To AP or Not to AP - That's my ?

[Laurajean1014]

Okay - going away in a month! Yay. However, we are perplexed on what type of ticket to get. We always get a Premium Annual Pass, but money is a bit tight for this trip.

Here's my analysis below. What would you do?

PH=Park Hopping, WP=Water Park

We have no plans to go until next year, but April 8th is Easter Sunday in 2007, so if we buy an annual pass, we maybe able to use it for next year's trip.

What do you think?


Cost Analysis:
Ticket: ........................................ Cost.............Savings
MWY w/ PH & Expires........................ $735.92........ $441.97
MWY w/ PH, WP & Expires................. $895.72 ....... $282.17
Annual Passes................................. $889.28 ....... $288.61
Premium Annual Pass........................ $1,177.89...... $-

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's what we're doing. Going in May, myself, dh and dd. I already have an AP that expires in late Nov. Dd will get an AP since the two of us are going back in Oct for a ladies only trip. Now, since we own DVC we can get a break on the AP(about $125 off). But, dh is only going to be in WDW for 3 days in May, as is dd. I get there 2 days before them for grown up fun with the ladies.
I was going to buy dh an AP but figured that the chances of his going back to WDW before May '07 were slim. So, I'm getting him a 10 day MYW hopper non-expire. Yes, it's more money than the AP (for him anyway) but he can use it anytime in the future. If he decides to go back before next May, terrific. But, if he doesn't, he still has those extr 7 days on there...so he could take a trip with dd and I in the summer or the following fall.
I think the advance price of the 10 day hopper, non-expire is about $410...about the same as you would pay for an AP. I think that if you bought this pass, you wouldn't have to worry if you didn't get back within the year. Of course, if you make two trips of more than 5 days each then this pass won't work for you. And this option doesn't include any pluses.

 

[SnackyStacky]

My suggestion is to include you 2007 trip in your budget. Figure out what kind of admission you'll need for that trip and figure that into your calculations. (And add about 3% for a ticket increase for next year)

You may find that an annual pass is your best bet if you can use it twice in a year.

In 2002 - we ended up going twice and I could have kicked myself for not buying an annual pass!!!!

 

[ccw]

my strategy is very similar to goofy4tink's. I have an AP (DVC member) which i will be using for the second time next week. Will use it on at least one more trip, maybe 2, before it expires in Nov. We usually only spend 3 park days per trip (sometimes four) so I bought DS and DH 7- day non-expiring park hoppers to use for this trip and still have 4 days left that they can use the next time they go, even if that is years from now (and it might be!!!they don't love Disney). Bought their passes thru Ticketmania (about $40 total savings over Disney prices) and expect their arrival in my mailbox this week! If money is tight, I would DEFINITELY rather add future park days rather than water park options.