Help! Camping at FW & Premier Passport?

[StormyCA]

Hi Campers!

So, looks like I'm going to be making my first (& probably only) trip to WDW. DH (who is NOT a Disney-guy) has proposed a trip to WDW instead of 'oh God, not another trip to Disneyland!!'.

Anyway. I'm a DLR deluxe AP holder & I'm trying to figure if it's worth upgrading to premier. Right now after I deduct the cost of a 5 day hopper from the upgrade charge I'm left with around $160.00 to 'save' to make it worthwhile.

We're anticipating a 6 night stay sometime between mid-April and mid-May of next year. Are there ever AP discounts for the campground & what do they run.


There's really not much info out there on the premier AP. 20% merch discount and 'unspecified' discount at 'some' selected eateries.

I'm sure I'll have more questions about the Fort & WDW once I get this issue out of the way. But, you know, 'how much will it cost' is kinda the first hurdle in trip planning, right?

 

[barbaraann]

Hopefully someone will provide you with the answers that you are looking for.

It's never too early to start planning, and the Disboards has always helped me when I decide to visit Disney World.

 

[North of Mouse]

Hi Campers!

So, looks like I'm going to be making my first (& probably only) trip to WDW. DH (who is NOT a Disney-guy) has proposed a trip to WDW instead of 'oh God, not another trip to Disneyland!!'.

Anyway. I'm a DLR deluxe AP holder & I'm trying to figure if it's worth upgrading to premier. Right now after I deduct the cost of a 5 day hopper from the upgrade charge I'm left with around $160.00 to 'save' to make it worthwhile.

We're anticipating a 6 night stay sometime between mid-April and mid-May of next year. Are there ever AP discounts for the campground & what do they run.

There's really not much info out there on the premier AP. 20% merch discount and 'unspecified' discount at 'some' selected eateries.

I'm sure I'll have more questions about the Fort & WDW once I get this issue out of the way. But, you know, 'how much will it cost' is kinda the first hurdle in trip planning, right?

Unfortunately, the only discounts we have been able to snag in the past have been AAA discounts (and they were limited, and hit and miss). Their relationship with Disney seems to be over so no more of those discounts. We have never had an AP discount on the campsites.

I am assuming that you are talking about the campsites - not the cabins!! The cabins do have the same discounts as the other hotels, when offered. Having a Premium AP would not get a greater discount. There is an offer now - Oct - Dec for 30% off with AP for select hotels (includes cabins) with limited quantities available.

If I were you ('if' you want cabin ressies) I would keep checking back for an AP
discount as they are mostly offered closer to the available times. As for the campsites, discounts will be few (if any) because they stay mostly booked.

Good luck!!!

 

[StormyCA]

Thanks! No, definitely the campsites. This will be our first cross-country trip and first time at WDW!

I kinda figured that. The prices for the campsites are pretty reasonable (IMO) to begin with, but never hurts to check, right?

I'd heard about AAA and Disney parting company. Too bad, they usually had some good deals out here in CA.

 

[Readerbug]

Wow, Stormy- If I were debating an upgrade like that, I'd just do it! Wow. Premium. I want to be you someday!
And then I'd take a couple extra trips to the 'other' world to save my 160 ! DH always says I "buy birdcages on purpose, just so you 'have' to buy the bird".
Truthfully, unless you are taking a large crew along, I don't think camping saves much money, unless you mostly eat in....I think it works out sorta even-steven. What it gives me that I love, is a unique world within the world, and a totally unique, closer to the original 'Walt' days feel that WDW needs, especially compared to DL.
Ah, enjoy the whole ross country journey!

 

[MichaelaF]

It may be worth looking into getting a Tables in Wonderland card for dining as well, if you are planning to eat in the parks a lot, especially if you like table service meals.

 

[StormyCA]

Wow, Stormy- If I were debating an upgrade like that, I'd just do it! Wow. Premium. I want to be you someday!
And then I'd take a couple extra trips to the 'other' world to save my 160 ! DH always says I "buy birdcages on purpose, just so you 'have' to buy the bird".
Truthfully, unless you are taking a large crew along, I don't think camping saves much money, unless you mostly eat in....I think it works out sorta even-steven. What it gives me that I love, is a unique world within the world, and a totally unique, closer to the original 'Walt' days feel that WDW needs, especially compared to DL.
Ah, enjoy the whole ross country journey!

Ha! for the birdcages! I'd only do the upgrade if it made financial sense & right now it just doesn't. IDK, the rates at FW are a lot cheaper than the onsite hotels I looked at! Plus then you have to factor in airfare & all meals. We usually stay at the Grand when we're at DL so I was looking a comparable places. We do mostly 'eat in', even at the Grand. We drive and I bring an ice chest full of breakfast & sandwich stuff. I have Celiac Disease plus I don't want to waste valuable time just eating!! LOL.

My DL AP doesn't expire til next August, so I'm sure a few trips there between now and then are already in store.

I think DH will like the drive better than WDW, I'm sad to say. He's just not 'into' Disney. I'm hoping that the vastness of WDW and the different things to do there will 'convert' him!

 

[StormyCA]

It may be worth looking into getting a Tables in Wonderland card for dining as well, if you are planning to eat in the parks a lot, especially if you like table service meals.

Don't you have to have a WDW AP for that? Mine is a DL AP. I won't be upgrading to Premier, it doesn't make fiscal sense after I ran all the numbers

 

[ColleenFL]

I am confused... If you have an AP why do you need a hopper pass? Our AP is the middle one no blackout dates we come and go as much as we like to any park, no hopper pass needed.

 

[2goofycampers]

They have a DL AP, not WDW.

 

[StormyCA]

I am confused... If you have an AP why do you need a hopper pass? Our AP is the middle one no blackout dates we come and go as much as we like to any park, no hopper pass needed.

Yes, mine's a DL AP. Was thinking of upgrading to the premier, but it just isn't economically worthwhile. Was hoping it was so I could try to talk (non-Disney) hubby into another trip before it expires so the upgrade 'didn't go to waste'. ; )