Kicking myself... AP?

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

We just got back from our trip two weeks ago and had a great time. I was so preoccupied with my worries that things would go off without a hitch that I didn't really sit down and give this possibility a real thought.

I'm thinking I may have made a stupid move by not upgrading to APs. Sigh.

We went for six days and got park hoppers. We plan to do 14 nights in November with 10 day park hoppers. We could have broken even, or around there, so I'm not so concerned about the two trips. But now we're considering another trip in Jan next year. Had I gotten the AP, I would have had all three trips covered. Obviously it's too late now. Ugh.

But... am I correct in that if I were to purchase the AP, I'm no longer eligible for package discounts like free dining? So it might not work out to be a great deal to get the AP anyway? Or what am I missing here?

The AP also gives the appeal that we could swing a long weekend trip and not need to pay for tickets, so that's a big plus. Am I missing the boat by not getting an AP? Or are the savings really worth it?

 

[Robo]

1. am I correct in that if I were to purchase the AP, I'm no longer eligible for package discounts like free dining? So it might not work out to be a great deal to get the AP anyway? Or what am I missing here?

2. The AP also gives the appeal that we could swing a long weekend trip and not need to pay for tickets, so that's a big plus. Am I missing the boat by not getting an AP? Or are the savings really worth it?

1. What you do in that case is to buy the MINIMUM tickets for the package,
and SAVE them to use in the future to upgrade or to help pay for a new AP (or AP renewal.)
Then, just continue to use your current AP at the parks.

2. Absolutely! If you can make the WDW trips, an AP is "just the ticket!"
Also, an AP can include Memory Maker, and a host of many discounts on meals and shopping.

 

[alex9179]

You would still be eligible, but it would entail purchasing the minimum ticket to book free dining. That ticket can be held for use in the future. The question is, does it make sense for you to do that?

Edit: There's an echo, echo, echo in this canyon

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

So if the package says minimum stay 2 nights and 3 day park hopper ticket, I would only buy the park hopper ticket for 3 days but book the room for the entire trip? Then would I still get the free dining (or whatever promo) the entire trip? Ex: stay 10 nights, buy 3 day ticket (save it), get 10 nights of free dining?

 

[alex9179]

Yep!

 

[Lesverts]

But you have to consider if the AP discount for a room only reservation might be a better deal compared to free dining.

 

[randumb0]

But you have to consider if the AP discount for a room only reservation might be a better deal compared to free dining.

not likely, but always a possibly

 

[soniam]

Keep in mind that tickets have an expiration date now too, so you have to do something with them within a couple of years, not exactly sure when the expiration is for every ticket.

 

[soniam]

Also, if you makes you feel better, you would probably spend more by justifying more trips if you have an AP. Ask me how I know

 

[Robo]

1. Keep in mind that tickets have an expiration date now too,

2. so you have to do something with them within a couple of years...

1. True.

2. Not so true.
If an unused ticket is allowed to expire, it can be turned in and it's full value (what the guest paid for it originally) can be used toward the purchase of a new ticket.

 

[Accident]

But... am I correct in that if I were to purchase the AP, I'm no longer eligible for package discounts like free dining? So it might not work out to be a great deal to get the AP anyway? Or what am I missing here?

The first thing you do is get on the phone to find out if there is a ticketless package available, sometimes there is (most of the time for free dining there isn't). but they might have some other non-website discounts that are ticketless and and come out closer if not exactly the same cost if you added the meal plan on yourself (extreme room discounts). The key is you get on the phone as soon as you hear about it as they are extremely limited as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

f an unused ticket is allowed to expire, it can be turned in and it's full value (what the guest paid for it originally) can be used toward the purchase of a new ticket.

AKA how it has worked at Disneyland for eons now.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Also, if you makes you feel better, you would probably spend more by justifying more trips if you have an AP. Ask me how I know

That's exactly what my wife said.