4/3 vs AP rates

[jfoofj]

Has anyone switched to an AP rate from their 4/3 deal? I started playing w/ the numbers, especially since going for 7 days now might not work for my mother w/ her job (they had HUGE layoffs and she now has more responsibilities and really shouldn't take a whole week but her boss said since it was already booked it was ok.... but she feels like she shouldn't...). SO, instead of going for 7 nights I was thinking of going 4 or 5 nights over a weekend. I am still playing w/ the numbers, but I could shorten my trip, and save some $ or I could shorten my trip, stay concierge level and spend about the same.... AND I wouldn't have to buy the 1 day admission for everyone like I do w/ the 4/3 deal. I have an AP and I was going to buy my mom and son tickets through Undercover Tourist.

I was just wondering if anyone thought they got a better deal with the AP rate than the 4/3 rate.

 

[4greatboys]

I would just price out the 2 and see what comes out best. The AP rates are good Sun-Thur. This past time AP rates came out they were not good Fri/Sat nights.

 

[wall*e2008]

The AP rate is $10 more for a moderate. I checked what it would have been for the 7 nights and with the one day pass we can use in the future the 4/3 was a better deal.

 

[sbell111]

My wife and I stayed at POP the last week of January using the 4/3 deal. 4/3 was cheaper for us even after including the one day passes. As a bonus, we will apply one of the one day passes to our AP renewal (we gave the other away) and we got a gift card that will be applied to AP renewal.

 

[jfoofj]

I changed my reservation, shortening my trip by two days, but my mom really isn't in a position at work to take a week of right now.

I previously had 7 nights (Tues-Tues) at Beach Club in a standard room, no dining, w/ a one day ticket for 3 people (I have an AP but we had to buy a 1 day ticket per person to get the 4/3 deal, I was going to buy my mom and son their tickets from Undercover Tourist or at the gate at Disney) for $1940.27.

I now have a 5 night (Thurs-Tues) reservation at the Beach Club in a standard room WITH the dining plan (one CS one TS one snack a day) for $1887.10. I was going to upgrade to a water view or club level, but I figured I would save my money.... If we decide we want to upgrade and it is available when we check in, we can always do it then. I am just happy to be staying at the Beach Club, I have always wanted to!

My airfare was paid for, and it only cost me $14 to switch my dates (and I got nonstop flights too!!!).

I haven't done the complete breakdown as of yet, but I think this is a better deal. I am bummed we had to shorten our trip, but at least we are still going.

 

[worm761]

Thank you for this post! I have been sick and in bed for the last three days. This is the first time I have been on the Dis in days. I haven't even checked my email. I did not know about the AP rates. But thanks to you and your post I went and checked the AP rates against my 4/3 deal. Both are with dining. I upgraded my hotel and I saved money!!! You just have to love that! Thank you!

 

[Tess]

The 4/3 was a better deal for our stay than the AP rate. The discount for the 4/3 was just a hair over 30% while the AP was only 22.5%. Our stay is at the Polynesian GVC, May 12-22, 2009.

We purchased one day base tickets to get the 4/3 deal and will use them for a couple of people in our party (11th day) and toward AP renewals, too.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

we did. we did not need the one day tickets since we already have tickets. I couldn't be happier!

 

[jfoofj]

Well... I guess it varies from case to case... Worm761 I am glad you saved some money too (and are feeling better)! I found the AP rates this time around to be a little better than the last time I went in August 08... but I was strictly looking at Wilderness Lodge bunk bed rooms then. I am happy I bought the AP pass, it has saved me money in park admissions and allowed me to get great rates at deluxe resorts!

 

[worm761]

One thing about the AP rates. I looked it up online to see if it would save me money and then called to change the ressie I already had. They had a different rate than I had. The rate online was cheaper than the rate calling CRO. by about $300. Which is enough to cause me to book online and cancel with CRO.