A question about Castmember discounts vs. AP discounts

[HeatherPage]

Sorry mods, if this isn't the right forum...I have a cousin in the WDW College program through June or July and he wants to see/meet some of his family on the East Coast (he's from Las Vegas) and said to call him so he can book a room with a castmember discount and we can have a little family reunion, etc...(we'd probably be going in May). I also have APs and was wondering if this castmember discount was so significant that I should wait to talk with him and have him book a room, or should I just go ahead and reserve a room with an AP discount with our AP's. Thanks for any help! P.S. this will be a budget trip so we wouldn't be doing deluxes as even with a significant discount, I still don't want to pay more than $100/night for our room. Thanks again!

 

[ksoehrlein]

I was a CM for 11 years but haven't been one since 2004, so things may have changed. But CM discounts in my experience are/were about 50% off rack rate. AP discounts are not quite as good.

 

[HeatherPage]

Thank you for your reply. I actually just read through a search that as of 2005, they discontinued the 50% rate and now offer a 40% and 25% rate (not sure if time of year or type of room determines which) also, I read that the allotment is usually booked up far in advance (up to a year) of when the date of booking would be (only 2 to 2 1/2 months away now). Maybe I should book an AP room anyway and wait to see what he has to say about discounts.

 

[kaelarad]

I booked last year for an early June Trip using a castmember discount and had no problem. We stayed at Carribean Beach and booked late march.

 

[n2mm]

The CM discount is much better than the AP discount. Plus CMs get to make reservations throughout the year, while AP holders have to wait until discounts are released. So you could get your room booked now without waiting. Generally friends and family discounts are 40% or 25%, depending on what's left. If the CM stays in the room they can get the 50% discount. However, keep in mind that this is a room only discount and does not qualify for the DDP.

 

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Luv2Roam]

I booked a room for an out of state friend last year. He ended up cancelling it to book a MYW + Dine (not free dining although it was during that time period).
Since you have an AP, you may want to go with the DDE any way, if concerned about dining at all.

 

[Sammie]

You will have to talk to your cousin and have him check. The discounts vary and could be better than AP or not. Also rooms on the CM discount are limited so it will depend on what is available.

if there is an AP room available I would book it and then see what it can get, you can cancel your room.