To AP or not to AP?

[bumbershoot]

We will definitely be upgrading to AP's at WDW because it will be about $19 cheaper to get one AP for 2 trips than to pay separate ticket admissions (after tax) for each trip. Then, if we decided to go anytime for the rest of 2017 we already have "free" admission and "free" Memory Maker.

Since you already have Disneyland passes and you have 2 trips to WDW planned, IF you can fit them all inside your current Disneyland AP year, you might consider upgrading that Disneyland AP to the Premier AP that acts as the AP for both coasts. But you have to really do the math and the calendar-work for that.

Wow! 20%? That's pretty amazing. And a dining discount! So does Tables in Wonderland just expand upon your available restaurants? And TIW is only for AP holders, right? Those discounts should also effect OP's to AP or not AP conundrum! I could make an AP work in just one trip with 20% off merchandise!!

I want to note that the AP discount for merchandise (I believe) is on the newer side.

TIW can be better than AP or it can just match it. You have to look at the comparison of what restaurants take what discount and look at where you'll be. TIW also gives you valet parking while dining (and using the card) and it includes alcohol (AP discount does not). Nice comparison here: http://allears.net/pl/disc_dining.pdf

 

[china mom]

The AP dining benefit is 10% off selected restaurants and then 20% of an even smaller list. This does not include alcohol.

TIW is 20% off almost all restaurants (some have blackout dates) but does include alcohol. There is an automatic 18% gratuity added to all checks (regardless of party size) so it is kinda of like having all of your tips pre-paid but paying full price for your meal.

Someone else has done the math but since the TIW price was raised last year, you have to spend a whole lot on dining to break even. Even more now that you can factor in the AP discount.

I used to use the Disney Visa discount but that required a minimum purchase. AP merchandise discount does not. I literally used it to save 30 cents last trip.

 

[allsaintsatx]

Since you already have Disneyland passes and you have 2 trips to WDW planned, IF you can fit them all inside your current Disneyland AP year, you might consider upgrading that Disneyland AP to the Premier AP that acts as the AP for both coasts. But you have to really do the math and the calendar-work for that.

I thought about that, but our Disneyland AP's expire in early August 2017 and if we bought a new first-time WDW AP in December it would be good until January 2018. And, just between you and me (shhh! It's a secret!) even though we are Disneyland vets, we've really been enjoying our WDW vacations. So much variety. One trip we will be staying in a Polynesian themed tropical resort, the next an African savanna. And after that maybe staying in the French Quarter? Maybe a beach club? Or a cabin in the woods?

 

[allsaintsatx]

The AP dining benefit is 10% off selected restaurants and then 20% of an even smaller list. This does not include alcohol.

TIW is 20% off almost all restaurants (some have blackout dates) but does include alcohol. There is an automatic 18% gratuity added to all checks (regardless of party size) so it is kinda of like having all of your tips pre-paid but paying full price for your meal.

Someone else has done the math but since the TIW price was raised last year, you have to spend a whole lot on dining to break even. Even more now that you can factor in the AP discount.

I used to use the Disney Visa discount but that required a minimum purchase. AP merchandise discount does not. I literally used it to save 30 cents last trip.

Oh cool! So the WDW AP does have 10% off restaurants! And 20% on merch, dang!! AND a free month! For someone who loves Disney vacations as much as we do, that is a pretty amazing deal.

 

[china mom]

It is not all restaurants so read the fine print. For example, TIW got us a discount at the Pop Century Dining but AP does not. I am not the one to ask about the dining discount because I am the one with the peanut butter sandwiches at the park

 

[Accident]

A note about the discounts, there is an increase for the 45th anniversary year and it'll go abck to 10% merch and dining with a smaller list of locations on sept 30, 2017 unless they extend or alter it..

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Oh cool! So the WDW AP does have 10% off restaurants! And 20% on merch, dang!! AND a free month! For someone who loves Disney vacations as much as we do, that is a pretty amazing deal.

It can be a good deal for certain folks, but for many it only sounds good.

13 months: most AP holders plan two trips within 12. This gives them an extra month to return. Big deal? For a few probably, but most would probably have come back a few weeks earlier and been fine with the 12.

10% restaurants: That's only some restaurants, and doesn't include liquor. Each individual family, based on their dining habbits, needs to assess the value.

20% on merch: What more can be said? Who wants that stuff, or at least enough to make the discount viable? New comers to WDW likely buy up the store, but an AP holder?? Likely there often and that interest has sailed.

All my opinion.

MG

 

[Madivan]

TIW is 20% off almost all restaurants (some have blackout dates) but does include alcohol. There is an automatic 18% gratuity added to all checks (regardless of party size) so it is kinda of like having all of your tips pre-paid but paying full price for your meal.

I get where you're going with this but this explanation of TIW never makes sense to me. You're tipping whether you have TIW or not so you're till saving the 20% off your meal. Most people tip 18%+ anyway. I mean, I guess if you're a 10% tipper you're paying a bit more but I think that only applies to a very very small number of people. You're stI'll saving off your out of pocket regardless of whether you call it the tip, meal, whatever.

