Help me justify AP - family benefits by proxy?

[gap2368]

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 with an AP if you are not staying on site you can still only book FP 30 in advance just like normal tickets on site it is 60days for both

 

[msmama]

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 purchased an AP last year because I knew I would have 2 trips in one calendar year - so it already saved me money over buying tickets for 2 trips.

I have since added 2 more trips. So having an AP has cost me WAAAY more than I saved!

Personally I wouldn't consider buying one for possible savings. I only bought mine because I already knew an AP was less than 7 day tix+ 5 day tix which I would need for my trips. I have saved on merchandise discounts too but I only but things that I probably would've bought anyway. And if the 4 trips I have only used the AP room only discount for 2 of them - the others didn't have the room category I wanted.

 

[lovesdumbo]

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 spend more buying merchandise because I have an AP. In fact I might buy less because I know I will be back so no need to buy everything I might like because I know I'll be back for another trip. BUT as others have said, once you have an AP it is hard not to try find ways to book more trips to get more value out of the AP. My last trip was a solo trip. The only things I purchased were an Epcot Starbucks mug (had a Starbucks gift card), a souvenir mug from Osborne Lights, a Mickey Mouse popcorn bucket and some treats at the Japan store to bring back to my kids - so nothing that qualified for an AP discount.

 

[JPKnapp]

I purchased an AP last year because I knew I would have 2 trips in one calendar year - so it already saved me money over buying tickets for 2 trips.

I have since added 2 more trips. So having an AP has cost me WAAAY more than I saved!

Personally I wouldn't consider buying one for possible savings. I only bought mine because I already knew an AP was less than 7 day tix+ 5 day tix which I would need for my trips. I have saved on merchandise discounts too but I only but things that I probably would've bought anyway. And if the 4 trips I have only used the AP room only discount for 2 of them - the others didn't have the room category I wanted.

Anyone else get caught doing this too?

The additional trips in middle of year to justify the AP are what scare me.

My kids would need tix each time. I end up using airline miles and hotel points or spending a few hundred dollars each time.

Starting to feel like this isn't the right move.

 

[hippiechicken]

I bought an AP last year because my daughter did the College Program. It ended up costing me more because of flights, food, and hotel bills. We got them on our Christmas trip and I went back for every holiday through August while my daughter was there...
Then it was expiring in December, so we went one last time at Thanksgiving! I saved lots of money on merchandise and food, but I maybe wouldn't have gone so often without the AP. I'd definitely do it again!!

 

[ktmo]

Anyone else get caught doing this too?

The additional trips in middle of year to justify the AP are what scare me.

My kids would need tix each time. I end up using airline miles and hotel points or spending a few hundred dollars each time.

Starting to feel like this isn't the right move.

It doesn't sound like you would be saving any money, based on your original post. It is still costing you $200+. I just don't see it making sense, just to get the memory maker.

We got APs this year because we have two trips booked. The APs are less then two sets of tickets, so it was a no brainer.

I do think that I will try to squeeze in another trip before they expire, so that is a cost.

 

[AngiTN]

Anyone else get caught doing this too?

The additional trips in middle of year to justify the AP are what scare me.

My kids would need tix each time. I end up using airline miles and hotel points or spending a few hundred dollars each time.

Starting to feel like this isn't the right move.

I don't think the AP makes any sense if everyone else will need tickets for other trips

 

[lovesdumbo]

Anyone else get caught doing this too?

The additional trips in middle of year to justify the AP are what scare me.

My kids would need tix each time. I end up using airline miles and hotel points or spending a few hundred dollars each time.

Starting to feel like this isn't the right move.

How likely are you to talk yourself into those extra trips because you have miles and hotel points anyways? Seems like you really want to go more than once a year already.

 

[disneybounddd]

Having the annual pass can get you other discounts on room, dining, merchandise. And having the free parking and memory maker included makes it totally worth it! And you never know when it might get you some other perks, during food and wine last year, I got a free wine glass out of having one! And anything more than one trip a year means you will definitely get your money's worth.