AP discount vs.General code savings

[square pond]

Hi I am trying to find out what the difference in savings usually is between a General Public code and an AP code. Is the savings usually significant enough to justify spending 200.00 more on the AP? We are booked at the Poly 4 and YC 3 nights the end of April. I haven't been able to find any historical info on the actual amount of discounts for that time of year

 

[pumpkinboy]

Well, my experience on this is somewhat limited, since we've only had APs since November. But, so far the General Public discount has worked better for us. Our dtaes are for mid-April and a great General Public discount came out before the AP discounts for our dates, and appear to be a better deal than the AP deals. But again, this is only for our specific dates and only thus far in 2005.

 

[DMRick]

For us the AP codes have always been better than the general codes..but not by a lot. During the times we generally go, the AP rate was generally $10-15 less a night for the mods and values. I believe the bigger savings is for the deluxes. We go several times a year, and have gotten 1 -3 rooms, so it adds up for us.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Hi I am trying to find out what the difference in savings usually is between a General Public code and an AP code. Is the savings usually significant enough to justify spending 200.00 more on the AP? We are booked at the Poly 4 and YC 3 nights the end of April. I haven't been able to find any historical info on the actual amount of discounts for that time of year

We were in EXACTLY the same situation when planning this upcoming trip. No AP and only this trip planned (6 nights), so would only buy an AP if the room discount paid for it.

People traveling Jan-Feb.'05 were posting that the general public room code rate came out first and then the AP code came out shortly thereafter. They were reporting that the AP rate was nearly the same as general room -- in the $10/night less range.

The same thing then happened for our time period. First the general public room code (BDP) came out then the AP code came out and they were nearly the same (at least for our hotel). For ex: Poly. Garden View AP rate is $287+tax and public is $291+tax. So we passed on buying an AP and instead bought our Park Hoppers from Hotwire.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

P.S. DMRick - Just noticed your countdown clock says that you are leaving this weekend! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[square pond]

Thanks to everyone for your quick replies! I am leaning toward regular 10 day passes since we are not planning another trip this year. Although I'm sure if I had APs I would be trying to figure out a way to go again!! So I guess APs can be a bad thing in that aspect. I also thought the new Dining card might be a nice perk but if the savings for the room are not much better than the general code I don't think we can justify the extra expense.

 

[swilphil]

For the Contemporary Garden wing the BDP rate was $235, and the AP rate was $199, so it was worth it for us to get 1 AP.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Thanks to everyone for your quick replies! I am leaning toward regular 10 day passes since we are not planning another trip this year. Although I'm sure if I had APs I would be trying to figure out a way to go again!! So I guess APs can be a bad thing in that aspect. I also thought the new Dining card might be a nice perk but if the savings for the room are not much better than the general code I don't think we can justify the extra expense.

If it turns out that AP rates are better AND you are able to book one, you could upgrade one MYW pass to an AP if the savings is more than the cost of the upgrade.

 

[cobbler]

I remember last year December AP rates for Value were 49/night while general code was 55/night. So not a huge difference.

I wouldn't suggest getting an AP unless you plan on using it more than that trip or are going to be spending 8-9+ days there. The difference between the two codes wouldn't make up for the extra $$ you would spend on an AP.

 

[speedyf]

I have the rates from last year at this time. I don't know if this year will be the same...but, it's something to compare:

I saved this from mousesavers last year:

AP Rates:

Annual Passholder rates for 4/28/03-7/3/03:
Some sample rates:
All Stars - $59 standard
Moderates - $74 standard
Animal Kingdom Lodge - $124 standard, $201 savannah view, $280 deluxe savannah view, $365 concierge
Wilderness Lodge - $124 standard (very limited availability), $139 woods view, $270 concierge
Ft. Wilderness Cabins - $144
Contemporary - $149 standard garden wing, $320 tower club
Polynesian - $199 garden view, $285 lagoon view, $295 garden view concierge
Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club - $215 standard, $365 water view concierge
Grand Floridian - $275 garden view
Old Key West - $270 one-bedroom villa

General Public Rates:

Ask for Code ### and get special discounted rates at select Walt Disney World resorts for check-ins 4/18/04-7/4/04. Some sample rates:

Value Resorts - $74 standard
Moderates - $94 standard
Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge - $139 standard
Boardwalk, Beach Club or Yacht Club - $229 standard
Polynesian - $244 garden view


If similar rates come out this year, we will be upgrading one of our passes to an AP. We have decided to rent 2 rooms in a value resort rather than squeezing 5 of us into either POR or a Deluxe.

Since you can rent up to 3 rooms on an AP....using last year's rates.....we would be paying $118 per night for 2 rooms (AP) instead of $148 per night for 2 rooms (General Public). We are staying 8 nights...so the difference will be $240 plus tax. The difference in the Annual Pass price of $420 (after tax) and the discounted, expiring, 10 day park-hopper pass via Ticketmania of $234 (after tax) is only $186. We would save $54 by getting the AP instead.

Just waiting to see if what the code prices will be and if we can get one....but, I'm sure any of them (AP or General Public) will be better than AAA or rack rate.....

Speed

 

[square pond]

WOW SpeedyF.. I just wanted to thank you for all that great Info!! I couldn't find last years rates anywhere. We are booked at the poly and yc. It seems you got a better savings at the Poly than YC. So I guess it all depends on your resort as to the amount of the discount. We having been number crunching and also talking about the DDE card. My husband thinks we can at least break even with the 20% the DDE card will save us and if codes come out so I guess we are back to hoping for an AP discount. Thanks Again for all the info.