Possible mini "research" trip in August?? :)

karenj2 · Post by **karenj2** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 10:40 am

DH and I were talking about our upcoming trip to WDW in August of 2007, and DH said - hey, how 'bout taking a mini trip THIS year to "research" the trip?

Well, after cursing him out for not coming up with this idea by 6/30 and the free dining plan

, I started to figure out the logistics, and here's where DH and I differ in opinion.

Since we're definitely planning to go in 2007, would it be better (read cheaper) for us to get 9 day non-expiring park hopper tix, or to get just the 4 day park hoppers this year, and the 5 day hoppers next year?

(DH is hesitant about laying out the $$ for next year's trip this early)

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 11:32 am

I honestly would purchase an AP for both of you and see if you can snag an AP rate at one of the resorts next month and next year. I think you'll come out ahead of the game if you crunch the numbers.

Have fun!!

karenj2 · Post by **karenj2** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 11:39 am

Really? Are the hotel savings THAT good? Is there anywhere to check out the savings? (We have AAA too, and I was planning on checking out the savings on that)

We were planning on checking out Pop Century this trip, so that we can give an honest report for the rest of the family that's going on the 2007 trip. (We picked one deluxe, moderate and value for everyone to choose from.)

Also, couldn't we just buy one AP and get the savings, and then have DH buy whatever he wants?

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 12:33 pm

Hi Karen

Yeah you could buy just one AP to get the savings - on a value class you're probalby talking savings of $25/night, moderates are typically $50/night and deluxe properties around $ 75/night - those are just averages. If you are an AP holder you can also purchase Disney's Dining Experience (DDE) which will save you 20% on all meal costs and is good typically for 12 months (we got 13 months usagse last year).

Crunch the numbers and see if it works for you - AP rates will always beat AAA rates in my experience, so the additional cost for the AP is typically negated by the savings in the resort and dining (with DDE). Also compare the 4/5 day hopper combo to the 9 day hopper with no expiry to the AP. I just think that if you're going to be spending 9-10 days at WDW in a 12 month period that the AP is the way to go for the most overall value and savings.

karenj2 · Post by **karenj2** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 1:01 pm

Ok, one more dumb question - does the 12 months run from the first time you use the AP? We were basically thinking of going the 21st - 25th of this year, and the 18th - 25th of next year (both in August)... Wouldn't the pass run out by the second trip?

By the way, Steve, THANK YOU for your help!

GoofyInOhio · Post by **GoofyInOhio** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 1:21 pm

karenj2 wrote:Ok, one more dumb question - does the 12 months run from the first time you use the AP? We were basically thinking of going the 21st - 25th of this year, and the 18th - 25th of next year (both in August)... Wouldn't the pass run out by the second trip?

By the way, Steve, THANK YOU for your help!

Yes the passes are good from one year from the first time you use them. So if you use them on the 21st of 06 they will be good through the 21st of 07. And yes you can use them on the 21st of 07.

I was going to suggest going from the 25th through whatever this year that way next year you could use the passes the whole time you were there as well (18th-25th).

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jul Thu 06, 2006 1:44 pm

GoofyInOhio wrote:Yes the passes are good from one year from the first time you use them. So if you use them on the 21st of 06 they will be good through the 21st of 07. And yes you can use them on the 21st of 07.

I was going to suggest going from the 25th through whatever this year that way next year you could use the passes the whole time you were there as well (18th-25th).

Exactly, the passes run from a 12 month period (you can purchase vouchers online to be sent home and then redeemed on your first day of touring), so you'll want to be cognizant of that expiration date when planning a subsequent trip. In your case you'd be without ticket options for the 22nd - 25th of next year if you activated your pass on the 21st of this year.

It becomes a perpetual thing for me - I renew my pass every year at expiration time. And I also find having the pass as giving me a good excuse to travel back to the World - over the past 12 months I've spent 3 weeks at Disney! LOL!!

karenj2 · Post by **karenj2** » Jul Tue 11, 2006 10:59 am

Well, I unfortunately couldn't convince my hubby to shell out the money for an Annual Pass, but we ARE going in September!!!!

knedeau · Post by **knedeau** » Jul Tue 11, 2006 8:23 pm

YAY! Sept is A GREAT time to go!