 

[Madivan]

Deleted double post. silly phone

 

[china mom]

I get where you're going with this but this explanation of TIW never makes sense to me. You're tipping whether you have TIW or not so you're till saving the 20% off your meal. Most people tip 18%+ anyway. I mean, I guess if you're a 10% tipper you're paying a bit more but I think that only applies to a very very small number of people. You're stI'll saving off your out of pocket regardless of whether you call it the tip, meal, whatever.

I'm with you on that. I only mention it so that no-one is surprised when they discover that the tips are automatically included in the bill. The math is all the same for me - in fact, even a little bit cheaper since I normally tip a rounded up 20%.

 

[shannonstar]

So, now I have more questions than answers...

I am considering buying one annual pass and TIW card for our upcoming trip. I think we will end up at least breaking even if not making money (savings) just on dining and merchandise alone.

We are going for 9 days only this trip, but every TS meal we eat will end up being close to 200 OOP. We also tend to eat at least 1 QS and 1 TS a day. Previous trips we have tried to not drink (I know right?) because of the added cost, but the discount might make me feel better about it.

We are planning our trip over Thanksgiving, so knowing we can't use discounts that day, for Fantasmic Package or Candlelight Processional Package makes me wonder. I guess I have a lot of math to do.

We might try to squeeze in another trip in the 13 months, but then again, we might not be able to make it happen.

 

[figmentedfollies]

So, now I have more questions than answers...

I am considering buying one annual pass and TIW card for our upcoming trip. I think we will end up at least breaking even if not making money (savings) just on dining and merchandise alone.

We are going for 9 days only this trip, but every TS meal we eat will end up being close to 200 OOP. We also tend to eat at least 1 QS and 1 TS a day. Previous trips we have tried to not drink (I know right?) because of the added cost, but the discount might make me feel better about it.

We are planning our trip over Thanksgiving, so knowing we can't use discounts that day, for Fantasmic Package or Candlelight Processional Package makes me wonder. I guess I have a lot of math to do.

We might try to squeeze in another trip in the 13 months, but then again, we might not be able to make it happen.

Are you staying on property? Because there is usually an AP discount offered. For my upcoming trip at I saved an additional 10% with my AP than if I had used the room only discount available to the general public. I'm staying at the Wilderness Lodge. Your mileage may vary depending on which resort you prefer. However, with the roughly $500 saved on the hotel room it more or less paid for my AP without me factoring dining and merchandise discounts.

Edit: I forgot to add that I am someone who will do add-ons such as the Star Wars Dessert Party, Club Villain, and the Disney After Hours event. I've saved roughly $30 per ticket for each event with my AP, even purchasing tickets for non-AP members of my party. If those things are events are types of things you do, it's something to keep in mind.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Waitaminute....If you buy the Annual Pass, you don't have to pay the $149 for Memory Maker? All Memory Maker benefits are now included in AP benefits?

Yes

 

[PeasandCarrots]

1. Yes
2. If you mean that you plan to return within that year then it can be worth it. While it's over a year old, this post is still useful in figuring out if it's worth it.

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/10/08/breakeven-wdw-annual-passes/

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I've been considering it. Just racked up a TON of points through my credit card. We always go Christmas week and I'd love to get there for Easter and Food & Wine.

I'm almost purposely not buying one because I know I'll be going down way too much and I really wanna see the rest of the country/world.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

What we like with the AP is as you have a year you don't have to rush to download the photos as soon as you get home. Plus they sometimes do AP events. Like meeting Belle at exclusive meet and greet in ballroom dress etc. Early viewing they did of new Fantasyland plus discounts on certain nights for events like MNSSHP and MVMCP.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

As regular AP holders, I have one caution about cost savings...

You will save a lot of money on two separate trips within one calendar year. But the third trip that you had not budgeted to take until the AP starts burning a hole in your pocket is the true budget killer. You have been warned...

 

[china mom]

What he said.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

We have the Gold AP, and it makes us a lot more relaxed in our visits. For example, we arrived at 1PM. Our room was not ready, so we left our bags with bell services and hopped on the monorail to Magic Kingdom. We walked around and rode one ride. Then our room was ready at 3PM, so we came back at 4pm to get in our room before meeting my mom who was coming in on the Magical Disney Express Bus. We would never have used up a day of a regular pass to go over for just a couple of hours.

Also, we had a pool day at the resort. My wife is not a roller coaster person, so I headed over to ride coasters at 10PM in the extra magic hours.

We got three trips in this year - about 18 days.

We rarely hop, but it is handy if you need it. And now they are offering transportation to assist hopping. A private car picks you up inside the park and deposits you inside another park for a flat daily fee.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We have the Gold AP, and it makes us a lot more relaxed in our visits. For example, we arrived at 1PM. Our room was not ready, so we left our bags with bell services and hopped on the monorail to Magic Kingdom. We walked around and rode one ride. Then our room was ready at 3PM, so we came back at 4pm to get in our room before meeting my mom who was coming in on the Magical Disney Express Bus. We would never have used up a day of a regular pass to go over for just a couple of hours.

Also, we had a pool day at the resort. My wife is not a roller coaster person, so I headed over to ride coasters at 10PM in the extra magic hours.

We got three trips in this year - about 18 days.

We rarely hop, but it is handy if you need it. And now they are offering transportation to assist hopping. A private car picks you up inside the park and deposits you inside another park for a flat daily fee.

A private car?? It's a Disney bus.

MG