Is AP worth it?

[worlddreamer]

hello! DBF and I are planning a trip for next May - it will be the first time for both of us! We are soo excited. We will be staying in Orlando for 10 days, but 2 will be spent at US/IOA..

My question is this: is it worth it for one of us to purchase an AP? Or what would we have to do to make it cost effective? I know that a UPH would cost more, but I am concerned about the extra cost of admittance to the water parks, PI, and DQ since we plan on seeing all 3. Are the discounts on food and resorts enough to offset the price of admissions?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[amandaC]

IF there is an AP discount for your resort, an AP may well be worth it. I have an AP and rarely use it for restaurants- it's usually only good for lunch. I do use it for some of the stores in DTD too. There is a discount for PI also.

 

[Daxx]

We bought AP's for our 10 day visit. We decided that they were approx. $30 more than the 10 day PH's. We knew, before purchasing our AP's, that we'd definitely return at least 2 more times before the AP's expired.

So, it's a good decision if you plan on going back to WDW before the AP's expire. That way, you don't have to pay for another set of tix.

You can only use your AP for a 10% discount at World Of Disney, Virgin Megastore and Arribas Bros. crystal/gifts in DTD.

You save $4 adult and $3 kids on admission to PI, Water Parks and DQ.

As far as food/restaurants, you can dine at 10% off as follows:

Lunch only, Mon thru Fri. at Bonnet Creek Golf Club, Concourse Steak House, ESPN Club, Trails End, Grand Flor. Cafe, Olivia's Cafe, Kona Cafe, Whispering Canyon Cafe and Yacht Club Gallery.

Other restaurant dining discounts are limited to DTD restaurants.

HTH you make a decision!

 

[scrump]

I think the breakeven point for APs is 8 days. I don't have the paperwork anymore, but our trip last year for 8 days was actually cheaper purchasing a $400 AP than it was without. Try and do the math and you might see for yourself!!!

 

[disneychrista]

All I can say is "do the math".

Figure the cost of the AP's and add to them the cost of AP discounted admission to the "extra's" you plan to do (ie water park, pleasure island etc). and Compare that to the cost purchasing a Hopper Plus pass. Also depending on how much you plan to do the extras you might consider a Premium Annual Pass that includes the water parks and other extras.

 

[MELSMICE]

Think of it this way:

8 WDW days
2 US/IOA days

Will you do the parks every day for the 8 WDW days?
Do you want to do any water parks?
Will you be returning to WDW within the year?

I know the break even point for an AP is 8 days - however, if you're not going to be returning within the year you may want to consider a 7-day PH Plus. This would give you 7 park days & 4 pluses. If you don't use them all they are good forever - even if you don't return for 5 years.

With 10 vacation days I would think that you may want a day or 2 to just spend by the pool. The positive of an AP in this case is that you could go to a park in the evening even for an hour. If you don't care about just being able to "go to a park on a whim" then it doesn't matter if you have an AP or not in this case.

I guess my suggestion would be to look at your finances, travel plans & really do the math as everyone else said. If you'll be returning for sure within the next year then I would definitely get an AP (maybe even a PAP) but if you won't be back within the year you may want to consider the 7-day PHP. (Sign up for the Mousesavers newsletter at www.mousesavers.com to get information on special ticket prices that www.ticketmania.com occassionally has).

As far as AP discounts - it seems that sometimes the "public" codes are similiar to the AP discount codes.

We have AP's & like the flexibility, but we also return 2-3X a year.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[fran99999]

Dont forget about the FITS (Fun in the Sun) Passes available through Paramount travel.

They cost $311 for adults and $251 for children (3-9) plus a $15 shipping. This Link shows what is incuded It is cheaper through Paramount travel though. www.discountorlandovacation.com


It includes 30 days of unlimited access to disney parks including water and disney quest. Also 1 character breakfast including the CRT breakfast.

Good luck making a decision. This is just another option.