Should I get an AP?

[ErinInCT]

Not sure if this is the right board so feel free to move if needed.

I am headed to WDW next week with a 4 day park hopper ticket. I just found out my daughter's choir is going to Disney in Feb 2018. I will join her and need to purchase a 5 day park hopper ticket.

Should I just buy an AP? Can I somehow convert my current ticket to an AP or do I just hold on to them for a future trip (I think they don't expire until they are activated?) and buy the AP?

Can I get other benefits with the AP other than using it for free tickets? The site says free memory maker and 20% off restaurants and merchandise. Is there a list of participating restaurants and stores? Can I get a discount on a hotel room?

The Platinum Plus plan costs $826 with tax - I can get tickets for all 9 days for $815 (get a discount working for General Motors). But getting the free memory maker and maybe some other discounts might make it worth my while. So, do I go for the AP???

 

[mustinjourney]

1. yes. Get the AP. The savings from memory maker make it a no brainer. Only problem is that you'll end up spending more money b/c you'll likely talk yourself into additional trips since the tickets are "free." hahaha. I know I'm guilty of this.
2. You can "upgrade" your current 4 day park hopper ticket at any guest services location (I'd recommend the one at International Gateway in Epcot if you're going to be in that area). You don't have to upgrade right away -- but I would go ahead and do it the first day if you have time so you can start getting the dining and merchandise discounts.
3. Discounts -- click on either link.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-ap.htm
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/

 

[ErinInCT]

3. Discounts -- click on either link.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-ap.htm
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/

Wow, now this brings up another dilemma! The AP restaurants are not really the ones we plan to hit for our June trip. But now I'm seeing if I had AP I could buy TIW for 20% off at restaurants we DO plan to visit. I guess I need to figure out if getting 20% off at Crystal Palace (dinner), Garden Grill (dinner), Akershus (breakfast) and Olivia's (breakfast) will add up to the $150 cost of TIW. Plus in Feb the choir kids are staying at ASMu and I see the food court is included as well. Haven't even figured out where we'll eat at that trip! TOO MANY DECISIONS!

Good to know I can upgrade once I get to Disney with my existing tickets. Although there are 6 people on the trip and only 2 of us will be upgrading to AP. Is that ok?

 

[DisMommyTX]

Just a heads up, most of those restaurants are included in the current AP discounts of 10-20% off until 9/30/17--just scroll down to the T's as the official name is "The Garden Grill" and "The Crystal Palace". I double checked because a couple of yours are in our plans as well!

 

[mustinjourney]

Wow, now this brings up another dilemma! The AP restaurants are not really the ones we plan to hit for our June trip. But now I'm seeing if I had AP I could buy TIW for 20% off at restaurants we DO plan to visit. I guess I need to figure out if getting 20% off at Crystal Palace (dinner), Garden Grill (dinner), Akershus (breakfast) and Olivia's (breakfast) will add up to the $150 cost of TIW. Plus in Feb the choir kids are staying at ASMu and I see the food court is included as well. Haven't even figured out where we'll eat at that trip! TOO MANY DECISIONS!

Good to know I can upgrade once I get to Disney with my existing tickets. Although there are 6 people on the trip and only 2 of us will be upgrading to AP. Is that ok?

If your food/alcohol bills for the restaurants will exceed $750, then getting TIW would be worth it. Just make sure that the restaurants you are going to give you the TIW discount. There are a few TS that don't.

Everyone on your trip does not have to upgrade to an AP.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Are you driving or flying? If driving, I believe you get free parking which could add up.

I don't generally think I'd get my money's worth for an AP. I was in a similar position as you, and I would have had to had on one more trip to break even. But many of the restaurants on the list hold no appeal to me either.

 

[Monykalyn]

We are getting APs in August. Had already bought tix, will upgrade there. Oldest is doing college program internship so we have 2 trips planned already (August and November), now MiL wants to go on girls trip so have October booked. Then DH says let's just 2 of us go early when we pick kid up. So since we have "free" tickets also planning next late may/early June.
I don't even HAVE my AP yet and planned more trips than usual! definitely addicting
We are planning offsite stays for some of those trips though so free parking is definitely a plus for us

 

[MommaBerd]

I also say go for the AP! At worst, you will break even; at best, you'll enjoy having MM for both trips and save $ on food and souvenirs (and parking).

ETA: We went on a 9-day trip/8 park days. I was the only AP holder and I broke even, and maybe ahead a bit. Now we're going back in September, and we'll enjoy the benefits even more!