How tough to get AP rate in early December?

[Tom_Mack]

We currently have room only reservations at the All-Star Music for 16 days in early December. We are considering getting an AP, but it really would only be worth it if we can get the AP rate for our hotel.
From what I have read, these rates become available sometime in August. How tough is it to snatch up these rates before they are unavailable? Are they available for Hours? Days? And would I be able to easily switch my current reservation to the new rate?

Thanks!

[domco]

We have booked December stays with an AP rate after returning from our annual end of October trip, but only for a long weekend, 4 nights, and never had any trouble getting an AP rate 1 month before the trip. Our December trips are never planned, we only go if good we can get good airfare. I don't know about the possibility of an AP rate for a trip as lengthy as yours.

We book the October trip in August when the AP rates come out. I have also booked a reservation with a AAA rate, and changed the reservation to an AP rate when they came out with no problem.

[disneyfan55]

If I were going to WDW for that length of time, I would surely have an AP. Not only is it good for room discounts, there are many other discounts out there from food, golf, shopping and many others. You could get the DDE card as well and receive 20% off many TS restaurtants as well as the Food Courts in the Values. It is really worth it. You must be a FL resident OR an AP holder to get the card. Even if all your days of stay don't end up with an AP discount, if some are you can book those and keep the remainder of the stay at the regular rates. We purchase the AP and it really is worth it and you can return again and not have to buy admission. We did this many times over the years. Visit 11 months apart!

You can look at Mousesavers.com for historical info on AP as well as other discounts. Yes, if your room is available you can change the reservation to the AP rates if some come up. I have done this quite a few times. The AP discounts are ususally around 2-3 months before.

[Portugal1000]

We always go 3 weeks from around 7th December and spend the last 8-10 nights at Disney so are there over Xmas. In 2006 got the AP rate at FW no problem and last year got the 40% off rate at SSR. This was when you use to get the value rate for the whole of your stay when you booked in on the lats day of value season. They have changed that this year so will be interested to see how they treat the discounts if your reservation covers value and hiliday season. Have booked for FW from 17th to 27th but if a good code comes out will change to SSR as we love it there.