Have ticket prices influenced your planning?

[JTimber]

I think the average is much higher than 180, especially considering for several years the minimum purchase was 230 points.

You certainly could be right Chuck. That number sounded very low to me as well but my guide spit out the number like it was fact. Who knows?

I will say that regardless of the minimum buy in through DVC, resales lower the average considerably with those low contracts many buy to get started with DVC.


Jay

 

[JTimber]

Why do you make the statement that, "APs don't work for the majority of DVC owners"? What is this statement based on? Tiger

What is it based on? Well I thought I was clear but I'll try it again. My guide has told me that the average DVC member has about 180 points. Using those 180 points as my reference, an AP would work if they staggered the trips by a week each year to include 2 trips in a 12 month period. Even with the 2 trips in 12 months you'd need to be commando through the parks to make it worthwhile. The DDE could tip the scales though.

Short of concrete evidence we'll have to agree to disagree. This board is not reprentative of DVC as a whole and I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that more DVC members do NOT purchase the AP. I'd consider this board more "hard core" DVC'ers, doesn't surprise me that many here get the AP. I do not use the AP and of the 8 families I know personally that own DVC NONE get the AP's.

No sense to argue, I don't really care one way or the other. Take it as my opinion and guess and I'll note you feel differently.

Do YOU have any evidence to the contrary?

Good Day,

Jay

 

[Anal Annie]

I've been debating this AP thing too. We're new DVC members so this would be the first time we can buy them. We usually do a day or two at the water parks - but that REALLY piles a lot onto the cost to buy the A/P w/ the water park opt. - so I think we'll just buy the reg. A/P & then if we decide to go to a water park then we'll just pay that admission fee at the gate for the day - it works out to be less I think. What I was wondering is since we're going in mid-Aug this summer and have booked a 4 n cruise for July '08 (will add days at WDW later) then when it's up for renewal does that keep us on an Aug renewal for as long as we we keep up with the A/P?! I'm not sure if we'll want to do the renewal next Aug or probably just let that one expire & wait for the following summer & buy a new one in 2009 & start the process over...that way we'd have our trips in 2009 & 2010 covered. Is there a big cost savings to keep up with the renewals and not let them expire?

 

[Anal Annie]

Don't forget to add the hidden AP benefits such as resort discounts, and the ability to purchase the DDE card.

Many folks here pay cash for weekends, and the resort AP rate alone can cover the cost of the pass.

Wait a minute - have I missed something here? Does having an AP give you access to a diff. cash discount off the resorts compared to the reg. DVC member discount of 25%?!?!??!?! We just used our points to book a cruise on the Wonder for next summer so we just figured we'd use the DVC discount to book a few n at WDW...but is there a different discount option with the AP? That would be a good thing!

 

[Tiger926]

What is it based on? Well I thought I was clear but I'll try it again. My guide has told me that the average DVC member has about 180 points. Using those 180 points as my reference, an AP would work if they staggered the trips by a week each year to include 2 trips in a 12 month period. Even with the 2 trips in 12 months you'd need to be commando through the parks to make it worthwhile. The DDE could tip the scales though.

Short of concrete evidence we'll have to agree to disagree. This board is not reprentative of DVC as a whole and I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that more DVC members do NOT purchase the AP. I'd consider this board more "hard core" DVC'ers, doesn't surprise me that many here get the AP. I do not use the AP and of the 8 families I know personally that own DVC NONE get the AP's.

No sense to argue, I don't really care one way or the other. Take it as my opinion and guess and I'll note you feel differently.

Do YOU have any evidence to the contrary?

Good Day,Jay

Ummm, I'm not trying to argue at all I just commented on your statement that APs don't work for the majority of DVC users. As I said, we only have 175 points, and we are the farthest thing from commando at all in the parks - sometimes we just sit at World Showcase on a bench for an hour and people watch - we do this because of our AP. I'm not sure what going 'commando' through the parks has to do with having an AP? We sometimes only average one trip on an AP, but still find it worthwhile. I can see from your 'commando' comment and the fact that you feel that you need 2 trips per AP to make it worthwhile, that we have different ideas of how the AP is of value to the way we each vacation.

