Help me justify AP - family benefits by proxy?

[JPKnapp]

I am contemplating an AP and need the final push to get me over the edge. I would be the only one in the family (wife & 3 kids would be without) and want to make sure that the family gets benefits by proxy. We love the Memory Maker and having that included now is what triggered this idea any other benefits I am missing?

Current situation:
7-day base @ $335
Memory Maker @ $149 = so anyone linked to my account, I can download their photos right?
Total = $484

Vs.
AP = $749

We do have a Feb '17 cruise coming up where the AP wouldn't expire until after the cruise, so if we did a park day or two before/after cruise, that may put this over the edge. Add on an impromtu trip when Frozen ride opens with DD (only paying for their tickets). I dont know... what would you do?

 

[AngiTN]

You are correct about the Memory Maker, everyone on your Friend/Family list on MDE will gain the benefits
If you are with them you can also access any discounts such as shopping, meal or resort stay
You would also be eligible to purchase a TIW card and as long as you were there your family could benefit from the discount

 

[MsLeFever]

Free parking - which is great!

 

[AngiTN]

Free parking - which is great!

Good addition. We always stay on site so free parking doesn't come to my mind

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I guess just do the math. Will the AP save you S265 over the course of the year? If you can plan your next trip within that one year time frame, then yea, it's probably worth it. If you stay off site and it saves you on parkign, it is also likely worth it. But if you are just going the one time, then no, I would not do an AP

 

[Mikie]

Yes, if you stay offsite, your parking for 7 park days would be $140, and your AP is a hopper, so that's another flat $60 (although I wouldn't count it as a benefit if you're with family that has base tickets and you don't use the hopping feature) that puts you at a difference of either $125 or $65. If you're pretty confident you'd use another 1-2 park days beyond your 7day trip AND the parking and hopping savings apply in your case, then AP is a good choice. Discounts on top of that are gravy!

 

[aaarcher86]

AP would qualify you for a TIW card but it would cost additional to buy.

 

[Cynister]

If only 1 person does an AP in the family & you don't stay onsite, then doesn't that mess with making the FP reservations ahead of time?

 

[AngiTN]

If only 1 person does an AP in the family & you don't stay onsite, then doesn't that mess with making the FP reservations ahead of time?

No, off site guests with any type of ticket book at 30 days, with or without an AP

 

[Accident]

The spot where AP saved me money was how we spend money at WDW. 10% off on merch and some dining adds up, especially with a larger family. Depending on where you dine, you can also get Tables in wonderland for even more dining discounts.

 

[Cynister]

Interesting. So if he is the only 1 that does an AP in his family, can he then book a package (including tickets) for his family to stay onsite? Or would they have to buy tickets separately?

 

[Accident]

Interesting. So if he is the only 1 that does an AP in his family, can he then book a package (including tickets) for his family to stay onsite? Or would they have to buy tickets separately?

If it's a discount requiring tickets, you generally have to get them for everyone or if you have an AP call up and ask what the AP discount is for not getting tickets and get them separate for the rest of the reservation

If it's just a package he can leave the tickets for himself off the list.

 

[AngiTN]

Interesting. So if he is the only 1 that does an AP in his family, can he then book a package (including tickets) for his family to stay onsite? Or would they have to buy tickets separately?

Yes he can. If it's a package with tickets he can save his ticket to renew his AP later.
The better choice is usually to book a room only discount, using the AP discount (typically 5% more than the GP discount) and then buy tickets for his family from a discount ticket vendor like UT or Parksavers

 

[JPKnapp]

For those with an AP, how much additional do you end up spending at WDW just because you happen to be in the parks? I am thinking there are a couple hundred dollars of "hidden" expenses. Granted, all controllable if I had the right discipline. But, candidly, I probably would spend on food and a treat each time through. I know it's personal, but just asking what you spend on a normal day.

 

[Accident]

For those with an AP, how much additional do you end up spending at WDW just because you happen to be in the parks? I am thinking there are a couple hundred dollars of "hidden" expenses. Granted, all controllable if I had the right discipline. But, candidly, I probably would spend on food and a treat each time through. I know it's personal, but just asking what you spend on a normal day.

Depends on the trip. If it's really hot out and we're there for a week or more it can get up there and we're only 2 people. More people in your traveling party and it will save more. I was right on the edge of just looking at tickets not saving money but with the discount it made sense and I saved money.

 

[AngiTN]

For those with an AP, how much additional do you end up spending at WDW just because you happen to be in the parks? I am thinking there are a couple hundred dollars of "hidden" expenses. Granted, all controllable if I had the right discipline. But, candidly, I probably would spend on food and a treat each time through. I know it's personal, but just asking what you spend on a normal day.

I do not buy more than I would without an AP. I buy what I would buy no matter what. The AP doesn't impact that.
We have been known to hit up the parks just because where we wouldn't without an AP. Though being 8 hours away this is still an endeavor to do. But an example would be when we went to Tampa last month. DH said "let's stop at Disney for a day or 2, since we are in the area". Without an AP we wouldn't have done that, we would have gone to Tampa and gone home. Instead we stayed a couple extra days. So I guess that did "cost us money" if you get technical about it. I still consider that a bonus/benefit

 

[memo10]

There are times when we spend $5 and times when we spend $100. So far we've been at least 1 day every weekend this year.

As far as the memory maker goes, just know that you will be the only one able to download the pictures so you'll have to save them and then send them to your wife. Not a big deal, but my hubby is not the best at sending me our pictures so it can be a bit of an annoyance. We only have 1 pass that includes MM.

 

[soniam]

Do you wish you could go to Disney more than once a year? Get an AP, and you will probably try to make that happen Another perk is if you plan to do any of the Disney runs. AP holders get advanced registration. There are also hotel discounts. I don't know how much those are, because I have not gotten my AP yet. However, others I know with APs prefer the normal discounts or the Cheap Tickets/Orbitz discount over what the AP will get you. There are also random freebies occasionally in the parks. Like during March-May, they will have signed animator drawings at Epcot for Flower & Garden. During Star Wars Weekends last year, they had Star Wars posters for AP holders. You can only get one per AP though.

 

[AngiTN]

There are times when we spend $5 and times when we spend $100. So far we've been at least 1 day every weekend this year.

As far as the memory maker goes, just know that you will be the only one able to download the pictures so you'll have to save them and then send them to your wife. Not a big deal, but my hubby is not the best at sending me our pictures so it can be a bit of an annoyance. We only have 1 pass that includes MM.

We solve this by having only 1 MDE account. Plus fewer issues with the accounts in general when they are not linked to each other.

 

[memo10]

We solve this by having only 1 MDE account. Plus fewer issues with the accounts in general when they are not linked to each other.

That's a good idea!