AP discount hotel rate question

[DisneyJenn18]

hi everyone!

I'm looking to go to disney on sept 9th thru the 13th, and was hoping to splurge and stay at GC, the rate online says $239 on a few of the days, but when I called they said it was $369 each night? I don't get it?

I tried to explain that to the gal online, but she was very short with me and said I have no clue what's on there...I was like..umm okay, but the phone number is on there? anyways, I knew I could probably get the scoop here...this is my first time with an AP, and I have never used it yet to get a good hotel rate.

any advice? THANKS in advance!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Ideas.

Did you ask for the AP7 rate specifically?

I'm looking on the calendar, and the 12th is unavailable, and I don't know if that's just for the rate or entirely. If it's available at all, it's possible that night is SO high it's bringing the average up to 369, even taking the lower rates into account?

It's possible they can't mix an AP rate and a normal rate (if the 12th is available at all) and are just giving you the normal rate?

 

[Sherry E]

I just happened to look on the DL site last night (they sent me an e-mail with special rates) and noticed they have some special Fall Rates (which are similar to the PIN# rates that were going around). That is what the $239 is. You can't combine that with your AP for a discount. You can only get the AP 10% discount off of the regular $369 price. The AP7 rates would be something else entirely.

 

[DisneyJenn18]

I asked for the AP rate, and she said $369, and than I said please enter AP7, and it was the same rate...I really think the lady was off? When you go to the site, the 10th, and 11th are at 239....but maybe that friday rate was so high it averages to 369..

gosh, I really want to stay at that hotel, but I don't know if I can do that rate...too much!

 

[bumbershoot]

Sherry, the 239 comes up on the AP website's hotel availability calendar, as the lowest price for APs. It might also be available to non AP holders, but the same rate (if not rate name) should be there for APs.

Jenn, as always with Disney, if you get someone who is rude or doesn't know what they are talking about, just call again.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, the 239 comes up on the AP website's hotel availability calendar, as the lowest price for APs. It might also be available to non AP holders, but the same rate (if not rate name) should be there for APs.

Jenn, as always with Disney, if you get someone who is rude or doesn't know what they are talking about, just call again.

Yes, it sounds like they must be offering another promo deal to non-AP people, which is what I saw when I got their e-mail (and this is not the infamous PIN# offer but basically the same rates offered to anyone who didn't get the PIN, I guess!), as well as the $239 for AP holders. And Fridays are blocked out a lot, aren't they?

Well, Jenn, this would be a pain, but what you could always do is book that Friday night at the regular $369 rate and use the 10% discount, and the three nights prior to it you will have the AP special rate, and if that is not available, then that special Fall promo rate. You might have to break up your stay into two reservations, but it could work, if I am understanding correctly.

 

[DisneyJenn18]

you are absolutely right! I was just saying that to my mom! lol (my poor mom is the one pushing for us to go "big" this time!)

I will have to call tommorrow morning and see what I can find out, but thanks for offering some re-assurance!

 

[Sherry E]

Oh, and by the way, they often don't know what they are talking about over at DLR! One of our other members on this board got the special PIN# number offer that I just mentioned and was booking her own room at the GCH. Whoever it was that processed the booking keyed her in at the Cast Member rate, so she got her GCH room (in December) for the Cast Member rate which was substantially lower than the PIN# discount! I mean, it was probably in the stars for her to get that rate, and it was a wonderful, fortunate mistake, but it was a mistake nonetheless. Can you imagine if the mistake is made to your disadvantage and they charge more than they should? It probably happens. Right now, there are so many different promos floating around - the PIN#, the Fall Rates offer, the AP stuff, other special rates on other sites...and even with just the PIN# offer alone, not every person got offered the same rates for hotels on their PIN postcards and/or e-mails. It is probably a big push by Disney to get people in on the usual 'off-peak season' and they can't handle the volume of calls or questions, I guess, It sounds like they really don't know what offers are out there that people are supposed to be using! They are probably confused little Cast Members.

