Why doesn't EVERYONE (who stays at a WDW resort) buy an AP ?

[MTMom]

We know we want to stay in a WDW property because Early Entry is back. My question is this: if you know you want a WDW resort, why wouldn't you buy an AP? The hotel room discount is one of the best out there, and it will definitely save you money. Any comments?

 

[adamak]

Depends on how long you stay. I believe the break even point is 7 days. If I stayed there longer than 7 days, and I'm staying at a deluxe resort, then AP will give me better discount. But if I'm staying only at AS for less than 7 days, I probably won't bother with AP.

AP is expensive. I normally just have one AP among us, just to get the room discounts.

 

[mad4themouse]

There are a number of reasons:

• Not everyone knows about AP discounts on rooms.
• Just because there are discounts doesn't mean you will be able to get one of them. Disney reserves a block of rooms for AP discounts at each resort. When that block of rooms are filled, the discounts are no longer available.
• The amount of $$$ saved on the room is not enough to make up for the additional cost of the AP. If you're staying at an AllStar for a very short time, it may not be worth the investment.
• There are other ways to get room discounts, in addition to AP discounts: AAA, Disney Club, codes

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by MTMom
We know we want to stay in a WDW property because Early Entry is back. My question is this: if you know you want a WDW resort, why wouldn't you buy an AP? The hotel room discount is one of the best out there, and it will definitely save you money. Any comments?

You need to see how long you are are staying for or if you plan on more then one trip. The break even time is 10 days for a regular AP and 12 days for the premium AP. Also AP rates are not guaranteed to come up and they are not always cheaper then the public codes that come out. Last October the rate for the Poly was cheaper using a regular public code then using our AP rates so it does vary by hotel and even view. We have APs because we planned on 3 trips. We will get 30 days of use out of them after our upcoming April trip. A bargain in itself! So far I've booked with a public code but will switch if the AP rate is better. So it really depends on a lot of factors and taking a chance that the AP rates are even going to show.

 

[beansmom]

what they said.

I May purchase an AP this year IF I can get a discount on AKL for our trip...but then I will push myself to go back twice more before it expires next year. So while it might save some in the short term, in the long run it will cost me more because without the ap I probably wouldn't go back more than once next year, if at all.

 

[logan1_2000]

Okay, I have figured out most of the cruise ship abbreviations, having done both the Wonder and the Magic in the past year, but I will admit my ignorance and ask..."What's an AP?" Is that Annual Pass? Isn't that for FL residents only?

My Department of Defense sister just called and asked if we wanted to join her family for the re-opening of shades of green in December. And just last month when we got home from the Magic cruise my wife and I agreed we were all Disneyed out for a while. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in...

And my local GA AAA ticket prices are pretty darn competitive, if anyone cares.

Thanks for the clarification on AP.

 

[csmommy]

logan1_2000 you are just the person we are looking for!!!

My question first, then I will answer yours. We have been having a debate in 2 different threads whether or not GA AAA ticket prices include tax or not. I was told a 5 day PH was:
$212.95 A
$168.95 C

Other have said this does not include tax, can you help?


Now for your questions, AP does stand for Annual Pass & you do not need to be a Florida resident to get one. I believe they have one for themselves.

HTH

 

[Lilly's Dad]

I've found the reason most families get "burnt out" on disney after 5 days is the hectic rudeness of some park guests. We've observed a predominant rude attitude from people of Brazil and Columbian cultures. Cutting/smoking in line, slapping their children, being all-round inconsiderate in behavior and personal body hygene. Its so rewarding to "get away from Disney" after 5 days and slip over to the serenity of the Vero Beach or St. Pete. Beach. Family bonding developes more their too. Also DVC members don't have to worry about disney hotel discounts.

 

[Muushka]

My question is this: if you know you want a WDW resort, why wouldn't you buy an AP?

We own at DVC. Because we have prepaid our hotel for the next 39 or so years, the AP hotel discount does us no good.

Between the extremly high cost of the AP and the sad renewal policy that they implemented a few years back, it is not a wise investment for us. We do however, have an AP at USF/IOA.

 

[icydog]

Originally posted by Muushka

Between the extremly high cost of the AP and the sad renewal policy that they implemented a few years back, it is not a wise investment for us. We do however, have an AP at USF/IOA.

We too are DVC members and have just started buying Fl resident Seasonal APs. We just inherited a house in ST.Augustine florida. The house is a mess, and will take a bundle to fix up, but we were thrilled we now qualified for the fl resident pass. This year we will go to Disney in Orlando for 13 days in total so it works out great for us. We also got my kids a florida pass when they moved to fl and started FSU grad school.

As stated, you don't need to be a FL resident to get an annual pass. If you are however, a FL resident the savings are substantial for a premium annual pass. If you don't go at Easter, Christmas or one month in the summer the sessonal pass is the very best buy..