Anyone else going nuts waiting for the AP rates for later than mid April?

[SeaSpray]

LOL! When I've booked a trip in the past, I call CRO and book the trip! But DH and I are now considering buying annual passes because it's become apparent to us that we'll be going to WDW more frequently now. So if we do buy APs, we'd like to take advantage of the room discounts. And since we're planning for mid-May, I am going nuts just waiting and waiting for the (if any!) discounts to be announced!! LOL

I am torn between just calling and booking with the AAA rate, or just waiting until the AP discounts come out (again, that's IF they come out!!).

I don't know how you current AP holders deal with this waiting! LOL Any hints or suggestions??

 

[Denmark]

Hi SeaSpray!

It has been a too long wait for me too, im a current AP holder, and i would like to go in July, but it all depends on if they release AP discounted rooms, if not, then ill go to Disneyland Paris!

 

[mickeyluv]

Yes I'm waiting also as patiently as I possibly can We are currently are AP holders and I really hope that they offer something for after 4-8. If not, we opt for buying DVC points.

 

[married2grumpy]

We are waiting for mid May also. We have our airfare booked but no resort booked yet. That is the fun of having AP's, you never know if or when they will release those rates. And when they do, you may not get the resort you want.

We are flexible with where we stay so as long as those rates are released I'm sure we'll find a resort to stay in!

 

[helenk]

I "patiently" waiting for the rates for May. I currently have the POFQ booked with the AAA rate, but would love a better deal.
Maybe we will see some extension of the dates available in February.

 

[Tess]

Don't despair, the rates have been there for as long as we have been passholders. I had hopes that we might be receiving those rates earlier as WDW did a combination of the "old" passholder rate plan and the BRP thing. I would LOVE to have those rates out 120 days in advance versus the 60 days out that was normal prior to BRP.

It seems that with the end of the "wicked witch" BRP, they've also delayed issuance of passholder rates--reverting to the "good old days". If you are looking for May, you may not see AP rates until close (or after) expiration of the current round (4/8/06). That's the way it has worked in the past and I'm guessing that Disney is headed in a backward direction. Since they are back to offering AP rates within the 60 day window, then they have probably abandoned the early release dates as well--just guessing though--I have no inside information.

IF the "old way" has been reinstated, you won't see May/June rates until sometime in April--after the spring break rush--we may have a long wait. I am fairly certain there will be AP rates, however, we'll just have to wait for them as has been the pattern (with the exception of just post 911) for quite a number of years.

Hang tight--make your res for May with AAA and hedge your bets in the event your choice location will not be available. Just be willing to pay the rate you book in the event you aren't able to obtain it when the rates are ultimately released. That said, we've been able to book Polynesian GVC with an AP rate for all but one year in the past (and we were able to book w/a great Disney VISA rate that year). We've never had a problem with mods--we just had to be flexible on which mod.

I feel your pain--it's very frustrating--I wish we could be guaranteed AP rate and book when we wanted, early or late--sadly, that ain't happenin'.

BTW, loved your past pix of the Polynesian!

 

[Texa]

Yes! Yes! Me too!

 

[srfrgrl07]

I feel your pain--it's very frustrating--I wish we could be guaranteed AP rate and book when we wanted, early or late--sadly, that ain't happenin'.

I think that's what BRP was designed for (at least the early part) but it seems that the restrictions WDW imposed in order to grant that "guaranteed" discount were not very well received. In a perfect world, we would all get what we want when we want it, but Disney just doesn't have the ability to predict months in advance when they will have vacancies and at what rate they are willing to offer discounts at. I can't fault them for that, but I'm sure there must be a compromise between the two that I hope they are exploring now.

I think your advice was very good and encouraging. That is a great perspective, if you ask me.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm waiting too, for May. We're booked at the Swan, but I'd love to stay at AKL!

 

[kurt41076]

The past two years the AP rates for later April through July 4th time have come out around the second week of April. So be patient for the codes, butI would go ahead and book your room ressie's so you can make dining reservations for your trip. You can always cancel room only reservations up to a couple weeks before your trip I believe.

 

[gobledygook]

We're waiting too! Our trip is April 24 and it was nerve wracking when the rates came out and were only through the middle of the month. It's all part of the game though, and part of the fun of planning!

 

[speedyf]

The only glimmer of hope we have is that when they recently announced that the rates would be switching away from the BRP and back to the "old school" style rates, they mentioned that these new rates would be released months ahead of time.

So...being a DIS'er and (when waiting for a code) taking everything at it's total literal meaning....months ahead of time means at least 2 months. If the current rates are out until April 8th, then new rates would need to be released by February 9th for people to book "months (2) ahead" of time for April 9th.

See how easy that was to figure out....

Speed

 

[Allison]

The past two years the AP rates for later April through July 4th time have come out around the second week of April. So be patient for the codes, butI would go ahead and book your room ressie's so you can make dining reservations for your trip. You can always cancel room only reservations up to a couple weeks before your trip I believe.

You don't have to have a room reservation to make dining reservations. Off-site guests can also make ADR's. They aren't tied together. The perk onsite guest have is the ability to make ADR's at 180 days for 10 days of their stay.

 

[cavepig]

Actually, the last two years AP rates for April to July came out on March 9. In 2003 they came out on April 21 for April 28 to July 3.

So it may not be until March, which isn't too fun of wait for Easter people. We aren't going until May 19 so I guess we'll be patient, but at least we got our airline tickets already.

 

[Alice42]

I am going nuts too, but this happens every year so I am used to the waiting game. Usually the discount is worth the wait. Meanwhile, I have been checking the DIS a couple times a day and looking on mousesavers to keep me occupied!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I just got my Mousesavers newsletter and it hinted, broadly, that something good was coming our way in the next couple of months. I cannot wait to see what it might be since we will be headed down for the Flower and Garden Show and are flexible on our dates.

Slightly Goofy

 

[SeaSpray]

Well I did it! LOL

Thanks for the replies and opinions and information, everyone!!

I decided to book the airfare and book PO-FQ at the AAA discount rate this morning, so now it's official, we are definitely going!!

I am still going to be watching for an AP discount because we really do want to buy APs. But I feel so much better knowing that at the very least, I have the AAA discount in case we decide to not get the APs, or if for some strange reason, there are no AP discounts for our dates.

Thanks again all!

 

[kapica3]

Does anyone remember when AP rates historically came out for after July 3? I already have a trip booked but would like to compare the MYW deal with the AP deal. (...also wondering if there is any chance they would discount a MYW package with a code?)

 

[crs7568]

I just got my Mousesavers newsletter and it hinted, broadly, that something good was coming our way in the next couple of months.

I saw that in the letter and I can't stop wondering what might be coming in the next few months. Let's hope it is something great!