Is there a benefit to being an AP

[llb]

I am considering becoming an AP. The web site does not denote the actual room/package savings afforded to an AP unless you get a quote and you can't get a quote without being an AP. I am trying to decide if its worth it formy family. I usually go to Disney when I get a great deal (i.e postcard for Beach Club @150. per night), free dining etc Can you share your experiences and if you feel this has created a cost savings. We usually go once a year. I know AP rates are only offered at certain times. I have school age children so I am not that flexible to be able to go any time I want. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[cobbler]

Well based on the info that you only go one time a year it might not be worth it for you. The real cost/savings comes in when you visit the parks 12+ days?? (I think its 12 days now).

Discounts have been available but aren't guaranteed, they may not be available for your dates of travel or your resort choice so it is a gamble. Being that you aren't really flexible it will make a discount a bit harder to get given the criteria above.

If you went down more than once a year it might be worth it. If you are willing to take a gamble on it thats up to you.

In the past there have been discounts as deep as 40% but with tourism up those days are gone for a while. This year they are a flat dollar amount off, 18 for value, 45 for moderats and 70-75 for deluxe. As for next year they appear to follow the same pattern of a flat dollar amount off however I haven't figured out exactly what that is yet.

 

[llb]

thanks so much for your input. Its much more helpful to hear from real people rather than marketing info.

 

[AlexTina]

Well here is a good example for you. This is for our trip this September.

Originally I had booked the Grand Floridian for 7 nights with 2 adult 6 day tickets, and 1 child 6 day ticket + free dining for a grand total of $3310.97

Since we go a couple of times a year I went ahead and purchased an AP and changed my reservation to 7 nights with 1 adult 6 day pass, 1 child 6 day pass and no free dining for a grand total of $1826.00 + $420.00 for and AP.

Which is a difference of $1065.00

So even though I had to purchase an annual pass and we will have to pay for our food seperately I think it's a great deal. I like the free dining but with two small children we aren't able to take full advantage of all the table service restaurants since my kids won't sit still for a TS meal every night so we will do counter service most of the time anyway and I imagine that for 7 days we will spend around $500 on food so we will still be saving approximately $565 give or take.

Tina

 

[pennst8r]

The savings for our family (me, DH, and 3 DSs) was made up with the discount on our room. There was a diff of $250, I think, between the 8 day pass and the AP. Plus, I purchased the Dining Experience card for $50--which you can only do with an AP or FL passholder. This will save us 20% off most meals.

Or, you can look at it as we got a deluxe room for less than what the 2 moderate connecting rooms ( I initially had thru AAA rate) would have cost us.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

On our Feb. trip -our first time buying an AP we saved $60 a night @BCV. It was $330 for AAA and $270 for AP. We then decided on a Dec. trip. We booked BWV because that was were we could get in on a AAA rate. We then wanted to add a night and the only way was to use the best rate plan and it was only $10 less than AAA this time. We will be monitoring discounts very closely in the next 6 months to see if the AP discounts are worth it.

 

[llb]

You have all been quite helpful. It seems the longer and more often you go to Disney the better a deal it is. It may not be a great deal if you go once a year for 7 days. The free dining ends up being a greater savings to me as that I have two boys who will eat everything and then some. And the postcards that I receive, like Beach Club for $150. per night was also a good deal. I wonder if Disney is more inclined to send non-AP persons a postcard as an enticement to go. They are more secure knowing that an AP person will go because they have already made that investment and are more inclined to use it. They say postcards are random, but I don't think marketing is ever "random." Thanks for all the info, help I couldn't get anywhere but here.