Anyone see the new rules for the AP rates

[CharlesTD]

http://www.mousesavers.com/newapdiscounts.html

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840378

Ap rates aren't sounding so great anymore with the new stipulations.

 

[hockey mom]

I know, I was just telling my DH about them. I really do not like the "one night non-refundable deposit".

 

[bicker]

One of the things I think Disney will look at very closely is how readily the discount inventory they allocate sells-out. I remember, back when I was vying for AP discounts at the resort, how difficult it was to get through on the telephone for the discount when it was announced. Early on, I didn't even hear about the discounts until long after they were already gone. As time went on, I'd hear about them, but still have trouble making my reservation in time. I think, out of five years, we got one AP discount. So if this change means that folks don't have that disappointing experience so much, yet Disney still fills the rooms they're hoping to, then it's a winning strategy IMHO.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I usually don't buy an AP until I get to MCO so I guess I won't be able to get the room discount now. The 120-day rule also cancels the possibility of any last minute trips for me.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

I don't like this at all.. having an AP activated makes one lose time... if you book 3 months in advance and aren't going until then you really only have a 9 month AP not a year.

 

[CharlesTD]

This is making the DVC purchases look even better now. We have our accomodations locked in and pre paid for years and years to come.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

You know I was just thinking that, I am glad that I am renting points for my trip.
We are using the CAA discount for the 1st 2 nights then off to OKW on rented points!
Looks much better to me. Wish I had the $$ to buy into DVC but this ok for now.

 

[disney funseeker]

I don't like this at all.. having an AP activated makes one lose time... if you book 3 months in advance and aren't going until then you really only have a 9 month AP not a year.

That's the way I look at it too.

 

[bicker]

Well, it does tend to direct the discount towards encouraging additional trips to WDW that folks wouldn't otherwise have taken, and away from providing a discount on trips that would have been made regardless of the discount.

 

[U2FanHfx]

Posted on another board...

So here are the facts on the Passholder “Best Rate” Program offer...

This discount offer can only be booked online at the Passholder website. Passholder discount offers will still be available thru 1-407-W-DISNEY but the discount percentage will be greater if booked online with this Program. The online offer is guaranteed to be the best offer* available at the time of the booking for the travel period offered. If Disney subsequently reduces the room rate to the general public* for the same room and nights you booked online under the program, Disney will automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate.

The reservation must be made at least 120 days prior to arrival date. Currently the program is only available for arrivals through 12_19_05. An adult Passholder using the Passholder’s credit card must make the reservation. The adult Passholder MUST be part of the traveling party. Only one room can be booked per reservation.

You can book this offer using an Annual Pass Exchange Voucher ID number, and your voucher will then be validated by the website at the time of the booking.

A one-night NON-REFUNDABLE credit card payment is required at the time of booking. No further payments can be made by phone or mail; the balance is due at check-in at the resort. The Passholder must present their valid annual pass at check-in.

A Modification Penalty of $50 will be charged for any changes to the length of stay, party size, room type, resort, arrival or departure dates, or to change child’s age. All modifications must be made by phone, and can be made up to the day prior to arrival.

The number of rooms and nights available for this Program is limited and rooms are not available every night. This Program is subject to change or discontinuance at any time and without notice.

*Does not include group rates, auction rates, or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements. Note that Disney considers Passholder rates, Florida Resident rates and any broad offer (advertised on disneyworldcom or in local newspapers, tv ads, etc) to be general public discount offers.

 

[seashoreCM]

... Passholder “Best Rate” Program offer...

This discount offer can only be booked online at the Passholder website. Passholder discount offers will still be available thru 1-407-W-DISNEY but the discount percentage will be greater if booked online with this Program. .

Hmm. Apparently the old system of booking AP rates will still exist, with the old rules (including exhaustion of availability on the day of IPO).

Just that a new system with new rules, that may or may not yield an even bigger discount, has been introduced.

