Ticket price question

[MazdaUK]

Hi all,

It looks like we'll definitely be visiting DLRP end July next year (crazy time I know) Last time we went I got the shares and everything, but I think this time I'm going to just go for the biggest discount I can find, so I'm thinking about APs. I seem to remember that the price of an AP is not that much more than a 3 or 4 day hopper We're planning on staying 4 mights but only 3 days in the park - would the AP work out cheaper (bearing in mind the discounts), and if I buy it before I book do i get an extra discount on the hotel? (HNY)

TIA!

 

[Happy Tappy]

If you're not planning on going back within a year, the cheapest option for the New York would be to wait for a sale (typically 20-40%) and book a package including tickets.

There's unlikely to be a sale for summer trips until May next year.

The AP's are only worth it if you stay off-site or manage to find a very good room only rate at a Disney hotel (which is rare in July).

 

[DLPdaft]

yes I agree with Happy Tappy - the cost of APs even with shareholders discount for all your party, plus room only price even with AP discount, in summer season, would cost you more than a package price for the onsite hotel. APs are great if you are doing repeat visits within 12 months, and you are flexible with where you can stay (ie onsite or offsite).
Also, because you are already shareholders, your shareholders discount is better than AP discount on everything except counter service meals, so you'd only be saving 10% on those by buying APs.

 

[Ware Bears]

What we did this year was book an off-site hotel with a fully cancelleable rate and then waited for a good offer with Disney. We got lucky but if one hadn't come up we would have happily stuck with the off-site and bought annual passes. Going to do the same for next summer but just waiting for flights to be released ..... grrrr.

 

[MazdaUK]

That's an interesting option...... I sold my shares after my last visit and I was working out if we got the full AP the hotel discount would be great - there was only * for the "second best" AP on the website, so to me that means I get the discount on whatever hotel whenever I book (DH has decided on HNY). Or are there restrictions they're not telling us about

Also, we are staying 4 nights but had originally thought of only 3 days in the park - APs would mean we can go in the day we arrie AND the day we leave We're rigid on dates because its following on from a week elsewhere with DSis and her family, but with APs it would mean I could take advantage of good deals which came up round inset days etc. as I don't work on Fridays (even if it was just me and DS(11) )

 

[DLPdaft]

That's an interesting option...... I sold my shares after my last visit and I was working out if we got the full AP the hotel discount would be great - there was only * for the "second best" AP on the website, so to me that means I get the discount on whatever hotel whenever I book (DH has decided on HNY). Or are there restrictions they're not telling us about

all the AP maximum hotel discounts are on specified hotels and specified dates - the lowest % discount is 10% on the full rack room rate (ie not the rate you see on the package deals, as those are discounted). I used to phone the booking line to see how much room only would be with my Dream AP - then guffaw at the price because it was usually more than a package price (hotel and duration of stay tickets together).


Also, we are staying 4 nights but had originally thought of only 3 days in the park - APs would mean we can go in the day we arrie AND the day we leave We're rigid on dates because its following on from a week elsewhere with DSis and her family, but with APs it would mean I could take advantage of good deals which came up round inset days etc. as I don't work on Fridays (even if it was just me and DS(11) )

unfortunately, if you're set on staying onsite, you're not going to get much advantage out of having APs over just booking a package for you all each time you want to go. Maybe another plan would be to have just one AP, for the discounts, and then book everyone else into your onsite hotel on a package?

Also, you mentioned you had shares before - when does your shareholders club discount card expire? Its valid for 2 years from the month you joined the shareholders club (the date will be stamped on your card if you still have it).

to be honest I'm a bit confused by you considering buying park tickets separately when you want to stay onsite - if you stay onsite on a package you get your park tickets for your whole duration of stay (ie from the day you check in to and including the day you check out) included.

 

[DLPdaft]

this might help you MazdaUK - these are the current rack rate (ie full price) costs for room only at all the hotels (click on the photo to enlarge and see the prices)

http://www.disneycentralplaza.com/t...e-ou-d-une-suite-sans-entrees-par-nuit#331845

its room only rate prices like these you get AP discount on - 10% off up to a possible 35% off, depending on your AP and dates/hotel choice.

 

[A Small World]

Its also worth remembering that any discounts eg 20% OR 40% off arent applicable on room only.
We had APs but on one trip it was cheaper to book the full package with tickets included than get room only as there was a 40% off offer which meant we ended up with tickets we didnt need

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks all. My shareholder card expired in 2009 so I can't use that. I hadn't realised the packages were so heavily discounted - maybe I'll just buy one AP for the discounts (and then maybe I can sneak an extra trip or two......shhhh!) Also I think last time we went the packages did not include tickets for all the day (i.e. including arrival and departure).

 

[DLPdaft]

If you do buy one AP for yourself, this information may be useful too for future onsite hotel bookings -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2423594

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks. I think I might go down the share route, as another poster got them for under £100. If I get a package, would I be able to trade in one ticket for an AP when we get there?

 

[A Small World]

No - the tickets you get with a package have zero value so cannot be upgraded to APs

 

[MazdaUK]

Oh well! I'll start with shares and see where I go from there. Do shares get you discounts off packages? I'm guessing not.

 

[DLPdaft]

Oh well! I'll start with shares and see where I go from there. Do shares get you discounts off packages? I'm guessing not.

no, shares only get you discount on rooms, they don't get you anywhere near the discounts on packages that Disney regularly offer.

 

[MazdaUK]

Fair dos, I guess the shares would still be worth it for the food discount (we're a family who likes to dine well)

 

[Ware Bears]

Yes, it's 15% off table service/buffet meals plus 15% off shopping.

 

[MazdaUK]

That's the way to go then For some reason I was thinking 10% off shopping, but if its 15% would not be worth buying an AP at all

 

[Ware Bears]

It's 10% in the Disney Store here in the UK and in Europe, that's probably what you're thinking of, but 15% in DLP.