hmmm should I consider an AP?

[ejrj]

Hello!

Reading some replies on the 'park hopper' thread now has me wondering if an AP is something I should consider for our family. We are planning our first family trip (previous trips we as a couple in '05, and as kids in 89/81). We will be 2 ad and 3 children ages 4,2&2. The plan was for 6ni/7 days staying at POR.

The general thought was to do this trip while the youngest are still free and then likely come back when the kids are 6,4&4. Now the AP has me thinking though...

Is the AP good for one year from date of purchase? Thinking that is the value was really worth it, maybe we could do another trip just before our littlest ones turn 3.

Am I getting really carried away? I know some of you travel to WDW A LOT and therefore the AP is an obvious choice. For those of you that are quite so regular, when does AP become a value to it and what additional benefits do you see as worthy?

Thanks all!!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Hello!

Reading some replies on the 'park hopper' thread now has me wondering if an AP is something I should consider for our family. We are planning our first family trip (previous trips we as a couple in '05, and as kids in 89/81). We will be 2 ad and 3 children ages 4,2&2. The plan was for 6ni/7 days staying at POR.

The general thought was to do this trip while the youngest are still free and then likely come back when the kids are 6,4&4. Now the AP has me thinking though...

Is the AP good for one year from date of purchase? Thinking that is the value was really worth it, maybe we could do another trip just before our littlest ones turn 3.

Am I getting really carried away? I know some of you travel to WDW A LOT and therefore the AP is an obvious choice. For those of you that are quite so regular, when does AP become a value to it and what additional benefits do you see as worthy?

Thanks all!!

The AP is good for a year after you first use it. Only get an AP if you know for sure you will be taking another weeklong trip within a year. Where do you live? Do you have to fly or take a long drive? Or are you close. You need to make sure you can take another trip within the year. So if your trip is April 1 of this year then your next trip needs to be completely by April 1 of the following year.

For example we are taking a trip in April but don't think we can get back until the next summer so it won't work for us. Now if we decide we can do a Thanksgiving trip then the AP would be worth it.

 

[ejrj]

We are in AL, so talking about an 11 hr drive.

Well, I did some quick math. Which brings me to more question - if you have an AP, you're not booking a package which would then make you ineligible for FD, right? not debating the value, as I know that is a hot topic, just confirming the ineligibility?! So I assume then that as an AP what you really want are room discounts. In doing the math, I only see the AP being a good choice for us if there is a high % room discount offered. Am I right?

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

We are in AL, so talking about an 11 hr drive.

Well, I did some quick math. Which brings me to more question - if you have an AP, you're not booking a package which would then make you ineligible for FD, right? not debating the value, as I know that is a hot topic, just confirming the ineligibility?! So I assume then that as an AP what you really want are room discounts. In doing the math, I only see the AP being a good choice for us if there is a high % room discount offered. Am I right?

You need to buy tickets (I think a 2 day ticket is required for FD but someone will correct me if i am wrong) for FD. Of course room discounts are never gauranteed and neither is free dining. I think the main criteria for going with the AP is that you will be taking at least 2 separate week long trips to the World within 12 months.

 

[Kay1]

Another thing to consider is that if you did buy the APs you could take that second trip rather inexpensively. You could stay offsite where there are a lot of hotels that cost less and have cooking facilities, and are near inexpensive restaurants. Your admission would be covered and parking would be free for you.

Good luck deciding.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We are in AL, so talking about an 11 hr drive.

Well, I did some quick math. Which brings me to more question - if you have an AP, you're not booking a package which would then make you ineligible for FD, right? not debating the value, as I know that is a hot topic, just confirming the ineligibility?! So I assume then that as an AP what you really want are room discounts. In doing the math, I only see the AP being a good choice for us if there is a high % room discount offered. Am I right?

You are correct but one good way to get a deal and get free dining is for trip #1 do the package w/ free dining, then upgrade your tickets to an AP. 2nd trip use the AP discounts and you can add DDP on (not free). Sometimes the room discount works out to be more than the free dining discount would have been, depending on the accomidations. You get 2 trips, 1 w/ free dining and an AP to use on the second one. We do this every year then use our AP for the rest of the trips that year.

 

[momtwoboys]

so once you activate the AP its good until the following year, but the trip has to be completed by the date it was activated?? Just following along to see if we should do this also. Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to look at the Everything About WDW Tickets locked sticky in this Forum. Especially the items bolded in the list below.

