Am I the only one disappointed with the new AP rates?

[Tuffcookie]

I still think $74 is high for a budget resort. I guess I'm remembering the good ol days when I got a budget for $49.

TC

 

[Luv2trav]

You still can during value season... 74 is during peak...

 

[johnsonet]

Of course, I would love to get as much off of rack as possible. But last night I got a very nice room - BWI Deluxe Concierge - during PEAK Season for $497 per night. Rack rate is $630 per night. I'll take it! (Both of these are before tax...) That's over 20% off the rack rate...
Since my 7 days' park admission is paid for by virtue of having the AP, I'm still coming out way ahead. Yes, I wish the discounts were even better but I'm still going!!

 

[minnie56]

We are all kinda spoiled...

Having tavelled to some other locales this past year such as Las Vegas, New York City, Paris...I am amazed that the room rates at Disney are as reasonable as they are!

I am checking hotels for my daughter for Feb in Cancun and the average rate is almost $300 a night for a 3 star hotel..

Disney is more than fair!

 

[golfgal]

I am hoping some good rates come out for our trip. It would be nice not to have to pay rack rate (less AAA discount anyway).

Minnie---where are you staying in Cancun? Is that $300 for more then one person? Most resorts in Cancun are all-inclusive so all of your food and drinks, including alchohol is included in your rates.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

minnie56...that putting in perspective for some of us (me) that plan to go other places every year but never seem to be able to get away from WDW. I have no idea what resort prices are elsewhere!!

 

[princess lovers mom]

I agree that other resort stays are similiar to the deluxe rates at Disney, but when i go to Aruba or elsewhere when I spend that money I saty at the resort and use all of there amenities, at Disney for the majority of their guests they are also going to get another $1000 from you for tickets and $700 for food and $$ for souveneirs etc...all going into the same pocket at the end of the day.....knowing that you would think that they could make their rack rates a bit lower to encourage you to stay there and give them all of that other money...you can get suites off site for $100/night and disperse your money elsewhere in Orlando, you would think that they would want you on site as long as possible hence making it very attractive to stay on site....

 

[WillCAD]

Why is Feb 17-April 16 considered Peak Season this year? In years past it was Value Season except during the holiday weekends around Presidents Day, Valentines Day, and Easter. Now the entire month period that used to be cheap is considered Peak, which is the most expensive time.

I might just be staying off-site for my April trip thanks to that, despite my AP discount.

 

[PammyK]

Why is Feb 17-April 16 considered Peak Season this year? In years past it was Value Season except during the holiday weekends around Presidents Day, Valentines Day, and Easter. Now the entire month period that used to be cheap is considered Peak, which is the most expensive time.

I might just be staying off-site for my April trip thanks to that, despite my AP discount.

Actually, Will, peak season is not the most expensive time - holiday season is. But peak season is close. With all the spring break trips and an early Easter, mid-Feb thru mid-Apr is a very busy time, hence peak season. Just wait until the end of April instead of earlier and get regular season rates.

 

[minnie56]

I have been looking at Moon Palace and sister resorts..no that does not include meals. I also spent an hour last night on the net just looking at deals to Cancun...but comparing hotel rate to hotel rate (room only) Disney is still a deal.

Barbados was another consideration but again the room rates were high $200's per night..At least at WDW...a moderate is a pretty nice hotel room and always in a great setting.

I have come to the conclusion that travel is never cheap...but when you comparison shop...Disney is still pretty good at giving bang for your buck!

 

[johnsonet]

I agree minnie56. I stayed in NYC last february with 3 friends. I had to book 2 rooms b/c the rooms with a view of Central park all had King beds and I didn't think anyone should be sleeping on the floor or rollaways at the Ritz! My room - which I paid less than rack rate was almost $500/night per room! That's before tax. Also, weekdays are one price and weekends another... For all that I got complimentary afternoon tea for all of us and we also got breakfast in the very nice restaurant included but that was only b/c of my AmEx deal...
I like to stay in nice hotels but I think at Disney you can get a lot for your money!

