We didn't renew several years ago and haven't gotten new ones. The cost versus savings is just not worth it. It was more of a convenience thing being able to go in/out of the parks when we wanted, but got tired of going on the same rides over and over again.
We're DVC so easy to stay on property with nice accommodations. We do resort stays and enjoy Disney Springs.
For at least a decade our favorite resorts were Yacht Club and Boardwalk. We loved the club levels and the cms so much. Our evening routine always included a walk around World Showcase no matter what we had done that day. This alone was a major justification for the AP.
Then Yacht Club started allowing dogs, which is a dealbreaker for us, and soon after Boardwalk started to feel kind of shabby. Thankfully Boardwalk started renovations but the disruptions and sounds/sights of construction have seemingly been going on forever. We stayed there one final time in the middle of the madness and decided we won't go back until
everything is finished, including the Cake Bake mess and now whatever they're planning for Big River.
We switched to the Contemporary and really loved it there. The suites are fantastic, both in the tower and out in the garden wing. Both club lounges are nice and the cms really know how to take care of guests, but those constant walks around World Showcase that were our favorite use for our APs became really inconvenient. That's when we stopped going to parks every day and found other things to do.
Then last month we took a major departure from our usual way of doing things and we tried a one bedroom villa in the preferred section of SSR. I was extremely reluctant about it and the day we got there I almost cried. It's so different from what we were used to. But once I got acclimated, I absolutely fell in love with the peacefulness of the place. Our former daily World Showcase walks were replaced with daily Disney Springs walks. No ticket required, and the food options are endless. We're going back next month and I am excitedly counting the days.
All this to say, I think having APs kind of got us in a rut. It was like we needed to go to a park every day because we could. I think staying club level can kind of do that too if you're trying to get to the lounge to follow the schedule for breakfast and appetizers, etc. Our APs are expiring before the next trip and we aren't renewing, at least for now. I don't know what we'll do in the future. I do know that the trip last month was the most relaxing Disney trip I've ever been on and it was also the least expensive Disney trip we've taken in at least eight years.
I guess what I've really learned is that there are a lot of different ways to enjoy WDW as a whole. So much to see, so much to do, and if the way you're doing it doesn't feel as great as it used to, try doing it another way.
We’ll be on a three hour time change and won’t be tired!
I'm going easy here since it's the CL board. If I was arriving later, I'd go to POP the first night and save $1,000.
