So, here is my story:
I have been frustrated this past year as park attendance seems to be up, at times way up. Very long lines for rides, and at times limited fastpass options for last minute scheduled trips. However, I was pleasantly surprised on our last week-long trip earlier this summer. With good plans, and well thought out fastpasses, we made out very well. Crowds were nowhere what we had encountered in our weekend trips in November and January, nor our overnight midweek trip in December.
Fortunately, we live about an 8 hour drive from Disney. In our 2018-2019 AP year, we made two week long trips, 5 weekend trips, and actually participated on a three day school band trip with my youngest. We definitely got lots of value out of the 4 APs that I had for the family. Of course, everything we do keeps compounding the savings. Our two week long summer trips were spent at BLT as that is our home DVC. The 8 hour drive means that we drive the previous night after work, and stay in Jacksonville, so we can arrive in Orlando at park opening. Being a Diamond Member with Hilton due to some business travel means that I have been able to get quite a few free nights or discounted nights at various off-property Hilton chain hotels. Having our car means we can bring what we want, having AP means we do not have to pay to park at the parks.
At my job, I will sometimes earn some reward points as a thank you for certain projects. One of the “rewards” you can choose is a gift card for RainForest Café. And Publix by our home often offers a $10 off a $50 gas card. My goal on those weekend trips is to never use a credit card, sticking with the gas cards, perhaps a few restaurant gift cards, hotel on points, and a little cash.
Mostly due to my oldest child’s upcoming wedding, and my youngest two being freshman and seniors in High School, along with the expected rush or people due to the opening of Galaxy’s Edge, my plan was to forego the AP this year. My APs expired back in July.
However, the recent increases in food, snacks, and now even the APs have me even more convinced that I made the right move. My last Platinum Plus Passes cost me $580 each with a special deal from DVC (we were able to buy a voucher back in 2016 or 2017 that was used as the AP starting in July of 2018. That same pass costs about $1,300 now, although with my DVC discount it would be about $1,100. Still almost double what I paid last time.
In the past, there have been times that I have filled out a spreadsheet with all of my projected and actual costs. I would keep track of things including the various benefits. That would include the free parking for DVC properties, the free parking at the parks for AP holders, discounts on food and merchandise. I have previously purchased Tables in Wonderland. A great bargain at the time (It used to cost $75 and you would get a 20%), now at $150, it is somewhat more difficult to justify, especially when AP holders get a 10% discount to begin with. Back in the day, we could save the cost of the card at a single meal. Today with older children, the character meals are just no on our agenda like they used to be. We try to eat a bit more either off-site, or back at the room when staying at DVC. The more money saved, they more we can go back again.
As with all other budgetary items, I had to re-evaluate our current spending. I could not justify effectively doubling what we last paid for our AP. I think I will take the year off, and maybe take the kids to Universal next summer, or perhaps do a Cedar Fair Parks tour again. Either way, I will continually re-evaluate, and be ready to act should Disney come out with some super deal like they have done in the past.