 

[jenpace]

Jenn, as always with Disney, if you get someone who is rude or doesn't know what they are talking about, just call again.

Molly (bumbershoot) is SO right about that! Sad but true...if you get a CM that doesn't seem "dialed in" to all the information you have, call back and see what the next CM knows. Often times you'll have much better luck with someone else!

GL and have a great time

 

[lulubelle]

Just a word of caution to anyone who is booked at a CM rate and does not have a CM with ID or a special check in card that only a CM can get, they will not honor that rate. ANYONE can call and ask for and book at the CM rate. No proof is required for the reservation. It is when you check in that you must validate your entitlement of it. It is the same with AP, anyone can request and reserve with it, but if you do not have a valid AP when checking in, you are charged a higher rate. I speak from experience. DD is a CM and she was to meet me in the lobby of DLH to check in. The line was long so I stood in line and waited for her. My check in was complete but they would not give me the rate and made me wait (they were very nice about it), until she showed up with her ID. I wouldn't want anyone to have a bad start to their trip because they think the CM booked them at lower rate and they don't get it.

 

[Sherry E]

Just a word of caution to anyone who is booked at a CM rate and does not have a CM with ID or a special check in card that only a CM can get, they will not honor that rate. ANYONE can call and ask for and book at the CM rate. No proof is required for the reservation. It is when you check in that you must validate your entitlement of it. It is the same with AP, anyone can request and reserve with it, but if you do not have a valid AP when checking in, you are charged a higher rate. I speak from experience. DD is a CM and she was to meet me in the lobby of DLH to check in. The line was long so I stood in line and waited for her. My check in was complete but they would not give me the rate and made me wait (they were very nice about it), until she showed up with her ID. I wouldn't want anyone to have a bad start to their trip because they think the CM booked them at lower rate and they don't get it.

I think what happened in the case of the person on this board who was lucky enough to get the CM rate (I know who it was but I don't want to mention her name) because of a CM's error is that, before the call ended, the CM realized the mistake and said that she was supposed to be charged X number of dollars instead (the PIN# offer rate), BUT they decided to honor the rate they quoted her just because of the inconvenience factor, and let her have the GCH room at the CM rate anyway, which I thought was really cool! She got a GCH room for something like $219 - in December!!! I told her I think it was meant to be for her. She called on the right day at the right time and got a great surprise! Hopefully, they will not give her grief when she checks in.

Oh, and what you were saying about how you have to meet your daughter in the lobby when you check into the hotel in order to get the CM rate/discount - I know what you mean. Last year, I almost had to do that with someone I knew who worked for Disney (and then was laid off just before my trip ). She would have either had to meet me at the hotel and show her CM info at the desk, OR there are 'CM stations' in Burbank/Glendale, Anaheim and Los Angeles where the Disney employees can go and pick up vouchers for their friends/family and all the CM info is entered onto the voucher. Then the CM/employee gives the voucher to the family member and the family member can go to the hotel and park without the Disney employee needing to be there? Did your daughter tell you about that?

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

For 239 or 369 a night worth a nights rate at the GCH.

What am I missing besides being a cheapo I just cant see why on earth you would want to spend that much money on a room.

Help me out here what am I missing do you get popcorn with the room?

 

[lulubelle]

Hi Sherry,
Yes, I meant to say "voucher" instead of "check in pass". Luckily, it has always been the case that she is able to meet us there. I am glad the poster had special circumstances and it sounds like she will get that awesome rate with no problems. I know last Dec we stayed the Grand for $229 per night and that was the best rate out there. Heck, my birthday trip is Nov 1 - 4 and we are paying $280 for a DTD view. And believe it or not, my trip on Oct 17 - 18 the AP rate of $159 for a PP view room is cheaper than any CM rate available. I stay on site 4 times a year and usually one of the four trips the rate is cheaper with an AP, the other three times it's the CM rate. Go figure!

Bluegrizzlies, it's all a matter of preference. What you are willing and able to pay. We also stay offsite sometimes, but do not mind spending over $200 per night for onsite when it is a special occasion.

