Should we even consider an AP? (long)

[Lorelai71]

Once again I need the advice of the board
So we have decided on 10 days and 9 nights at CBR. room only, no dining

Now we are going Aug 12-21. I figure we would leave the resort eveyday accept our last day. That means at least 9 days visitng the parks with hopping.

I want us to have the option of visiting water parks, downtown disney etc so I know we want plusses. If we were to get 9 or 10 day passes that would mean only 5 plusses.

Since this is our first time ever to Disney I have no idea if I am accurate with my estimations. I was thinking about AP's because we could use them for possible codes and discounts on dining. Then I was also thinking that we should get the Premium AP's that way we would get unlimited plusses also.

I assume the AP's are only worth it if you return to WDW within a year. I don't know if this is possible. I have the Disney bug now and I know we will want to go again next year but it most likely would be around the same time as this year which would mean a new AP. The price of an AP is $400 more than the MYW. Is it going to pay for itself?

Any advice. Confused, not sure what tickets to get. I have priced out different options. I believe the prices include tax.

3 adults:
AP- $1262.04
Premium AP- $1645.47
MYW (10 days)- $885.06

 

[GrumpyC.Hook]

My recommendation is the PAP's as they could mean discounts on the rooms and you wouldn't be limited to a number of pluses. But if $$ or the possibility of a trip next year in time to reuse them is not feasible I would go with MYW.


I have an AP i got on May 15,2004 so in order to reuse them again I am going this year 1 week before and checking in May 3 and checking out May 10. This way I can get use out of them again even though they more then paid for themselves last year with discounts on the rooms.

HTH
Amy

 

[swilphil]

Since you are staying at a moderate, I don't think the room discount will save you enough to make the AP worth it. We booked POR on a public code and it was only $10 less than the AP code. They now sell a 9 day MYW hopper and you don't have to worry about the no-expire. If you are getting the AP just for dining and room discount, you might consider buying just one AP and the rest MYW hoppers.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Since you are staying at a moderate, I don't think the room discount will save you enough to make the AP worth it.

But you might get to stay at a Luxury for the price of a Moderate.

Andrew

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

If there is no chance of returning to WDW within less than 365 days, then you already have your answer. There is no way to justify spending an extra $400 for something that will give you less. The 5 pluses on a 10-day MYW Premium pass should be more than enough for you to enjoy during a 9-day visit. You're talking 5 visits to waterparks/DQ/PI in 10 days! And if they're not enough, do you really think that you would spend an additional $400 in admissions?

I would not purchase APs just because there might be the possibility of a room discount. What happens if there are no AP discounts? Or none are available for your resort for your dates? Or if the AP discount doesn't make up for the increased price? Plus, your party would only need one AP to secure that room discount.

There are so many variables that it can make your head spin! And as if you already didn't have enough to think about, try to wrap your head around this: Buy 1 PAP and 2 10-day MYW Premium Passes. Use the PAP for a room discount if available. Purchase the Disney Dining Experience card ($50) for the PAP holder and get 20% off at select dining locations (a real value for 3 adults staying as long as you are). The PAP holder will also get shopping discounts at the World of Disney store in DtD. In the long run, spending $254 more for just one PAP may be worth it for your 10-day trip.

Ouch! My head hurts just thinking of all this!

 

[fun & fancy free]

I agree w/ aka-mad4themouse, if there is no chance for return then the AP's don't make sense. But keep in mind you stated this is your first trip you might get hooked. We planned on an Ap because we said we would do our next year trip 1 wk earlier and be under the same pass. So far we are going
May 7-14 2005
Nov 30-Dec 7 2005
? jan 2006

This is also the pitfal of the AP. You just can't help yourself. My DH thought he wouldn't like WDW and he is the one pushing for the trips.

 

[Lorelai71]

You are right I do have much to consider.

 

[soccermom5]

my dh says to stop reading these boards {but of course I'm addicted } every time i hear of another way to do things i wonder i I got a good deal please reasure me I booked por 7 nights 2 rooms 10 day premium tickets and dining plan 4600.00 { some change}
2 adults 5 kids 4,7,7,,9,11 I booked straight thru disney