check out the prices on ticketmania. it sounds like an ap would be a consideration but depending on your needs, park hopping, premium options, etc, and whether you are going to the parks for 8 days or 12 will make a big difference. we are going for 7 so i couldn't justify the ap. i didn't purchase the no expiration option because we wouldn't need it. they have 8 and 9 day passes available which you can't find a lot of places. they are trustworthy too, so give it a try.