Annual Pass Noob needs advice...

[diddy_mouse]

Hi all! My husband and I had to cancel our trip we had for October which is a little sad, but are thinking about ways we could rework it. After looking around online and reading a little about the AP, we think this might be something to look into. If we can afford it this is...

We've always booked the vacation packages but now I'm wondering if having an AP might actually save us a little money. DH and I have used the DDP on our previous trip in '07 and didn't have any problems with it. Now I know with an AP you can get discounts on meals at certain locations, but I'm wondering if you save more using that discount as opposed to the DDP.

One thing I love about the AP is that you have your park tickets. Also I'm curious about room discounts (which I read can potentially be few and far between.) We are tossing around the idea of heading down to the WL New Year's Eve and leaving on the 5th of January. Busy time of year, I know, but I have a feeling this trip will be different from our other ones (aside from the honeymoon )

Any thoughts you guys can give about having an AP would be greatly appreciated. This AP noob thanks you for it! :wave:

 

[WDWCP]

Hi all! My husband and I had to cancel our trip we had for October which is a little sad, but are thinking about ways we could rework it. After looking around online and reading a little about the AP, we think this might be something to look into. If we can afford it this is...

We've always booked the vacation packages but now I'm wondering if having an AP might actually save us a little money. DH and I have used the DDP on our previous trip in '07 and didn't have any problems with it. Now I know with an AP you can get discounts on meals at certain locations, but I'm wondering if you save more using that discount as opposed to the DDP.

One thing I love about the AP is that you have your park tickets. Also I'm curious about room discounts (which I read can potentially be few and far between.) We are tossing around the idea of heading down to the WL New Year's Eve and leaving on the 5th of January. Busy time of year, I know, but I have a feeling this trip will be different from our other ones (aside from the honeymoon )

Any thoughts you guys can give about having an AP would be greatly appreciated. This AP noob thanks you for it! :wave:

I've traveled with an AP before and it certainly can save you some money. To calculate it out, it would actually be fairly complex. You'd need to take into account what type of dining you would normally do. Then, figure out if those restaurants participate in the Dining Plan, AP discounts, or both. Then estimate the amount you would normally spend. The AP discount at most restaurants is 10%. That time of year, I certainly wouldn't expect a Room Discount, but you never know!

 

[WDWCP]

Additional AP Discount Question

I would also lile to post an additional AP Discount Question:

I will have an AP for an upcoming trip in June, 2009 but I don't have the AP quite yet.

Does anyone who does have a valid AP know if there are any room discounts posted for June 14th through June 25th?

Thanks!

 

[mousefan1972]

Right now AP discounts are only available through June 6th.

To the OP, last year AP discounts were available until December 23rd, then they were blacked out until Jan 1st. So for New Year's Eve itself no discount would be available, but for the rest of your stay it would be. (if history repeats itself) Also, AP holders can purchase the Tables in Wonderland card (previously called the Disney Dining Experience card). It cost $75 and will give you 20% off at Disney TS restaurants, including alcohol. We tend to use the dining plan, as it works well for our family. AP holders can purchase a special package that includes room and the DDP; no ticket purchase is required. We done that several times. Also, if you have an AP discounted room, you can add the DDP (making it a package) and retain the room discount. The AP room discounts have been pretty steep so far this year. For April (regular season), a standard room at the WL was $164 plus tax. Rack rate is $290 plus tax. Hope this helps your decision! :wave:

 

[durangojim]

To me, seemed that if we spent more than 7 nights at a deluxe, the AP was worth it. We often plan our vacations around when we can get the best discount and of the past couple of years we've been able to go 2 or 3 times per year because of it. Add the dining experience discount and the ap can really save some money.

 

[Nemo14]

My DD just purchased her first AP last weekend, and she was amazed that it does not have her picture or any other means of ID on it. I thought they used to, or has that all changed now with finger scans and what not?

 

[diddy_mouse]

AP holders can purchase a special package that includes room and the DDP; no ticket purchase is required. We done that several times. Also, if you have an AP discounted room, you can add the DDP (making it a package) and retain the room discount.

Hmm...this point right here might help sway my opinion. Being able to keep an AP discounted room *and* have the DDP sounds pretty good to me. Oh, and we were looking to stay at the WL for the trip so having a discount at a deluxe resort would be pretty cool.

 

[durangojim]

My DD just purchased her first AP last weekend, and she was amazed that it does not have her picture or any other means of ID on it. I thought they used to, or has that all changed now with finger scans and what not?

We've had APs since 2001 and have never had our picture on them. I'm not sure that they ever had a form of photo ID on them.

 

[hrcollectibles]

We've had APs since 2001 and have never had our picture on them. I'm not sure that they ever had a form of photo ID on them.

I think they did years ago (mid 80's). I remember getting my picture taken.

I really wish they would print annual passes on the same stock they print the Room keys on

 

[Dagger]

Ya...my AP on those flimsy cards got demagnetized twice...or so I thought. Actually, it just didn't work in some of the fast pass machines and CMs tried to make me go get a new one, but really...the machines just weren't sensitive enough. If I used a different FP machine or stuck it in a bunch of times, it would usually work sometime. Kinda weird they don't have your pic on there! OK for me though. I love that you can get them reissued easily if you lose it!

 

[Rob562]

I think they did years ago (mid 80's). I remember getting my picture taken.

I really wish they would print annual passes on the same stock they print the Room keys on

I believe photos on Annual Passes were eliminated when they transitioned to the magnetic-strip media (which was sometime between mid '95 and early '97).

As for the ticket stock, it's been discussed a few times on these forums. The "paper" tickets are actually MUCH more durable than the resort room key plastic stock. The paper tickets are actually a multi-layer paper with some kind of plastic/Tyvek layered inside. This makes them nearly impossible to rip or tear. (Go ahead, pull out an old ticket and try to rip it in half). The magnetic stripe is also longer-lasting, as is the printing surface.
The only thing that a plastic ticket has over a paper ticket is when it gets wet. That's one thing that will kill a paper ticket. The paper layer gets wet, the plastic layer doesn't, and it curls up. But, the printing stays put, and it's a simple matter to stop and get it re-printed.

Plus, the printers that use the paper stock take up less room and can be built into the ticket booths. The ticket stock comes on one long continuous roll (which is why they're usually slightly curved when you first get them), and the machine slices each ticket off the roll. The room key printers take up a lot of room, and can't really be built into anything.

-Rob