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Thread: I have an AP question?! [Room discounts]

  1. #1

    I have an AP question?! [Room discounts]

    OK everyone, I'm thinking about getting an AP for our next trip. I compared prices and if they are offering a room discount then it would be worth the extra for the AP. My question is about the room discounts. Are there usually room discounts offered for AP holders?

    _____________
    Jenni

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  3. #2
    Self-proclaimed Diz nut TinaMouse's Avatar
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    You only need one AP--not one for everyone. We usually get one for me and then I pay OOP for the kids. I think there's USUALLY AP rates--at least there always has been when I wanted to go. T-giving, Christmas, 4th of July? Not sure about that...

    Working hard for that next WDW trip!

  4. #3

    There are so many variables to getting an AP that there is no 'one-size fits all' approach.

    Sometimes 1 AP for the family (Tina's approach) works. Sometimes getting a MYW ticket - and then 'upgrading' it to an AP (before the last day) works if you plan to come back within a year. And very likely, if you plan more than one trip to WDW within a year, you'd purchase an AP to be used on those trips.

    Just as some general advice, I would not purchase an AP for the sole reason that I expected AP room discounts. I'd wait until I had another reason (see above) or AP room discounts were actually available to take advantage of.


  5. #4
    Ready for MA World Explorers! Drince88's Avatar
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    The last couple of trips (Oct and Nov) we've been just outside the AP discount range. Which is frustrating to me, because I have the AP anyway. And it's not 'advertised' outside the range, but there just isn't availability where we'd one to stay. Like this time, we're in one of the weeks that the free dining isn't available, and what do you know, there's no AP availability.

    Cathy

  6. #5
    Read Everything-Assume Nothing GusMan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barberella View Post
    Just as some general advice, I would not purchase an AP for the sole reason that I expected AP room discounts. I'd wait until I had another reason (see above) or AP room discounts were actually available to take advantage of.
    Agreed. The room discounts are perks and you never know if the discounts will fit your particular dates. For our trip this coming December, we booked at rack rate and then later had it changed when AP rates came out and they fell into our trip's timeframe. But we know that is not always the case. Its not an automatic discount just because you have an AP.

    In essence, get an AP when you think it will be a better value than buying a hopper for a certain number of days. The discounts are just gravy after that.
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  7. #6
    In essence, get an AP when you think it will be a better value than buying a hopper for a certain number of days. The discounts are just gravy after that.
    That's my general thought, but i never paid attention to the discounts before because I don't have an AP. What I noticed was that if I got an AP instead of a 6 day PH it would be about $200 more. However if they are offering a room discount for AP when we want to go, then the savings is quite a bit.
    _____________
    Jenni

  8. #7

    Maybe I've just been lucky, but I almost always have been able to take advantage of AP rates. And another important benefit for AP holders is that you can purchase the Tables in Wonderland card for about $75, which gives you 20% off of almost all table service meals (and some quick service locations), INCLUDING ALCOHOL! I make my $75 back on alcohol alone, and the dining discounts are just gravy!!!

    The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
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  9. #8

  10. #9

    I believe it has its own expiration date, which is one year from purchase. I try to visit WDW twice a year, but I manage to get THREE trips in on my AP and TiW card. Great value for me!!!

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  11. #10
    Ready for MA World Explorers! Drince88's Avatar
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    Correct on the TIW being independent of the AP. I got the premier AP in Disneyland in February, but won't be to WDW on this AP until November, when I'll get the TIW, which will be good for a year. Then next spring, when I'm planning Disney trips for the year, I'll re-evaluate what kind of admission media makes the most sense. But I shouldn't need to buy another TIW unless I go very late in Nov or December.

    Cathy

  12. #11

    The TiW card is for slightly longer than a year. My AP expires the 1st week in May, but my TiW card expires June 30.

    I would speculate that this might have something to do with the renewal window of AP's or, more likely, certain types of Florida resident ticket holders (the other group eligible to purchase a TiW card).


