Need help deciding - WWYD?

[dizneechic]

We are a family of 5 taking the kids on their 1st Disney Vacation (I’ve been 25+ times myself). Since this is their 1st trip we’re doing more than we typically would dining wise, but want to maximize our available time in the parks vs waiting in lines for characters and plan on our meals as being some down time vs heading back to the house we’re renting off site.

My dilemma is on passes and potential savings if one of us purchases an AP & TIW card. **no taxes are calculated into the numbers**
Original Plan:
2 adult & 3 children MYW passes – no hopping x 7 days (can add if needed later) = $1071.00
Alternate Options:
2 adult & 3 children MYW passes – with hopping x 7 days = $1331.00
1 adult & 3 children MYW passes – no hopping x 7 days, 1 Adult AP = $1326.00
Tables in Wonderland Card = $75.00
**I have our days pretty well mapped expecting not to need to hop, we have no issue adding on after the fact but the plan is to not to need to.

Meals Scheduled, paying out of pocket, 2009 cost plus potential savings w/ TIW
Ohana - $106.95 (21.29)
LeCellier - $150.00 (30.00)
Tusker House – $75.59 (11.91)
Akershus - $111.95 (22.39)
T-Rex - $100.00 maybe save $10
CRT – $187.61 (37.52)
ADR Meal costs - $732.21, TiW Savings $146.42

Parking x 7 days = $98

We would also save between 10% -20% on other meals, counter service etc through the week netting another $50-$75 in savings at least, not to mention 10% off souvie shopping in DTD… assume another $20 in savings there as well.

So we have 1 option of just the MYW tickets and paying all OOP with no discounts, which is what our plan at this point is. Or looking at 1 Adult purchasing an AP & TiW card costs us $330 more up front, but even without factoring our souvie and counter service meals in leaves that option costing $84 more (which I think would be made up c/s & souvie wise) and leaves open the potential for a return visit covered for 1 person if we go back in the next year.

As I mentioned earlier we used to be big time visitors – before kids – but have not been since having them. We could end up going down again in the next year, or the AP could essentially be a wash if we end up going out of our minds and decide to wait a few more years. IF we got a fab deal on AP rate staying on site it may push us to go again and attempt Disney transportation (which I have never used in my 25+ visits!) just to try a scaled back “budget” trip (not easy with a family of 5) so there is the potential of a return, but we are not being thrifty at all this trip which may also hamper the attempted return in the next year knowing how much this trip cost in the end.

I would love to know what some other budget minded folks would do in my shoes…

 

[Gr8t Fan]

One thing to consider is that parking would be free with an AP, so you'd be saving $98 there. Also, since your days are pretty much planned out, I'd definitely skip the hopper option. You can always add it if you decide you NEED to.

 

[Dancemom03]

Is Tusker House only a 15% discount with TIW this year? 20% would be $15.11 but you've listed $11.91 savings. Plus parking would be free as well as discounts on souvies/tours/recreation/misc with the AP.

From what I see, it looks like AP/TIW option vs MYW/OOP would at least have you breaking even if not saving a little plus you'd have something left that you could use later if you chose to. Something left vs nothing left... I vote for AP/TIW.

 

[kbheap]

So basically, with no AP your total with parking and meals is $1901. With the AP, meals, and TIW, minus parking is $1987. Depending on how much shopping you are doing, it may save you the money to go with the AP. I don't know how the TIW works, but have you checked on prices for an AP for one child instead of one adult? It may work out better if you can still purchase the TIW with the child pass. You will still get the free parking and other discounts.

 

[Dancemom03]

I could be wrong but I think they changed the TIW to require the AP holder be 21 in 2008 - or i was told they did.

OP, have you thought of doing the give a day/get a day volunteer opportunity before your trip and then upgrading those free passes to MYW or AP? That'd help bring the cost down nicely...

 

[dizneechic]

I had factored the parking savings in already and with that was still at the 80ish net loss which should be made up easily enough w/ meals & souvies. I tell you I feel better paying up front just to know I don't have to fork over the $14 each day to park (even though I pay for it in the cost of the ticket). Just feels better that way!

Yes the TiW is only for an AP over 21 so we would need to do the adult AP to qualify... the kids one was my 1st idea.

We've also already done our Give a Day and have our vouchers, but were planning on using that towards FPs since we will be there for a portion of President's week and thought that may be a decent time saver. No one's been the guinea pig on the GAD FP's so I haven't heard if they are worth doing yet, but since 4 of us volunteered we *could* get away with 3 days of FPs and using my GAD voucher towards the purchase of an AP. Good idea!!!!

Dancemom, your right, I miscalculated the TH discount, it should be $15.12 so another 5 bucks in guaranteed savings.