 

[Sherry E]

For 239 or 369 a night worth a nights rate at the GCH.

What am I missing besides being a cheapo I just cant see why on earth you would want to spend that much money on a room.

Help me out here what am I missing do you get popcorn with the room?

Hee hee. No popcorn in my room, though we did get nightly chocolates with the offer for turndown service! It is just a very, very nice, beautiful hotel. And it is very conveniently located to DTD and the entrance to the parks, moreso than the other two Disney hotels. Gorgeous lobby and decor and all that. I stayed there twice, spread out six years apart, mind you. I would stay there again if I had the funds for it because my group seemed to get much more accomplished overall when we stayed at the closest hotel. But it is definitely a 'splurge' thing to do just every now and then. GCH is not for everyone. Bumbershoot makes a very good point about why staying off-property frees up more money to stay longer or buy more stuff. And GCH is the most expensive of the three Disney hotels, so one really has to think hard about staying there and the money being spent. It is not something to do all the time unless you are rich, but it is a very lovely treat every once in a while!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

I guess if people go on vacation and hang out at the hotel I just like being at the parks open to close go to sleep and do it again.

Im not bashing it just wondered why?

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry,
Yes, I meant to say "voucher" instead of "check in pass". Luckily, it has always been the case that she is able to meet us there. I am glad the poster had special circumstances and it sounds like she will get that awesome rate with no problems. I know last Dec we stayed the Grand for $229 per night and that was the best rate out there. Heck, my birthday trip is Nov 1 - 4 and we are paying $280 for a DTD view. And believe it or not, my trip on Oct 17 - 18 the AP rate of $159 for a PP view room is cheaper than any CM rate available. I stay on site 4 times a year and usually one of the four trips the rate is cheaper with an AP, the other three times it's the CM rate. Go figure!

Bluegrizzlies, it's all a matter of preference. What you are willing and able to pay. We also stay offsite sometimes, but do not mind spending over $200 per night for onsite when it is a special occasion.

I am glad to know that sometimes the other offers are better than the CM rates! I got my PPH room for October for the $159 rate on the PIN# offer I received, but from what I heard, some people were getting different rates quoted on the PIN offers. Some of them said $169 for DLH and some of them said $179. Some of them said $149 for PPH. All of them seemed to say $259 for GCH. So I guess those rates were not much different than the AP7 rates. And now there is this other crazy Fall Promo thing going around - at least, there was a link to it in the Disney newsletter that was e-mailed to me a couple of nights ago. And those rates seem to be like the PIN#/AP7 rates, give or take ten or twenty dollars here and there. But they all have blackout dates and seem to stop at December 18 or in one case, I saw December 19 as being the last day. I love the GCH and would love to go back there for Christams again, but without SOME sort of discount - even just the AP 10% - it is rough to do at those $369 rates!

I am with you - I love staying onsite too. It completes the experience for me to be in one of the Disney hotels. That is great that your daughter doesn't have to go to the CM Station to get the voucher for you and can just meet you there to get you checked in! And by the way, I always notice this in your signature - you three are a beautiful family! You all look perfect together!

 

[luvsmickey1968]

I agree with others who have suggested calling back and speaking to someone else to see if you get different information.
I have had this problem many times with many organizations and Disney seems to have a lot of this too!
I called recently to get some information about tours.
The first CM I spoke to was very helpful and gave me all sorts of information on what tours would be available on what days according to the information that was available to her at that moment as tours cannot actually be booked until a month out!
She seemed very knowledgable and was very eager to help!
I had a few more questions so I called back and spoke to someone else.
This CM was not helpful at all and bordered on being unpleasant!
She told me that she could not provide any information on any tour until it was actually 30 days out!
I called back again and spoke to a CM who was also very eager to help but did not seem as knowledgeable as the first CM.
He was able to provide me with information on tours even though they were not in the month window!
I have also booked a room at the Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian recently.
I was able to get the rates as indicated on the calendar for certain dates but not for others and the CM I spoke with told me that the Hotel Availibility Calendar is not always up to date!
I find that when you look at the Hotel Availibility Calendar, it does not seem to make a lot of sense!
For example, on Thursday, September 18th and Friday, September 19th, a standard room at the Disneyland Hotel is indicated as $225.00 on each night.
A view room on the Thursday is indicated as $257.00 and on Friday night it is $179.00.
I have a feeling that if you called reservations that they do not have view rooms at the Disneyland Hotel on Friday, September 19th for $179.00.
I think the calendar is not correct!
I say call again as you may get a different answer but I don't think you can depend on the Hotel Availibility Calendar to be accurate!

