Haven't been to WDW in a long time - check my math

[Ronda93]

I used to go to WDW 3-4 times a year. After a lull I went with my brother, niece and nephew in 2011 and 2012. I did a couple of runDisney weekends in 2010 and 2012. Since then I have not been back.

A lot has happened since then ; )

I want to make a LONG weekend with my nephew (14) the first weekend in November. It's Wine and Dine half marathon that weekend. No racing for us, just a busy weekend at WDW.

We'd stay off site - mod and values are gone - the Sheraton Vistana choices look good. I've also looked at the DoubleTree by Disney Springs. We've stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in the past - loved it, but their availability is pricey. Other off site suite suggestions would be welcome.

We'd be arriving Friday afternoon and returning Tuesday. We would buy five day PH - probably from Undercover Tourist - they'd be $454, $486 with the waterpark/plus. Staying offsite parking adds up - $100. I'd also considered buying Memory Maker - $169. I am close to making the case for an annual pass for me ($849). I've been considering coming down for marathon weekend 2019.

So am I right that the difference would be ~$127? Is there still sales tax to be added to the AP? UT includes it in their pricing.

 

[CAS239]

Parking will be $110 for 5 days. This is why I love having my AP. We go so often it pays for itself just the parking alone, and photopass included is a great bonus. I'd really aim for the AP for you as long as you'll make another trip with enough days that will make it worth it.

As far as offsite hotels I recommend Best Western LBV. Always enjoy my stays there

 

[Mamabun]

AP's do include tax, but here's the math the way I run it (but I'm a fallible human being)....

UT 5day hopper = 454
Parking is $22 per day x 5 = 110
Memory Maker = 169
-------------
$733 total

AP with Tax = $904 total (inc tax)

There is another option, if you're willing to upgrade at guest relations in one of the parks. If you buy the ticket from UT, WDW will give you credit towards an AP upgrade, for the WDW price for the 5day hopper (assuming you have a 'current' ticket that expires around Dec 31, 2019, but not a ticket that expires in 2018, or has no expiration date - UT's eticket's are all the 2019 expiration, but some of their paper tickets expire 2018), plus credit for anything you've paid for memory maker and parking,

So you pay
UT 5day hopper = 454
Parking for your first day = 22
Memory Maker = 169
Upgrade to AP (904-credited 501+22+169) = 212
--------------------------
$857 total

So your cheapest option is still just a 5day hopper from UT and addon parking and MM ($733)
But for $124 more you could upgrade to an AP at the parks
Or for $171 more you just buy the AP from WDW to start with

 

[Ronda93]

Thanks for the details Mamabun. I'd forgotten about the gate price bump to upgrade to AP.

CAS239, I'll look at the BW. Thanks.

I get the UT electronic ticket - avoid the paper 2018 exp ticket (?), link it in MDE and make FPs at 30 days.
I'd need to exchange for physical/RFID ticket of some kind at the gate. Once inside I can do the upgrade to AP?
I do not have a magic band. If I got one before arriving, I'd be able to put the electronic ticket on the MB and upgrade after the initial entry?
Once I upgrade to AP, does Photo Pass Download privilege happen automatically, or do I have to link something that day?

This begets more questions....

My nephew has a MB. We'd need to link his ticket to it.
Does MDE allow me to add my nephew as a Family/Friend when he's already on another list?
If I upgrade to the AP inside the park, will I get a MB at that point?

 

[Mamabun]

I get the UT electronic ticket - avoid the paper 2018 exp ticket (?), link it in MDE and make FPs at 30 days.

Probably the easiest thing to do is just call UT and tell them you want to be sure you get a ticket that expires in 2019, not 2018, and let them advise you. They have always been super to work with.

I'd need to exchange for physical/RFID ticket of some kind at the gate. Once inside I can do the upgrade to AP?

Yes, if you don't have a magicband you will need to get a physical ticket at Guest Services before using it to enter the park. They may be able to go ahead and upgrade you to an AP at that location as well - this has worked and not worked for me at different times, so I'm not sure, you may have to go Guest Services inside the park to get the discount.

I do not have a magic band. If I got one before arriving, I'd be able to put the electronic ticket on the MB and upgrade after the initial entry?

Nothing is on a magicband except a link to the owner. Your MDE account owns everything. So any magicband linked to you can be used to access any tickets, APs, fastpass, photos, etc. owned by you. SO if you buy a magicband ahead of time, you can link it to you in MDE, and then it will access everything you can access.

Once I upgrade to AP, does Photo Pass Download privilege happen automatically, or do I have to link something that day?

