A glimmer of hope for passholders...

[Momtomouselover]

Yep, I also spent lots of time checking and waiting for the AP rate. I was able to save about $60 by changing the first few days of our trip from the GP rate to the AP rate. Small savings but any little bit helps! I hate the change in the AKL discounted rates. That is what is getting us as well. Not sure why this resort is considered "special" and gets a lesser discount. Bookings must be really good there for the current price.

The last half of our trip I already had a better rate from a pin. No savings there. Oh well maybe next time. :/ I am thankful for the pin rate though.

BTW, anyone who is looking at the AP rates should also look at the GP rates if your going over a weekend to make sure your getting the best deal.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Could someone post the dates available please. My AP is expired and I can't access the website

now till June 2, with April 17-24 blacked out.

 

[mousiemom]

the only reason we miss having the AP is for the multiple trips we would take in a yr, other than that, they never would come out with great AP rates, the public offers would be better or the same.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just posted links to the newly released AP rates here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2670250

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Well, after all the waiting, more waiting, agonizing and obsessing. . .May trip finally BOOKED! Beach Club Baby!!!!

I don't care any more that the rates weren't as spectacular as I wanted, Im just relieved to have the trip booked. I handle life better when there's a trip booked

 

[sharadoc]

My only issue with the delay of rates being released is the decision whether or not to renew our AP in June. If I'm not assured of another trip this year, then why have the AP? I'll waste money that way.

I don't know how this is going to work for us long-term. Bounceback only covers GP dates, AP rates released a month or two in advance - how the heck are we supposed to plan???? I full expected to book my June trip in December on a bounceback. Now I still can't book an AP rate for June. Frustrating for me.

 

[Minniekins]

Okay, I have a question about how this AP rate thing works and all. First of all, we don't have AP's at all yet. But, my daughter is going in May to bring her BF for the time. They will be there 5n/6dys. Then in Dec, she and I will be going back together. We'll probably need 7 - 8 days of tickets. So, I was thinking that it would be a good idea to get an annual pass for her for this year. Cold someone tell me how much it costs to get one? And is park hopping included on it? I'm thinking this saves her some decent money over the two trips for her tickets, right? And, can she get an AP ticket and he just keeps his to whats needed for this one trip?

So, if she had one, then could she use it to get an AP discount at POR in mid May? Would she need to get it now to apply it now, or if she booked her room with the 25% disc offered on the website now for rooms, could she get it closer to the trip and apply the disc then? Do they only hold so many rooms for AP discounts like they do with other codes so they might run out of rooms when it's close to her trip time? I was thinking if she got it later it would last longer into next year, though it's unlikely she'll get any more use out of it than just these two trips this year. We've been going together once a year for about 6 yrs, just went in Jan. It would have been nice to know she was going then to update that ticket then but she wasn't sure she was going definitely, they were just talking about it. Hindsite, we should have done hers at least since we were planning on going back in Dec, and even could have done mine I guess too., argh! Oh well.

Now, more interested in this upcoming trip in May. Hopefully this all made some sense and someone has some answers to help us, lol! TIA!

 

[kjg5]

You don't need to have the AP to book the rate- she'll just have to show it at check-in. The price for the premium AP is $629 for all 4 theme parks, Disney Quest, and the water parks. The regular AP is $499 and is just for the 4 theme parks. Park hopping is allowed on both types of AP's. If she's a Fl resident, the price is even cheaper. The AP also provides discounts on merchandise and allows her to buy Tables in Wonderland to save money on food. Here's a link to Mousesavers' AP page, which gives you a little more info on where and how to buy and what's included:
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwannualpass.html

 

[Minniekins]

You don't need to have the AP to book the rate- she'll just have to show it at check-in. The price for the premium AP is $629 for all 4 theme parks, Disney Quest, and the water parks. The regular AP is $499 and is just for the 4 theme parks. Park hopping is allowed on both types of AP's. If she's a Fl resident, the price is even cheaper. The AP also provides discounts on merchandise and allows her to buy Tables in Wonderland to save money on food. Here's a link to Mousesavers' AP page, which gives you a little more info on where and how to buy and what's included:
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwannualpass.html

Thank you for responding! So, if she has a room booked already with the discount shown on the website currently(25%), she can just show up with her AP and she can use it to get the AP discount of 30%* off instead? It's not a thing where they only have so many rooms to get the AP and if filled then too bad? Will they just give her a refund since she'll have to have paid already? Should she order the AP by phone or online a few weeks before and just have it sent then? when do they start counting it to begin the one years use time? When she buys it or the first time she uses it at a park?
And Tables in Wonderland is a discount sort of thing right? Can you use it with the dining plan if you have a package booked? You can buy a package with room and dining using the AP right?

