To AP or not to AP...that is the question

[katymae]

I have searched for the answer to this question, but I just can't find it. Can someone please tell me the break-even point on the AP? I believe I will be at the world at least 12 days (three trips) over the next 12 months. And I will be booking a deluxe for at least one if not two of those trips.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[mecllap]

There's probably no hard and fast answer to that. There are variables -- are you going to have a car and want the advantage of parking included (altho pakring is also included if you stay onsite). Are you not going to get a package that includes the dining plan -- or do you want the option of getting the free dining plan with a package if that becomes available? 12 days may put you at the break-even point, altho maybe not if you always stay onsite, and can use one of the package plans. But the AP does sometimes get you a break on room rates, also. You have to look at what the AP includes and how it fits with your plans. It works for us, but we're mostly staying off-site, and having the parking and the DDE card helps. Next time, I think I may go for the 10-day tickets with non-expiration, tho, since we've been to WDW a lot this year, and may want to do other non-Park things on future visits for the next few years (with a few Park days, too of course).

 

[katymae]

So if I have an AP can I not also get the DDP? I'm confused!!

 

[Got Quattro?]

you can break even on 1 trip...you make money on 2 or more trips. I will break down my trips last years.

Stayed at WL in April 2005. Normal room rate was $329 we got in for $199 x 6 nights.
We went again in Jan of 2006. Normal room rate was $329 we got in for $199 x 6 nights.

I paid $500 for an AP for me...my wife and child do ala carte days each time. But a normal 4 dayhopper is $350.

So, because I bought a $500 ticket which worked for 2 trips...I essentially saved $150 for me on park entry....+ the $1500 i saved on hotel room.

so, I saved about $1,700 over 2 trips because of the AP. = 12 days.

If only 1 trip it would have been about a $500 savings total.

Milage may vary....you save significantly less when not going in value season like we do. i didn't eve try to factor in the number of $100+ meals I saved 20% on because I bought the disney dinning card for $50.

 

[mecllap]

KatyMae -- yes it's confusing. Some say that you can get the Dining Plan (DDP) for the number of nights of your resort stay, with only one day's ticket purchase -- the WDW web page seems to read that you can only get it along with the Magic Your Way package, which is lodging and tickets. The DDE, Disney Dining Experience, is a card you can buy for $60.00 if you have an AP, that is good for 20% off, including alcholic drinks, at the places it can be used at (mostly TS places, and PopC food court). The AP lodging discounts are not always available, and not always released far enough ahead of time for some people's planning. You almost need to make a spreadsheet for yourself, with all the info from the official Disney site, plus make a couple of phone calls there, to figure out what would work the best for you. If you are making 3 trips, an AP may be the best for you (depending on how you feel about having the DDP -- I don't use it, it makes me feel tied down and taking up too much time eating -- altho if I could go during the time that they have it "free" I might like to give it a try [but I don't think that's a certainty every year]).
Maybe getting one AP, as the previous poster did, would work for you -- you'd have its benefits, and maybe it would be cheaper (depending on your group, and who is going when). Maybe I'll look into doing it that way after my current AP expires -- instead of the 10 day non-expiring option.

 

[sjw4870]

I always think of the "break-even" point of an AP to be about 9-10 days considering park entrance/hopping only. This formula is taking the cost of the AP (my last one was just under $500) and comparing it to how much $500 would get you on a Magic Your Way ticket. On last check a 10 day that did not expire would be only be slightly less than an AP.

I also kind of try to factor in room discounts, but you CANNOT count on them. On 5 of 6 trips since becoming a passholder I have been able to secure a room discount that when compared to rack rates made the AP pay for itself. For example, had an AP rate at AKL savannah for $179 per night, checked disney.com for same nights and it was $340. So basically - 3 nights with the discounted room rate paid for my AP and more since i didn't have to buy a theme park pass!! However, remember the discounts are limited. On my December trip, for the dates I wanted I could not get an AP at a deluxe but was able to get CSR for $99 per night.


So - in my opinion, since you are going to be there 12 times, I think the AP will be worth it for you.

 

[disneyjunkie]

KatyMae -- yes it's confusing. Some say that you can get the Dining Plan (DDP) for the number of nights of your resort stay, with only one day's ticket purchase -- the WDW web page seems to read that you can only get it along with the Magic Your Way package, which is lodging and tickets.

A MYW dining package can be a one day base ticket, a 14-night resort stay, and 14 nights of the dining plan.

It can also be a 14-night resort stay, a 10-day park past (base or fully loaded), and 14 nights of the dining plan.

The great thing about the MYW packages is that your park passes do not have to match the number of nights you're booked for.

 

[tictoc]

I go very often, , ,about three to four times a year. I live in Houston, but have had an AP for the past eleven years. I save ten percent at the World of Disney and some restaurantes. Every November I stay off property and park for free at the parks with my AP. I bought a DDE card and get 20% meals plus valet park for free at the Deluxe Resorts. I have saved a lot of money with room discounts. If you wish to do the Dining Plan you can not get the room discount. In June and again in September I bought the one day base ticket for each of my family so that I could do the dining plan. I then save the base tickets and "upgrade" them to AP's when I need to renew my passes. They then deduct the cost of that ticket from the price of an AP. I find the ten day mark is when you start saving money on the AP especially now that you have to pay to have the no expiration added to the tickets. I have never regretted purchasing an AP and have saved a lot of money by having one.