How do I this? I'm stressed!

[auntie k]

I bought an AP knowing I was going at least twice this year, and had hoped to snag some good room rates. First trip is April, I had to pay a one day ticket to get MYW package to include dining, but used 40% off for room. So Ok, the 40% was worth the $75 one day ticket. (we've never used "dining" and didn't think I wanted to, but after reading the DIS board, thought I would try it since we have a character meal everyday already booked) Had I factored that in before I might not have purchased the AP

Trip 2 - In October - was trying to use my AP, and go with a friend and her 2 kids as their "activity director" since it's their 1st visit...(trying to stay as cheap as possible for me, as this trip was not planned).I'm staying in their room, and had only planned to pay for airfare and food - since they had the room, and I had an AP. BUT To get 40% off - ressie has to be in my name....plus I wasn't sure how I could get from airport since they are using ME - so AGAIN I need to buy one day ticket to get MYW - same as them. Again, lots of character meals - so figure dining would pay for itself.

Trip 3 - December - used 40% off and currently have a room only ressie at GF. But I might be looking at another one day ticket

At this point, I'm not sure an AP was a good deal. And I'm not sure how I will ever use 3 - 1 day tickets. I'm not well versed in ticket upgrades, etc.
Wow - so much for thinking I was a Disney veteran and knew more than the average Joe!!

If you've read this far in my saga, thanks so much...and any information is welcome!

 

[allisonswonderland]

I think this will help a lot people....I have an AP and would like to know some answers as well, sorry no help!

 

[Capt'n Tom]

When you check in on first trip - upgrade the one day tickets to no expiration. They never expire - I have used tickets that were 4 to 5 years old. You know you are going back - you know it. This way when you do go back and in case you have not renewed your annual pass (reason I have not gotten one - tempted but have not made the plunge) you can use the one day tickets - also - if you have not consider adding PH - makes it even more flexible - nothing like going to MK in the morning and Epcot for evening.

 

[auntie k]

but doesn't adding no expiration add more $$....uughh.

If I purchase a 6 day - Park Hopper for each visit, it's $786.

The AP was apx $500 with taxes....so if I add 3, 1-day tickets, thats $725.

If my math is correct (and it rarely is!) that's only about $61 difference....but I'm not sure which is the better way to go, MYW or keep my AP and pay the one day ticket price (and add the no expire option)

I haven't called yet to see if I can "cancel" or "return" my AP.....will wait to see what you guys have to say....

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Your 1 day base ticket is not going to expire (they are good until you activate them by using them to enter the park)...so just hang on to them until you can use them once your AP expires. You can use them later to use the credit to renewing your AP or upgrading to multi-day parkhoppers. So stick with your original plan and purchase an AP.

 

[Capt'n Tom]

Adding NE adds about $10 per day (If you got the 6 Day MYW PH - I would get NE because you never know when you have a rainy day or something else comes up). We know we are going back and so having the NE option makes sense for us. So with your example sounds like you still save. Good luck.

 

[Capt'n Tom]

Duh - one day ticket never expires until it is used. Great catch calypso!

 

[Traveliz]

When you check in on first trip - upgrade the one day tickets to no expiration. They never expire - I have used tickets that were 4 to 5 years old. You know you are going back - you know it. This way when you do go back and in case you have not renewed your annual pass (reason I have not gotten one - tempted but have not made the plunge) you can use the one day tickets - also - if you have not consider adding PH - makes it even more flexible - nothing like going to MK in the morning and Epcot for evening.

One day tickets DO NOT need to be upgraded to no expiration - they simply don't expire until the day you use them so don't worry about that. And yes I know this from experience - I am an AP ticket holder who has some one day tickets from the free dining last year...I have used one since with no problem...well in reality I gave it to a friend to use who went with me on a girls trip.

Liz

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

One thing that has been suggested it that you go to Guest Services and have the 1-day ticket removed from your room key and traded for the actual ticket...that way you have something that is easier to identify as it will be a true ticket that has what it is printed on it. Also, if you end up giving it to someone else to use later it's not necessarily attached to a particular person's name. If you don't do this...just bring a Sharpie marker and write right on the room key that it still has a 1-day ticket on it. That way you don't accidentally throw it away!

 

[Tink415]

Well, you don't say how long your 3 trips are, but most likely your cost per day for tickets will still be less because you have an AP.

And yes, if you get the 1 day tickets you're putting out more $$ but in the long run you'll save $$.

