considering AP, pros and cons

[mikewdw]

have been numerous times. 2 adults 3 kids always stay on site. thinking of buying them this time. what is the break even point (number of days). we are both teachers so our vacation times are summer, Christmas, maybe spring break. we have been a only once year family but trying to see if we could do more time without breaking the bank w/ AP's
any info appreciated
mikewdw
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[Chef Mickey]

Break even depends more on frequency than total days. For example, break even would be different if you stay 10 days at a time or 3 days at a time.

Just do the math for your situation or give more detail on your planned dates.

Really, it's a simple math question. Just decide you're taking X amount of trips for X amount of days with X amount of people. Then compare the cost of buying tickets at the counter versus having the AP and subtract some of the other benefits like 10% off dining, etc.

Too many variables to just give you an answer.

Short answer is, if you take at least 3 trips per year for 7-8+ days each, it's worth it to have an AP.

 

[Hakunamatata]

have been numerous times. 2 adults 3 kids always stay on site. thinking of buying them this time. what is the break even point (number of days). we are both teachers so our vacation times are summer, Christmas, maybe spring break. we have been a only once year family but trying to see if we could do more time without breaking the bank w/ AP's
any info appreciated
mikewdw
__________________

Break even for you is totally different than break even for others. I recommend that you analyze costs for your travel habits. Don't rely on others who may do something totally different.

 

[Monty]

So many factors come into play:

Do you stay on site or off?
If on site, what level resort?
If off site, do you drive or use a hotel shuttle?
Do you intend more than one trip in twelve months?
Do you like using the "free" Dining Plan?

There are other things as well. Simply put, you need to do the math based on your expected plans. It might be beneficial to only get one AP and the rest of your family uses MYW tickets instead of APs for all. If you drive and stay off site, an AP gets you free parking. There are store and dining discounts. Resort discounts. Hard-ticket event discounts. Tour discounts. AP-only access to new rides before they open.

If you ignore all of that and just look at the basic cost of tickets, an AP costs $634. A 10-day base ticket is $377.

Two trips of 4 days with base tickets would cost $626.22 [less than an AP], but two 5-day trips would be more than an AP.

 

[mikewdw]

we are always onsite and park hoppers. we haven't done dining plan in couple of years as our kids are 11 and 9, 9 so they are mainly burger fries age now. wasn't sure about how much room discounts usually were in summer, Christmas. any other pros cons for having them? we are about 525 miles away so its not just a weekend trip for us.

 

[erstwo]

As everyone has said, it really depends on you.
No matter what, if you're normally a 1 trip family, moving to 2 trips won't be a 'savings' with or without an AP.

You'll need to run the numbers on the trips you'd definitely take in 2015 (example: we'll go June 2015 for 6 nights, 7 days with park hopper, staying onsite at a Value for a total package cost of $0.00) then add the package cost for the other trip you'd like to take. (Example: trip 2 at Christmas for 5 nights at a Value). Then the final comparison comes with comparing Composite 2015 trip costs with no AP vs trip costs with a AP. Allears has a nice room pricing guide I use often for those types of calculations.

Hotel discounts are just ok - usually along the lines of what's offered to the public, but they do seem to sometimes be valid longer and useful last minute (I once booked CSR day of with 20 or 30% off - but that was 2 summers ago.)

APs are a lot of math, but ultimately it's usually just the decision between spending More money & time at WDW or not.

 

[Monty]

we are always onsite and park hoppers. we haven't done dining plan in couple of years as our kids are 11 and 9, 9 so they are mainly burger fries age now. wasn't sure about how much room discounts usually were in summer, Christmas. any other pros cons for having them? we are about 525 miles away so its not just a weekend trip for us.

Room discounts are minimal or non-existent in summer and absolutely non-existent at Christmas.

If you always get hoppers, then the ticket comparison works as follows:

Adult AP costs $634. Two trips with 3-day Hoppers [$344/ea] is $688.
Child AP [ages 3-9, so two kids can get away with this now] also $634. Two trips with 3-day Hoppers [$324/ea] is $648.

So, in simplest terms, ignoring all other AP discounts, if your family is planning two or more trips of at least three days in the parks you're ahead of the game getting APs.