Opinion? AP if going 2x in one year...

[mom2smjn]

is it worth it? I am still confused...are there special benefits to having an AP? What are they? Do you get free parking? HELLLLLP!

 

[fkj2]

I think someone has figured if you visit the parks 8 days/year, then the AP is cost effective. I personally would not get the premier version, and am not sure what benefits are presently offered.

If you stay at a WDW resort, you receive complimentary parking at the parks. Just display your room key or the placcard that you receive upon check-in.

 

[ditzoyd]

If your total days in the park are over 8 days then the AP pays for itself.

It also gives you free parking if you are not staying onsite.

You also get discounts on room rates, car rental through National, and other perks such as Annual Passholders Lounge, special viewing of Illiminations ect.

Beware though, being a AP holder makes it REAL easy to Justify an extra trip or 2!

I usually plan my trips around my Ap. I will buy one, stay several days, and return to Disney a couple weeks before it expires, 2 trips just under a year apart, wait about a year, buy a new AP, and do it again.....


Just my opinion.

laura

 

[CarolMN]

WDWIG has a nice piece (by Jack Marshall) entitled "When Does An Annual Pass Become More Cost-Effective"?

Sounds like you'd be interested in reading it. Here's a link to get you there:

http://www.wdwig.com/breakeven.htm

Enjoy your trips!

 

[B3LM]

Absolutely worth it! We bought APs last November and spent 9 days at the parks. We went back in March over Easter and spent another 8 days. We stayed off-site for the Spring trip and parking was free everywhere we went. We're planning another trip for November for 8 days this year before they expire, so we'll have a total of about 25 days. Well worth the money for us!

They've also been offering 10% off meals at EPCOT restaurants for lunch as well as a few other perks.

Good luck with your planning!
Beth

 

[dgaston]

It was the room discounts that originally had me taking the plunge. That plus an Orlando conference timed just a month and a half before a family Christmas visit. Not only did I get lots of admission for myself (only AP holder--got the special 5 day park hoppers plus 4 options from floridaorlandotickets.net) but family really enjoyed staying in the cabins at FT Wilderness. I have used an AP discount at Virgin records, free parking on our March budget trip, and we visited the AP lounge in Epcot and viewing area for Illuminations (cold, so kids were allowed in with me).

 

[Eno]

I got a great rate at the Dolphin last year and also the Poly with an AP. We stayed 12 days in August so just for going into the park it paid for itself.
Beware - it can be expensive owning an AP.
Found cheap cheap flights at Christmas and since the parks would be free - we went for a week starting New Years Eve - it was great being there for the Holidays.
And since it would be free in the parks - found cheap flights and hotels again and going next week for 10 days!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................... We are doing the two for one deal, even though we have to fly from California. As you can see by the dates, we are useing them up to the last second!!!
I was told when we got them, that since I bought them on Nov. 10 they were good thru Nov.10, a 366 day year! But we have to go back since we have "FREE" tickets!! LOL

 

[Chance's Mom]

I just ordered my Aps by phone and used the DC discount. It will be nice to have them paid for before the trip. We go every Jan. We're taking a short trip this Aug. My plan is the visit again for a week in June 2003. We are able to get really good deals on airfare through Delta. A non-stop flight is only 2 hours, so it is really easy to get to Orlando!

I did the math, and with the APs, admission this many times in a year works out to about $25 a day, definitley a bargain!

It will feel like we are going free next June! (My DH does not understand this Disney Logic )

Oh no, I just read my post and I sound a little obsessed.......

 

[kentear]

Absolutely worth it! In fact, it is the only way to do it - if you go often. We go twice a year so with careful planning we use our passes for 3 trips...

 

[ScottOKW2K]

For us, AP's are the only way to go ! So far my family and I have purchased AP's twice - November '99 for two trips totaling 17 nights, and June 2001 for four trips totaling 32 (!) nights [and in my case 5 trips totaling 37 nights ]. Since the "break-even" point of the AP compared to the Park hopper is about 8 days we have made out like a bandit by purchasing them.

As far as benefits, there are the fairly obvious ones, and then ones that are nice to have, but that you don't think at first.

* If you go more than 8~10 days - your least expensive ticket.

* Free parking at theme parks - even if staying off-site.

* Discounted Disney room rates, subject to availability.

* Discounted rates at Swan/Dolphin , ditto above.

* Some limited discounts on food, merchandise.

* Special AP only events or areas for AP holders.

And the "not-so-obvious"

* Using your admission that day to just do ONE thing - enter
MGM just to ride ToT and leave, go to a theme park to dine, or
go to Epcot for Illuminations. With the AP the "need" to
to experience as much as possible in each day is gone - you
know that you can come back later.

* The looks some people give you when you have to use the
biometric device after inserting your ticket.

* Since you know that you can and most likely will come
back the freedom for you and your family to leave the parks
for the afternoon and relax.

* The freedom to relax and take your time at Disney. There
are so many little things that people miss if all you are trying
to do is get to the next ride. Some of my most enjoyable
memories are simply times that I took talking to castmembers.

* The compulsion to start planning how to get "just one more
trip" out of your AP. However, some people thing this may not
actually be a benefit. Don't listed to them .

I home this helps. Now, back to planning for my next trip ......

 

[singitalto]

I so much agree with ScottOKW2K about relaxing when you have the AP's. On our first trip with the kids we bought 5 day PH's and felt almost stressed to get to the parks earlier to get "the most" out of the parks. We upgraded to AP's on the 3rd day and it was soooo much nicer. It was much more relaxing. But I have to tell you , you do end up going to WDW more than you thought cause you think "well, we have AP's we just need the room- how much could it cost" We ended up going 4X. So just be prepared!

 

[jimmytammy]

The Aps will save you a lot on your room. We stayed at All Star Sports last Oct. for 10 nights for $500. I know that sounds false but I am being truthful about it. We had made ressies 7 mos. prior with Dis Club Card discount but about 3 mos later our AP newsletter came with their discounts. Disney let us keep the same ressie but we were able to apply the AP discount and it saved us $500. We couldnt believe it!! If you dont have a Dis Club Card get that first , it will save you 5% off ticket prices. Hope this info will help a little in your decision.