Is it just me? Or does it seem like AP prices are a lot higher?

[Disney_Daddy]

I mean my season tickets to the Pats increased by 30% this year, (which is understandable considering that exciting victory in the Superbowl...ahhh....whats that you say??).....

I'm not a Patriot basher or Giant's fan... but didn't the Giants win the Super Bowl this year in spite of any filming sessions the Pat's may or may not have recorded prior to the game.

 

[mrsR123]

I've been pondering ticket prices lately, too. I have an AP from marathon weekend and we're heading back this June for 9 days.

I hemmed and hawed, comparing every possible combination. I've finally decided on 8 day hoppers with water parks, that will expire. I don't think we're going back within a year so AP's for everyone else were out. We haven't been to the water parks since before we bought in to DVC, and we really want to go this time around. But, the no expiration is just so darned expensive that I don't want to shell out the cash.

So I used the wayback machine and compared today's Undercover Tourist prices to 2004 Ultimate Park Hoppers-- remember the old length of stay passes? Well, today's MYW with water cost LESS than the old UPH's did four years ago. I've made my peace with that. (And I can always upgrade them if I think I don't want to lose the unused days.)

 

[DisneyPhD]

With the prices of AP being so high it would be really nice if they gave us some kind of regular ticket discounts. One can dream I guess.

 

[BroganMc]

Back in March 2003 I purchased a 7-Day Park Hopper Plus for about $336. Even though I was in Orlando two weeks over the next two years, I had all but 2 days left and both plus entries. I did a lot of all day marathons because starting out after noon felt like a waste of a ticket.

In 2005 I bought my first AP for $420 (pre-DVC). I got about 3 weeks of trips out of that one.

In 2007 when I bought my DVC-discounted AP, I paid around $355 and I'll get around 4.5 weeks worth of trips. The money I've saved on parking while I stayed offsite ($12 a day) and using the DDE make the AP a great deal for me.

MYW tickets are great if you are comfortable only going to parks the number of days you pre-plan, but you can't do any short trips or improvising. Last year my sis bought four 7-Day MYW tix with no expiration for $1472 (2 adults, 2 children) from Undercover Tourist. She has 3 days left and about 6 Plus entries. If she had purchased APs instead, she'd have saved about $100 ($25 per ticket). Her next trip will have to be half park days and the rest water parks.

My brother and SIL are currently debating an AP since they plan to travel in summer this year and next.

 

[Mickeysduck]

In 2007 when I bought my DVC-discounted AP, I paid around $355 and I'll get around 4.5 weeks worth of trips. The money I've saved on parking while I stayed offsite ($12 a day) and using the DDE make the AP a great deal for me.

In this situation, I believe this was the right thing to do. 4.5 weeks worth of trips, and not staying on points. But when staying on points, members get free parking and lots of the same discounts the AP gets. When we go to Disney, we always stay on points.

MYW tickets are great if you are comfortable only going to parks the number of days you pre-plan, but you can't do any short trips or improvising. Last year my sis bought four 7-Day MYW tix with no expiration for $1472 (2 adults, 2 children) from Undercover Tourist. She has 3 days left and about 6 Plus entries. If she had purchased APs instead, she'd have saved about $100 ($25 per ticket). Her next trip will have to be half park days and the rest water parks.

She can still use the MYW tix this year or anytime without expiration. An AP expires after 1 year. If she had purchased an AP she would only have had 4 days use on them, and this year, depending on her purchase date last year, she would have to renew them.

 

[tedisney]

Couple of things I noticed. We have been to Disney orld the past 3 years during March Break (Ontario)

This year the crowds at all parks were way down.

Perhaps it has something to do with the price of admission?

Gary

Actually, attendance keeps going up each year:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1754082

That's why they can keep increasing prices - people keep coming in record numbers. I personally still feel that APs are a great value.

An annual pass to ski at Vail is $579. Keep in mind that Vail is only open until 3:30 - 4pm every day, and is only open (using the term generously) from November - April. No restaurant or shopping discounts come with that one, either.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I think the best benefit of DVC membership is the discounted APs. However, over the years, the benefit has shrunk since although the AP prices increase, the discount remains at $100. I thought about emailing MS about it but I fear they may take the benefit away if there is a complaint! Maybe the money is going to pay for the styrofoam cups in the studios!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I feel it, too. This will be our last trip with just having two adult tickets. DD turns 3 this year. We still have a few years before we have to buy a pass for DS, though.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think the best benefit of DVC membership is the discounted APs. However, over the years, the benefit has shrunk since although the AP prices increase, the discount remains at $100. I thought about emailing MS about it but I fear they may take the benefit away if there is a complaint! Maybe the money is going to pay for the styrofoam cups in the studios!