Post and Contents

1. This Table of Contents
2. Magic Your Way (MYW) Ticket Basics Including Definitions
3. Annual Passes and Water Park Tickets
4. Tickets Available Only to Florida Residents
5. Tickets Not Available to the General Public
6. Upgrading MYW Tickets (Not to Annual Passes)
7. Upgrading Tickets to Annual Passes
8. Dealing With Tickets Issued Prior to 1 January 2005 (Pre-MYW)
9. Children and Adults
10. Special Events
11. Comprehensive MYW Ticket Example
12. Hotel Card (Key To The World (KTTW))
13. Lost Tickets
14. Finger Scans
15. Frequently Asked Ticket Questions.
15A. Hopping Rules
15B. WPF&M With No Expire
15C. No Expire Upgrades
15D. Upgrading an Unused Ticket
15E. Upgrading Special Tickets
15F. Checking on Old Tickets
15G. Renewing Annual Passes
15H. Upgrading a Completely Used Ticket
15I. Getting Park Tickets Before Package Start Date
15J. Upgrading After Departure

Page Two of the Sticky

16. 2012 Florida Resident Wild For Disney Tickets
17. 2011/2012 Armed Forces Salute Tickets
18A. Prices Effective June 12, 2011
18B. Per Day Pricing for Ticket Combinations
18C. How to Save Money on Annual Pass Purchases
19. "Free" Tickets and Special Promotions
20. Ticket Purchase/Upgrade Locations and Telephones
21. Florida Resident Installment Purchases of Annual Passes

To get there directly, follow the link in my signature.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

DONT DO IT!!! AP'S made is go 4 times in one year! They are very dangerous!

 

[ejrj]

Thanks everyone. And thanks Chesire. I figured that had to be info somewhere on here that didn't involve me starting a thread but wasn't sure where to find it.

It the idea of getting in two trips, the second inexpensively before our twins turned three that appealed to me. That said, if we purchased the AP in October during our trip although that would give us a full year of AP, our 'babies' turn 3 at the end of August 2013 which would mean that we would have to plan our second trip during hot and bust August.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

DONT DO IT!!! AP'S made is go 4 times in one year! They are very dangerous!

You say that like it's a bad thing!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Thanks everyone. And thanks Chesire. I figured that had to be info somewhere on here that didn't involve me starting a thread but wasn't sure where to find it.

It the idea of getting in two trips, the second inexpensively before our twins turned three that appealed to me. That said, if we purchased the AP in October during our trip although that would give us a full year of AP, our 'babies' turn 3 at the end of August 2013 which would mean that we would have to plan our second trip during hot and bust August.

But to save $500 I would put up with the heat. And mid August crowds really drop off. It's comparable to most of Oct since F&W and MNSSHP bring in more crowds now. I STILL bring it up to DH that we didn't take DS until 2 months after his 3rd birthday (DH's fault b/c poor planning- long story) and we could have saved that money. He's 7 now. And no I just can't let it go!

 

[ejrj]

ok. teach me how you get the most value out of your pass so that I can get the cost of my second trip low enough to do this! I

know we could stay in a barebones property off site but I'm not really interested in that. I prefer Mods but would look at Value property for the second trip. I know that would get the price much lower. Or maybe even a property in DTD? What other discounts/strategies do you employ?

 

[patink]

Another "perk" to the AP is being able to purchase a Tables in Wonderland dining card. It costs $75 so you have to spend at least $375 on food at discounted places to make it worthwhile. You get 20% off at most Table Service and some Counter Service. The Counter Service at the Value Resorts are included. We LOVE being able to eat b-fast at POP using the discount.
That may help make up for not getting the dining plan.
APs also have room discounts that are sometimes better than the public discounts.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Just do what I did - open up an empty Excel spreadsheet and start running the numbers.

Put in the cost of one trip, without APs, with whatever tickets you want and whatever accommodations you want.

Then put in the cost of two trips, with buying several APs and figuring in room discounts.

When I did the extensive math in excel (which will give you the information you REALLY need), I found that it was absolutely worth it for me and my finances and how I travel. My first trip was 4 days, but had I not used my AP again I would have only been out about $150. And, depending on how you look at it, my substantial AP discount at CR more than paid for the entire AP - however, would I have stayed at CR if I didn't get the massive discount?

I thought about staying off-property on last week's solo trip, but could get a great AP rate for onsite - still, I ended up renting DVC points and staying at AKL (beautiful). For my three night, four day stay at AKL, including airfare and car and tickets to the park through my AP, I spent less than $500. The few souvenirs I bought got the 10% off from having an AP - and one guy gave me the 20% off for a premium pass.