 

[Disneyanajc]

I am glad to know that sometimes the other offers are better than the CM rates! I got my PPH room for October for the $159 rate on the PIN# offer I received, but from what I heard, some people were getting different rates quoted on the PIN offers. Some of them said $169 for DLH and some of them said $179. Some of them said $149 for PPH. All of them seemed to say $259 for GCH. So I guess those rates were not much different than the AP7 rates. And now there is this other crazy Fall Promo thing going around

Because of a mistake on the part of a CM when I booked my Pin Code for the DLH for Decmeber...I was able to get the DGC for the DLH rate of $169.00 plus tax ($194.35)...The CM I talked to was very nice and repeated my reservation information back to me...but when I got my confirmation it said PPH...long story short...sometimes the CM can be very helpful and still make a mistake...check everything...and the one thing I learned from this mistake...they do record your conversations...and can check out your conversations with a CM...JC

 

[Sherry E]

Because of a mistake on the part of a CM when I booked my Pin Code for the DLH for Decmeber...I was able to get the DGC for the DLH rate of $169.00 plus tax ($194.35)...The CM I talked to was very nice and repeated my reservation information back to me...but when I got my confirmation it said PPH...long story short...sometimes the CM can be very helpful and still make a mistake...check everything...and the one thing I learned from this mistake...they do record your conversations...and can check out your conversations with a CM...JC

So, I am not clear - even after you saw PPH on the confirmation, you are still getting the GCH in December for $169? That is even better than the rate the other member of this board got, who benefited from the CM mistake! You are supremely lucky! That is unreal! See, just as with the other person this happened to, I think it was meant to be for you to get it as well. They did make a mistake on mine when I booked PPH - they sent me a confirmation that had someone else's hotel info and address on it, and sent my confirm. to someone else!!! I didn't get a good benefit like you did! But it is scary because these Disney CM's are beginning to make a lot of mistakes with all of these promos and discounts running around. I don't think they know how to handle it. They seem to be very disorganized and uninformed.

 

[Disneyanajc]

Hi Sherry E...here is what I posted in the thread "If you have been dreamed at DLR - Post here!"...

This is what I call my Disney Dreamed ...I was able to get the DGC for $194.35 (including tax) per night for the first week in December…here is what happened…When the Pin Code rate came out in July I received one…after some thought I booked the Disneyland Hotel using the code…I was given the price of $169.00 plus tax (15%) per night, and put a one night deposit down…A couple of days later I get my confirmation letter in the mail…ONLY it is for the Paradise Pier Hotel?? I called and asked why the wrong hotel and the CM checked in the system and said “just a minute” and then after a few minutes a supervisor came on line…Very Nice Lady…ask me a few questions…then she said…”She would need to review the conversation I had when I initially booked”. Yes they do record your conversations…She called back the same day and told me what I already knew…I had asked for the DLH…She told me the discounted rates are fully booked and they can’t book the DLH for me… I started to go ahead and cancel this reservation when she stopped me and asked if she could call me back…OK… and within the hour she calls and asked if I would like the DGC for the same price as the DLH…Magic of Disney! Outstanding customer service! Christmas time at Disney...

I think because I had put down a one night deposit for the DLH (or what I thought was for the DLH) and I had asked for the DLH...the supervisor tried to get me the rate and room at the DLH and couldn't...so she offered me the DGC for the DLH price...JC