You should not have to do anything. When you activate your Annual Pass, any photos which are currently in your PhotoPass account, as well as any you have taken while your Annual Pass is valid, will be available for you to download.

My nephew has a MB. We'd need to link his ticket to it. Does MDE allow me to add my nephew as a Family/Friend when he's already on another list?

I'm not sure what you mean 'already on another list'? I assume you mean one of his parents (or someone else) has an MDE account and manages his profile (he has no account of his own). Then yes, you can become friends with his parent and him, and then you can make FP for both of you, but I think you will need to ask the person who actually manages his account to add his ticket. I don't think friends can do that. You will need to make sure the friends and family settings are all correct (i.e. 'plan and share').

If I upgrade to the AP inside the park, will I get a MB at that point?

I think the AP magicband will have to be mailed to your home, but they will give you an AP card that will work for entry and fastpasses.

 

[wfjny]

Do not forget, having an AP also has several other benefits.

If I am guessing correctly, you would be getting the Platinum Pass. Some of the benefits:
Free Parking (you already covered that)
Free Magic Band (yeah, well, what can I say, I have like 14 of these now)
Access to the Water Parks as well
You get a 10% dining discount at many restaurants (mostly sit down)
Having a AP lets you get Tables in Wonderland. At the current $150, you would need to spend $750 in meals at the sit down restaurants in a year to break even. And since you already qualify for a 10% discount, you would really need to spend at least $1,500 to start saving. But depending on what you are planning to do, and how often you go, it may still be worthwhile.
There are occasional hotel discounts as well.

How I actually found out about Tables in Wonderland was friend years ago, who would go to Disney every summer. There would be 10 of them all together, including several extended family members. Despite the entire family getting 7 day park-hoppers, he would get an AP. The two reasons were Parking and being able to get TiW. Back when only AP holders could get TiW, and it was only $75, he would pay for TiW in just one meal.

Not sure about now, but at the time TiW was good for 13+ months. Therefore one purchased in July would be good until August 31 the following year. In short, he could get two summers out of one card.

My recommendation, keep a very detailed spreadsheet of every thing you do, and every discount you get. It may not help you much this time, but it will help you in the future to see if it was worth it or not.

 

[Mamabun]

Do not forget, having an AP also has several other benefits.
Access to the Water Parks as well

I thought you had to get the Platinum Pass Plus for an extra $100 to get the water parks?

 

[AnnieOakley]

In addition to Free Parking, Park-Hopping and 10% off some dining, also keep in mind that AP's get 20% discount in the gift shops. (Parks and resorts). Depending on whether you intend to buy souvenirs, this could make a difference. (One AP tip: Bottled waters, sodas, and snacks purchased in the shops also get the 20% discount). May not be enough of a benefit to move the needle for you, but it's nice to have.

Also someone mentioned free access to Water Parks? This depends on the AP you have. We are local AP's and do not have access to water parks. There is a special right now for AP's- water park ticket is $49- not sure when that ends.

 

[Ronda93]

Thanks, everyone. Long ago, I had the Premium AP that included water parks and DQ (RIP). The dining isn't nearly as important this time, but the 20% was always a welcome break. Good pro tip on the water and snacks purchase in stores.

Yes, the water parks are an extra Benjamin.

 

[bryanb]

When upgrading from Undercover Tourist tickets to an Annual Pass, I would definitely read post #6 in this excellent thread by Robo:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/all-about-tickets-upgrades.3570721/#post-56958173

Cast members will need to make some adjustments to the value of your ticket in order to allow you to keep your UT discount, but not everyone knows how to do this. So you'll want to calculate your upgrade price in advance to ensure you don't overpay. You can also upgrade your ticket to an AP directly in the My Disney Experience app, once you've used the ticket for the first time. In my experience, it does automatically give you the higher online ticket value toward your AP, but please double check to make sure before you accept the upgrade.

 

[dachsie]

You can actually get an AP magicband at Liberty Square in MK

 

[Ed597]

I was just going to remind you about the other perks with AP, but the others brought them up. I would just ask, are you sure your going to use the water parks ? That would lower your cost. Also your bringing a teenager, a discount on meals might be a positive Lol ! It looks like it depends if your going back with in a year ? If not, the discounted tickets are cheaper especially if your not going to a water park. If you are going to return you can’t beat the AP and if you’ll be with a larger group the TIW is a great way to save. Either way, Have Fun !

 

[Shellyred8]

Another thing to throw out there is that with the AP, you can get some pretty decent discounts on resort rooms. This savings alone can sometimes pay for the ticket upgrade.

Have a great trip!