To AP or not ?

[Goofy DS]

Ok so now our family is hooked on the "magic".
I have always booked packages with AAA and have been happy so far with the ease and the price.
Then I readabout the "codes" (which I'm still fuzzy on) and the AP discounts and I get to thinking maybe we could take 2 trips in one year.
We live in the midwest so it's not a day trip for us to go to DW. Is it worth an AP?
Family is my wife and I, M-14 and A-10
Here are just some of my questions.

Our 2 trips would most likely be one with kids, one without.
Should we look at an AP for both me and my wife?
If we get one do we still get all the room discounts etc?...

How do you take advantage of the codes and discounts ( I looked at the discount part of the board and am now as confused as ever).
Do you take the codes to a travel agent, or book straight from Disney?

Are the discounts worth the cost of the AP?

We already have a trip booked for Dec. , but may look at AP's for a spring trip. They are good for 365 days so we could do this Dec trip with the family, buy our AP's before our spring trip for my wife and I and then take the kids back in the fall?

 

[MrShiny]

We live in the midwest too and have AP's. If you are going to be spending more than 8-9 days in the parks in a given year, they are worth it. If you think you will be doing a trip without the kids, consider buying AP's just for the adults.

Only one person in a room needs to have an AP to get a discounted rate. Call CRO with the appropriate code to check the rate. I believe a travel agent can get the same rates as well (if available), but that might be incorrect.

Even with a shorter trip, an AP can be worth while if one person gets it to get the discount. Just price out everything with and without the AP, but be aware the AP rates go fast. You can book the AP rate without the actual AP as long as you have it (or the voucher you get when you buy it before you go to the parks) when you check in.

We are going for 7 days next week and because of our AP's, the Disney Vacation Club and Southwest Rapid Rewards, and coming back for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in October at only the cost of the party tickets. Other park visits on that trip are covered by the AP, our resort is from our DVC points, and we've earned enough Southwest rewards for free flights.

 

[jmclester]

I'm happy to address your questions since I just made the decision to purchase an AP just for the room discount.

First of all, the "codes" are simply the letters that Disney assigns to the discounts for certain time periods. To make a reservation, you can call (407)WDISNEY and give them the specific AP code and they will apply the discount to your room. For example, the AP code for 8/27-10/4 is EXI. That code can be found in many places but the place that I look is on this website under "Current Disney Discounts" then jump to "Annual Passholder Discounts".

Yes, you can purchase one AP and get the discount. It can even be a child's AP as long as the room is booked under the child and they are with you (may not be an option for you based on what you are saying). Savings depend on how long you stay and where and how many times in 12 months you visit. DW and I are going Deluxe this year since it is a special occasion and I saved $390. AP is $420 so that was a no brainer and we will probably go back in less than 12 months now to hopefully utilize them as tix and room discount.

I would say that if you plan to spend at least 8 days in the parks in 12 months it would be worthwhile to get an AP. Otherwise, I would look at getting one AP (for the room discount) and the for the rest, 10-day, never expire, park hopper tickets. Remember too, that the AP is valid from the first day that you use it at a park, not from the date that it is purchased or used for a discount at a resort.

BTW, room discounts are likely, but not guaranteed. You may want to wait until if and when the AP discount comes out for your time period to make a decision. But make it fast because there are only a certain number of rooms available for the discount.

Hope this helps!!

 

[SnackyStacky]

Be very selective with your travel agent, if you choose to use one!

Any travel agent can get you ANY discount that you are eligible for. Some of them WON'T though. (Not can't - but won't)

Select a Disney specialist travel agent, or one that you trust will work for you.