Ticket prices -- did I do this right?

[CaseyJr]

I've been reading posts concerning various ticket prices, so I decided to attempt some math (not my best subject) on this subject. PLEASE tell me I did the math correctly, 'cause if I did, the SAVINGS in park tickets alone would pay for airfare plus rooms, plus souvenirs, plus food, plus........

(My figures may not be correct to the penny, so I'm going for the "somewhere-in-the-range-of"......)

The cost of a PAP for an adult is $489. (this includes unlimited parks, water parks, and DQ access, right?)

The cost (advance purchase) of a UPH (as we stay on-site and get the LOS/UPH option anyway) for an adult is $161 per 2 nites (or $88 per nite).

So if I purchase a PAP for $489, I have unlimited use for 365 days after I activate it. Period.

If I get a UPH (LOS) with my room for 13 nites, I pay $1054 for that stay only, no refunds, and I may be paying for days I don't use (like "off" days or days to other parks).

With a 13 nite UPH (LOS) I pay $565 more than I would if I got a PAP??? Really??!! And that's just for one person (there are 3 of us -- one is a child).

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Your math and mine is about the same - but I believe you did that right. UPH are only cheaper than PAP's if they are under a certain number of days.

Get the PAP - have 365 days of unlimited Disney - AND get Annual Pass DISCOUNTS on rooms - and make a surprise trip there when the airfare is right!!

D4D

 

[tjkraz]

Full ticket prices can be found here:

http://allearsnet.com/pl/ticketchart.htm

Note that these prices include tax, while your prices did not. You must pay Florida / Orlando tax regardless of where you purchase the passes.

The breakeven point for the Premium Annual Pass is typically 12 days when compared to the Ultimate Park Hopper. If you are staing for 12 days or more, get the AP.

 

[CaseyJr]

Hmm. I got my price breakdown from Disney.com, and they do differ from "allearsnet."

 

[CaseyJr]

I've slept on it and now things are not quite as muddy.

When I figured the listed UPH rates from the Dis.com site, I was assuming that was the same as what you'd be getting as your LOS (old name, I know, but is more descriptive) daily pass rate. Anyway, doesn't it say somewhere that the UPH is only available to resort guests?

But when I go back and compare rates (again, per Dis.com) with and w/out passes included, I don't get the same juicy $$#'s. In fact, my #'s come out in favor of the LOS rather than the PAP (we're staying 13 nites/ 12 days).

Then on again to ALLEARS and MOUSESAVERS, with similar confusion. (an adult PAP is currently listing at $520).

So, tell me more about the AP discounts and other benefits. Room discounts aren't posted yet for our trip dates, but the most current discounts are about $40 a nite off regular price. Then there are the dining and recreation discounts......

Please help convince me that I will save with a PAP (there's no guarantee that we will be able to make another WDW trip within the next year, so most of the "savings" need to be NOW)!!

 

[HunnyPots]

According to the comparison chart on allears.net, the PAP cost is $520.81. The cost of UPH's for 13 days/12 nights is $543.

A less expensive alternative might be a 7 day PHP for $326.96, which would give you 7 days in the theme parks and 4 plus options which can be used at the water parks or pleasure island; in essence, 11 days of activities. You could always spend a couple of days relaxing at your resort, shoppng at DTD, and checking out the other resorts.

Just so ya know...

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by HunnyPots
A less expensive alternative might be a 7 day PHP for $326.96, which would give you 7 days in the theme parks and 4 plus options which can be used at the water parks or pleasure island; in essence, 11 days of activities. You could always spend a couple of days relaxing at your resort, shoppng at DTD, and checking out the other resorts

This is what I would do!

 

[FatCow]

you got room discount if we have AP?

 

[CanadaPT]

Hi Casey Jr, not sure if this helps, but I believe allearsnet has prices inclusive of taxes.

 

[fan_of_wdw]

Remember, you only need ONE AP to get the room discount...

 

[FatCow]

How much of a discount will I get approximately? And can I use the AP discount BEFORE I activated the AP but AFTER I paid for it?

What I mean is that if I buy it for my upcoming trip say November 1st to 10th, can I use the fact that I've purchased AP (although I haven't activated it yet) to book and pay the room at Disney resort for the same dates?

TIA

 

[tjkraz]

AP room discounts are NEVER guaranteed. They may never be released for your period. Even when they are offered, there is a limited number of rooms available at the AP rate.

That said, you can expect to get 35-40% off rack rates when discounts are offered.

When booking the room, just tell them you have an AP. They don't ask for any further verification. But when you check-in you will need to present the AP at the front desk to get the reduced rate.

 

[disney4us2002]

Some thoughts in reading thru this thread. First, AP discounts are usually not $40 per night but rather closer to 30-40% off rack rate; however, they are also not guaranteed. There are tons of people anxiously waiting for discounts currently and every day there is another round of "not yet" posts on the resorts board. I don't know of dining discounts with the AP.

There seems to be significant cost difference between AP and PAP. Are you certain you would use the water parks and/or DisneyQuest enough to warrant the extra cost? If you went with the UPH/LOS then you must use the parks everyday or feel you're throwing your money away. If anyone gets ill (it does happen occasionally) then you're still out the tickets. If you have PHP and don't use a day or plus you keep those for a later visit anytime as they don't expire.

Finally, according to my TA, you do not need to have in your possession an activated AP nor even have a paid voucher for the AP to make a reservation using an AP discount. You will be asked at check-in and then can show your voucher or the activated AP.

 

[rwodonnell]

disney4us2002 stole my thunder a little - definitely look into the AP. Also, there are other types of passes you can get which is basically like a 30 day PAP, and it's a lot less that the $489, and probably less than a LOS pass for your stay. The places that sell them ask not to post too many details on a public forum, but if you PM me, I believe I can share details that way.

Also, in regards to figuring the value of the AP (or PAP) there are a number of restaurants where there is a 10% discount for AP holders. Mousesavers has a section describing that discount.