On our last trip we upgraded our parkhoppers to APs. We have always booked our trip with AAA or Costco Travel in the past.

We want to stay at the Grand Californian at the beginning of November. I know that they have AP hotel discounts and it looks like they put them out 3 months in advance (i.e. AP6).

So my questions are:
Should I book now to ensure that I have a hotel reservation for early November and if so with whom?

If the discounts do come out, how do I get them when I already have a reservation (I would assume the outcome would be better with certain travel companies)

OR

Should I take my chances and wait for the AP rates to come out?

Thanks!

PS we only want to stay at the Grand Californian so I don't want to push my luck too far.......

we go in Nov. all the time and have Ap's.
We book with disney travel or a lot of times just direct with the hotel. We book early to make sure we have a room. When Ap rates come out(mind you not always for 1st of nov.) we call back and they move or reservations to the AP room rate. WE stay at the PPH a lot so they always do this for us, don't know about the GCH haven't stayed there in awhile.
Sometimes there is just the 4th night free thing and they will still move the res. for us.
Just call the GCH and ask the desk about what to do. I'd personally make reservations now. Last year we almost could not get a room at that time due to the Disney push to book convention people in the hotels at that time.
A lot of valley familys didn't get to go in Nov. and most not at all because of the convention people using the rooms.:mad:

here is the disney hotel booking # 714-956-6425-39 push 1 for ap holders when it comes up. They are a great help! good luck!

kat

BTW we will wave at you from the PPH!!! nov 3-8 trip

Remember that with the new "rules" for the Disney Hotels, they will immediately bill your credit card for the first night. If you opt to change your rate later, they will credit your card for the night you already paid (which takes 4-6 weeks to et the credit) and rebill for the "new" night (which bills immediately....)

Ooooo forgot about that M10t!!!! I'll have to ask if they can put that charge towards the new room rate. Another thing for me to find out about today.
*sigh*.
I don't mind too much at least I get the better rate if the ap comes out, I can wait on the refund. at least I get to keep the mouse pts!;):D
The old system was better, but I see the pt of the charge keeps people from holding tooo many rooms! Hope they do this to the convention people too! Might save us all some rooms!

good luck all!

I'll have to ask if they can put that charge towards the new room rate. Another thing for me to find out about today.If the policy is consistent with the one in place at WDW, you will be charged or credited with the difference to the original deposit.