Help me figure this out - AP's vs. Package

[Piglet]

We are going to WDW Oct 31 - Nov 7 this year. I already booked a package at Pop Century for 1969.32 and was hoping for a free dining pin or some other special coming out.

We will also be going to Orlando for a conference next Oct (beginning) and heading to WDW after (6 days). I am thinking about purchasing AP's. What kind of room discounts is possible to be released for fall?

I'm thinking purchasing AP's will be the better deal???

It would be 3 adults & 1 child AP price would be 1939.45 w/ tax. What would be the room rate???

TIA
Melinda

 

[marcielm]

I *think* you can stick with your current package, and upgrade the tickets to AP's once you are at Disney. You might see if you do a search here on the disboards for "upgrade to APs" and see what comes up.

 

[HelenParr]

This will only be semi-helpful, but I'll start off:

I'm sure you've already consulted Cheshire Figment's excellent sticky on ticket pricing in the Theme Parks discussion section. Good info in there that might help with the ticket math, alhtough it looks like you have that under control.

Consider that at Pop, the discount on a room price through AP will be minimal (in raw dollars) because the rack price is not high. So, if the rack is around $105 plus tax, the AP rate might be as low as $65 or so. I'm not complaining about saving $40 a day -- but the big discount comes from the more expensive resorts, since it is basically a percentage on a sliding scale. You won't be able to get free dining with an AP or a "4/3" type deal.

But the AP has the advantage of park hopping built in -- that's a very cool feature that probably makes the math difference for favoring APs over MYW tickets. Particularly since room only discounts have been widely available during the recession (which I hate to say will probably still be going on next fall).

 

[snykymom]

The AP rates for your first trip just came out.

Value resorts:
Standard Room $54 per night, plus tax*
for stays most nights from 11/29 - 12/17/09.
That's 34% Off - A Savings of $28

Moderate resorts:
Standard Room $89 per night, plus tax*
for stays most nights from 11/29 - 12/17/09.
That's 40% Off - A Savings of $60

AKL and WL:
Standard Room $139 per night, plus tax*
for stays most nights from 11/29 - 12/17/09.
That's 42% Off - A Savings of $101

SS and OKW:
Studio Room $169 per night, plus tax*
for stays most nights from 11/29 - 12/17/09.
That's 42% Off - A Savings of $126

The discount should also apply to other categories of rooms and to other resorts as well; these are just examples.

You can call and ask to have the AP rate applied to your current reservation, or you can change your reservation to another if it's a deep enough discount for you. You can then upgrade your current tickets (if you have any) to an AP once you're there. You can also add the dining plan to any AP room rate without buying tickets for everyone in the room.

Also, remember that only one adult in the room needs to have an AP to book an AP rate.

While it's no guarantee, these rates or something similar may also be available in 2010.

 

[snykymom]

Oh, forgot to add:

With an adult AP, you can also by the Tables in Wonderland card for $75, which gives you 20% off most table service meals, including adult beverages, and some counter service meals (such as the food court at POP). For table service, an 18% tip is added automatically, but since the DDP doesn't include the tip anymore, I don't consider that a big deal. For my family and the way we like to eat, the TiW is much more cost effective than the DDP.

 

[FINFAN]

how much is an adult AP if purchased today? I tried to access the WDW site, but can't get anywhere...
I need to crunch #'s...
THANK YOU!

 

[HelenParr]

All in (tax included):
AP = $499
Premium AP = $638