PS This was our 10th year at WDW if that helps at all. All ofour trips have been spenton site....we've done it everyway imaginable and this way has been the best for us so far! Have fun!

 

[bgula]

If you have a CAA membership, see if you can get a discount right now. No need to wait for AP rates to be released, and I've found that the CAA rate is about the same if not better than the AP rate for the past year or so. I've had an AP now for about 4 years, but lately I just get a CAA rate.