Here's MY Chime!
BUY THE AP! The minute I got mine last August, soooo much stress was removed! No more commando-brain - no more stress, fretting about time, dealing with tired kids up too early to get in lots of park hours. Granted, it works better when park hours are extended! More band for the buck.
I upgraded my 4 day hopper purchased at check in before I used the last day. Since the first amount was already "budgeted in" and "spent" - it didn't feel like such a burden to add $168.00 more.
So far, I've logged 18 WDW days since last August - and we live in NY! Luckily I have SWA flying practically out of my backyard with amazing deals online and there are only 3 of us. Last trip a few weeks ago we took a timeshare tour w/ Marriott 4 nites and upgraded the 2 day ticket free from there into an AP for DS(11). Now it will just be DD(6) to think about tix. Decided on
MNSSHP 4 days last fall in part because the tix were a separate event and I already had an AP and a day left on kid's hoppers.
Lots of it is a personal thing and the way you travel and budget. I used to get really stressed over the cost of park tix. You can pay almost any rate for hotels and meals - but if the purpose is to enjoy the parks and you only have "X" days - well, it just made me nuts. I AM on vacation and am a widow w/ a very stressful job and 2 kids so I also need the downtime at the pool and hanging out at the resorts.
Yes - and the free parking even if you're offsite, AP room rates and little 10-20% here and there... it's great!!
Can you tell I am a happy, happy Annual Passholder!???
Go For It!!! And let us know what you decide!