Do I have the steps right for doing the AP discount?

[Masonmj84]

(obviously, some of the steps below could be done in a different order, but is this a reasonable plan?)

1. Book my resort (or resorts if doing a split stay) at least 6 months in advance (even if no AP discounts have been announced for the time of my stay). Try to pick a less popular time when discounts are more likely (and larger). No need to add dining or buy park tickets at this point.

2. Make my ADRs at the 180 day mark.

3. Buy MYW tickets for my party.

4. Continually monitor for AP discounts for the time of my stay. Try to apply them to my reservation as soon as (and assuming) they become available.

5. Book my flights (I’ve learned the hard way to wait to do this until AFTER I have the discount I’m shooting for in case I need to rebook to get the discount because I originally booked during a black out period). Provide my flight info for Magical Express.

6. Decide (if I haven’t already) if I want to do TIW or a dining plan (and add dining at least 3 days prior to arrival if I decide to do a dining plan). We have 2 Disney kids (ages 3-9), don’t drink alcohol, and do a lot of character & signature meals, so this is a tough call for us (specifically between TIW and DxDP).

7. Upon arrival at Disney, go to a guest relations location and upgrade my MWY ticket to an AP (if MWY ticket prices have increased since I bought them or I bought them at a discount, I should go through a park turnstile before upgrading). Buy a TIW card after upgrading to the AP (if I’ve decided to do that instead of a dining plan).

Am I missing anything?

Thanks.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I wouldn't buy park tickets until closer to your trip to be sure that Disney doesn't offer some deal that is better than AP discount that requires ticket purchase.

Are you getting AP just for room discount or do you have another trip planned for AP holder? The AP discounts are not always greater enough than general public discounts to justify the expense of an AP.