 

[golfgal]

Minnie-I know that this is getting off topic, but we stayed at the Moon when we were in Cancun, and the rooms were pretty nice-we have stayed in nicer rooms as we have stayed in worse rooms. Our trip was all inclusive and included all meals, snacks, drinks, etc at all the Palace resorts and it wasn't over $300/night. This was 4 years ago though. If she wants to participate in the Cancun night life, I would not recommend the Moon. It is too far away from everything. Get a resort on the strip.

The only "Disney" hotel I have stayed in was what is now known as the Wyndam Palace (I think-it was the Buena Vista Palace when we were there). Our room at the Moon was comparable, except that the Moon had an in-room jacuzzi tub that overlooked the ocean or what ever the view was from your room.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Minnie, Completely off topic but we stayed at the Barcelo Maya outside of Cancun. It is all inclusive and a beautiful resort. There is a site like this I think it was Tourist Guide to Playa del Carmen. I hope to return there next fall!

 

[maroney495]

I was disappointed with the $74 rate as well. We were there Xmas week(checked in Xmas day) and got the value for $49 per night for the following week. This is suppose to be the busiest and most expensive week out of the year, so was hoping to get rates about the same for our March trip. Oh well, I have the public code for that stay and the AP is only a few dollars less so I have not even checked to see if it is available, especially after reading that AP code may not be available for Saturday check ins and we will arrive on Saturday.

 

[Winka]

Princess lovers mom-ITA.

Disney is a relatively inexpensive destination as far as accommodations go but really all there is to do there-without arranging separate transportation-IS DISNEY. We're a captive audience for the WHOLE SPECTRUM OF DISNEY peddled services and wares.

I think the code rates are really very good (wouldlove to get one myself), but I do raise an eyebrow at the whole Disney monopoly.

 

[Luv2trav]

By the way Moon Palace IS ALL INCLUSIVE... You cannot get just room rates there. All Palace resorts nightly prices include food and beverage. I know because I stayed there on my honeymoon...

 

[minnie56]

We haven't decided yet which resort she will stay at in Cancun. One DD is going there in March and staying at the Oasis Cancun. It was an all inclusive pkg through her school so cannot really judge the price? The other DD wants to go there in Feb and the Moon was only one I priced...really just to see if I could put it together more reasonably as I always do at Disney...but not the case here.

I think ultimately if Cancun is the place of choice...we will look for one on the beach with a bit more action for 3-4 almost 21 year old girls!Thanks Disneycrazymom for the hotel name...will look into it.

I just checked Moon Palace for March 19-26 (Dates one DD is going) and it was $2716 for 2 for the week. Even if all-inclusive...that is much more than $300 per day!(Almost $400)

If a Disney resort is $74 per day (for 2) that leaves an awful lot of playing, food,drink etc $$$$ if we are budgeting almost $400 daily as the Cancun hotel would cost.

Brings me back to ....still a good deal in my opinion!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Why is Feb 17-April 16 considered Peak Season this year? In years past it was Value Season except during the holiday weekends around Presidents Day, Valentines Day, and Easter. Now the entire month period that used to be cheap is considered Peak, which is the most expensive time.

I might just be staying off-site for my April trip thanks to that, despite my AP discount.

I know that for at least the past couple of years, peak season began right around the middle of February (to coincide with president's day) and would run till sometime in April.

 

[pampam]

Who do you call to get it for $49? I just call and was quoted a price of $87 including tax for arrival Jan 21 annual pass rate.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Pampam,
I got the ASMu in August one year for $49 a night. I don't know how Disney decides the dates forthe different seasons. I certainly thought if I went to WDW weeks before Spring Break I would be okay but now I'm finding the peak season date gets moved up more and more. I was hoping to get another trip in on my AP for DS and me. We just got back from doing the week after Christmas and New Year's there. It was so crowded in MK that DS and I never got to do Splash Mountain or Space Mountain, our 2 favorite things! It was a good thing I was prepared for the crowds. I went mainly to see the decorations. If that had been my first trip to WDW I would have been very disappointed.

TC