Okay, sorry for the barage of questions, lol! Trying to help her work out the best way to save money here and there and being that she'll be getting an AP this may work out well for her.

Thanks for your help, I'll check out Mousesavers for that stuff, and thanks to any others who can help!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

No... she needs to call and tell them that she needs the AP rate. They will change her package or room to that rate. Then when she arrives she will just need to present her AP (if they ask). Sometimes they don't even ask for it.

We just did the math for our family again this year. We are going for a 9 day trip and would have gotten hoppers. If you are going one more trip (as short as 2 days) you will cover yourself with the AP rate. Hopping is included in the price. You get free parking if you are staying off site and you have access to TIW card. Room discounts are nice but there are alot of other perks too!

Sound like it might be a good fit for her. Make sure she calls soon though as rooms will fill up in some hotels quickly. Like pins there are only so many rooms at each resort that are for this discount.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Sorry missed some questions:

TIW is a flat rate of 20% off. It doesn't work with the dining plan. Although in general most people find that it saves more than the dining plan unless they eat exactly as the dining plan is made. (Meaning dessert every meal and no alcohol.)

They will refund her the money she already paid. If she is getting TIW then she would go from a package to room only so they would refund the entire amount.

She can order the AP online and they will send it or she can just buy it when she gets there. Either way she has to activiate it at a park so she might as well just do it when she gets there, IMO. The date doesn't start until it is activated.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

My only issue with the delay of rates being released is the decision whether or not to renew our AP in June. If I'm not assured of another trip this year, then why have the AP? I'll waste money that way.

I don't know how this is going to work for us long-term. Bounceback only covers GP dates, AP rates released a month or two in advance - how the heck are we supposed to plan???? I full expected to book my June trip in December on a bounceback. Now I still can't book an AP rate for June. Frustrating for me.

I know exactly what you mean! I am going WDW at the end of this month with my younger daughter. We were able to get a good AP discount for the GF. Now my older daughter, who is in graduate school would like to go with me for a week when she has a break in June. I have been waiting for the AP rates, which just came out, but only through June 2nd, and we can only go the week of June 11th. I am struggling how to get the best deal. I can book now, room only at I believe 30% off,the GP rate. I really want the AP discount, but get nervous waiting. The AP rates are great, but we always seem to be holding our breath waiting.

Our AP's run out in the fall, so I don't have to think about renewing, but it is frustrating. I don't know how many there are in your family, but would renewing only one AP be worth the gamble? That way at least you can get the AP discount whenever it comes out and if some reason it doesn't work you are only out the cost of the one AP. This is our first year as AP holders, so I don't know the savings of renewing, but it might be an option to consider.

 

[texasteacher35]

I have the same problem...I have an AP that expires July and I am not sure the DISCOUNTS are that much better than the GP or free dining or whatever the current offer is! It's pretty frustrating that DISNEY will not continue to reward their most frequent patrons! Whatever! it makes me super irritated! LOL The question remains...do they REALLY want my AP$, resort$, dining$, ALL the souvineers I buy and everything else I promote and buy Disney or not!? I can't even tell you how much dough I give Disney EVERY YEAR!!! On souvineers alone, at least an extra $500 or more per trip....UGH

 

[PrincessAlways]

FWIW, I was told more dates will be released at the beginning of April, but it does seem like they're going to go more-or-less month by month. It seems they're trying to fill rooms with GP discounts and pincodes before offering AP rates. That's no way to treat your frequent guests- bad show Disney!

