AP or room only discount

[asianmom]

Help! I am a newbie caught in an AP delimma.We are planning on doing WDW from 19th Jan 2006-1st Feb 2006.Here's the itinery:1/19-1/21 Hilton,1/21-26 GF,1/26-1/29 DCL,1/29-2/2 AKL. (The reason for Hilton is to allow for jet lag after 21hrs of flight transcontinent, didn't see the point of wasting good money while we snooze the day away.) As U can see, we would be spending 9 days on site.As it is v late for AP booking, I'm not sure if they still have the kind of rooms I want and with the new booking system that can only be booked onsite and that we must own an AP PLUS put down a 1d full payment, I wonder if it would be wiser to wait for the room only discount that goes to the general public?. Alternatively, could we call Disney to enquire if a certain room type is still available on an AP discount then maybe purchase the AP?

I also have this problem with the check in time that I would probably have to post on the resort section but thought I'd try here first. U see, we'll be flying in from Asia with 2 v young children and would have to transit in LA. Time of arrival at ORL would be 5.30 am EST.Would any hotel be willing to check us in at that ungodly hour? Actually, we could break the journey by stopping in LA
and maybe take 1-2 days to do Legoland but I'm reserving that for the return leg so that the kids don't have to get adjusted twice to the time difference
and then go on to ruin our trip for the rest of the week.

I've actually researched substentially before deciding to go on this trip but when it comes to the actual planning , it is still mind boggling.Would some kind soul please help?

 

[AlaskaMOM]

I don't know how much help I can be in deciding which way to book your rooms, but a couple of things to keep in mind about AP's:

room discount sometimes a good thing
cost compared to a magic my way ticket (varies depending on how you will use the parks)
discounts at some restaurants (fairly small around 10% at most)
discounts on selected shopping

There is actually a list of the details at allearsnet ap info
just scroll down (it's very long page) to read info on the AP.

Good Luck in deciding, Either way it sounds like it will be a fabulous trip

 

[momtofour]

Hi Asian Mom, Did some quick research for you as I am an AP holder. It looks like there is availability with some great rates for the times you needed. I checked out your dates for the GF and the five nights would run you $1466.30 for the five nights. (standard garden view room) Your stay at the AKL for the four nights is only $486.16 for a standard view room. To upgrade to a Savannah view room would be an additional $356.80. I would be happy to check anything else for you if you want to post or PM me. Regarding your question about that VERY early check in, I think you will have to pay for the night before. I have no real knowledge concerning this issue. You may want to call the hotel and find out their policy. Best of luck!!!

 

[asianmom]

gee thx, I wasn't expecting a reply so fast. Anyhow thx again, Alaskamom and momtofour.It sure is a relief to know that there are still pretty much choices left on the AP discount. However, I am wondering if I should commit to the buying an AP now or wait till the room discount comes out in Nov. The mousesavers has just announced an even deeper discount on AP rates (98 dollars or so versus the 65 dollars speculated room discounts). Very tempting. But we'll not be going to the water parks so am not sure if the discounts could be worth the difference bet an AP and a 10 day hopper tickets.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm not sure that I would wait for a room-only discount for the general public to be announced for that time period. Disney seems to be concentrating on package discounts right now. The next discount that is rumored to be announced will come out tomorrow (11/03/2005) and will be for stays during 1/1/06 - 3/8/06.

The discount is reported to be free ticket upgrades from a base ticket to premium (hopping + Magic Plus) tickets as a part of a package. The "upgrades" basically save the guest a total of $85.21 per ticket. This is nice if you planned to purchase those upgrades anyway.

So, with no potential room-only discounts on the horizon, you may want to consider booking your resort with the AP Best Rate program. You would have to pay a one-night deposit but you'd have to do that with any room-only ressie. The only difference is that the Best Rate deposit is non-refundable.

