AP questions - please help me figure out if we should purchase.

[The4mousekeeters]

Hi everyone, We are a family of four, kiddos age 14 and 9. We live in Ga, so only a 7 hr drive from the bubble. This year finds us headed down to WDW three different times. We are booked in September for a six day trip, with the free dining promotion, staying at POR. in December, we are booked at the dolphin for a long weekend and headed to the park for two days. Yesterday we found out that our daughter’s chorus group will be going around spring break, so we will need park tickets for a couple of days then. We don’t usually go this often, usually 1/yr, so I find myself considering APsfor the first time. But, since we are already booked with the free dining promotion for one of our trips, I’m thinking that reservation package is needed for Free Dining and it doesn’t put us in a good place to buy APs. Thoughts? I know we could give up the free dining I guess, but it would need to be worth it cost wise. Also, since we’ve already booked and bought MNNSHP tickets can they adjust everything for AP’s? Help!

 

[Hcalvert]

Hi everyone, We are a family of four, kiddos age 14 and 9. We live in Ga, so only a 7 hr drive from the bubble. This year finds us headed down to WDW three different times. We are booked in September for a six day trip, with the free dining promotion, staying at POR. in December, we are booked at the dolphin for a long weekend and headed to the park for two days. Yesterday we found out that our daughter’s chorus group will be going around spring break, so we will need park tickets for a couple of days then. We don’t usually go this often, usually 1/yr, so I find myself considering APsfor the first time. But, since we are already booked with the free dining promotion for one of our trips, I’m thinking that reservation package is needed for Free Dining and it doesn’t put us in a good place to buy APs. Thoughts? I know we could give up the free dining I guess, but it would need to be worth it cost wise. Also, since we’ve already booked and bought MNNSHP tickets can they adjust everything for AP’s? Help! ☺☺

You can upgrade your tickets to APs and still keep your free dining for that trip if you upgrade during that trip. They will figure out the cost you spent on the tickets in the package and you pay the difference. I did the same thing in July by upgrading six day hoppers (I ended up going to the parks 9 days instead of 6) and I didn't even upgrade everyone in my package (my niece was on our reservation due to room capacity). As for the MNNSHP tickets, it doesn't hurt to ask. Saying that, I was able to get a CM to credit me back the extra $30 each I spent on villains tickets ($95 total), but she could only give me a gift card with the credit. I have read on these boards that 10 days+ at the parks and the pass pays for itself, not including the free park parking and discounts too. I don't know if that is necessarily true since the $225 price hike for the platinum out of state APs. It definitely was when the APs were under $900 each.

 

[networkpro]

That payback rate of 10 days was predicated by previous AP prices.

 

[Hcalvert]

That payback rate of 10 days was predicated by previous AP prices.

I just looked into it a little further. I paid $527 each for my July tickets, the January tickets for my next trip would cost $548 each for a 5 day hopper. I paid about $1180 for the AP, so at 11 days total, I am still at a loss by about $100. However, I have a 15 day trip planned in June, so I will use the AP to enter for at least 29 days total (9+5+15), so obviously I am getting my money's worth.

 

[monothingie]

That payback rate of 10 days was predicated by previous AP prices.

Break even point for a platinum AP is 15 days. 10&5 day park hopper. For a gold AP it is 11 days. If you are DVC or Florida Resident, it becomes 14 and 10.

For renewals it becomes 13 days and 10 days respectively for platinum and gold respectively. If you are DVC or Florida resident it becomes 12 and 9.

Something I am curious about, if you are a gold pass holder can you renew to platinum without having to pay full cost? Conversely can you renew from platinum to gold?