I have the same problem...I have an AP that expires July and I am not sure the DISCOUNTS are that much better than the GP or free dining or whatever the current offer is! It's pretty frustrating that DISNEY will not continue to reward their most frequent patrons! Whatever! it makes me super irritated! LOL The question remains...do they REALLY want my AP$, resort$, dining$, ALL the souvineers I buy and everything else I promote and buy Disney or not!? I can't even tell you how much dough I give Disney EVERY YEAR!!! On souvineers alone, at least an extra $500 or more per trip....UGH

I agree with both of you!!! It just doesn't seem right that the GP discount, VISA discount, AAA discount, etc are out there way before the AP rates become available!! You would think Disney would want to keep their most frequent visitors happy enough to keep going back!! My June trip is with my AAA discount, but I'm hoping the AP will come out & I can transfer! However, since it's at BLT, I'm not holding my breath!!

 

[snykymom]

Sorry missed some questions:

TIW is a flat rate of 20% off. It doesn't work with the dining plan. Although in general most people find that it saves more than the dining plan unless they eat exactly as the dining plan is made. (Meaning dessert every meal and no alcohol.)

Actually, it does work with the dining plan. It doesn't give you anything off the dining plan, but you can use it for anything that's not covered by the plan, like appetizers or adult beverages.

They will refund her the money she already paid. If she is getting TIW then she would go from a package to room only so they would refund the entire amount.

That's only if she changes her package to a room only or to the AP rate before she gets there. And if she makes the changes to a previous package within 45 days of arrival, she may pay a change fee of up to $200.

 

[GatorLady]

Just got back from WDW last night, AP rates came out while I was gone.

I just checked, and the current WL GP room only reservation I have is a better deal than the AP just released. This is because for the GP rate I was able to book a standard room and the AP rates aren't available for that category.

Same with the Bounceback offer that was in our room because that was for a higher room category as well.

 

[Karlzmom]

Rates are for April 25-June 2. Here's the discounts -
40% off deluxe villas
35% off most deluxe
30% off most moderates and Animal Kingdom Lodge and Polynesian
25% off most value resorts and Port Orleans French Quarter
20% off All Star Music
15% off the campsites

Seems like in the past I could do better with an AP rate than any PIN code. If this rate structure holds, then the AP discount is less that a code that I already have....

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just got back from WDW last night, AP rates came out while I was gone.

I just checked, and the current WL GP room only reservation I have is a better deal than the AP just released. This is because for the GP rate I was able to book a standard room and the AP rates aren't available for that category.

Same with the Bounceback offer that was in our room because that was for a higher room category as well.

Do you recall what the Bounceback offer for Deluxe resorts was and what the expiration date was? Was it 40% off through 12/23?

Thanks.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

That's only if she changes her package to a room only or to the AP rate before she gets there. And if she makes the changes to a previous package within 45 days of arrival, she may pay a change fee of up to $200.

Agreed she needs to do it before she gets there but she is still within her 45 day mark so there shouldn't be a change fee at all. OP said they weren't going until May.

 

[GatorLady]

Do you recall what the Bounceback offer for Deluxe resorts was and what the expiration date was? Was it 40% off through 12/23?

Thanks.

I'm pretty sure it was 40%. We had a weird split trip this time as we were traveling to another city in Florida. We stayed at a Value on the front end and there was a bounceback offer in our room there too.

On the way back we stayed at a moderate and the bounceback was for a moderate, deluxe or deluxe villa. There were several time periods on the calendar with lots of blackout periods as well. Sorry I don't remember exact dates. I do believe I saw some in December but don't know if it went as late as 12/23. I also don't recall there being an actual expiration date listed, I think it just referred to booking before you leave.


Below is a copy and paste from a "bounceback" email I got while I was away. Looks like it generated from my stay at the Values. Guess they think I would be checking my emails while on vacation (I don't, maybe I should).

"Get 35%* off the non-discounted price
at select Disney Value Resorts.
Enjoy a stay at one of these colorful Resorts that are big on everything but the price. Each features larger-than-life theming, whimsical pools, fun food courts and more!

For stays most nights:
2/13/11—2/19/11, 2/27/11—3/5/11, 5/8/11—5/27/11, 5/31/11—6/4/11, 8/21/11—10/8/11,
10/23/11—10/29/11, 11/13/11—11/19/11, 11/27/11—12/3/11 and 12/11/11—12/17/11.


Book now. Call 407-939-7621 before you check out, or have your Travel Agent call!
Ask for booking code KZ2.


*The number of rooms available for this discount is limited. Minimum length-of-stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Additional per-adult charges apply if more than two adults per room. No group rates or other discounts apply. This offer is only available to Guests of select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels. Offer is nontransferable. Advance reservations required."