Should I get APs?

[dtr_angel]

I'm torn on whether I should get APs for our next 2 trips. $1300 for DH and I seems like a lot of money so I need some convincing.

We are going in December 2014. Driving and staying off site. We're looking at doing 4 park days (one at each park) possibly a 2nd day at MK, although we're hoping to do MVMCP and if we do that we'd just go in the afternoon at 3-4 and stay for the party. Will probably do a few TS lunches since we are going to get the TiW card if we get the APs. No park hopping. So likely 4 park days + MVMCP. We will likely go at rope drop and stay until after lunch before heading back to the house/condo. Dinner will be at a non-Disney restaurant.

Second trip will be in either May 2015 or July 2015 before DS turns 3. Not sure where we plan on staying but probably off site again. We will be driving if that goes well in December We will be doing 4-5 park days (possibly a 2nd at MK) no park hopping. If we get APs and have TiW we will probably do a few TS meals while at the parks.

So does it make sense to get the AP in our situation?

 

[sunshinehighway]

I'm torn on whether I should get APs for our next 2 trips. $1300 for DH and I seems like a lot of money so I need some convincing.

We are going in December 2014. Driving and staying off site. We're looking at doing 4 park days (one at each park) possibly a 2nd day at MK, although we're hoping to do MVMCP and if we do that we'd just go in the afternoon at 3-4 and stay for the party. Will probably do a few TS lunches since we are going to get the TiW card if we get the APs. No park hopping. So likely 4 park days + MVMCP. We will likely go at rope drop and stay until after lunch before heading back to the house/condo. Dinner will be at a non-Disney restaurant.

Second trip will be in either May 2015 or July 2015 before DS turns 3. Not sure where we plan on staying but probably off site again. We will be driving if that goes well in December We will be doing 4-5 park days (possibly a 2nd at MK) no park hopping. If we get APs and have TiW we will probably do a few TS meals while at the parks.

So does it make sense to get the AP in our situation?

You have until December 2014 to decide. Do the math and decide if it's right for you. A lot can happen between now and then especially mid 2015.

 

[pixiemama91]

I would say that it would work in your favor to get the AP. With the AP you also get free parking and if you are staying offsite this would save you some money. I believe you also get 10% off merchandise and in some restaurants. The TIW will give you 20% off and if you plan on eating at a lot of the restaurants that participate this would give you further savings. Since you are going again within the year I would say that it would be more beneficial.

If you read TheMaxRebo's trip report he details how much they saved just by buying one AP and when they broke even and at what point it was all savings.

 

[supersnoop]

Two adult 5-day tickets with no additional options will cost $578. A regular annual pass costs $609. If you can squeeze in another trip, or if you want to park-hop, the annual pass would be less expensive. But, given your plans, regular tickets make more sense.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/

 

[DetroitDisney]

If say go for it, but that's coming from the part of me that would love to be reasonable driving distance from WDW. If you get the passes right before your trip, you can get into the parks in dec 14, summer 15, and maybe go again the previous week in dec 15.

If budgets are tight, then hold off because you might not make the additional trips. I would get a pass, but I can't convince the gf to want to visit that often. So instead I'm trying to get her to move to Florida. Haha.

 

[Jedimom]

Parking is around $14 if I remember correctly, times 10 days and you're up to $140 just for parking. I would say that in your case, Annual Pass is definitely the way to go!

 

[dminnie]

Just a thought: Maybe just get one annual pass and buy regular tickets for the second person. That way you can get the free parking and TIW card, but still pay the lower price for tickets for one of you. Also, if your plans do change and you don't make it there for that second trip, you won't lose as much.

 

[dpswift]

I would get the annual pass. Disneys tickets are set up so you spend a huge amount the first four days and then get cheap.

Also the free parking benefit needs to be figured in.

 

[Marionnette]

Just a thought: Maybe just get one annual pass and buy regular tickets for the second person. That way you can get the free parking and TIW card, but still pay the lower price for tickets for one of you. Also, if your plans do change and you don't make it there for that second trip, you won't lose as much.

^^

 

[disneylovin24]

We did APs for the first time for trips this past year and they were really great. I would recommend them for anyone who is going for more than 7 days and plans to spend a good amount of time in the parks.

We loved them because it does give you a lot of flexibility all over the board.