Do You Buy APs?

[disneycrazed139]

I'm wondering what percentage of posters here actually buy APs. From recent posts, it sounds like most DVCers on the boards do. I'm wondering how many here actually do or don't and just frequent the parks less.

After I wrote this, I considered that I should have made a choice for "varies from year to year."

Anyway, thanks for answering!

 

[Caskbill]

Over the last few years it appears we're developing a pattern of getting APs every other year.

The year we have APs we'll go heavy with Disney trips, banking and borrowing points to maximize our time at WDW during the year.

On the off year we'll do minimum DVC stays (but still go), and not do the Disney parks at all. That's when we go to SW, USF, IoA. We might combine our DVC time with some off-site timeshares using the II getaways program. <i>(We're also Marriott owners and have II membership through that program.)</i>

 

[WDWLVR]

I would have voted for the varies year to year. We buy AP's when it makes sense for our visits during that time frame. We bought one last December and it will cover this May's trip as well.

Still juggling plans for 2005 so don't know yet if we will renew it, but a new AP later in 2005 or go back to park hoppers.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I usually get an AP for myself. I buy PHPs for my kids, so whoever is going with me can use them and if there are leftover days, someone else uses it next time.

 

[JimC]

We are there three or four times a year. With APs the cost per day is quite reasonable to go to the parks and makes quick trips quite nice. We also use the discounts available, including resort codes, dining and recreation.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This year is an exception. DH and I bought APs because we'll be getting enough park days in the next 365 days to make it worth it. BUT, we usually don't plan on so many visits like we're doing this year so we would normally (and have in the past) buy PHs. Although, we bought the PHs before we were DVC members. Maybe now that we're DVCrs we'll find more excuses to get down to WDW more often! It IS addicting!

 

[helenabear]

Recently I have been getting an AP. If I will be there for at least 8 days out of the year, it breaks down to be worth it to me. I also seem to go more than once a year so having the AP makes it much easier for me to do a quick trip like I did last weekend. If my husband comes with me, we might do PHP for him since he doesn't come down every year and he loved DQ

 

[Lexxiefern]

AP's for us. Last year I was at WDW over 30 days total, so it was well worth it.

Like helenabear, we have been throwing in some quick last minute trips and it is nice to not have to worry about tickets.

 

[disney queen]

we go several times a year; so, an AP is best for us. when the boys come w/us, they just get a hopper pass.

 

[lenshanem]

I voted other. We will probably buy APs every other year and plan our trips accordingly to maximize it with hopefully a trip to either VB and/or HH in between.

 

[Granny]

We usually do PH's. Every year, we spend a few days at Busch Gardens, Sea World and now my DD's say they want to go to Universal this year!

We also find ourselves doing other things besides the parks inside WDW, such as the Bike & Boat plan.

I will admit, an AP would be handy when we stay at BWV since it would be nice to go into a park for just an hour or two to eat or stroll, or take in Illuminations.

Those AP's are just so darn expensive though!!

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Bit different being in the UK as we don't visit as regularly as our US friends.

This year we've bought APs as we're coming in October and again in August 2005, so we'd always try to follow this pattern and get 4/5 weeks use out of the APs by planning trips 10/11 months apart.

I guess that means we buy APs every other year.

 

[garylpn]

pap every year, we make 2-3 weeklong trips each year and in odd years our professional symposium is held in fla, last year it was at cs and we hope to be going back there in 05
we like to do waterparks, even if juzt for an hour or so to float around the creeks and cool off, we find it easy enough to catch a bus over from anywhere, plus we usually hit pi a couple of times each trip so we feel we get our $ worth from pap

 

[DebbieB]

We buy AP's but schedule our trips so that we only have to buy them about every 18 months. For example, we went the second week of May last year and bought new ones, then went October & December and finally the first week of May this year. They expired 5/10/04. We will buy new ones when we go in December. The little renewal savings isn't worth the 6 months we would be paying for and not going.

 

[carone0318]

because we buy APs every other year. We plan to go to WDW once a year for about 8-10 days. We buy APs one year and plan the following year's trip to fall within the yer of when we bought the APs.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I only buy an AP if I know I'm going to Disney under circumstances where I know I'll be in the parks at least 8 days in the year...that isn't normally the case. The other reason I'd buy an AP is for the hotel discount if I'm going to pay cash on the weekend. The discount would also help offset the cost of an AP.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Madam Gracey and I have been annual passholders for about 10 years.

MG

 

[ronw]

Good poll. Pretty much shows why we don't get a discount on APs - with 60+%
already buying them why discount it.

 

[aikodude]

We buy AP's and try to get 2 visits of 7 to 10 days each trip out of them.

 

[jade1]

"Good poll. Pretty much shows why we don't get a discount on APs - with 60+%
already buying them why discount it."
Exactly, you beat me to it. Whats that phrase.....Knock Knock Puddin Head.