Those are really good points!

 

[toesmom]

If I do the math correctly, for 3 discounted APs (1 for 4yo, 1 for 10yo and 1 for adult) is about $1000 right now.

Over 3 trips (March, August, overlap into following March)... that works out to $333 per trip. Assume 8 days of use per trip is $41 per day for me and the little kiddos to have complete freedom to come and go as we please.

Seems like a good deal still for $41 per day for all 3 of us to have a great time.

 

[Mtnman44]

If prices didn't go up or if they actually went down, I don't think many of us would be very happy with park crowds. Fact - rising prices control demand. Not that Disney intends to lower attendance, it's just a natural affect. Disney is charging the most it can sell the most tickets for, just like any other business including all of our employers. Disney CAN'T lower prices very much really even if they wanted to, as the parks would be swamped resulting in increased expenses and very upset visitors.

We are all likewise trying to maximize our earnings potential and our savings when we visit WDW.

Everyone seeking their own best economic self interest keeps the market in balance and actually provides the best effiency for goods to meet demand.

 

[Mickeysduck]

If I do the math correctly, for 3 discounted APs (1 for 4yo, 1 for 10yo and 1 for adult) is about $1000 right now.

Over 3 trips (March, August, overlap into following March)... that works out to $333 per trip. Assume 8 days of use per trip is $41 per day for me and the little kiddos to have complete freedom to come and go as we please.

Seems like a good deal still for $41 per day for all 3 of us to have a great time.

This might make sense for a family like yours that doesn't mind going to the parks, or having that option, every single day of your vacation.

Our kids are now grown, and it's just the two of us. We have been going to Disney since 73, and 3 to 4 weeks per year since 2000. It's time to relax and enjoy the other benefits of membership in and around the resorts that we never had time to do before, because we felt like we had to make sure we got our moneys worth from the AP. We were at the point where we would count it as a whole AP day just to get into Epcot to buy a pricey cup of coffee and desert in France when there are great desert shops around the boardwalk, at other resorts, or just outside of Disney.

There is no right or wrong way to do it, it's just a matter of preference.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We are PArk people and want to be in the Parks as much as possible. this includes daily waterpark visits for our mid-day breaks ( heat of the summer a must).

The PAPs with the DVC discount can't be beat for us.

Now when DM and DsF come down we look at how long they are staying and do regular tickets for them if it's a short trip we look at the non-expire option for the next trip.

Yes they are expensive but with what we save with the DVC, DDE and other perks I have no problem putting that money out.It is nice to know we can just go anywhere at anytime including a quick park hop to close 2 different parks the same night even for just an hour or so.

We do the PAPs every other year to maximise the use of them/. We will get them for this July trip ( 12 days) then a short Fall trip (4 to5 days.)and again in June 09 ( 11 or 12 days). If we do a fall 09 trip we will stay at DVC and go to Seaworld and US/IOA for that short trip.

 

[BroganMc]

In this situation, I believe this was the right thing to do. 4.5 weeks worth of trips, and not staying on points. But when staying on points, members get free parking and lots of the same discounts the AP gets. When we go to Disney, we always stay on points.

Not the same amount of discounts. My AP's give me a 50% discount for golf, whereas DVC gives me 15%. DVC won't let me buy DDE and only gives me discounts of 10% on meals or 20% at lunchtime only. DDE gives me 20% all the time. AP also gave me shopping discounts at DTD DVC never gave.

The parking discount only matters if you're staying offsite. In my case, having two timeshares makes that AP worth even more as a discount.

She can still use the MYW tix this year or anytime without expiration. An AP expires after 1 year. If she had purchased an AP she would only have had 4 days use on them, and this year, depending on her purchase date last year, she would have to renew them.

True. But if our family trip had been planned for this summer instead of next, then an AP would have been a much better deal for her. As it is I'm concerned how her 3 days of park entries will adversely effect the group trip plans for next summer. Most of the group will have extra days of park entries and her group will either pay extra or opt out. When I recommended her MYW purchase it was with the intention that her return trip would be in October and dovetail with a MNSSHP admission.

Either way, her every other year trip plans made the MYW purchase the best deal for her.

That's why when I debate ticket purchases I always consider how often people travel, what time of year and what parks. Also the ages of the children come into play. My nephew will be turning 10 next year so he really only had 24 months to use all his MYW entries.

This might make sense for a family like yours that doesn't mind going to the parks, or having that option, every single day of your vacation.

