To AP or not AP

[phil1914]

I know this is largely a subjective question, but wanted to get some opinions.

The basics:
Family of 4
Usually stay at GC or DLH. Planning on four night stay
2 trips this year. Early April for spring break and late Dec for DD12's birthday
Likely go for 3 day park hopper
Normally spend entire day at parks so that means we spend on meals there too
Kids usually get at least one souvenir each. Oh and me too.

Given the current $220 price for a 3d hopper, these 2 trips would approach Deluxe AP costs. But a Deluxe AP would be blacked out when we're planning to go in Dec so then I'm thinking we're better off just paying for two trip.

But now I'm wondering what if we go for a Premium AP. would the additional hotel/food discounts almost compare? Seems close for two trips. A third trip would certainly make it worth it, but can't say for sure we'd do a third trip.

 

[awdsmama]

Keep in mind their will probably be a ticket price increase this spring....

 

[Rubygoose]

You don't have to get AP's for everyone in your group. You could get one AP, just for the adult making the hotel reservation. Then you can get a $70 black out pass for that adult. Add it up and see if it makes a difference for your particular group/trip.

 

[PixieDustD]

I agree with Ruby. I made two trips to DL (alone in October and with my daughter in January). Taking into account hotel, food and merchandise discounts in addition to park tickets buying an AP for myself made sense.

 

[bearette]

I was going to recommend the same thing. Just get one Ap for an adult. Then you can get the souvenir, food and room discounts. For $35 you can get a black out day ticket for the days in December. Add it up and see what would work better. Since the kids prices are the same for APa you will probably be better off buying kid tickets and not passes.

 

[starshine514]

If you do an AP, don't do the Deluxe with blackout ticket(s) that the others are mentioning. I don't believe they are realizing that you said the end of December, and with the Deluxe you will be blocked out every day during that time (and last I heard blackout tickets are $70/day).

You're correct, since you'll need the Premium AP, it would be cheaper to just buy the tickets for the two trips (and you can go ahead and buy the tickets for the second trip before the price increase). The question is - should you AP, even for just one person? I believe Disney currently gives a 20% discount for most in-park purchases using your Premium AP. If you're buying souvenirs and eating every meal in the park, that adds up quickly. You also get a discount at many DTD merchants and restaurants. Plus, there is a discount on the hotel room itself (10% comes to mind, but I'm not really knowledgeable about that). This means that if your one person with an AP pays for everything, you could save money going that route, but how much (and whether there is savings at all) depends on how much you're spending.

 

[SGDisneyFam]

If you do an AP, don't do the Deluxe with blackout ticket(s) that the others are mentioning. I don't believe they are realizing that you said the end of December, and with the Deluxe you will be blocked out every day during that time (and last I heard blackout tickets are $70/day).

You're correct, since you'll need the Premium AP, it would be cheaper to just buy the tickets for the two trips (and you can go ahead and buy the tickets for the second trip before the price increase). The question is - should you AP, even for just one person? I believe Disney currently gives a 20% discount for most in-park purchases using your Premium AP. If you're buying souvenirs and eating every meal in the park, that adds up quickly. You also get a discount at many DTD merchants and restaurants. Plus, there is a discount on the hotel room itself (10% comes to mind, but I'm not really knowledgeable about that). This means that if your one person with an AP pays for everything, you could save money going that route, but how much (and whether there is savings at all) depends on how much you're spending.

Since you said you stay on site you will save about $100 a night on hotel so 3 nights each time is going to save you $600!! And if your plan is Togo next spring as well go before they expire to get even more of your monies worth!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

If you do an AP, don't do the Deluxe with blackout ticket(s) that the others are mentioning. I don't believe they are realizing that you said the end of December, and with the Deluxe you will be blocked out every day during that time (and last I heard blackout tickets are $70/day).

You're correct, since you'll need the Premium AP, it would be cheaper to just buy the tickets for the two trips (and you can go ahead and buy the tickets for the second trip before the price increase). The question is - should you AP, even for just one person? I believe Disney currently gives a 20% discount for most in-park purchases using your Premium AP. If you're buying souvenirs and eating every meal in the park, that adds up quickly. You also get a discount at many DTD merchants and restaurants. Plus, there is a discount on the hotel room itself (10% comes to mind, but I'm not really knowledgeable about that). This means that if your one person with an AP pays for everything, you could save money going that route, but how much (and whether there is savings at all) depends on how much you're spending.

