AP, DDP, DDE, Discounts

[pixidust princess]

we did the ddp last time also. my husband mentioned that a table service meal every night took up a lot of our time. you are right also. there is soooo much food. we stayed at AKL last trip and wanted to stay at WL this time, but for 5 people (3 adults and 2 children) we would have to get a deluxe room and that was pricey. I am leaning towards the poly or the boardwalk. your mention of negative reviews has me wanting to do more research. Thanks!

 

[claven123]

I wouldn't say negative reviews, I just have heard that the Poly is overpriced compared to WL. I have seen post that indicate that those who have stayed at both tend to stay at WL on subsequent visits for the cost factor alone.

I have never stayed at either, but have been to both and eaten at them.

Dennis

 

[mill4023]

Like others have said, there are no guarantees of AP discounts.
But the chances are pretty good.

For 2005 and 2006, the only dates that didn't have any AP discounts are:

10/5/05 - 10/15/05 (this is when they switched from AP rates to the Best Rate Program and because of how far in advance you had to book, these dates weren't available)
12/26/05 - 1/2/06 (christmas to new years day)
4/14/06 - 4/23/06 (weeks around Easter)
6/4/06 - 6/20/06 (peak summer ??)
12/24/06 - 1/2/06 (christmas to new years day)

This is based on the info at Mousesavers: http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html
They don't include the discount amount, but from what I remember over the last 2 years, the average AP discount off of rack rate has been about $25 on values, $40-$45 on moderates, and $80-$100 on deluxes.

If you like to eat a lot of table service, the DDE can save you a lot of money. In addition to table service meals, it can also be used at several counter service locations at AK and it can be used at the food courts at the value resorts. I think you can get the DDE discount at HDDR, but only for the 9 pm show.

 

[Daryl]

Just keep in mind the rate you pay for your entire stay is determined by the rate that applies on the day you check in

 

[twoboysmom]

I am hoping for some clarification regarding AP rates. I currently have reservations for POLY GV for 25 Jan to 1 Feb 2007 with the AAA rate of $2207.27. We are 2 Adults and 2 children and one thankfully free 2 year old. I purchased 4 7-day MYW tickets with park hoppers last summer before the prices increased. Total for tickets was $931. I just called to see if any AP rates were available for that time period but a very pleasant cast member (Berl) informed that nothing was open. I cannot check the website myself. I have read on these boards that AP rates are limited both by date and room choice. Question is do additional rooms open up or do cancellations usually occur and should I keep checking back? I have been holding off buying the AAA membership to determine if an AP rate would be better or maybe a general room-only code would occur. I have learned quite a bit lurking on this board and appreciate everyone's expertise. Thanks.

 

[mill4023]

I am hoping for some clarification regarding AP rates. I currently have reservations for POLY GV for 25 Jan to 1 Feb 2007 with the AAA rate of $2207.27. We are 2 Adults and 2 children and one thankfully free 2 year old. I purchased 4 7-day MYW tickets with park hoppers last summer before the prices increased. Total for tickets was $931. I just called to see if any AP rates were available for that time period but a very pleasant cast member (Berl) informed that nothing was open. I cannot check the website myself. I have read on these boards that AP rates are limited both by date and room choice. Question is do additional rooms open up or do cancellations usually occur and should I keep checking back? I have been holding off buying the AAA membership to determine if an AP rate would be better or maybe a general room-only code would occur. I have learned quite a bit lurking on this board and appreciate everyone's expertise. Thanks.

I just checked the passholder site and the Poly DOES have Garden View rooms available at the AP rate for your dates. The total for 7 nights, 1/25/07 to 2/1/07 is $1960(including tax).

Apparently the CM you talked to was incorrect.

So you could save $247, which means you'll basically break even if you compare the cost of an AP to the cost of 7 day hoppers. You could just upgrade one of those hoppers you bought to an AP when you get there.

 

[twoboysmom]

I just checked the passholder site and the Poly DOES have Garden View rooms available at the AP rate for your dates. The total for 7 nights, 1/25/07 to 2/1/07 is $1960(including tax).

Apparently the CM you talked to was incorrect.

So you could save $247, which means you'll basically break even if you compare the cost of an AP to the cost of 7 day hoppers. You could just upgrade one of those hoppers you bought to an AP when you get there.

Thanks for your help. Our current AAA reservation is currently about $20 better than the AP rate but we still have to join AAA ($60.00 I think). In the end the AP would be about $30 cheaper-not enough for me to spend 25 minutes on the phone with Disney again.

After all is said and done, big news here is I am returning to the Poly after a 25 year absence

 

[silmarg]

Allotted rooms with the AP rate change from day to day. When I made my ressie for my trip last month I was told the only mod with AP discount was CBR (even though I really wanted CSR). I called every few days and viola CSR became available. $45/day discount for the mods.

Whats really cool is that you can make a ressie with the AP discount even though you dont have the AP in hand at the time of the ressie... And interestinly enough the reservation clerk at CSR didnt even ask for my AP when I checked in.

Once you have you AP room discount only one member of the party needs to get an AP. So I would order the AP by phone and have it shipped to you. Once you get the AP you can call to get the DDE dining discount card (you do need a physical AP voucher in order to get the DDE card at a discount).

You can save some real money with these tricks.

 

[hockeybabe]

Has anyone had any success in getting std rooms at WL with an AP discount? I had been advised that they were very hard to get or not available as they can fill these rooms without a discount, so they only discount the pricier rooms. Any comments?

What if I make a ressie now, and then the AP discount comes out, will they discount my ressie, or will they consider the room I booked as unavailable?

TIA!

 

[Disney Fool]

I've gotten a standard room at WL twice at the rate of $105. AP rate. (value season). Also, regarding the DDE, it also gets you a discount on alcoholic drinks.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

No one has mentioned that the $60 for the DDE is for one card. If you want your spouse to have a card, it is $25 more! With only one card per family, the card holder must be present to get the discount. I have older kids so when we go, if I sent them to the food court without me, they will not get the discount. Or when my DH comes, he isn't a park person & without me there, he would not get the discount if he went to eat. You need to figure out is it worth the extra $25 for another family member to have one. I use to get it, but now it is mainly just me & either one or 2 of my kids going.. so no.. it isn't worth the extra $25 for me now...
A few years ago, the second card was free!!!! When Disney opened the DDE to all passholders (not just FL residents & FL resident passholders) they changed the policy & started charging for the second card. They know they are getting you... and many might not agree, but I think it is unfair to do this to a family. My 14 DD cannot go to the food court with my DDE card, my DL & room key to use this anymore... when the second card was free, they allowed this as well It is all about the money now with them, not the family