Is it justified for me to purchase an AP?

[MarylandPizzaman]

Please forgive me for taking the easy way out by asking all of you, But I like to get a different perspective.....
I am going to WDW this June from the 11th to the 17th. There will be four of us, all adults. I will most likely not be going back until next summer.
My main reason in asking is I have heard alot about the DDE card and you have to be an AP holder to get one.
We usually do at least three character meals while there.
Would it be wise for my wife and I to get the AP and not the other two?
Sincerely the Perk hunter

 

[MarylandPizzaman]

Sorry I got moved,
Must have posted in the wrong spot....

 

[Buzz's_girl]

I know the DDE can get you some great discounts...but did you consider only getting ONE AP. That way you can still get the DDE, and also get AP room rates without spending all that money on expensive tickets you might only use once....the new MYW tickets seem like a less expensive way to go if you won't be going back more than once within a year....

Also, the DDE expires after a year....so it may not be worth it for one trip...

I am sure someone with MORE info will be along to help you! Good luck!

 

[Chuck S]

The DDE is a great perk. But...it really depends on the situation. You have 4 adult in your party, you are staying 6 nights, so I am assuming at least 6 sit down meals. Are you big eaters, meanong do you order an appetizer, adult beverages, entree, dessert - or are you naturally lighter eaters, maybe ordering an entree or just an appetizer and dessert?

The additional cost of an AP vs the cost of a 6 day (or 7 day) MYW ticket, assuming you don't get the non-expiration option, must also be considered. Figuring you'll do 6 park days, a MYW hopper will cost $246.02 an AP $420.68 Approx $175 difference, plus the $50 DDE charge.

Now, if you can get an AP room rate, you'll likely save enough onthe room to justify the cost, otherwise, no.

 

[Scroft391]

I was doing the calculations on this very subject earlier tonight. We are going in May for 7 night at the WL. Since there are no AP rates out, I had to estimate. Looking at the amount of savings you get on the AP rates in April, it looks like a 35% savings. That broke down to a room savings of $766. The tickets for 2 adults and 2 children with park hopper would go up by $172 with one adult getting an AP instead. That changes the savings to $594. The biggest difference is in the meals.

The meal plan when you get the Magic Your Way package is $35 per adult and $10 per child. For 2 adults and 2 children that is $90 per day x 7 days for a total of $630.

The Disney Dining experience costs $50 and saves you 20% on your meals. I estimate the cost of the meals you normally get in the MYW package at $30/adult for sit down & $15/child for sit down. The counter service at $20/adult and $10/child. A snack at $7.50 per person. Calculating this out, that is $180 per day x 7 days. That equals $1,260 - 20% = $1,008. So $630 worth of meals in the package is equal to $1,008 +$50 for the card in the DDE. The DDE is $428 more.

When you subtract the $428 higher meal cost from the savings of $594 calculated earlier, that gives a net savings of $166. Considering the DDE is only valid at 100 places as opposed to 200 for the MYW package and the aggravation of doing everything separate, I am sticking with the MYW package.

Naturally there are some estimations factored in here but I was trying to slant it heavily towards the AP route and I just couldn't see the benefit. If the AP room savings is lower than estimated, then the AP route is even worse. If you eat larger meals than I estimated, the food voucher system in the MYW package becomes even more valuable. I just don't see how the AP will save me enough to make it worth my while.

 

[Cruelladeville]

The assumption here is that you are only going to WDW once this year. If you go twice, then the AP is worth the investment. IF you go in May this year, and April next year, you can use the AP twice.

Are you planning to buy into DVC? You get $100 of the purchase of an AP, and $25 off the DDE, which also makes it more beneficial. Of course, buying into DVC almost guarantees that you will go to WDW more often.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Arggggh!!!!! This is a math word problem, isn't it????

Okay, let's see....the break-even point on an AP is 13 theme park visits (which you will not be doing).

The difference in cost between an AP + DDE and just a 7-day MYW Hopper is:
$420.68 (AP) + $50 (DDE) - $237.50 (7-day MYW Hopper w/expiry, adv. purchase) = $233.18

In order for you to break even, you would have to realize a savings of $233 on the DDE purchases. At 20% off your bill, that would translate to spending $1165 on food for 4 adults for 7 days. That's $41.61 per person per day. Do you think that you would spend more than that amount at the select dining locations each day? If so, then you will definitely save by purchasing one AP and a DDE membership.

Please note, that these savings don't even take into consideration the possible room discount that an AP holder might get. I never factor in the room discount when making the decision to purchase an AP because there are no guarantees that a) there will be any discounts for my dates b) there will be discounted rooms available at my resort or c) the discount - if available - may not be as steep as I anticipated.

 

[offtheice]

Here is the same problem for me.
I am a DVC member with one tripped locked in stone from april 21 to may2. Only 2 of those days are we going over to universal.. The rest at disney. I have to get 3 total tickets. 2 adults and 1 child . I know that since I just added on more pts at SSR , I probably will end up going back for atleast 5 days within the yr from the time i validate the PRim AP if I purchase it. My problem is do I get a 7 or 10 day with all options or do I purchase the Prim AP ????

 

[meandtheguys2]

factor in parking if they are staying off site too!

 

[swilphil]

I got an AP mainly for the room discount at a deluxe resort, but I also opted to buy the DDE. For the rest of my family I bought 10 day no expire hoppers. That way we would have some days left over if we don't make it back in one year. If you go the AP route, definitely just get one unless you will have 2 trips within a year.

I wouldn't buy an AP only for the DDE discount. If you do a sitdown meal every day (character or otherwise), you might be better off getting the package with the dining plan, especially if you are staying at a value or moderate resort. If you are staying at a deluxe, the AP room discount may be worthwhile. With the dining plan, each adult pays $35 per day and that includes one sitdown meal (including character), one counter service meal and one snack, but you pay rack rate for your room.