AP & hotel reservations

[h&D3]

I hope I'm putting this message on the correct thread. I've read a lot of the posts but this is one of my first official posts. So I apologize if I put this in the wrong place.

We just ordered our park hoppers last night and 1 annual passport. (due to the price increase happening tomorrow)

I've been to Disney over 40 times in my life and have never had the opportunity to be an AP. After looking at some of the discounts, and the length of stay we are planning for our family trip next summer, we opted to go for one annual passport. Since this will allow for discounts for the rest of our family as well on certain items we decided on trying one AP this time.

I have some questions that I was wondering if someone could answer for me.

I understand that there is a special website that AP holders can go to in order to make room reservations. I understand at some point, there MAY be some type of discount for AP's on certain hotels. The timeframe for that discount is undetermined. I get that. I'm not overly concerned about the discount right now, as if or when it's offered, I could always call, cancel my current reservation and always make a new one if need be. I'm more concerned about WHEN I can make a reservation.

When my AP does arrive, how far out can I book a room reservation? Is it like what is offered now on the general website? (I think right now I can only book there until the end of this December). Or, can I book out longer than that?

If there are any other tips someone can provide to me about the AP and hotels, or just the AP in general, I would appreciate it.

Thanks!
~D

(PS: Who even after 40 yEARS of traveling to WDW, still has the occassional question that pops into her head)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You don't have to have the AP in hand to make an AP discount reservation (when calling on the phone). You just have to show it at check in to prove that you have one.

As for when, I tend to make rack rate reservations and then once the AP rates are out, I call and add it to that reservation. AP rates have been kind of late in showing up lately, sometimes as little as 2 months out.

HTH!

 

[DebbieB]

AP discounts are not typically offered far in advance. Right now discounts are being offered to 8/14/12.

 

[h&D3]

how far out right now can I make a reservation?

Am I only able to make them until the end of december just like on the regular WDW site, or can I book them out farther using the AP site or calling.

Right now, we are not planning on going until August of 2013 and I just wondered how far out they were taking reservations.


Thanks!
~D

 

[Sue M]

I believe in July you can phone to make Summer 2013 reservations- if you want to book rack rate. I just wait till General Public discounts are released and book then. If a better AP rate is announced, I phone and ask it to be applied. We make 2 trips a year, so have APs.

Right now I'm waiting for the Late Aug/Sept AP rates (I hope) to be posted.
Personally I see no benefit in booking before discounts come out, unless you are going to stay at a particular resort paying rack rate if no discount is available. Having a prior res doesn't guarantee you will get a discount, as you prob. know. You have to phone in the moment the discounts are released to snag one, and have it applied to your res.

Another theory is that if the resorts are booked at rack rate, WDW see's no reason to release a discount- this can be seen with WL this summer, Deluxe resorts had a 30% discount, except WL- only 5% :roll eyes: It was prob. booked enough that they didn't discount it.



On the WDW web site you'll notice on the top a tab that says Passholders. When you get your voucher from WDW, it will have numbers to put in the WDW web site to register it, Then you will be able to access the Passholder site.