Thanks for your explanation. I just don't like generalizations, and since I fit into your 180 point scenario, I asked for clarification.

Tiger

 

[Chuck S]

Wait a minute - have I missed something here? Does having an AP give you access to a diff. cash discount off the resorts compared to the reg. DVC member discount of 25%?!?!??!?! We just used our points to book a cruise on the Wonder for next summer so we just figured we'd use the DVC discount to book a few n at WDW...but is there a different discount option with the AP? That would be a good thing!

Depending upon availability and seasons the AP discounts can be very good. But they are on par with DVC cash discount at DVC resorts..the saving are good if you want to stay at a regular WDW resort. We often spend the first night at POP, and have gotten an AP rate there, depending on season, as low as $59 plus tax.

 

[Anal Annie]

Cool It's good to know that we'd have another discount option available - thanks, Chuck!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Wait a minute - have I missed something here? Does having an AP give you access to a diff. cash discount off the resorts compared to the reg. DVC member discount of 25%?!?!??!?! We just used our points to book a cruise on the Wonder for next summer so we just figured we'd use the DVC discount to book a few n at WDW...but is there a different discount option with the AP? That would be a good thing!

I have recieved up to 50% off the Poly rack rate in the past, and 30% was pretty common.

I haven't used an AP discount lately so I'm not sure of the current discounts, but it certainly was a great deal a few years back!

MG

 

[DVCPAT]

I hope they never take the AP discount away either because I believe that it is the clear choice of a majority of DVC owners.

I think DVC annual pass discounts are a win/win for DVC members and Disney. Since we purchased PAP approx. one year ago, I have planned four trips to Disney and haven’t spent 1 dollar on off-site meals. I don’t mind spending more money at Disney when they show members a little appreciation.

 

[roadtripper]

We never purchased APs until the discount was offered. Now, we plan an extra midweek trip in the summer that feels almost "free" b/c we use our DVC pts, APs, and wait for a Southwest DING.

We also like to stroll around World Showcase without feeling like we should be doing more with our passes-- especially if we have a late arrival.
I LOVE the freedom of the APs, the room discounts, and the DVC discount!

 

[mbhoxsie]

We stopped going to the parks as much... In a two week trip, we used to go four or five days... No we only go for one or two...

This year would have been one, but we're going to be down there for SW Weekends and DS wants to go to WDW Studios...

 

[phyllisnnj]

Yes ticket prices along with onsite dining prices have influenced our planning.

We initially purchased with the plan to go every two or three years but loved the family experience so much that we’ve been going every year with extended family members. However due to Disney park ticket prices and table service prices, we’re going back to our original plan of every two or three years.

This year we’re actually staying onsite at Universal Orlando for the first time due to the 7-day park tickets for $85pp. We might actually stay offsite and explore the other Orlando attractions during our off years from Disney. We’re looking forward to SeaWorld’s new Aquatic Waterpark which opens next year.

 

[goofy4tink]

We own 200 pts....I always have an AP. The whole family used to, in fact, dd's is expiring in May. But it won't be renewed. My dh now has a non-expire. 10 hopper. He only goes every 18 months or so, so an AP is not a good deal for him. Dd is now 13, so can't miss school and is off at camp for 3 weeks each summer, so only goes to WDW once a year tops. Me? I head down at least twice a year, so the AP works quite well for me. But, if you have to juggle dates too much, it may be a better choice to go with a 10 day non-x rather than an AP.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I have to agree with JTimber...most of the DVC members I know dont buy APs unless they know in advance they'll be able to put them to good use. However I have to infer/derive/conclude from J's post that he believes that members also routinely use their points for weekend stays as opposed to avoiding them like the plague. I only have 150 points and can easily make multiple trips to DVC if thats what I want to do.