 

[canwegosoon]

gee thx, I wasn't expecting a reply so fast. Anyhow thx again, Alaskamom and momtofour.It sure is a relief to know that there are still pretty much choices left on the AP discount. However, I am wondering if I should commit to the buying an AP now or wait till the room discount comes out in Nov. The mousesavers has just announced an even deeper discount on AP rates (98 dollars or so versus the 65 dollars speculated room discounts). Very tempting. But we'll not be going to the water parks so am not sure if the discounts could be worth the difference bet an AP and a 10 day hopper tickets.

The AP rate is BRP and must be booked 60 days out. So you can wait and see. Last promo the BRP was better by a few dollars. There are also the AP discounts including the DDE card incase you do not go with a food program. If you have any questions just keep posting. Either way you will know in 3 days . Did you check out the code board? Usually they know a day before what the discount will be.

As far as the tickets go, that's your personal choice...but sometimes the tickets are tied to the discount, so wait on that too. In the mean time did you sign up to get the Mousesaver newsletter? Get that done, so you get the November one.

 

[momtofour]

Asian Mom, Keep in mind that you can purchase an annual pass that does not include admittance to the water parks. you would just buy the basic annual pass. In my opinion, I would jump on this. You are guaranteed the best rate. That price for the AKL is PHENOMENAL!! Best of luck and have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[schmuzX2]

hi asianmom,
I'm in the same dilemma for the same time frame.

Does anyone know if you need to activate the AP BEFORE you can get the AP discounts? I was told by a disney representative that I couldn't get the ap rates because I would need to activate the pass in person. This isn't possible for me since I live in NJ. Will the voucher # do? According to Magical Journies, I can use the voucher #. I'm afraid to purchase the ap and then not get the discount.

Thanks so much.

(by the way, I just found this board. It's great.)

 

[Candismom]

I'm a newbie too with AP. This is my expierence yesterday. I called Disney and I wanted to see if my days were available at the AP price before I purchased the AP. The lady said you could only make reservations online and I said oh really I heard that we can call between 2-5 for phone reservations (Thanks DIS) Anyways she put me on hold then said okay I can do it. So she checked my dates and there were available so she said I had to buy the AP before she could put a hold on the rooms then she said just to activate it before I check in (March) anyways everything is set. I have 2 Rooms at PC for March 5-8 and then 1 Cabin at FT Wilderness for March 8-13 for a total of 8 Nights at $1600.05 - $89.20 a night at PC and $212.97 a night at FT Wilderness
Then a few hours later I was going over my info and she charged me $360 for the AP. I knew that the Adult was $420 so I called back and a different CM said to call back Monday once the confirmation number had been given they couldn't do any changes the other cm lady charged me for a Childs AP. So I had to call this morning and everything is fine. They hadn't made the pass and the CM said everythings is good now. I hope so anyways. I asked about the number on the AP for the reservations and she said it should be okay. :-o

 

[poohj80]

I called Disney and I wanted to see if my days were available at the AP price before I purchased the AP. The lady said you could only make reservations online and I said oh really I heard that we can call between 2-5 for phone reservations (Thanks DIS) Anyways she put me on hold then said okay I can do it.

I didn't know this either (is that 2-5 EST?). I tried calling last week and was told I could only book online with the BRP. Can AP holders call in when it's within the 60 day period for BRP or does it still have to be 60 days ahead?

Thanks so much! I love the DIS!

 

[schmuzX2]

Here is my problem with the AP rates. I'm more than willing to purchase the AP but I'll be driving to DW and I'm not sure I'll get there before the parks close to activate the pass. Then I won't be able to check into the hotel without the AP.

What I don't understand is why Disney won't let you show the voucher plus a picture ID to prove it is actually you who is using the voucher. So, I don't know what to do.

 

[poohj80]

What I don't understand is why Disney won't let you show the voucher plus a picture ID to prove it is actually you who is using the voucher. So, I don't know what to do.

We have never had a problem checking in with an AP rate and showing a voucher upon check-in. Once we were asked to bring the activated AP back by the desk once we exchanged the voucher, so it can be done. If it would make you feel better, call back and talk to someone else.