I've been going to WDW before such things as codes. I have had an AP since 1995 and AP discounts were UNHEARD of. You were lucky to get 20% off a delux and only during the slow times. Discounts at the All Stars were unheard of. I think the only thing different is that because of discounts, folks like me now go more than once a year. If I got no discounts I would go back to going once a year, or possibly 2 shorter trips a year. Right now we go 5-6 times a year, but we are empty nesters and don't have to deal with the extra cost of kids. (Of course, we take the grandson once a year too). But also, back in the earlier days resorts sold out sometimes a year in advance. I made my ressie for CBR in 1989 (when it was brand new) one year in advance to get in. So since resorts sold out back then, there were no need to lure folks in. I always made my ressies a year in advance in the early 90s just to get in. We happily paid full price. It was the price you paid to be on property. If you waited, you stayed at the WDW hotel village.