To AP or not...

[NewJersey]

I saw on here an AP for 198 for Epcot resorts in July. For 4 nights, I'd say about $400 on the room and the AP would cost me $460. I plan on going down again in November so I'm thinking should I plan a last minute trip for July, get the AP, and then have it for my November trip?

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

We are crazy about our AP. WHen you stay deluxe, it seem to always pay for itself quickly. We buy one AP and then tickets for everyone else. Although we should have bought AP's for everyone as we spent 20 days at disney last year. Don't forget about the savings you can receive with the AP re: some sit down dining, mainly at lunch time. With our AP we bought the DDE card and save 20% on table service meals. If you are going twice this year DDE is probably worth it. For our family of four it usually pays for itself in 2 1/2 days and then we see the benefit of the discount. We also use our AP to buy discount water park tickets. This board and mousesavers.com should have good info on the other benefits of AP.

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

Also, once you get an AP it is a little addictive. I think it was allearsnet.com that did a hysterical article on all the ways an AP saves( or does not save) you money. It is probably in their archives. For instance yes it saves you money, but then disney addicts like me constantly find a way to squeeze in an extra trip or extra days due to the great deals(thus not saving you money).

 

[NewJersey]

Thanks for the info! Just what I need...another way to get addicted to Disney.

 

[speedyf]

Sounds like a no-brainer....

$460 for the AP....where normally you would spend about $200 to $250 for a base or hopper ticket. So, you are only spending an extra $210 to $260....

You are...however...saving $400 on the room in July only....so, that more than pays for the AP....even if you were only going that one time in July.

Since you are planning on going back again in November....I would definitely say it's worth it. Of course, you will want to squeeze in another trip next June right before your pass expires....since it is "free"....and you will probably end up spending more in the long run. (ie...see my signature for June 06 / Dec 06 / May 07 trips).

Speed

 

[DizznyChick]

but it still feels great when you sneak in that extra last ap trip

 

[lovesdumbo]

.see my signature for June 06 / Dec 06 / May 07 trips

I was May 06/May 06/Aug 06/Dec 06 and I was going to squeeze in one more in April but unened up renewing instead so now we get to start all over....May 07/Aug 07/Nov 07/Jan 08 and I'll want to go in April for one last shot or renew and go in May....




To the OP...if you want to do the meal plan in November you'll need to purchase at least 1 day tickets for everyone in your party. That is what I have to do to get the meal plan for my longer Aug family vacations. My DH only goes on the longer family trip so I just upgrade his 1 day ticket after check in. I used my unused 1 day ticket from last year's Aug trip toward the renewal of my AP. Of course I could only do this in person at WDW so I just to book that May 07 trip.

 

[myrsfmly]

Do you buy one AP (to get room/dining discounts) and then regular tickets for the rest of your family, or do you buy AP's for each member? Which in the long run saves you more money? I went to WDW last November and am going again this August, so I am thinking that it may be worth it to buy the pass, although the whole reason I justified going both times was the free dining, but that was part of a package that I wouldn't have been eligible for with the AP right? I am thinking i circles until my brain hurts Thanks for your help

 

[TiggerificTigger]

An earlier poster mentioned a funny article about APs. I hope this is the one they were talking about. It is unbelievely funny!

allearsnet.com/ae/issue305.htm

 

[lovesdumbo]

Do you buy one AP (to get room/dining discounts) and then regular tickets for the rest of your family, or do you buy AP's for each member? Which in the long run saves you more money? I went to WDW last November and am going again this August, so I am thinking that it may be worth it to buy the pass, although the whole reason I justified going both times was the free dining, but that was part of a package that I wouldn't have been eligible for with the AP right? I am thinking i circles until my brain hurts Thanks for your help

I buy AP's for whoever will be going more than 10 days in a year.

You can upgrade your pass from your free dining package to an AP. You can't get the AP discount on the room with a package but if you upgrade that ticket to an AP you will have your park admission for your November trip and perhaps you can get an AP discount on the November room. If you want to purchase the meal plan in November you will need to purchase at least 1 day base tickets and won't be able to get an AP discount on the room. But you can use those "extra" tickets in the future and the savings on park admission is often enough to justify the purchase of AP's.

 

[Chloesmom]

I just got an AP this past trip because I am going back at least in August but hopefully after Christmas and next Spring also. I already love it because we saved alot at World of Disney with it ( about $50 this trip.. I love that Jim Shore stuff ) and the DDE is great too. I think it will work better for us then the DDP. I would get it for sure if you are going back again.

 

[myrsfmly]

I just got off the phone with a ticket CM, and for less than $200 each I can upgrade my MYW to an AP when I am there in August! That is so cheap you can't afford not to buy it not sure my DH will see it that way, but I can now already start planning our next trip!!! How good are the AP discounts for rooms usually? And the DDE, is that discounted dining for AP holders?