  13. #12

    I'm thinking of getting an AP since Disney has not released any room only fall discounts yet and my full payment is due Sept. 22. I would appreciate if some AP holders could answer the following:
    1. Are my dates of 11-6 departing on 11-12 not on the black out dates?
    2. How soon after you purchase an AP can you try to get reservations?
    3. Can I book more than 1 room? (my current ressies are for 2 rooms)


  14. #13

    You can actually book AP rooms even before you buy your AP. They don't check at all in advance - only at check-in (and a lot of the times not even then!). What a lot of people do (myself included) is to book whatever you can, then call back when the discounts are announced. Disney is happy to move your rez to the new, cheaper rate. And with a room-only booking, all you have to pay for up front is just one night's stay.

    AP discount information from mousesavers.com -

    Stay dates: 10/3/11-12/24/11. Get a substantial discount off regular "Rack" rates. Pricing and percent off will vary by resort type and date. Rates not available for all dates, room types and resorts. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals.

    Value Resorts 25% off
    Moderate Resorts 25% off
    Deluxe Resorts 35% off
    Deluxe Villa Resorts 35% off
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  15. #14
    Ready for MA World Explorers! Drince88's Avatar
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    We have to reservations - 11/5-11/9 and 11/9-11/13. (2 people for the first reservation, 4 for the second. Since Disney charges more for more than 2 adults, we made two reservations so we didn't have to pay for 4 people when only 2 were in the room.)

    We're staying at POFQ.

    We were not able to get an AP rate. It wasn't technically blocked out, but there wasn't availability at our resort for our dates.

    When did you book your package (since if you have a due date for full payment, you currently have a package)? I ask, because there was a price increase in tickets over the summer, so if you booked before then, you got the 'old price' on your tickets - and changing to a room only now will increase the amount you pay for your admission media for everyone else.

    Cathy

  16. #15

    lol, what does AP stand for?


  17. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by fleming View Post
    lol, what does AP stand for?
    Annual pass. It's a type of ticket admission which lasts for a year. There are variations on it of course! Buy that is the simplest explanation.
     

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  18. #17

    fleming, if you're interested in an Annual Pass, just say so. Many folks here (me included!) are Annual Passholders, and would be more than happy to talk up the benefits!!!

    The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
    - James Taylor

  19. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by fleming View Post
    lol, what does AP stand for?
    You have the ability to "upgrade" to an AP - while at WDW - and they will apply the full purchase price of your current MYW tickets towards the price of an AP.

    However, because I remember that you're a Canadian family, if you are at WDW and your family decides they want to return, there is a current offer which you will want to explore before you go on vacation. Scroll down to the bottom of the official Disney website page and make sure you are logged into Canada:English International version of the website. This will bring up the current 'special offer' for Canadians which you have until mid-December 2011 to book. It is for free dining from mid-August to late September of 2012.

    In other words, you will have to decide to upgrade to an AP, before you leave WDW the first time. If you want to return within a year, but you don't want to be rushed into a decision about returning to WDW - you can take until mid-December to decide. You can then at the 180 day mark make any dining reservations that you want.

    You will have to give a deposit when you book, but that deposit is fully refundable (up until a certain point) if you later change your mind.
    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  20. #19

    Premier Pass Room Discounts

    Hi all. My new bride and I are long time Disneyland Deluxe AP holders and have never been to Disneyworld. For our delayed honeymoon we plan to go to Disneyworld for 7-10 days in early december. I searched through the forums and saw that we missed the AP discount because reservations needed to be booked by sept. 4 (we got married a week after that and had no idea if we could afford a trip to DW). So, one of the main factors in upgrading to premier pass is if there is a good discount on any of the hotels, preferably grand floridian or contemporary. upgrading to no blockout dates at DLR is just a bonus for us.


