AP HELP!

[NelleBelle]

So my DH told me if I can prove to him that getting an AP pass will make my trip(s) less expensive, I can go ahead a get one. I'd have to get the mega-expensive Incredi-pass. I told him it could make my trip this fall less expensive (potentially if I can find one of the current AP discounts--can you still book if your AP is not activated yet?); would save on merchandise and dining, and would pay for itself if I take another trip next fall. Is there anything I'm missing?

 

[Tuvalu]

I’m not certain of how AP vouchers work these days (whether you receive a voucher number to link in MDE or a “not yet activated” AP number to link) but you will need some proof of purchase linked to your account in order to access the Passholder page with current discounts. You won’t need to have activated the AP to book a room, but you will likely need to show the activated AP at check in. (As a Passholder for many years, I can’t always predict when I will be asked to show my AP at check in. And I am not sure if online check-in is allowed for an unactivated AP.)

AP Resort Discounts have really fluctuated since pre-pandemic days. Typical savings now is ~5% more than whatever is offered to the general public. Or different resorts may be offered to AP than those offered to GP. Pre-2020, I could always assume I’d receive an AP discount for my preferred resort for my dates. That is no longer the case.

Thus the “break-even” (or better yet, “savings”) point for an AP should never factor in resort discounts (or merch or food for that matter) because those perks can go away at any time. The deciding factor should be ticket cost. If you plan to visit at least twice in a year (or 10+ days in one visit), add up the cost of individual Park Hoppers for those visits and if the total cost is more than the cost of an AP, an AP is the better value.

Then any discounts are gravy!

 

[NelleBelle]

Thanks @Tuvalu! Since DH has no significant interest in WDW until we have grandkids (Our oldest is only 19 so I hope we're waiting a good long while), my mom and I have started taking yearly "girls-only" trips. Our trips typically our 7 nights with 7-day PH tickets, so I think we'd definitely break even on tickets. I tried to weasel a DVC resale out of him this morning and he totally flipped, saying he was NOT buying a DVC membership just for me Oh well, maybe after my yearly trips, he'll come to his senses! Now I need to decide if I'll get one for my mom since typically pay for her tickets when we go.

 

[RememberWhen]

If you can manage to plan your annual trip such that you have two that fall under the same pass (11 months apart instead of a year) your AP is more or less justified. Then you’ll just have to keep going every 10-11 months… Your adult mother/daughter trips sound awesome!