Should we get APs??

[1pirate1princess]

Just as I am FINALLY 'getting it' with understanding DVC membership/contracts, I'm on to being clueless about APs!!
We are waiting on ROFR decision from Disney on a resale.....Should know within the next 2 weeks. We typically vacation every January right now.....We go down for Marathon week.
Do APs make sense for our family??? 2 adults, 5yo, and 2yo.
With the new 15 month window, does it make more sense? (Although I know there is no guarantee that special will continue).
Isn't there also a discount once you start renewing?
Sorry for all the questions - Just want to make the right choice
Of course, there's the whole passing ROFR to still get through

 

[Vickis3js]

I am in the same boat. I was planning on doing the 10 day WPM hopper with non expiring but now I am not so sure. We go every Dec and for now thats about all we can travel. So My numbers only got 3 trips out of the originaly AP purchase and then 1 renewal. Then I am back to it only being good one trip. That is if my thinking is correct that when I renew it is effective from the day it expired. If I do the APs then I can get a TIW card and there is no policing the tickets and having to tell the kids no we can't go to the parks today because we need to stretch the ticket.

Its all so confusing.

 

[emlutz23]

I believe the extra 3 months are for an AP renewal, not for purchasing a new one.

There is a discount when you renew your AP.

We are hoping the new policy for the extra 3 months is still good in Dec when we are able to renew our passes!

good luck on ROFR!

 

[allshookup]

It's definitely worth it if you could go one week earlier the following year & your AP (non-renewal) would still be good for that trip. If I was going for more than a week, I would absolutely get an AP just because they are so nice to have. When we have an AP & we want to go to Epcot one evening just to have dinner we can. If we want to sleep in & head to the parks much later in the day we can. When we don't have an AP & instead are utilizing a one day park ticket, we feel like we have to get us much as we can out of that ticket & spend the whole day. Plus with an AP you can purchase the TIW card which gives you a 20% savings on some CS meals, most TS meals & adult beverages.

 

[Nparrotte]

Purchasing an AP make sense if you are going to make multiple trips. If you can arrange to travel one week earlier next trip than you did the trip you purchased your AP it really pays off. DW and I make a couple trips a year and love the freedom that comes with the AP.

 

[DemoBri1]

I am not sure what the break even point on APs is right now. I think it used to be eight park day visits, but it might be more now with the increases in price. Don't forget that you do get a savings if you are a DVC member, but you need to purchase them via the DVC member site.

My normal stance on APs is that unless you can get two separate trips out of them within one year, I wouldn't pay the extra $$ for them. Right now we usually are able to sandwich two trips within the 366 day timeframe that the passes are good for. If you are planning on staying somewhere on cash (not DVC points), which we do to try and maximize the point value, the APs will help you out with room rates.

Bottom line...if you aren't planning more than one trip within the next year, don't go for the APs.