To AP or Not to AP

[CaptnKirk]

Soon to be new DVC owner, trying to determine if I should buy an AP. What is break even point? Other benefits?

 

[jpeterson]

the current 20% discounts on merchandise and some dining is a huge benefit. Memory Maker and ability to park hop without paying more is nice too. Plus it's a great excuse to make more trips!

 

[CAS239]

I save a ton of money with free parking

 

[madchatter]

Gold pass breaks even very easily if you're spending a week or more over one or more trips. When you figure in merch and dining as well as parking and memory maker, it added up well for us.

 

[TavieP]

I rarely can go for more than 3-4 days at a time so if I'm making 2 trips in the same year period, it's worth it for me as the DVC discount makes it cost less than two 3-day passes. Memory Maker is a bonus since I wouldn't pay for that anyway and I can get a lot of the discounts already through DVC or Disney Visa, so it really comes down to - do I think I'll be able to come back again in under a year?

 

[LSUfan4444]

What is break even point?

How many trips are you planning and for how many days each trip?

Ive got/had two trips planned in 10 months and each of them was at least 6 days of planned park visits so it was cheaper for me to get an AP and the additional AP discounts is nothing but a bonus.

 

[wdw&sonny]

2 Trips of 3 days is about the break even (as TavieP already said).

3 day PH ticket is about $350 (x 2 trips is $700).
1 platinum AP is about $780.
Parking is $20 per day.
So, you are ahead even without DVC discount, 20% off restaurants, merchandise etc.

 

[Kirk]

No brainer for me, two 10 night trips this year and at least a week next spring on 1 AP.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

If you do two more trips per year, the savings and benefits of an AP is worth it.

-Tobias

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Our travel changed a bit when we purchased DVC. We now get the Gold APs and take two or three trips in a year then skip a year. It has saved us in park tickets and discounts for sure!

 

[PSUGuy]

We time our Food&Wine trips so that 2 of them fall within one AP, we go for 9 or 10 days each. That alone makes it worth it, throw in the discounts as a bonus and we never would have paid for PhotoPass but we really came to like it. We'll be part of a group of 9 this Nov., they're all Friends and Family so even if they're not with us at any given time they'll get pics as well.

Bill From PA

 

[Chimaera]

The only problem I had with APs was finding myself (in the middle of a boring work week) saying "Well, we have APs so we could take a few days at Disney for just $xxxx" - Taking 5 vacations with flights in a year gets expensive

 

[IndyJammer]

The only problem I had with APs was finding myself (in the middle of a boring work week) saying "Well, we have APs so we could take a few days at Disney for just $xxxx" - Taking 5 vacations with flights in a year gets expensive

THAT is the hidden cost that no one takes into account when 'saving' money purchasing an AP!

For the OP, with the DVC Discount for APs, your break-even point is 8-9 days in the Parks. If you are planning on spending 8-9 days in the parks over the next 365, then you are better off 'investing' in an AP.

We do love the Memory Maker - and it is SO easy to just download pics straight to your phone now too.

 

[bryanb]

Yes, I also "save" a ton of money each year by going to WDW three times rather than 0-1.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

We did DVC gold passes this year. It's not like I ever plan on going to WDW during the height of spring break or Christmas/New Years week. But, if I do, I can upgrade then. I don't have enough points to cover all my trips, so I also take advantage of AP room only offers, which are fantastic for any trip where I want to stay somewhere other than my home resort which is the only place I have an 11 month jump on other DVC members. So, for example, I'm heading down the end of August to pick up some MNSMHP joy and spend some time in the Magic Kingdom with a sweet AP discount at the Contemporary.