Is AP worth it?

[magicmirror]

Is it cost effective to get an AP for family of 5 staying nine nights at DW, I know it would be if planning a second trip within a year, but what if you are only sure you will be able to go once? Or is it better to wait for general public discount codes? AP discounts cannot be combined with general public codes, can they? I wouldn't think so. Anyone have any ideas on which would be the best way to go? Can AP discounts only be used at particular resorts or certain times of the year? Bear with me, only one more question, with an AP can you also get the dining plan added onto your reservation? Does it offer discounts on the dining plan? oops, sorry, that was actually 2 more questions.Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

In general, you cannot combine two discounts/promotions.

The only way to know for sure which one is the best deal is to sit down and do the math. I would not purchase an AP unless (a) you know it's cheaper than buying equivalent MYW admissions for trips within a single one-year period or (b) you *know* what the discounts are, and *know* that an AP is the best deal for you.

If you want to avoid the hassle of figuring it out, a Disney specialist travel agent can help a lot.

 

[Samsma]

As for the dining option, it isn't available if you don't have a package, and the AP rates don't apply to the packages, so no, you can't even buy the dining for regular price if you are using an AP discount. That said, you can buy a Disney Dining Experience (DDE) card for $60 as an annual pass holder, which gives you a 20% discount at sitdown and some counter service meals. I bought a AP for the first time this year only because I'll be going in June and Dec., and the AP's themselves were cheaper than the tickets I was going to buy for the two trips. I figure the 20% discount will offset any great deal the dining plan offers (more food than you actually pay for), and we won't be pressed to eat when were don't really want to, just because it is already paid for.

 

[jarrdisney]

I'm certain there are a lot of people questioning the purchase of their AP's right now. My AP has already paid for itself. I have been to disney more than once this year and plan on going back atleast 2 more times before the pass expires. I have yet to use it for a room discount but I figure that is just an added bonus. The DDE has saved me a lot of money on food I want to eat, unlike the food you feel forced to eat with the DDP. Furthermore, and I think most will agree...the AP gives you an excuse to go to disney evenmore!!! Hope it works out for you...I say go for it!

 

[jcpuppy.com]

I did a cost projection for our family based on 2 adults and 3 kids under 10 the first year and then 2 adults and 3 kids over 10 the next 2 years, based on 9day MYW with hopper tickets and AP. This would be going 1 time a year for at least 9 days/8 nights. I included the renewal fees etc.. I looked at I compared both with water parks and without and I would LOSE almost $1500
over 3 years on either. ap or ap with water, so i will stick with the MYW tickets and get my free dining this year. Unless the AP has some outstanding room deal for the moderates or deluxes it isn't worth it for us.

Now I could have done my math wrong, but i did use an adding machine

 

[gbrogers]

I am considering this plan of attack for my family of five as well. From all of the research that I am doing on the AP, I think it really depends on where you are going to stay. Disney gives you a percentage discount as an AP holder. The percentages change based on the type of resort (value , moderate, deluxe) that you are staying at. Based on Disney's AP rates that were offered this spring, the values were $35 off per night, the moderates were $66 off per night, and the deluxe were $133 off per night. (Rates from Mousesavers)

Remember that you will only need one adult AP for your reservation to get the discount. Everyone else in the group can have MYW tickets. You can add Park Hopper to any MYW ticket while at Disney for $40 per ticket. So consider only adding the Park Hopper option to your tickets for the days that you know that you are going to go to multiple parks.

An AP is about $200 more than an adult 7 day MYW with parkhopper. When I do the math, I come up with just over $500 in savings with the AP over the online package rate.

Mousesavers has a great comparison chart.

 

[cobbler]

Also AP's tend to cost more in the long run. With already paid for admission it is so easy to want to go back again and they burn a hole in your pocket.

Add AP's and DVC together and well, that is just a ticking time bomb

As for it is worth it? Well really it should only be based on park admission. Lately AP rates are much smaller than they have been in the past and seem to be getting smaller. They used to do a % off your rooms, now it is a flat dollar amount.

Last year for a value during value season, AP rate was 59/night. AAA rate was 61/night. Only $2 more.