Our kids are now grown, and it's just the two of us. We have been going to Disney since 73, and 3 to 4 weeks per year since 2000. It's time to relax and enjoy the other benefits of membership in and around the resorts that we never had time to do before, because we felt like we had to make sure we got our moneys worth from the AP. We were at the point where we would count it as a whole AP day just to get into Epcot to buy a pricey cup of coffee and desert in France when there are great desert shops around the boardwalk, at other resorts, or just outside of Disney.

We do plenty of that too. One of the best things I experienced with my AP came a day last May. We started out hanging out at the pool in our resort. Then we went to Grand Floridian for tea. After walking around and touring Polynesian (love the beach at sunset), we decided to hop the monorail to see the fireworks from the Contemporary. But the elevator down from the platform was broken at the Contemporary, so we hopped back on the monorail and went into Magic Kingdom. We grabbed a hot dog and drink at Casey's Corner and sat in our spot by Crystal Palace to see the fireworks firsthand. The park closed after so we got about 30 minutes worth of park admission that day. I'd never have even considered it having a MYW ticket.

This is why I love APs so much. They give me permission to saunter into a park for one thing (even just to snap a picture) and saunter out without the slightest bit of guilt.

 

[Mickeysduck]

BroganMc, I agree with you 100% for your situation.
People really have to take a look at what they want to accomplish on their vacation, then decide on the tickets to purchase and I believe you understand that.

I have no regrets with having purchased the AP in the past. Perhaps, after a year or two of MYW, we will go back to the AP, but for now, we want to relax, explore and enjoy the rest of what Disney has to offer in resorts and activities.

There is probably as many argument for MYW over AP as there is AP over MYW.

Thanks for the input!

 

[ranthony]

with 4 tickets to buy (2 adult, 2 child it really adds up.) DD just turned 3 this year so it is her 1st AP.

My twins turn 3 in a few weeks. The days of free parks and food at buffets and family styles are gone.

However, I can't wait to take them back when they can finally enjoy some of the "big kid" rides like big brother! Right now they're favorite ride is Goofy's Barnstormer...but they are thrill seekers (as you can see) and they keep asking for their turn on RnR Coaster. Yeah!

We'll be trying to plan our trips so that we can squeeze in more than one in a year. I really love the flexibilty the APs give and they do offer better discounts. We're also planning on driving to save on transportation costs (plus we love having our own car at WDW) and I may even make use of that full kitchen in those 1 BRs on occasion.

Also, with an AP, I know we are far more likely to take "unplanned" visits to WDW since the tickets are paid for already. For example, DFIL winters near Tampa and we could easily jaunt over to WDW for a few days if we were already there to visit him and have APs.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Tix are high, no doubt about it. I buy tickets throughout the year so that I don't have to buy for the whole family at once. We get 10-day non-expiring tickets. This way, I always have tickets on hand for a trip and I never have to feel like I am shelling out $1000+ for tickets.

 

[LoveMyDisneyCats]

We usually plan it so we can get anywhere from 20-30 days off an AP. I thought they had gone up quite a bit too, but after looking at the posts here, I guess I was underestimating/overestimating too.

I totally agree that APs are not for everyone, but for us we love the flexibilty. I would never go to a park just for dinner and fireworks either, but when it's day #23 on a AP, why not? I'd never do that with a MYW.

I too like the extra discount, DDE, and other things APs offer that DVC doesn't. We love the APs (though now that DD is 3 that puts us up another $350!-where'd my baby go? )

 

[BroganMc]

I too like the extra discount, DDE, and other things APs offer that DVC doesn't. We love the APs (though now that DD is 3 that puts us up another $350!-where'd my baby go? )

My SIL currently is debating what to do with her babies. She's planning a June trip this year for her eldest son's b-day. He'll be 10. His sister turns 11 three weeks later. And the next eldest will be 10 next year when they return for a big extended family trip.

Last time they went (3 years ago), they still had an under 3 yo and the oldest was 8. I think they've missed out on the cheap years and are now re-entering the Disney kick in the pricey years. I never did understand why 10 is magically considered "adult" in Disney.

 

[BroganMc]

There is probably as many argument for MYW over AP as there is AP over MYW.

Absolutely. That's why you always look at what people intend to do with it. For as long as I schedule my Spring and Fall with Disney in mind the AP makes sense. I do miss having my extra plus admissions though. I've been itching to try DQ but I'm too cheap to pay the window price (or a PAP).

I have one day left on my old PHP for PI. When that's used up, I'm debating buying a MYW no expiry just for the Plus admissions. Having the equal number of Plus and park admissions makes a great deal. Buy a 7-Day ticket and you actually get 14 days.