  21. #20
    Ready for MA World Explorers! Drince88's Avatar
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    I think there was an error in the WDW update on MP - because I'm pretty sure there isn't a book by Sept 4 restriction.

    There are, however, decent availability restrictions (at least they always seem to catch me on the short end!)

    Personally, I'd call Disney or a Disney-specialist travel agent, and ask them about your dates, resort choices with the options you're interested in and see what different options are available that would work for you.

    And if you do upgrade to Premier - it will expire at your CURRENT DL expiration date, so take that into consideration with your evaluations!

    I'm checking the WDW AP site right now.

    ETA:

    Quote Originally Posted by WDW AP Site
    Passholders! Save up to 35% at Select Disney Resort Hotels!

    Enjoy a festive fall getaway or exciting end-of-year vacation at Walt Disney World Resort!

    Here, fall offers more fun for everyone, with more comfortable temperatures and signature autumn events. Enjoy more magical moments together—along with outstanding vacation value!

    Passholders, save on stays at select Disney Resort Hotels when you book through December 24, 2011 for stays most nights October 3 to November 22, 2011 and November 26 to December 24, 2011.

    For example, stay in a standard room at select Disney Value Resorts starting at just $79 per night, plus tax for most Friday and Saturday nights October 7 to November 19, 2011 and November 26 to December 17, 2011.

    Discover other great rates at a variety of Resort types:

    Hotel Category Savings
    Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels 35%
    Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels 35%
    Disney Moderate Resort Hotels 25%
    Disney Value Resort Hotels 25%

    The number of rooms available at this rate is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same room. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals.
    Last edited by Drince88; 09-27-2011 at 01:38 PM.
    Cathy

  22. #21

    thanks so much for checking. also, our passes are good till next july so we will be ok. i actually tried chatting with a crew member earlier but they wouldn't tell me AP discounts but gave me a number to call. since i'm at work i don't really want to call, but don't mind asking the friendly people here.


  23. #22
    Ready for MA World Explorers! Drince88's Avatar
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    Who were you talking to that they wouldn't give you quotes for different options? That seems odd.

    Cathy

  24. #23

    ^As usual, very good advice, especially when she says:

    Quote Originally Posted by Drince88
    Personally, I'd call Disney or a Disney-specialist travel agent, and ask them about your dates, resort choices with the options you're interested in and see what different options are available that would work for you.
    Always good to gather as much info as possible (just so you know the questions to ask).
    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

  25. #24

    thanks for the help. i contacted one of the specialists, but didn't get much from them since we are planning too far in advance for them, will try another specialist today. also i am starting to consider the moderate and value resorts. any recommendations? also, i am curious about the buses to parks. is there a typically long wait to get aboard. i read that they cycle around every 15 minutes or so, but can you typically get on the first one that comes by or do you have to wait a couple buses to actually get on board?


  26. #25

    I'd suggest Port Orleans - French Quarter or Riverside - or Coronado Springs for moderate resorts and Pop Century as a choice for a Value. <- All of these resorts have undergone (or will have undergone) major refurbishment in the last few years. I'd give Port Orleans a slight edge over Coronado Springs, but there are plenty of people who will not agree.

    Nevertheless, Port Orleans has a rack rate that is a few dollars less per night that Coronado Springs and sometimes those few dollars can really add up. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Pop, but as this appears to be a trip for newlyweds, I'd try to fit a moderate into the budget.

    Almost always, the bus transportation to the parks is not a problem - you are on your way within 15 minutes. Occasionally, bus transport is a bit of problem - but usually more getting back to the resort from the parks (especially at park closing). If you can budget for the occasional 'splurge' of a taxi back to the resort should this happen, it helps.

    ETA: There are always 'unofficial' websites devoted to specific resorts. You can find them easily by googling. They will have very specific details about their topic resort, maps, room suggestions, etc.

    Last edited by Barberella; 09-28-2011 at 11:23 AM. Reason: delayed thought process
    “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” - Roy Disney

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