AP/Planning advice needed

[MIDisFan]

I'm a WDW vet and have only been to DLR once. I am trying to plan a trip for the last week of July (25-8/1). I priced out a package staying at GCH online and then i called to see if there were any AP or AAA rates for our dates. The CM informed me that I would have to have an AP in order for him to pull up the rates, but he was unable to give me any information on purchasing an AP. If I purchase an AP online when does the usage start? From the first day I use it or from the date I purchase it? Will I be able to get AP room rates before I first use the AP? I'm so used to WDW and am clueless as to how DLR works.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm a WDW vet and have only been to DLR once. I am trying to plan a trip for the last week of July (25-8/1). I priced out a package staying at GCH online and then i called to see if there were any AP or AAA rates for our dates. The CM informed me that I would have to have an AP in order for him to pull up the rates, but he was unable to give me any information on purchasing an AP. If I purchase an AP online when does the usage start? From the first day I use it or from the date I purchase it? Will I be able to get AP room rates before I first use the AP? I'm so used to WDW and am clueless as to how DLR works.

I am a Deluxe AP holder and the "year" starts the first day you use it at the parks. I am pretty sure that once you have the AP you can get into the website and use it to book trips. Also, I would not get my hopes up for an AP discount in July. We went the same week last summer. But they were running a special 40% discount last summer. Usually AP discounts are for less busy times of year. Last July the GCH was sold out.

 

[sonnyjane]

You can NOT access the AP site until you activate the AP at the park. The online voucher does not allow access, as the information is different. That said, any one of us that has an AP can look up rates about two months prior to your dates. Also once you buy the voucher, you CAN call the hotels and ask for the AP rate. I did that two years ago.

 

[MIDisFan]

Thank you both. I don't know why but I was under the impression that AP holders got a discount on hotel rooms all year and larger discounts during slower times of the year. A deluxe AP will work out good for us anyway. We will be in the area for about 10 days and only 2 of those would be blocked out. I'm going to check with AAA so see if the rates are any different.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you both. I don't know why but I was under the impression that AP holders got a discount on hotel rooms all year and larger discounts during slower times of the year. A deluxe AP will work out good for us anyway. We will be in the area for about 10 days and only 2 of those would be blocked out. I'm going to check with AAA so see if the rates are any different.

Here is what it shows for this April:

You can see no discount after April 17 - that is peak Spring Break season this year.

 

[Hound 109]

You can NOT access the AP site until you activate the AP at the park. The online voucher does not allow access, as the information is different. That said, any one of us that has an AP can look up rates about two months prior to your dates. Also once you buy the voucher, you CAN call the hotels and ask for the AP rate. I did that two years ago.

I've done the same.

- Found out from nice people here on the Dis what the AP rate was for desired travel.
- Called DLR reservations & booked the Paradise Pier for the desired AP rate (i think it was $169 for room & concierge).
- Bought the AP ticket online (only bought one for me....other two members of family i bought 1 & 2 day tickets...since it was a two day trip).
- Got my AP pass my first day at DLR.

 

[Praise2Him]

We went in early January for our first visit. I just called and asked about every discount I could think of - Cast Member, AP, Disney VISA, Winter Special, AAA - and the CM looked them all up for me.

The AP discount ended up being the best and I booked it without having an AP yet. We did have WDW APs and planned to upgrade to Premier APs when we got there, which we did, so I don't know if that made a difference.

 

[Funball]

unfortunatly, even if you buy a AP online, once then send it to you it's not active till you actaully go through the turnstile at DLR..

 

[MIDisFan]

Thank you everyone. I just spoke with reservations and they were able to give me some corected information. You do not have to have an AP before you can book a room only reservation with the discount. You just have to show it when you check in. Also, I was told there was a 10% discount at GCH for my dates. So that saves me about $600 on that reservation. From what else he said, you have to have an active AP if you want to book a package with the AP discount on the room portion

 

[Funball]

Thank you everyone. I just spoke with reservations and they were able to give me some corected information. You do not have to have an AP before you can book a room only reservation with the discount. You just have to show it when you check in. Also, I was told there was a 10% discount at GCH for my dates. So that saves me about $600 on that reservation. From what else he said, you have to have an active AP if you want to book a package with the AP discount on the room portion

yep that is right.. well good luck with the AP also! you get discounts on food with it and stuff!

also some of the good neighbor hotels near DLR do take AP and give a discount.. i don't know which ones, i only know that hojo does that

 

[MIDisFan]

I'm glad I can wait until we det to DLR to buy our APs because I have to buy them at the gate to get the DVC discount.