WDW Ticket/AP Dilema

[TexasChick123]

I need some help here. We bought Platinum Plus AP's last year for the deal of ~$590/person for all 4 of us (DH, Myself, DS, and DD). We activated them in early June 2018, so they'll expire in early June 2019. We will have used them for 4 trips this year, so we definitely got the use out of them. Here is how the trips going forward for the next couple of years are shaping up post-expiration of the current AP's:

January 2020 (4 nights but only my DD and me because DH and DS are going on a guys' trip)
October 2020 (4-5 nights and will be my family of 4)
January 2021 (4 nights and probably just my DD and me again)
June 2021 (6 nights specific dates TBD and will be a ton of ppl)
October 2021 (maybe for F&W and will be my family of 4 plus some friends)

What's the best strategy? Should we get new AP's starting in Fall 2020 which would work for October 2020, January 2021, June 2021 and possibly Fall 2021 and just buy tickets for myself and DD for January. I looked a the ticket prices, and the Gold Pass is $609. A 5-day park hopper ticker (what we would need for January 2020) is $488 on UT. However, one of the days of the January 2020 trip would be blocked out for the Gold AP which adds yet another layer to this problem. Can you still use the regular tickets on Day 1 and then upgrade to an AP? How does that work? Thanks in advance!

 

[mrsR123]

I would do APs for October 2020 for the family.

 

[Marionnette]

I need some help here. We bought Platinum Plus AP's last year for the deal of ~$590/person for all 4 of us (DH, Myself, DS, and DD). We activated them in early June 2018, so they'll expire in early June 2019. We will have used them for 4 trips this year, so we definitely got the use out of them. Here is how the trips going forward for the next couple of years are shaping up post-expiration of the current AP's:

January 2020 (4 nights but only my DD and me because DH and DS are going on a guys' trip)
October 2020 (4-5 nights and will be my family of 4)
January 2021 (4 nights and probably just my DD and me again)
June 2021 (6 nights specific dates TBD and will be a ton of ppl)
October 2021 (maybe for F&W and will be my family of 4 plus some friends)

What's the best strategy? Should we get new AP's starting in Fall 2020 which would work for October 2020, January 2021, June 2021 and possibly Fall 2021 and just buy tickets for myself and DD for January. I looked a the ticket prices, and the Gold Pass is $609. A 5-day park hopper ticker (what we would need for January 2020) is $488 on UT. However, one of the days of the January 2020 trip would be blocked out for the Gold AP which adds yet another layer to this problem. Can you still use the regular tickets on Day 1 and then upgrade to an AP? How does that work? Thanks in advance!

I agree with @mrsR123 . Getting your APs in October 2020 will entitle you to passholder extras at F&W for two visits. Last year's passholder extras were a magnet and a cutting board. Previous extras have been magnets and wine glasses. You will also qualify for any passholder discounts on F&W seminars and events.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I might consider getting at least you an AP in January 2020 so that you can always get the room discounts and such for each trip (and probably renew in Jan 2021) but otherwise I'd say your October plan is good.