Just save the 1 day tickets, if you choose to get them, and put them towards a future AP or MYW ticket.

The 40% off code was better than AP discount because it was a bettter discount plus it included a discounted rate for Fri & Sat nights and the AP discount did not (I'm using my trip this month as an example - 40% off moderate water view was $99 all nights and the AP discount was $99 standard view Sunday-Thur only - Fri & Sat were rack rate $149). So having to buy a 1 day ticket, if you choose to, kind of makes it a wash.

Like someone else suggested, make sure you mark the cards w/ 1 day ticket with a sharpie and keep them in a safe place

 

[mrp4352]

One thing that has been suggested it that you go to Guest Services and have the 1-day ticket removed from your room key and traded for the actual ticket...that way you have something that is easier to identify as it will be a true ticket that has what it is printed on it. Also, if you end up giving it to someone else to use later it's not necessarily attached to a particular person's name. If you don't do this...just bring a Sharpie marker and write right on the room key that it still has a 1-day ticket on it. That way you don't accidentally throw it away!

Ummm, or have to pull it out of a scrapbook... Not that anyone typing this reply would know...

It's very easy - we had this same situation with tickets last year. We used our APs, but bought 1-day tickets to get the free dining. I was able to use my room key in December for the 1-day ticket without any problems!

 

[Tinkaroo]

I bought an AP knowing I was going at least twice this year, and had hoped to snag some good room rates. First trip is April, I had to pay a one day ticket to get MYW package to include dining, but used 40% off for room. So Ok, the 40% was worth the $75 one day ticket. (we've never used "dining" and didn't think I wanted to, but after reading the DIS board, thought I would try it since we have a character meal everyday already booked) Had I factored that in before I might not have purchased the AP

Trip 2 - In October - was trying to use my AP, and go with a friend and her 2 kids as their "activity director" since it's their 1st visit...(trying to stay as cheap as possible for me, as this trip was not planned).I'm staying in their room, and had only planned to pay for airfare and food - since they had the room, and I had an AP. BUT To get 40% off - ressie has to be in my name....plus I wasn't sure how I could get from airport since they are using ME - so AGAIN I need to buy one day ticket to get MYW - same as them. Again, lots of character meals - so figure dining would pay for itself.

Trip 3 - December - used 40% off and currently have a room only ressie at GF. But I might be looking at another one day ticket

At this point, I'm not sure an AP was a good deal. And I'm not sure how I will ever use 3 - 1 day tickets. I'm not well versed in ticket upgrades, etc.
Wow - so much for thinking I was a Disney veteran and knew more than the average Joe!!

If you've read this far in my saga, thanks so much...and any information is welcome!

Do your friends that you're going with in October have to do a MYW package? Are they doing this because they want the dining package? If the dining package isn't a big deal to them, I would just book a room only for the 4 of you to stay, under your name, and have them buy their park tickets from a reputable ticket broker, like Undercover Tourist. It's my understanding that the 40% off pin is only on the room, even if you turn it into a package (which means the other components are full price, and they could certainly save a bit of $$ on their tickets going through a broker like UT). This would also save you from doing the 1-day ticket.

Same thing applies to your December trip - do you need something like dining in the package that's preventing you from just booking a "room only" rate?

 

[canwegosoon]

1st of all since for your primary trip April you said that you wanted to do DDP for the Character Meals...did you run the numbers with the DDE? Because the plan is locking you into a plan that was a good value, but might not be any more. You will still probably be able to get a AP for the R/O....you really have to look at the codes(check historical information). Know that even if you have a package booked you can cancel 45 days out(and 5 days out for room only reservations). With so many trips planned a DDE card and eating a few meals in room or from food courts you might easilly be better off than on the DDP. Make a comparision of what you honestly will eat. Be aware of holiday pricing for dining.

October trip-if you are going to pay for the room AP rate- have your friend pay you up front or make some kind of arrangement with gift cards or other (like airfare and meals etc). Again DDE would save you $$$ but you would really need to trust that these people will pay you. If there is any question then they should book a package(and hold the 1 day ticket) and let them be responsible for adding you to their reseveration.

December trip-alot has to do with the dates-there will not be an AP or package discount on some of the dates....if you are going over Christmas Eve/Christmas Day it might be better to get the DDP since there will be no discount for the DDE. But all other days should have a DDE discount(check restaurants). BE aware of Holiday pricing.