Annual Passholder Discounts?

[RayaniFoxmur]

What deluxe resorts usually get the codes to have an AP discount? We're waiting for the AP to come out for October, but we're nervous that it won't have GF as one of the discounted resorts. Are we just being silly expecting it? I've never had to deal with the AP discounts before so I really didn't know.

Thanks!

 

[fla4fun]

Well, there are no guarantees when it comes to AP rates. Last year was the first year they started applying the discount to specific resorts only during the summer, instead of all resorts, and they have done the same this year. It will all depend on how their bookings look for the period as to whether they will offer discounts at all, some, or none of the resorts.

Typically, they do offer them at all the resorts in the fall, but the availability at each resort may be different. So it's important to keep your eyes and ears open and call immediately when they are announced. A lot of people were disappointed last December when they had prebooked WL hoping for a discount and then there was very little discounted availability at WL when the codes came out. They either had to keep the full price reservation at WL or change resorts to get a discount. I had the same problem, because the room type at the resort I was booked in did not come up as discounted. I chose to keep the reservation as it was, because I wanted a specific room type at a specific resort.

 

[C.Ann]

Even with an AP code, the GF carries a pretty hefty price tag.. Is this a special occasion? If not, I think I'd downgrade and spend the savings on something else..

But that's just me - cheap, cheap, cheap - LOL..

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Even with an AP code, the GF carries a pretty hefty price tag.. Is this a special occasion? If not, I think I'd downgrade and spend the savings on something else..

But that's just me - cheap, cheap, cheap - LOL..

It is actually, it's our honeymoon! We don't want anything more than a garden view actually, but we both fell so much in love with the resort when we went to 1900 Park Fare that we wanted to stay there for our honeymoon.

 

[CarolA]

Even with an AP code, the GF carries a pretty hefty price tag.. Is this a special occasion? If not, I think I'd downgrade and spend the savings on something else..

But that's just me - cheap, cheap, cheap - LOL..

It's not just you...

I stayed there once. Never have I felt so ripped off at a Disney hotel and I had a good rate. The staff seemed to feel they were doing you a favor to "allow you" to stay there.

I hope the OP isn't as disappointed as I am.

(I have actually reached the point that Disney is not getting anymore of my money for "deluxes" until they truly meet the industry standard. You want "deluxe" in Orlando, try the Ritz, generally cheaper and always better service)

 

[Disney Fool]

I've stayed at the GF several times, always on AP discount. This year, I made a reservation at GF Lagoon view, hoping for an AP discount. It didn't happen for July. They were offered for Yacht and Beach Club, so I switched. It depends, may or may not be offered. Usually IS offered; proof being that it's the only way I've ever stayed there--and I've stayed there many times on a discount. Just be aware that it may not be available when you want it.

 

[BrianD]

As every resort has gotten a "bad" review, not one resort is going to be great for everyone. We have stayed at the GF three times now, and it is hands down our favorite resort. In all our stays, we have only received great service, sometimes even superior service. If you fell in love with the place, then by all means stay there! We are keeping our fingers crossed for AP discounts there, ourselves. Good luck & have a great vacation!

 

[CarolA]

As every resort has gotten a "bad" review, not one resort is going to be great for everyone. We have stayed at the GF three times now, and it is hands down our favorite resort. In all our stays, we have only received great service, sometimes even superior service. If you fell in love with the place, then by all means stay there! We are keeping our fingers crossed for AP discounts there, ourselves. Good luck & have a great vacation!

Brain,
As I indicated I think I am pretty much "over" all of the Disney Deluxe resorts. GF was the most disappointing IMHO, but the truth is that when I compare the service/amenities of the Disney "deluxe" to industry standards on resorts, 4 star hotels etc... IMHO Disney is not even in the ball park. Basic bedding, basic amenities, so so service etc.

Now if you only stay at Disney Deluxe then you might never notice this "compartive" situation, but I am lucky enough to get to stay in very nice hotels for my job. (Ritz, Swissotel etc) At Disney I realize you are paying for "location" but I have begun to feel that the price isn't worth it. (And the fact that I find the monorail to be a horrid form of transport doesn't help LOL!) At Disney if I don't stay in my DVC resort I know will only pay for Mod (with discount) or Value. That gives me the Disney "perks" at a more reasonable price (although probably still overpriced).

