AP Break Even

PerfessorZ · May 16, 2019

agamble said:
Do APs come with memory maker at WDW? They do not at DL. That may be my tipping point to buy one AP as we are staying off site for a 2 week trip and the parking adds up fast.

QueenElinor said:
Memory maker does come with the AP now at WDW. I'd don't even know if we'll use it but we have it, without even asking for it.

As @QueenElinor stated, Memory Maker is included with WDW APs. While it's a $150 savings over buying it outright, I'm not sure I'd say it's $150 value. We enjoy the ride photos, and having park photographers able to grab shots of you here and there is a nice perk, but they'll do that for free if you bring your own camera. The main difference I've found is that they're quite a bit more used to using the Disney provided camera and not necessarily be an expert at handling whatever you brought to the park that day. One of my first trips has some rather out of focus shots of my DS meeting Winnie the Pooh and Tigger for the first time.

jkh36619 · May 16, 2019

Where the AP savings can really kick in is if you can pull the trigger and stay offsite. Or at least one stay a year offsite. With cheap hotels, condo or house options and free parking it really makes the savings stand out for us. We're about 7-8 hours away so we have a car available to us.

As far as the Memory Maker, yes its included but you find yourself not really using it as much. I will say it comes in handy for special events such as Halloween and Christmas though.

ScubaCat · May 16, 2019

PerfessorZ said:
s @QueenElinor stated, Memory Maker is included with WDW APs

jkh36619 said:
As far as the Memory Maker, yes its included

**For Gold and Platinum

agamble · May 16, 2019

ScubaCat said:
**For Gold and Platinum

We're in CA, so I think those are my only choices. I'm planning to buy memory maker for our trip as we enjoy having the photos at DL. So if I do go for an AP for free parking it would tip the scales. 10 days of parking and the cost of memory maker is 400. But we may not do 10 days. Glad I don't have to decide yet.

ScubaCat · May 17, 2019

agamble said:
We're in CA, so I think those are my only choices. I'm planning to buy memory maker for our trip as we enjoy having the photos at DL. So if I do go for an AP for free parking it would tip the scales. 10 days of parking and the cost of memory maker is 400. But we may not do 10 days. Glad I don't have to decide yet.

Only platinum unless you own DVC and can buy the gold. Still, I'd probably go for it. With the 20% merch and 10% dining plus the pics and parking (assuming you're staying off-site), it'll definitely be worth it for 10 days.

MaryKatesMom · May 17, 2019

Disneylover99 said:
Yes. Sometimes we buy a loaf of bread, jug of milk, and some cold cuts at our resort. The 20% off makes the prices more tolerable.

Dbktmc said:
I did not know about this discount! We have had multiple AP's over the years as we always plan 2 trips over two summers. This is our first year going without the dining plan so I will be sure to ask for discounts everywhere.

Thanks!

In Disneyland the CM's are trained to ask if you have an AP. In WDW you must let the CM know. I did not know about the 20% off at the resorts. Dang it.

Disneylover99 · May 17, 2019

MaryKatesMom said:
In Disneyland the CM's are trained to ask if you have an AP. In WDW you must let the CM know. I did not know about the 20% off at the resorts. Dang it.

It’s easy to forget to ask about the AP discount at the gift shops when you are only buying food and drinks. I just wish the discount included alcoholic beverages.

MaryKatesMom · May 17, 2019

agamble said:
Do you know if AP holders can get a discount on DAH tickets if they haven't activated the AP, or retro actively? I think we would need to pre book the DAH.

Yes. I have an AP in MDE which I will activate in August. I bought the Villains after Hours on MDE last month. After I put it in my cart at the top of the page was a button for "AP Discounts and DVC Discounts". I clicked the AP button and the price dropped $30/ticket.

If you have an AP and are staying on-site I strongly recommend booking through Dreams Unlimited Travel https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ the travel agent I use is Beth Czada. They are constantly monitoring for discounts and when something pops up that can be applied to my reservation she does it AUTOMATICALLY! No searching and it cost nothing to book through them. I don't need a travel agent I can plan everything myself but this service is priceless and costs nothing. Twice I've gotten an email from her. My situation won't apply to everyone. I book very early and if I get a discount great, if not I don't have the flexibility of time. I'm booked for Thanksgiving so am expecting nothing but if there is, she'll find it.

Hi Elizabeth!

I have some great news for you! Annual passholder rates came out for summer dates today and I was able to get this applied to your reservation. Remember you’ll need to show your pass upon check-in to receive the discounted rate.

Your new total is $1705.54, which reflects a terrific savings of $90.96! I’m sure you can find a way to put that money to good use!

Best wishes and dreams,

Beth Czada
Dreams Unlimited Travel Consultant
Authorized Disney Vacation Specialist
Universal Orlando Resort Specialist
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Specialist

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Beth!

I have some great news for you!

Disney released a room discount for your travel dates today, and I was able to apply this to your reservation.

Your new total is $1795.50, which reflects a great savings of $769.50! I’m sure you can find a way to put that money to good use!

Best wishes and dreams,

Beth Czada
Dreams Unlimited Travel Consultant
Authorized Disney Vacation Specialist
Universal Orlando Resort Specialist
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Specialist

scrappinginontario · May 17, 2019

As a comparison my DD and have been to Disney 3 times in the past year. One trip she was a Disney child and 2 trips she was a Disney adult. We got 7 day park passes, 4 day park passes and 8 day park passes. Since we qualified for FD 2/3 trips and don't tend to do a lot of 'extras', it still was a better savings for us to get FD and pay for the park passes each trip.

princessebird · Jun 15, 2019

Wanted to share my experience here. Last October before the price increase and date-based pricing went into effect, I purchased 9-day park hoppers for DH and DD and an AP for myself for a summer 2019 trip. I sprung for the AP because I also had a "moms weekend" trip planned for April 2019 that ultimately fell through due to a medical issue. I was curious as to whether we would reach the break-even on just the 9 day trip. We stayed on-site and didn't use the dining plan. We had two character meals and 5 other table service meals. We bought what I consider to be a reasonable amount of merchandise/souvenirs. We had a tour planned, but we canceled it because I decided we were too tired to enjoy it. The tour discount would have put us over the top on the breakeven. Because we canceled it, we were about $15 short of break-even. Now there's a chance that the canceled "moms weekend" will be rescheduled for Spring 2020, and if that happens, I'll definitely make it up.

AP Break Even

PerfessorZ

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jkh36619

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ScubaCat

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agamble

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ScubaCat

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MaryKatesMom

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Disneylover99

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MaryKatesMom

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scrappinginontario

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princessebird

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