AP questions

[Tiggerrules]

We are looking at making 2 trips this year (about 1 to 1.5 weeks ea), what benefits are there with the AP? We have never had an AP before and we always do the DDP. How does the DDP work with the AP? Any info would be much appreciated. :slurp:

 

[Lois]

I'm new to AP also. We expect to go three times this year, and so I'm confident it was worth it. I think it would be for two trips in a year also, but I'm not sure about the dining.

On our second trip, we saved a bunch of money with the AP because we want to stay in two different hotels in the week so we couldn't use the 4/3 plan. For our December trip, though, we ended up booking with the 4/3 deal as it was a better deal on hotels even with the AP discount. I didn't use the the Park Tickets, though, se we can apply them to our AP renewal or use them another time, so it was still a good investment.

We never get dining plan, so that might make a big difference. For room and ticket prices, AP has been a good deal for us. You're right to do the research on that one.

Happy planning.

 

[krankenstein]

I would suggest getting the Tables in Wonderland card instead of the dining plan if you have an AP. The card costs $75, but you get 20% off meals at many of the table service restaurants (some counter service too) and 20% of alcoholic beverages. You also get free valet parking at the resorts with a purchase using the Tables in Wonderland card.

 

[Monty]

If you're doing two trips within one year, APs for everyone are worth getting purely from the savings on admissions over hopper tickets. If you don't ever park-hop, then it's worth doing the math to see which is cheaper.

My personal opinion is that Tables in Wonderland combined with AP resort discounts is better than DDP packages any day. Again, you need to do the math for the way you do things. If you really insist on DDP, then have a look at the following:

Passholder Quick Service Dine Package

Passholder Plus Dine Package

Passholder Plus Deluxe Dine Package

To get these packages, I think you have to pay rack rate for your resort room, which doesn't sound like it would be a good deal to me.

Other AP benefits include discounts of some dining [not as good as TiW discounts or at anywhere near as many places or times] and shopping. Discounts on hard-ticket events. Discounts on resorts. If you live in the U.S. you get the Mickey Monitor. There are AP previews for new rides and sometimes for major refurbs.

 

[Tiggerrules]

Thanks for the info, it is looking like the AP is the way to go for us with TIW. Especially since we always do either the Halloween party or Christmas party, even more savings. If we do the pass we may even try to squeeze in some shorter 2-3 day trips. Do the AP room offers usually maych the GP offers or are they better?

 

[devoy1701]

you'll get 15% your tours if you're planning to do any. This is down from last year and as far as I know, Disney Visa still gives you 20% off.

Half of Mini Golf and Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland if you were interested.

10% of at certain restaurants around property and 10% of your purchases at World of Disney at DtD...although lately it's been a 20% discount at all retail locations and that will probably continue for awhile unless they reprogram their computers with it sounds like they won't do.

You also will save about 40-45% off Rack Room rates. To put that into perspective, a Studio Villa at Saratoga or Key West costs me about $144/night, a Courtyard view at WL costs about $225, and a Mod resort costs $99.

You'll get free parking if you're renting a car. Of course you get that if you stay on property anyway

Those are just some of the biggest highlights. The discounts for AP holders beyond the rooms really aren't that great anymore (this is the first year that they dont include any counter service restaurants minus Yak and Yeti). But where you are definitely going to notice the savings is with the price compared to buying MYW tickets for both trips, and if you are planning to do Table Service meals, your Tables of Wonderland card will pay for itself after about 3 or 4 meals (depending on how large your family is and how much you eat!


Just keep in perspective the huge incentives they offer with purchasing a package deal. It might not necessarily be worth the ticket savings for an AP if you can get that $750 gift card offer. The folks at Kingdom Konsultants will be able to price out a couple different senarios with you to see whihch would work best for you! If you have any specific questions about the AP let me know!

 

[krankenstein]

Thanks for the info, it is looking like the AP is the way to go for us with TIW. Especially since we always do either the Halloween party or Christmas party, even more savings. If we do the pass we may even try to squeeze in some shorter 2-3 day trips. Do the AP room offers usually maych the GP offers or are they better?

Traditionally, AP holders get 5% more off of rooms when compared to the general public.

THe one thing to keep in mind about the hard ticket events is you have to go on select nights to get the AP discount on the tickets.

 

[Tiggerrules]

We usually stay at the mods, and always eat at a TS everyday. We don't do much on the mini golf stuff. I would love to do the tours as we have never done one. Lokks like the savings on the rooms alone would be a big help. Considering that the start of the pass is when it is first used we would probably do 3 trips, Memphis isn't THAT far away.

 

[devoy1701]

Traditionally, AP holders get 5% more off of rooms when compared to the general public.

THe one thing to keep in mind about the hard ticket events is you have to go on select nights to get the AP discount on the tickets.

This is true. Usually weekends early in the season. Sunday nights and week nights. You will rarely see AP discounted tickets for a Friday or Saturday closer to the actual holiday. and you'll never see an AP discount for on Halloween or Xmas/Xmas Eve.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there, With the two trips you have mentioned I think that the AP is definitely your best bet. In regards to discount offers, Devoy is correct, any one of the Konsultants will be happy to compare the offers for you. As far as the Dining plan, that can be added to an AP holder room reservation but it does make it a package, making the payment requirements and the cancellation policies a bit different. If an AP discount on the room is offered, you can certainly add the Dining plan onto the discounted offer as well. Please feel free to contact us with any questions!! Belle

 

[Tiggerrules]

Hard ticket events we usually go early in the season and on the weedays anyway, seems like during the wekdays there are less people at the events. DW is already on-board for a 3rd trip in Dec. guess I better work some more OT and make it happen. Thanks for all the info, I am always looking for more ways to save on my trips.

 

[Susan Savia]

We are annual pass holders and go twice a year and just returned from our first trip of the year. We plan to return in January of 2011 with a possible October trip too. We go 8 days per trip. We used our APs for discounts in Mouse Gear and at DTD in World of Disney and found it saved us quite a lot, not to mention you will save on parking expenses. We do not do much, if any, dining in the parks.