(Pulling on my flame proof suit... )

 

[BrianD]

CarolA, I do agree with you that the GF or any Disney Deluxe resort is not on the caliber of a Ritz or Four Seasons, yet the Disney deluxe prices (in some cases) are up in the same range as those hotels. I have stayed at a Four Seasons and will agree with you that there is no comparison as far as service goes. But, it has been my experience after multiple trips there, that the GF has the best overall service (from my perspective) of any DISNEY resort. To me, I'm not just paying for the hotel, but I'm paying for the location & Disney theming. You may say that the monorail is very bad method of transportation (which I still don't understand), but when you are one monorail stop away from the MK and a short boat ride back to the GF, to me that's about as good as it gets, with the exception of the Contemporary. We have young children and spend a lot of time at the MK, so the location is fabulous.

Now the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes may be a superior hotel to the GF, but it is not Disney, and if I were on a different sort of vacation then I might stay there. But on a Disney vacation I like to stay at Disney. And I'm sorry, but I'll take the "horrid" monorail any day over a 20 minute drive followed by a ferry, or an even longer monorail ride.

And to the OP, I'm not trying to discount CarolA's bad experience at the GF, but I just wanted you to be able to hear a favorable opinion of the resort as well.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

It's not just you...

I stayed there once. Never have I felt so ripped off at a Disney hotel and I had a good rate. The staff seemed to feel they were doing you a favor to "allow you" to stay there.

So true!

 

[Charles Darwin]

(I have actually reached the point that Disney is not getting anymore of my money for "deluxes" until they truly meet the industry standard.

ditto.


i will no longer pay $400+/night for uncomfortable beds, poor service, and mediocre housekeeping. i expect more than just "location".

 

[blondeheroine]

Just wanted to pipe in and let the OP know that I had a great time at GF. I think it would be a great setting for your honeymoon and, being as it's such a special occasion, you should definitely go all out!

I loved being able to go out to the lagoon and look at that castle at anytime of night.

 

[karensi]

I am staying at GF with my granddaughter as a present for her graduation. She is actually the one who choose GF but since I've stayed there before and enjoyed it, that was fine. Anyway, I have a concierge room (Royal Palm Club) booked and since I've never stayed at concierge in the GF before I was wondering if anyone knows if the AP discounts ever apply to the concierge rooms?? Hope this is not a silly question, but this is my first ( and probably last ) time I will ever stay concierge and any kind of a discount would be good. TIA, Karen

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

APs do not apply to concierge rooms.

 

[karensi]

APs do not apply to concierge rooms.

Thanks for letting me know that. I was really hoping to get a good AP rate to offset the cost. I guess no AAA rate either? Well at least I'll be prepared

Karen

 

[BrianD]

APs do not apply to concierge rooms.

Actually APs do apply to concierge rooms when available. All AP rates are based on availability, and often there are not AP rate rooms available in concierge, but I have seen it at multiple resorts, including RPC at the GF.

 

[nixieh]

Last year we had an AP rate for concierge rooms at the Poly and AKL and prior to that we had a AAA rate at both too so you can get concierge discounts but they are limited! We booked the AAA concierge rate about 10 months out and then got the AP rate the day the discounts were released.

Nicola

 

[karensi]

Ahhhh,so there is hope , thanks again to all,

Karen

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

I have always gotten AAA rates on my deluxe stays, including RPC at GF. I have also been very fortunate to get AP rates to replace those AAA rates. A few times I have changed resorts to receive that rate, but that was only a few times.

I have an AP rate for YC CL for June and July, and I have gotten them for CL at CR, POLY, BC, BWI, and YC.

I happen to have loved my one stay at GF and am awaiting another AP rate, so I can stay there again! I say go for it, since it is your honeymoon!

Congratulations and Best Wishes on your upcoming wedding!

 

[DISNEYDUET]

It is actually, it's our honeymoon! We don't want anything more than a garden view actually, but we both fell so much in love with the resort when we went to 1900 Park Fare that we wanted to stay there for our honeymoon.

Well then I say go for it either way! Have you ever looked at the Poly? We have always been able to get an AP discount there. We were even able to score a discount for New Years in 2006!! Best of luck with whatever you decide.