We are also planning on going back for the ToT race in late September; by then, my AP has paid for itself many times over. We might rent points again, but if not the discounts are steep when you stay at a deluxe. And if not, we'll stay off-site at a suite and rent another car, and enjoy the free parking the AP provides.

You'll have to lay out the math to know for sure.

 

[dvcmom72]

Jumping in here because we are going in November and I am also trying to figure out if we want to do 5 Day Hoppers w/ the Dining Plan vs APs with the TiW card. I did run the numbers this morning and assuming we do take another trip before November 2013 I think there's no question the APs are a better deal. We are DVC members so we are staying on points this November...but for a second visit maybe in the spring of 2013, I would be interested in seeing what kind of room discounts we could take advantage of (since we won't have to BUY park passes!). So my question is, without actually having the APs purchased yet, is there anywhere to SEE what kind of room discounts are offered?? (resorts, dates, % off rates) Just curious if anyone knows. Thanks!!

 

[patink]

You can call and I know they will run your days and resort preferences and look for AP discounts. I don't know of another way without actually having the AP.

Here is what is currently running on the AP site. Nothing for November, but it gives you an idea.

Passholders! Save 25% to 40% at Select Disney Resort Hotels This Spring!

Passholders, make the most of your Annual Pass and SAVE at Walt Disney World Resort this spring! Save 25% to 40% at select Disney Resort hotels when you book through February 8, 2012 for stays most nights March 9, 2012 through June 14, 2012.

For example, stay in a standard room at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort starting at just $96 per night, plus tax, for most Friday and Saturday nights April 20, 2012 through May 19, 2012. That's a savings of 25%!

Plus, when you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, it's easy to make the most of your Passholder benefits. Find out why.

Discover great rates at a variety of Resort types:

For stays most nights from: April 12 - May 24, 2012 and May 28 - June 14, 2012

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels Save 35%* - 40%**
Select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels Save 30%* - 35%**
Select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels Save 25%* - 30%**
Select Disney Value Resort Hotels Save 25%*



For stays most nights from: March 9 - March 31, 2012 and May 25 - May 27, 2012

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels Save 30%* - 40%**
Select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels Save 25%* - 35%**
Select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels Save 20%* - 25%**
Select Disney Value Resort Hotels Save 20%*


* Disney Hotels available for this savings:

Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels: Disney's Animal Kingdom Jambo House and Kidani Village, Disney's Boardwalk
Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels: Disney's Polynesian, Disney's Grand Floridian, Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney Moderate Resort Hotels: Disney's Fort Wilderness Cabins, Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside

** Disney Hotels available for this savings:

Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels: Disney's Saratoga Springs, Disney's Old Key West
Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels: Disney Yacht and Beach Club, Disney's Boardwalk Inn, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Standard View
Disney Moderate Resort Hotels: Disney's Coronado Springs, Disney's Caribbean Beach
Disney Value Resort Hotels: Disney's All Star Sports, Disney's All Star Music, Disney's Pop Century

The number of rooms available at this rate is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same room. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. See Important Details.

 

[dvcmom72]

That's fantastic...thank you for sharing Patink!
Yeah, we're already booked using DVC points for November so I was thinking about what kinds of discounts might be available for next spring. I know what you posted is for 2011 but if that's the kind of thing we can expect for next year then I'm in! I was just looking to get a feel for what kinds of discounts you can get with the AP.
Thanks again!!

 

[patink]

If you have an idea when you go in November when you want to return check the Bounce Back offer in the room when you are there in November. (Assuming there is one. - If there isn't something in the room ASK!!)
We were there the week after T-Giving 2011 and booked Spring Break (Mid-March) on Bounce Back. The AP discounts were not out yet and since it is room only you pay one night deposit and have until 5 days before the trip to cancel.
Bounce Back was a better deal! Not by a lot, but I am always glad to have the better deal. (One more TS, a few extra Mickey bars...)

Not sure how it works with DVC, but it is worth a try. Keep an eye out.

 

[dvcmom72]

Thank you for the tip! Yes, I have seen these offers...I think in the DVC resorts as well. I never pay much attention to them because typically I don't start planning my next trip until I get home and am suffering withdrawals...LOL. But, if we're going to go for the annual passes, welllll...then I can start planning it before we even go on the next trip. OMG my family is going to shoot me.