when does it make sense to buy AP?

[Tink&PirateMama]

Hi!

I'm new to this and I appreciate your feedback!

I've been hoping our first! DVC purchase goes through this spring, and thinking about our next trip. I'm wondering about AP's, and when it makes sense to purchase them. First, let me say we are a family of four, 2 adults, 2 kids who will be 6 and 5 next trip. Yesterday I was talking to discovery cove, and we've decided we really want to do that this trip- which includes 14 days we can go to sea world/BG, and I was also thinking we might try typhoon lagoon (which wouldn't be a part of our pass). So it looks like several days we won't be in the WDW parks that an annual pass would be good far. We will go, I would imagine for 4-5 days of the trip.

Now, if we were going on a once a year trip, I was told it was smart to book one's stay for something like, late January the first year, early January the second year, because then the AP's make sense and you get two years trips out of it technically. I expect we will go for 7-10 days each trip, and if we add on a lot more points, we'll round it out to 2 weeks someday and be spending a few days at the beach after, LOL! Then I'm sure the AP's make sense. There is also a chance that this coming year we might add in an additional trip- one day we REALLY want to go to the halloween party... but I'm not sure when that will actually happen. I'm sure if we had the AP's and did that trip as well, it would actually make sense.

So what do you think? At what point is that the most cost effective plan? 10 days in a year? And so, if I really didn't want to schedule my trips late in the month, than early, this year, should I just skip it? Is there something else great one gets with an AP that would make it more worth it?

Thank you!!

 

[johde]

To my thinking, this first time around a 10 no expiration day park hopper with the water parks and more option might be the better ticket. Not only would that ticket get you into the 4 major parks for a couple of trips worth, it would give you 10 days of water park visits for slightly more than 1 day regular price. That should last you several years so you could continue to go to the water parks 1 or 2 days a trip and only get a regular AP.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We always get PAPs. We usually go after school is out at the end of May. BUT we schedule those trips so they both fall into the same 365 days. So last year we arrived on June 7. This year we leave on June 6. Two nine night stays in one year. Plus I just got back from a short business trip to Orlando and was able to hit the parks each night after my meetings were over. The free parking for AP holders came in real handy this past week.

 

[drusba]

If you look at price comparison of tickets (go to "Theme Parks" at top of this page and then to "Tickets" to compare prices) : (a) if you go once a year, the park hopper that expires 14 days after first use will always be cheaper; (b) if you go twice in a year, the park hopper (with no waterparks) that does not expire is cheaper for 8 park entries or less.

Then when evaluating, you can consider some of the discounts you can get with an AP. One key one is the ability to purchase the Tables in Wonderland (TIW) card for something like $50 to $60 per year which gets you 20% off meals and drinks at most restaurants with bans for use during holidays. Without TIW, you can still get some meal discounts but they are much more limited as to where and when. You get 10% off any purchases at the big Disney store in Downtown Disney. Also get some minor discounts off of waterparks, Disney Quest, boating activities, and mini-golf but you also can usually get the same with just your DVC card. Has a 30% discount for golf at the 18 hole courses but generally getting the DVC golf discount card is better if you are going to golf multiple times. They sometimes have marked off areas for AP holders for parades. There are some others.

 

[Doingitagain]

Do you have any recommendations on when to buy TIW? We already have AP, does the TIW need to be the same 12 month period?

 

[drusba]

You can buy TIW when you first get there at guest services outside the parks and it is good for 12 months from date of purchase regardless of expiration date for AP. I have also found you can order in advance and have it mailed to you and if you are somewhat near the trip time (e.g., call in late March but not going until mid-May) you can designate start month (meaning May in the example) as long as your AP will still be in effect at that time.

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

To my thinking, this first time around a 10 no expiration day park hopper with the water parks and more option might be the better ticket. Not only would that ticket get you into the 4 major parks for a couple of trips worth, it would give you 10 days of water park visits for slightly more than 1 day regular price. That should last you several years so you could continue to go to the water parks 1 or 2 days a trip and only get a regular AP.

Thank you for this information everyone! I think the above idea might just be what we're looking for!
Does anyone know the best way to buy these types of tickets? I have only ever gone with a plan I ordered on reservations (including my room/dining), so I have no idea where one just gets plain tickets- or where it would be the best price.
Thank you!

 

[kristenrice]

Thank you for this information everyone! I think the above idea might just be what we're looking for!
Does anyone know the best way to buy these types of tickets? I have only ever gone with a plan I ordered on reservations (including my room/dining), so I have no idea where one just gets plain tickets- or where it would be the best price.
Thank you!

UnderCoverTourist.com is a great place to find discounted tickets. We have used them three times and they are great. They even have a refund policy if you change your mind and want to return the passes. The prices shown on the website are the TOTAL cost...tax and shipping are included.

If you go to mousesavers.com and sign up for their newsletter (e-mailed on the 15th of every month) there is a special link in there that gives an additional discount off of the undercovertourist prices.

10-day, No-exp, WFPAM from UCT is $526.95 for adults and $505.95 for children.

Same tickets with the discount link through the newsletter: $518.95/$483.95.

Disney's price: $571.93/$534.65

 

[Tink&PirateMama]

UnderCoverTourist.com is a great place to find discounted tickets. We have used them three times and they are great. They even have a refund policy if you change your mind and want to return the passes. The prices shown on the website are the TOTAL cost...tax and shipping are included.

If you go to mousesavers.com and sign up for their newsletter (e-mailed on the 15th of every month) there is a special link in there that gives an additional discount off of the undercovertourist prices.

10-day, No-exp, WFPAM from UCT is $526.95 for adults and $505.95 for children.

Same tickets with the discount link through the newsletter: $518.95/$483.95.

Disney's price: $571.93/$534.65

WOW! Thank you SO much for sharing this! That is a great thing to know about!! I'm sending the link to my husband right now!
Thank you!

 

[Perditamarie]

Just wanted to add that DVC members get a nice discount on APs:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tickets.htm#ap

 

[Inkmahm]

You can buy TIW when you first get there at guest services outside the parks and it is good for 12 months from date of purchase regardless of expiration date for AP. I have also found you can order in advance and have it mailed to you and if you are somewhat near the trip time (e.g., call in late March but not going until mid-May) you can designate start month (meaning May in the example) as long as your AP will still be in effect at that time.

The price has gone up to $75 recently. And if you buy later in the month, it actually will expire in closer to 13 months. I got my TWI card at the end of Feb and it expires March 31, 2010.