From what I see, you can still book AP rates for arrival on the first day of your AP's lifespan.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

I often book 30 or fewer days in advance. Last trip (May '05) stayed offsite because it was regular season rather than value season and I didn't even want to pay the AP rate offered.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I would NEVER activate my AP 120 days early...No way will I ever stay on-site unless there is some kind of package because this is just wrong...

but to each his/her own...but this leaves me out of AP rates unless it's trip number 2 of that year...

I kinda like off-site and with these new rules, that's where I'll be.

 

[bicker]

with these new rules, that's where I'll be.

I don't understand. Given that this new program doesn't prevent you from taking advantage of any AP discounts that they offer the old way, why would the existence of this option prompt you to change your preferences?

 

[PhotobearSam]

I must be missing something then...

 

[U2FanHfx]

Hi All,

The old way will still be available as per seashoreCM. However, the 'limited' rooms available will be applied to the people who have signed up to the Best Rate program first. This means that you could be out in the cold if they are sold out based on the number of people in the new program.

Regs,

CJM

 

[CharlesTD]

I honestly have to say though do people only buy an AP which is really just a park ticket just to get a room discount. If this is the reason you bought one you got it for the wrong reason. Afterall the room discount is a PERK not a guarantee so if you did buy it for the discount then you wasted your money.

 

[briarberry]

I took some good advice from this very board about 2 months ago when I was booking our August trip. I booked what I could afford then watched the boards for AP discounts. I was lucky enough get one and saved several hundred dollars. We would still have gone without the discount but the discount was great, in fact I called and booked an additional two nights.
We are going again within the same year so the APs made sense for us. I understand why people are upset with the new "rules" but personally I won't go into major debt to go to WDW, I wouldn't enjoy it.

 

[U2FanHfx]

I agree with Briarberry that I only book what I know I can afford. One of the best perks of the annual passes, especially for us canuks, is the room discount. I was able to afford even with our dollar to upgrade to AKL last december and again this August. However, in October I'll never know if I can since I worry about losing my deposit if I upgrade. I didn't buy the passes because of this perk since we were visiting so much, however it did play a major part in the final decision. Sort of like the straw that broke the camel's back.

Regs,

CJM

 

[maryliz]

I have had AP's 3 times, and have been able to make use of AP discounts on most of the 9 trips I've used (or am using) them on. I didn't buy the AP's for the room discounts, but they certainly allowed me to spend more $$$ on character meals and souvies with the $ I saved. I don't like this new system whatsoever ... come on, a non-refundable deposit and a $50 charge if I want to change the number of nights. Get real WDW -- we usually drive so almost always know our exact dates. But for those booking a room, and then looking to get their airfare, they may or may not get the exact dates they book for. If Disney is concerned that people were taking advantage of AP rates when they really weren't entitled to them, maybe they should train their CM's properly to insist on seeing the AP at check-in.

As a repeat passholder, I will be expressing my concern with this new program to Disney. I think those that don't like it need to fill up those e-mail boxes at Disney with their opinion. I'm hoping this will be something they'll learn pretty quickly was a mistake ... kind of like those park tickets in the early 90's that needed your picture on them, and were only good for each of the 3 parks (one per day) plus one "choose your favourite park for the 4th day". They were short-lived because the idea was just plain-stupid.

MaryLiz

 

[CharlesTD]

We have never bought AP's and never will we have no use for them we only do 5 park days per trip and that includes our waterpark day. I can now see why Disney offered such a steep discount on the AP's to DVC members we got 100 dollars off each pass when purchasing and 75 off each pass when renewing. Even before DVC we never used discount codes other than a Magic kingdom Club rate back in 99. We always book just what we knew we could save for and afford and went to Disney no more no less we don't feel a discount is a necessety or required if you need the discount to stay at a certain level of resort then maybe stay off site or get a lower level of accomodation rather than the WL go to Coronado or another moderate. If you use the discount to get a moderate then maybe get an All Star or POP room or as said go off site. Tourism is up in Florida Disney is now going to fewer and fewer discounts as they don't see the need to reduce rates on accomodations when they know they can fill rooms at the higher rates.