I have this conversation with a lot of new arrivals to LA AFB and sometimes Huntington Beach, just to give them an idea. So I'll share with you what I share with them.
There's a lot of questions that you and your spouse must ask each other before purchasing an AP. But here's my take and some talking points to discuss before you make this decision:
1. How often do you plan you plan to visit DL? Being 2.5 hours away (with no traffic) is not really close by and almost every trip must be planned out in advance. (I live 15 miles from DL and I still have to plan the visit with the family). Many people think "we're gonna go at least once or twice a week" but that doesn't become the case as you settle in CA and time passes on. Other things will catch your interest (the beach, golf, sports, traveling, etc). Its possible that the AP just sits there in their wallet or purse. You could consider staying near DL, but that also goes with more planning. And if you don't stay there, you're looking at possibly over 5 hours of driving.
2. What days would you want to visit and will your spouse join you? Not knowing your spouse's AFSC/schedule, I can only assume the time and schedule is the standard M-F 0730 (I know other AFSCs have different schedules such as Services and SFs, but this is just speaking in general). The cheapest AP blackouts a lot of weekends, esp during the summer and a few weeks during the Christmas season. Which might mean taking some leave to visit DL during the week.
2a. (Officers only and usually) Will you have time to do everything else CA has to offer? You're only here for 3 years TOPS and then its time to move on. How will it look that when you get to your next assignment and someone asks "What did you do in CA?" And all you have to say is "I visited DL a lot!"
3. How is your monthly budget for other/non-critical expenses? Living in CA is not cheap, and you must sit down and consider your expenses before your entertainment expenses. Esp if you have a car payment, mortgage/rent, paying child care, Star Card payments, etc. Case in point, an E5 really wanted Laker season tickets when he arrived to LA AFB and thought he was going to get the same pay check as he did in Germany, he was in for a real shock at the pay cut he received and had to alter his normal living big time.
3a. If your budget allows, how will you pay for the APs? Outright or monthly payments? The cheapest AP is roughly $1800 (after $98 down its roughly $129 a month) and the top one if over $3100 (after $98 down its roughly $237 a month) for 3 tickets. For a lot ranks, thats a lot of money to fork over (officers included). From my experience, I've seen some young O1s and mature E6s hurt with their finances paying for their AP passes monthly.
3b. Is your spouse deployable within the 12 months? If he/she is, then you run the risk of having a useless AP pass if they do deploy (Hint: you might have to call DL directly for any special considerations during deployments but there is no guarantee they will help you).
4. Its not just the AP expense, but the expenses inside DL too that you must consider. Of course thats something you have more control of then everything else. Esp when you can actually bring in your own food in DL (as long as its not alcohol or in glass containers).
5. You might want to consider the 3 day military passes that are sold at MWR or Community center before considering the AP. If after using the 3 day pass you still want to consider an AP, then by all means go for it but you must be 100 comfortable with this purchase.
I tell this to everyone...I am really not trying to burst your DL bubble, but your lifestyle is a special circumstance compared to civilians. The AP passes are great to have, but if answering these questions or talking points give you any sense of doubt...don't buy it!!!
