PAP is it worth it?

[FreeTime]

We have always held AP's and not PAP's. We promised our kids that we would visit the waterparks and DQ during our next few trips. However, now I am debating whether we should just pay out of pocket with the DVC discount and go to one waterpark and then to DQ once. And DH thinks that waterparks are just going to be crowded and we should avoid them (how long are the waits?). So is a PAP worth it to you? Thanks in advance!

 

[srp1103]

I cannot tell you if the premium AP is worth it, but I can tell you that we were there the last week of June this summer and went to Blizzard Beach. We got there about 15 min. before it opened at 9 AM, we put our things on some chairs and were off. We did not wait for anything in the AM and as the day progressed we never waited for more than 10 - 15 min. So the key is to get there at opening and do the first 3 most popular attractions first (you do not have to walk with purpose as you do at the theme parks) The lazy river at Blizzard beach is awesome.

Hope this was somewhat helpful!

 

[Deb & Bill]

On our stay at BCV at the end of May and into June, we went to TL at least four times and BB at least once. We also did DQ at least two times. And that was just this year's trip. We manage our PAPs so we get two trips out of them each time.

 

[Anal Annie]

Here's my take on it. Two summer's ago we purchased PAP's for our first DVC trip in August. It was HOT and we were there for a full week. We went to DQ once (our 1st time) and to each of the water parks once. We hit the water parks on their EMH days & were done with BB by Noon / 1:00ish and with TL by probably 11:00. Since we hit all 3 venues at least once we recovered the extra cost of the PAP over the reg. AP. What we discovered going forward from that point was that when we went in January for a 4 n. weekend 1) we didn't have enough time for all these extra parks/places and 2) January is NOT waterpark weather!! For our 3rd trip using that same pass we were only there for 3 nights pre-cruise. AGAIN, not enough time to visit the waterparks (plus we were going to the Atlanits Aquaventure in Nassau so didn't really care).

This time we only purchased the reg. AP's as our first trip with them was only for 4 nights again. I decided that we would only go to DQ if we had the PAP - it was OK - glad we saw it once...but sorta feel like "been there / done that". I am also "good" with only visiting one waterpark per trip - but even with visiting both, the DVC discount is enough. I learned that we will not use all of the features & options of the PAP on shorter trips or on winter trips. You sorta have to KNOW that you will visit all 3 of these extra venues (or the same one 3x) or whatever for them to be worth it. That will save you a few dollars...but for us, it's not make or break buy.

So, lesson learned - we did not have time for DQ or the waterparks on our short May trip! So I'd just as soon pay as I go with the DVC discount for these extra activities.... This summer we are also staying at BCV so I figured SAB would help make up for not hitting both waterparks. Maybe?!

I recommend that you consider when you are going & how many trips you will use them for and for how long you will be there... We have found that our shorter trips only allow time for our most fav. things...