What to consider before getting an AP

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I could use some advice on whether or not to purchase an AP. We are going in August for free dining, using 8-day magic your way park hopper plus tickets. We are planning on returning at the beginning of May for at least 7 nights (hoping we can afford more). We are going to look into what the bounce back offers are and decide whether or not we can stay onsite or offsite depending on the cost of hotel, tickets, and food.

I'm pretty sure an AP would be the most cost-effective as far as tickets go, and I know sometimes there are room discounts and discounts and certain restaurants with an AP. I also know that if I stay offsite, I wouldn't have to pay for parking at the theme parks.

Is there anything else I should consider? Are there any block out dates in May? Thanks for the help!

 

[amccu18007]

If you plan on going 14 days or more in one calendar year, it is beneficial. Also, if you add parking, food/ shopping discounts, hopper and photo pass on it, it REALLY becomes a great deal. The only downside( at least to my pocketbook) is that I have been there at A LOT more then I had planned because I already have a ticket...lol! Everytime cheap airfares are offered, I go! Have a great trip!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Is there anything else I should consider?

Yes.... you should consider the fact that APs can be addicting. "I'll save a few bucks on this trip" suddenly becomes "why don't we head down for a long weekend"..... then... "oh, F&W is going on, let's go"..... then "I've always wanted to go to MVMCP, let's do a quick trip"....then "AP special events for Toy Story Land? Why not?"..... etc, etc, etc.

Getting an AP has been the best/worst decision we have ever made with our vacation funds!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

lol... I would love to go multiple times a year, but I have kids in school, so that should be somewhat of a deterrent. Where do you find out blackout dates, and how often do they change?

 

[reluctantredhead]

lol... I would love to go multiple times a year, but I have kids in school, so that should be somewhat of a deterrent. Where do you find out blackout dates, and how often do they change?

Our APs don't have blockout dates. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think passes with blockout dates are only available to FL residents. When I bought ours on the Disney website (we live in MI), the only options were the Platinum Plus, Platinum, and Water Parks passes, and none of them have any blockout dates.

HTH!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I didn't know that. That's good info to know. Thanks!

Our APs don't have blockout dates. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think passes with blockout dates are only available to FL residents. When I bought ours on the Disney website (we live in MI), the only options were the Platinum Plus, Platinum, and Water Parks passes, and none of them have any blockout dates.

HTH!

 

[Lovinallthingsdisney]

Our APs don't have blockout dates. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think passes with blockout dates are only available to FL residents. When I bought ours on the Disney website (we live in MI), the only options were the Platinum Plus, Platinum, and Water Parks passes, and none of them have any blockout dates.

HTH!

I too, am from Michigan and do not have black out dates. I believe you are correct about BO dates applying to Florida residents. I have one last trip planned on my AP for September. That makes 4 on this AP. Did I save money having it? Absolutely. Did I travel to Disney more than I normally would? DOUBLE absolutely! But I love it. I was finally able to use a room discount on this upcoming trip and saved an extra 10% over my original booking.

 

[motherof5]

Yes.... you should consider the fact that APs can be addicting. "I'll save a few bucks on this trip" suddenly becomes "why don't we head down for a long weekend"..... then... "oh, F&W is going on, let's go"..... then "I've always wanted to go to MVMCP, let's do a quick trip"....then "AP special events for Toy Story Land? Why not?"..... etc, etc, etc.

Getting an AP has been the best/worst decision we have ever made with our vacation funds!

This happened to me and now planning 4 Disney trips in my AP timeframe since I want 1 more before it expires. But my family really loves me now

 

[mickeynut1]

I just got back a week ago and upgraded to my first ever AP. I thought long and hard about it prior to my trip, then made the final decision to go for it once I arrived. With 3 day PHs for this last trip and another trip already booked for Oct (which I had 2 day PHs booked), upgrading seemed like a good idea just from a ticket stand point. Once I added in the discounts on dining (10%) and shopping (20%), getting an AP started making more sense for me. Taking the money I saved this past trip, along with money I don't have to spend on hoppers in Oct, I have about $140 to go before I break even (which will definitely be met in Oct...lol). With that said, as others have posted, having an AP can be addicting as I am already using the AP logic of "might as well check airfare for such and such a date and head down for a long weekend" .