When to purchase the family the AP?

[Iain Chapman]

I realise, before I even write this that:

a) There's no real answer
b) You could 'mistake' this subject as a game of "You know it's time to buy the family AP's when....."

Anyhow my 'problem' is that when we visit in November (gee...doesn't time drag when a trip to DLRP is coming up) I'm looking to purchase the family (2 adults, 2 child) Dream Passports.

What I can't answer to myself is WHEN....the answers seem to be:

Purchase them at the start of the visit
Upside: Gives more use of Discounts - more opportunity to use the Discount vouches that are issued, and I believe need to be used within 3 months. Free Stroller rental.

Downside: Shame to have 'wasted' the money on the package issued 5 day hopper tickets.


Purchase them mid-visit
Upside: Gives more use of Discounts - more opportunity to use the Discount vouches that are issued, and I believe need to be used within 3 months.

Downside: Still seems a shame to have 'wasted' the money on the package issued 5 day hopper tickets.

Purchase them on last day
Upside: Made full use of issued Package hoppers. Still some time to make use of discounts / vouchers.

Downside: Paid for stuff during the previous days that would have been discounted / 'free' (ie Strollers).


Discount wise - I do have my Shareholders Club card which will give me some discounts.

What would you do?

Yours Confused of Devon.

 

[Bexx]

Okay, I see you're planning a trip for next Easter - are you then planning for another next November as well? If not then you might as well buy the passes at the beginning and get the discounts etc.

 

[Iain Chapman]

Well...there you see you catch me out....

Here the thinking (but this is between you and me - my partner just can't find this out...you'll not tell well you?)....if I purchase the AP - then Easter looks 'cheaper' and then I'll either push for November 2006, or perhaps Halloween 2006...

But...I shouldn't run before I can walk...this 'forward planning' needs to be gently explained to the girlfriend...probably after the Easter trip...you know in the kind of way "Hi Love...well you see as we have these AP's, we might as well go again....."

 

[Bexx]

Ah!! Well then, to make sure that you benefit from them for as long as possible, AND to take advantage of some of the AP vouchers, buy them in the middle of your trip!! How is that for sitting on the fence?!

Don't worry - my lips are sealed!!

 

[Cyrano]

Iain
to throw a spanner in the works I'd suggest buy at the beginning. Reason is that you'll maximise discount from passes. I'd make sure that you got passes back when you get discount from annual passport bureau. Then sell the remaining days on ebay. Use this to fund subsequent visit

Reid

 

[Ware Bears]

We didn't go on a package so we just paid for our annual passes at the turnstiles and then went over to the Passport Bureau to have our passes made, however I am sure I read somewhere that if you have tickets already they will deduct the cost from the annual pass. Don't know if this is just hopper tickets bought seperately or tickets included as part of a package holiday.

Myself, I would buy them on the first day to utilise the discount fully, plus you'll get 5 fastpasses each and with Dream passes you can have a free drink of Kir and juice (sometimes coke if the CM is feeling generous!LOL) with a table service meal.

 

[DisneyRGB]

I have to say I agree with Elaine, I thought that if you bought APs when you had hopper tickets for that trip then price of hopper was deducted from price of AP? Worth checking out - if this is the case then you could buy at the beginning in order to get the shop/restaurant etc discounts and without wasting hoppers already paid for.

 

[Iain Chapman]

Hi All,

Thanks for your input!.

My understanding was that if you purchase an AP - then they will reduce the price - based on the value of a 1 day hopper. Any other remaining days are not included.

Anyone got an email address for the AP office please?

 

[Iain Chapman]

Delete Me!.

 

[chrismoo]

Iain
to throw a spanner in the works I'd suggest buy at the beginning. Reason is that you'll maximise discount from passes. I'd make sure that you got passes back when you get discount from annual passport bureau. Then sell the remaining days on ebay. Use this to fund subsequent visit

Reid

Are the package issued ones not dated, I think the ones I had when staying in a disney hotel were printed with dates?

 

[disneyangel]

I think the same as chrismoo so in that case I would leave them to your next trip. You'll get mostly similar discounts with your shareholders club this time apart from stroller rental which I think is only around 6E a day. You could even buy a cheap buggy (from ebay/local paper)and take it instead. It also means you will be able to plan yet another trip when you buy your passes.

 

[Iain Chapman]

Well the 'big' benefit of purchase them in November is - as I understand it, the Passport Office will discount the price of the AP's to the value of 1 day of my 'Hopper' tickets.

Hence, to purchase them in November would save me (potentally) £220 - giving me 4 Passport Dreams for just £212.11

I say potentally, because it all depends on how the AP office actually calculate the discounts. I got to this figure by:

Single Day Hopper Values:
Type Price Qty Total
Adult £33.23 2 £66.43
Child £26.45 2 £52.89
Total £119.35

Passport Dream
Price Qty Total
£107.82 4 £431.27

Reductions
1 day value - £119.35
Sub Total £311.93

20% Discount - £62.39 (Purchase of 4)
Sub Total £249.54

15% Discount - £37.43 (Shareholders)
Grand Total £212.11



Now I'm slightly more confused by the comment on the DLP.info site (not forum) which says in regards to APs

"the price of valid single or mutli-day passport is deducted of the AP price upon presentation"

Based on that statement, the reduction for 1 day could actually be greater...

 

[Iain Chapman]

Well I happened to throw a question at DLP regarding this. There response was:

"We kindly inform you that the Annual Passport Office only accepts the 1 day park tickets as a reduction from the Annual Passport price.".

SO it looks like they wouldn't accept my Package issued entry ticket as a way to receive the 1 day reduction on the AP....oh well.

 

[Miffy2003]

Thanks for letting us know Iain!

 

[Dee8197]

Hi
I am going to throw another spanner in the works here - me thinks.

We bought our AP in the middle of our holiday,we had purchased a package, we had the cost of the tickets refunded, at least in part. We were very suprised at that but decided not to argue we paid our money and got out of there fast ! We certainly had the remaining days taken of the amount that we should have paid. If you don't ask you don't get.

I agree though that it is better to buy the AP at the beginning then you have time to enjoy all the benefits. We had a number of Fast passes and not really enough time to use them to their full advantage