Back to the original question. I will buy an AP if I know I'll be there for more than 10 days over the course of the year. However I've been hard pressed to make having it be cost effective in and of itself. With room discounts its a no brainer but you have to have planned to get a room along with or instead of DVC to make that work. Right now I have 14 days on hoppers. I'll use those along with my 2 year universal pass for the next year or so. Although I havent ridden EE yet Disney doesnt otherwise have anything must do for me to stop me from going off property. At the same time Sea World is looking enticing.

What I wish Disney would do is create an evening pass for EPCOT. I'd buy a pass that was good from 5pm until closing quite happily..that's mostly where I get the additional park benefit from the AP when I have it.

 

[WDWDad]

That is actually an interesting idea doulbetrouble.

How about a ticket that allows you to enter a park within 1 hr of the evening show, or two hours if you have a dining reservation.

Not originally what I was thinking of when I started this thread ,but an interesting idea.

 

[diznyfanatic]

We've been struggling with what to do about our AP's as well as it's time for renewal.

Since joining DVC, we will definitely be going at least twice a year but we'd really like to spend more time enjoying the resorts such as the pool and other activities.

Additionally, we'd like to venture to some of the off site attractions <gasp> that my grandchildren will enjoy.

How does the 10 day Hopper with no expiration compare in price to the AP?

In truth, we would LOVE a pass that would only allow entry after 4:00 PM as that would fit our needs and vacationing style perfectly.

 

[keishashadow]

I have recieved up to 50% off the Poly rack rate in the past, and 30% was pretty common.

I haven't used an AP discount lately so I'm not sure of the current discounts, but it certainly was a great deal a few years back!

MG

AP rates were not offered in June last year (other than partial 1st week).

In Oct @ CR they were only $5 less a night than AAA rate.

Assume it just depends on occupancy levels as to rate & whether they feel the need to release them at all.

 

[owensjro]

I actually love the 10day everything passes and prefer to use those over the APs. To me an AP comes with a lot of pressure to get the most for your money and to make sure you have multiple trips planned so you get the most days. A 10 day ticket on the other hand lets me plan my trip so I'm not going to the parks every day and can worry about the next trip after we get home

I have a savings account online (ING) that I put money in every month. I can then use that to buy tickets once a year. Right now we actually have a surplus of days which is fine by me. I know we're going to keep going and buying them now has reduced our costs in the future. (And yes, I know that price increases in tickets would be offset by the interest I could be earning on the money...but I like having the tickets in my hand .

Jim

 

[Mickmse2002]

I actually love the 10day everything passes and prefer to use those over the APs. To me an AP comes with a lot of pressure to get the most for your money and to make sure you have multiple trips planned so you get the most days. A 10 day ticket on the other hand lets me plan my trip so I'm not going to the parks every day and can worry about the next trip after we get home
Jim

For us it is the exact opposite. If we got the 10-day passes instead of the AP's I would feel compelled to get the "most" out of each of the ten days. As it stands now, with AP's, we may head in to a park like Epcot for just a glass of wine and evening parade, I would never "burn" a day of a 10-day pass for that.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We have 175 points and do one 10 or so day trip per year. This year, we decided to go in Oct and April so that we could go to both the F&W and F&G festivals and benefit from APs. By the time the April trip is finished, we will have been in the parks 20 days.

But I must admit that we have always been willing to use days on MYW passes for visits to a park, no matter how short. We used to purchase length of stay passes when we stayed on-site and also purchased the Fun in the Sun passes in the past as well. Both worked well for longer stays.

We really appreciate the DVC discount on the AP, but the best deal we ever got on an AP was at DL last Dec. We bought a 3 day PH to take advantage of early entry, then unpgraded on our last day to APs. With a special then offered by AAA, we received SoCal APs and a $10 Disney gift card for the upgrade price of $5! Gotta luv it when they pay you to buy the AP. Talk about no brainer!

-- Suzanne