Another AP question......

[wdisneyaholic]

We are planning a trip for July 2012. Our plans our for 2 adults and 3 boys ages 11 and 12. We are celebrating DH 16th year at work and he wants to stay YC CL. We love YC and stay there almost every trip but this would be the first time CL. My dilema is I am hoping for some sort of discount (although DH says we will be doing CL even if it means rack rate).

So I was thinking that at the very least I could book with a AAA discount. But was thinking that if we purchased 1 AP that maybe we could get the AP rate if one comes out. Question is do you have to purchase the AP before you book the room? and how do you know when the AP rates come out?

I know some people dont think CL is worth the money and we may feel that way after this trip but we wanted to splurge as a treat and money isnt the issue (for him at least) I would just feel better getting at least some discount..

TIA

 

[nrpofp]

No you don't have to purchase it before you book. You will have to show it to the front desk probably within the first 24 hours. If you purchase it before you go they will send you a certificate that you can activate at guest services on your first day. The Ap discounts for summer came out in April or May. I'm not sure if the whole month of August is even out yet. The best thing about purchasing it early is you can register it online and access the passholder site. This will allow you to check prices and availabity. I hate having to call and then feeling pressured to book right then. If your planning on returning again in 2013 you might wan't to consider buying Aps for the whole family its a great savings on a future trip.

 

[greengeen]

Just a heads up - it used to be that AP discounts came out before public discounts, and they were much bigger discounts. But recently the general public discounts come out BEFORE the AP and Florida resident discounts, and they're almost exactly the same. Also - July is a peak month and sometimes you can't get an AP discount during peak times; or if the discount is available, it's only for "select" resorts, and YC may not be included. I just checked the current AP discount for July 10-16 online, just as an example, and YC is not available. And the current AP discount doesn't include Fridays and Saturdays, while the public discount usually does! Go figure.

So you should not buy an AP with the expectation that you'll get a discount for a specific resort and time. You should just keep an eye out for the public discount specials, and read the discussion boards about ALL discounts as they come out. Unfortunately you still have almost a year before you'll know if there are any discounts at all... hang in there!

 

[rt2dz]

Policy is that you need to provide an active AP or a voucher when you book, but it's ignored 99% of the time, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you do get that one CM who asks, you can either purchase on the spot, or explain you have tickets you are upgrading when you get there (if that is the plan). If you go for the latter and they still refuse, just politely thank them, hang up and call right back. Odds of it happening again are slim. You should have an Activated AP at check-in. A voucher is usually OK as long as you show them an active AP prior to check-out.

I wouldn't purchase one ahead of time if that is the only reason you are purchasing an AP. I'd wait and see what the AP discount is and if it is available for YC CL. Also, I'd compare it carefully to any other discounts that might be available at the same time. Discounts are based on availability. You can book the room and apply a discount at any time, if available.

If you want to save a little money, I'd buy tickets now (under old pricing if still available), use them once, and then upgrade tickets. To get a discount on a room though, remember you only need one AP.

To keep up with discount rates, check here. Or at MouseSavers (sign up for the newsletter; Mary sometimes sends out notice with a special newsletter when discounts are realeased.). Or at Mouse Misers (they are fast about email out discount news). It's relatively very simple.

 

[nrpofp]

Policy is that you need to provide an active AP or a voucher when you book, but it's ignored 99% of the time, so I wouldn't worry about it. If you do get that one CM who asks, you can either purchase on the spot, or explain you have tickets you are upgrading when you get there (if that is the plan). If you go for the latter and they still refuse, just politely thank them, hang up and call right back. Odds of it happening again are slim. You should have an Activated AP at check-in. A voucher is usually OK as long as you show them an active AP prior to check-out.

I wouldn't purchase one ahead of time if that is the only reason you are purchasing an AP. I'd wait and see what the AP discount is and if it is available for YC CL. Also, I'd compare it carefully to any other discounts that might be available at the same time. Discounts are based on availability. You can book the room and apply a discount at any time, if available.

If you want to save a little money, I'd buy tickets now (under old pricing if still available), use them once, and then upgrade tickets. To get a discount on a room though, remember you only need one AP.

To keep up with discount rates, check here. Or at MouseSavers (sign up for the newsletter; Mary sometimes sends out notice with a special newsletter when discounts are realeased.). Or at Mouse Misers (they are fast about email out discount news). It's relatively very simple.

We had vouchers, but the cm at the poly never asked to see them. I had no trouble booking with an Ap discount even though I had not purchased my Aps yet. I would book with the general public discount and then when the ap discounts are released you can decide which is the better deal.