Are there ever any decent AP discounts for rooms in DL? When?

[ethanwa]

Are there ever any decent AP discounts for rooms in DL? When?

I'm talking 20-30% off or more, like WDW does. And when are the best times to look for these discounts?

 

[sonnyjane]

Are there ever any decent AP discounts for rooms in DL? When?

I'm talking 20-30% off or more, like WDW does. And when are the best times to look for these discounts?

Yes. I believe I responded to your other inquiry about this, but there can typically be discounts of 30% off, but they aren't released until 2 or 3 months before your travel dates, and commonly even less than that for the real "bargain basement" prices. Don't expect to get that much of a discount during peak seasons, however, such as Spring Break, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. Even summer (especially this year with all the Carsland hullabaloo) might not offer the best discounts. But yes, in the off season, you can typically get 30% off of the rack rate.

 

[skiingfast]

Sort of. AP rates are generally closely matched by general promotions. It's not sure to be lower than the other rates like at WDW.
Current AP deals.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/2012-winter-passholder-hotel/
Current Regular guests deal.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/2012-winter-hotel-percent/

 

[sonnyjane]

Sort of. AP rates are generally closely matched by general promotions. It's not sure to be lower than the other rates like at WDW.
Current AP deals.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/2012-winter-passholder-hotel/
Current Regular guests deal.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/2012-winter-hotel-percent/

This is a great thing to point out. There have been times in the last couple of years when I have contacted a Disneyland on-site hotel and found that the rate for non-AP holders with a special promotion was less expensive than the AP holder rate, and the CM on the phone was very candid about saying "yup! I guess it's cheaper to book online with the promo!". Typically, however, they can be a *smidgen* cheaper than special rates. When I stayed at PPH in August, there was a general promotion for 30% off and I believe the AP rate was roughly 35% off.

 

[ethanwa]

sonnyjane - Sorry if this was a double post. I guess i didn't realize I asked the same thing before.

 

[sonnyjane]

sonnyjane - Sorry if this was a double post. I guess i didn't realize I asked the same thing before.

No, I think you just asked when they release the AP rates. No worries What skiingfast described is actually one of my peeves with the AP system at Disneyland. I guess I wish we got better discounts. I seem to always go when they are offering a discount to everyone anyway, so the AP doesn't really help me very much. I do however really make up for savings on food and merchandise discounts (I eat a lot lolol!)

 

[ethanwa]

No, I think you just asked when they release the AP rates. No worries What skiingfast described is actually one of my peeves with the AP system at Disneyland. I guess I wish we got better discounts. I seem to always go when they are offering a discount to everyone anyway, so the AP doesn't really help me very much. I do however really make up for savings on food and merchandise discounts (I eat a lot lolol!)

Since I have a Premier Passport (I will have it on the 18th at least), it'll get me the 15-20% discount on many things, which more than covers the cost of the passes. I'm just looking to maximize the value. WDW definitely does a better job with the AP room discounts than DL unfortunately.

 

[ethanwa]

Sort of. AP rates are generally closely matched by general promotions. It's not sure to be lower than the other rates like at WDW.
Current AP deals.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/2012-winter-passholder-hotel/
Current Regular guests deal.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/2012-winter-hotel-percent/

LOL. Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel is the same rate! So much for an AP discount there.

I've also heard that Expedia can sometimes have rates that beat anything DL offers.

 

[sonnyjane]

LOL. Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel is the same rate! So much for an AP discount there.

I've also heard that Expedia can sometimes have rates that beat anything DL offers.

Kind of. In my experience, when Disneyland offers these really great general discounts of 35% off, Expedia will buy some of them up, then once Disneyland has sold all of their allotted rooms at that price, you can still be able to find Expedia (or Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.) selling rooms at the discounted price, so it looks much cheaper, but it's really the same price that used to be offered, but sold out through Disneyland.com.

 

[ethanwa]

Kind of. In my experience, when Disneyland offers these really great general discounts of 35% off, Expedia will buy some of them up, then once Disneyland has sold all of their allotted rooms at that price, you can still be able to find Expedia (or Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.) selling rooms at the discounted price, so it looks much cheaper, but it's really the same price that used to be offered, but sold out through Disneyland.com.

Ah good to know!

 

[DizMe]

Kind of. In my experience, when Disneyland offers these really great general discounts of 35% off, Expedia will buy some of them up, then once Disneyland has sold all of their allotted rooms at that price, you can still be able to find Expedia (or Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.) selling rooms at the discounted price, so it looks much cheaper, but it's really the same price that used to be offered, but sold out through Disneyland.com.

Expedia also sometimes offers a bigger discount but you have to prepay the entire hotel cost, so that can be a deal breaker for some. I got PPH for $140 night for Jan 18-21 doing this. It wasn't a huge savings over the promo rate, which I think was $156.

 

[sonnyjane]

Expedia also sometimes offers a bigger discount but you have to prepay the entire hotel cost, so that can be a deal breaker for some. I got PPH for $140 night for Jan 18-21 doing this. It wasn't a huge savings over the promo rate, which I think was $156.

Wow that's a great rate for PPH though. I just looked up Park Vue for March and it's going to be $139 a night.

 

[AJW]

Kind of. In my experience, when Disneyland offers these really great general discounts of 35% off, Expedia will buy some of them up, then once Disneyland has sold all of their allotted rooms at that price, you can still be able to find Expedia (or Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.) selling rooms at the discounted price, so it looks much cheaper, but it's really the same price that used to be offered, but sold out through Disneyland.com.

That's a great piece of info to know! I'm a new Premier passholder and would LOVE to get to the DL hotels more often with a PH discount, but if Expedia can make it happen, I might do that. Haven't booked anywhere except Disney in SOO long...I wonder if I even remember how to do it.

 

[GrandBob]

Expedia also sometimes offers a bigger discount but you have to prepay the entire hotel cost, so that can be a deal breaker for some. I got PPH for $140 night for Jan 18-21 doing this. It wasn't a huge savings over the promo rate, which I think was $156.

Thanks for that info, DizMe. I booked in Feb for DW & my anniversary, at the $156 rate. Expedia has $146. I was tempted, but stuck with my Disney reservation with the hope that, since I told the reservation agent about our anniversary, we might get an upgrade. I don't know, but I suspect that's a lot less likely if I book through Expedia. I don't really know how likely it is anyway, but I'd guess it's a little more likely by sticking with my original Disney reservation. What do you think?

Anyway, yes, the prepay probably would have been a deal breaker, as there's a small chance we'll have to cancel. So again, thanks for letting us know.

-Bob