Agree, you will recoup your costs. I did this last year, knew I had an October trip and a Thanksgiving week trip-so serious blackouts. Premium AP paid for itself with discounts on food/swag. CM's let me enter with rest of family on their MM's too, not an issue if you stay on site though.

 

[FantasyIsland]

Question to SGDISNEYFAM, how do you save $100 a night at the hotels? I don't think 10 percent AP discount comes to $100 a night?

 

[SGDisneyFam]

Question to SGDISNEYFAM, how do you save $100 a night at the hotels? I don't think 10 percent AP discount comes to $100 a night?

On average it's $100 a night. We priced our hotel this trip on the website and to call and book ap on a 5 night stay it was $470 less. On a dtd view room. On average I meant to say with a more expensive room the savings would be higher less expensive it would be less.

You can call and get the ap room rates for your 2 trips to get an idea of what you would save.

 

[tdhickey]

Get 1 Premium Annual Pass (the $600 one) and the rest regular hoppers. The discounts will add up to make this the cheapest option and no days are blacked out. This is the way to go, 15-20 % discount in the park will add up to saving $200-$300 in the park on food and march alone, plus any deal you get on the hotel. Also allows you to buy any exclusive merch should you want it.

 

[sherilaine]

We are going to buy Deluxe APs as for our upcoming trip, we only have two block out days out of 10 full days we will be in Anaheim and we are going to go to Sea World on one of them.

We are also planning to return again earlier next year to likely do another 5 night stay when the Deluxe AP is not showing as being blocked out on any day we would be there - so for us it is worth it compared to 2 5 day PH tickets and not being able to go to the parks as often as we want the first trip.

Now coming from Calgary, I think it is nuts we are considering APs, even with the discounts and # of days we can enjoy the parks, it's the added cost/burden of flying, that gets in the way of us coming more often. So if you live within driving distance then I think you can justify it far better as you could easily take 3 trips.

 

[awdsmama]

Out of curiousity, does anyone know what the AP discount/price is at PP Oct 8-13?

 

[PCMama]

Out of curiousity, does anyone know what the AP discount/price is at PP Oct 8-13?

You have to call Disney. As you get closer to check in the discount goes up. But they have a senior citizen rate that is comperable so it grandma is coming it could give you the same or better discount than an al

 

[starshine514]

You have to call Disney. As you get closer to check in the discount goes up. But they have a senior citizen rate that is comperable so it grandma is coming it could give you the same or better discount than an al

I think I read recently that they aren't offerring the senior discount anymore.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I think I read recently that they aren't offerring the senior discount anymore.

This is correct.

- Dreams

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Out of curiousity, does anyone know what the AP discount/price is at PP Oct 8-13?

Room rates for Oct 8 (5 nights) at PP are a total of $1235 plus $207 tax. It does not give me the room break down (says to call for details on nightly rate) and I don't want to sit and do night by night reservations to see what it says lol. Normaly there is a calendar that shows the nightly rates but it is only up to June. But that should give you an idea.

The same room (standard) for PP is $1373 and $233 tax.

Hope that helps!

 

[awdsmama]

Room rates for Oct 8 (5 nights) at PP are a total of $1235 plus $207 tax. It does not give me the room break down (says to call for details on nightly rate) and I don't want to sit and do night by night reservations to see what it says lol. Normaly there is a calendar that shows the nightly rates but it is only up to June. But that should give you an idea.

The same room (standard) for PP is $1373 and $233 tax.

Hope that helps!

I appreciate that, thank you very much

 

[Susiesark]

BTW the Premium annual pass costs $649 each, child or adult, same price.

 

[phil1914]

thank you all for the great advice. i know it varies depending on the promo running, but on average, what is the AP hotel discount? at the very least, is there an AP promo available for first week of april?

i crunched some numbers and assuming a 10% hotel discount, a single premium AP is essentially break even compared to no AP for our 2 trips. as posted in another thread, orbitz has a pretty good deal on hotel and a 15% off promo so it's saving me almost $500 for april.