AP questions

[Aust]

I've had a look on the DL website but can't find info on the following, am hoping someone can help me. I'm not the usual AP candidate (I'm Australian and so the 14 hour flight plus couple of thousand in airfare don't mean very frequent trips), however we are looking at a trip to DL in late Sept/early Oct 2012, staying almost 2 weeks, so I want to work out if the discounts will make it worthwhile paying the extra for an AP.

*If I had an AP, what is the discount on the DLR hotels? Is it always the same or does it change depending on the time of the stay? Is it different for each hotel? (we'll probably stay at PPH).

*How would the process work - I purchase the AP online - is it activated from that date? Can I use it to book the hotel at the discounted rate before I actually go to DL?

*If I were to book a tour for example for 5 people and only I had an AP, do I get the discount on all 5 tickets, or just mine?

*Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

I've had a look on the DL website but can't find info on the following, am hoping someone can help me. I'm not the usual AP candidate (I'm Australian and so the 14 hour flight plus couple of thousand in airfare don't mean very frequent trips), however we are looking at a trip to DL in late Sept/early Oct 2012, staying almost 2 weeks, so I want to work out if the discounts will make it worthwhile paying the extra for an AP.

It almost certainly will be cost effective if you get the Deluxe AP - which does have blockout days on many Saturdays. The Premium AP with no blockouts costs a lot more so you will have to do the math. The discounts are different between the two. The last few years DLR has let DAPs and PAPs also get discounts on all merchandise in addition to most food.

*If I had an AP, what is the discount on the DLR hotels? Is it always the same or does it change depending on the time of the stay? Is it different for each hotel? (we'll probably stay at PPH).

It depends. Often 30-40%.

*How would the process work - I purchase the AP online - is it activated from that date? Can I use it to book the hotel at the discounted rate before I actually go to DL?

It activates on the first day of use. You can book the AP rate but will need to show the AP once you are there.

What is tricky is you will not be able to see the AP rates online without an AP. I would guess you could call Disney resorts and have them give you the AP rates when you book.

*If I were to book a tour for example for 5 people and only I had an AP, do I get the discount on all 5 tickets, or just mine?

Yes, I believe you can book up to three rooms at the discount rate. You do not get discounts on anyone else's tickets. If they are there for 14 days too it will likely be most cost effective to get APs for them too.

If you can schedule your non-Disney outings or off days/rest days on the Deluxe AP blockout days (Saturdays) it will save you some money.

*Anything else I should know?

Thanks!

If you are the only AP holder you will need to be present for all food and merchandise transactions to get the discounts for those.

Good luck. I will be your way down under next month connecting through Sydney on my way to Perth for 10 days. I have business there with a few extra days to explore.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Just to clarify some of Hydroguys comments:

Deluxe APs aren't blocked Saturday's in late September/October.

Hotel discounts: I've seen as low as 10-20% and as high as 40%. It depends on the time of year and how full the hotels are. The higher discounts aren't usually released until a couple of months ahead of time at the most.

Tours: yes just one AP is needed for your group to get the 20% off.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Current DLR hotel discounts are "up to 30%" off. If you are unfortunate enough to be at a time of year when there is no "special" discount, there is always a 10% hotel discount with the AP. They do usually seem to be running some other promotion though as Hydroguy mentioned, and then you can expect savings of up to 25%-40% off depending on which DLR hotel you book and the time of year. Howard Johnson Anaheim on Harbor will also give you a 20% discount with a Disneyland AP if you choose to spend some or all of your stay offsite. I have read also that the Anabella hotel offers a discount to DL AP holders, but I haven't personally used this one.

Currently, deluxe AP passholders receive a 10% discount at most restaurants inside the parks and resort hotels and DtD and a 10% discount off merchandise at most shopping locations in the parks and the World of Disney, Marceline's, Pin Trader's and a few other Disney owned locations in DtD. The merchandise discount is set to expire in January 2012. It has been extended several times over the last couple of years but still is not something to count on until Disney gives official word. Premium passholders receive 15% off at dining locations inside the parks and DLR hotels and 10% off at most restaurants in DtD. Premium passholders also currently receive 20% off merchandise purchases at Disney stores; this will revert to 10% off when the extra merchandise discount expires. Non-Disney DtD stores often extend special discounts, usually 10% off, to all AP holders. Lego Store and Build a Bear are examples of such places.

You can book a hotel AP rate even before you purchase an AP online or otherwise. I agree that the trick is in finding out what the rates are. You would have to call. You can also watch the Disney website and take note if they are advertising big discounts. Also, while it seems the AP rate would be the best way to go, sometimes it's not. The one time we stayed at the DLH, I asked the phone rep to price things out both ways. As it turned out, we got a better rate with the special promotion they were running for the general public than we would have gotten had I just asked for the AP rate. So my advice would be to book your hotel before you buy an AP. You can still ask for AP rates and book using them and explain that you will be purchasing your AP upon arrival.

Your AP becomes active upon first park entry, not day of online purchase. Fortunately, as I mentioned, you don't need an active AP to book AP hotel rates. Unfortunately, I believe you do need an active AP to purchase tour tickets at discounted rates. There is an AP discount off the price of tour tickets. I haven't yet done a tour myself, but I thought you could purchase multiple tour tickets at a discount with one AP. You should call Disney directly and ask about the situation with a purchased but unactivated AP. I did read a thread elsewhere recently where somebody was able to purchase discounted Halloween party tickets with an unactivated AP by calling and talking to a CM directly.

It is true that you cannot as an AP holder get discounts on regular DL park admission tickets.

 

[Aust]

Thanks for the info. On doing the numbers it will be better for me to get an AP taking into account a 10% hotel discount, food and tour discounts. Only $1 difference between the numbers for Deluxe or Premium - unless the hotel discount is different - does anyone know if Deluxe and Premium usually have the same % for hotels, or is Premium higher??

Hydroguy, hope you have a great trip, don't envy you the huge amount of flying!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hydroguy, hope you have a great trip, don't envy you the huge amount of flying!

You have no idea. After Australia it is China, Thailand and then India. The cool thing is my DW and DS15 will join me in Australia for a few days and then all six of us will converge in Thailand and then head to India. That is a lot of flying!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thanks for the info. On doing the numbers it will be better for me to get an AP taking into account a 10% hotel discount, food and tour discounts. Only $1 difference between the numbers for Deluxe or Premium - unless the hotel discount is different - does anyone know if Deluxe and Premium usually have the same % for hotels, or is Premium higher??

AP holders are offered the same hotel discount deals no matter which level of AP they have.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

Premium passholders also receive a larger discount on food! 20% off adds up to a big discount if there are several in your party. Another perk that is not mentioned is free parking in the DL parking lots for premium passholders. Unfortunately this does not include the hotel parking lots. (Found that out the hard way!) I feel like the hotel, food and shopping discounts add up to more than the pass for us! (I have found other unmentioned perks such as Free subscription to Family Fun Magazine, discounts on Dodgers games to name a few!) Hope you have a magical trip!