AP rate with Child's AP???

[Snurk71]

I thought I've read in the past where you could use a child's AP for the AP rate at a hotel. Can anyone confirm that?

We'd rather buy an AP for our DD and use that instead of buying adult APs. We still have some days/flexes left on old adult hoppers, so we'd rather use more hoppers for the adults.

Thanks

 

[GoodFairies]

Well, different people are going to tell you different things.

The AP reservation has to be held by and checked in by the AP holder. I don't understand how someone can make a reservation in a child's name when the child obviously can't do the checking in, but that's just me I guess.

 

[JayCT]

We used a Childs AP to reserve a room at the Poly last year and had no problems at all. It was the best discount we could get and more than paid for itself. My DW even asked when making the reservation if this was OK and they said yes, it was done all the time. We are going back next year and plan to do the same thing if the rates are available.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Last time I made an AP reservation (it was an October stay last year at the Beach Club), the CM at CRO stressed that we had to show an Adult Annual Pass at check-in, and that it had to be in the name of the person the reservation was made for.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

I have seen and read more occurances where people have used a child AP then where people have been denied and told it must be an adult reservation holder.

It flat out does not make sense that the room be made in the name of the AP holder. That would make the AP of a 12 yr worth less then the AP of a 21 year old.

I have always understood it to be that the AP must be staying in the room, and thats it.

 

[WhispyPixie]

I was told.....an AP passholder was all it takes....child's or adults, as long as they were in the room.

 

[bat4less]

we've used a childs ap for the lasst 3 years with no probs at all...and never bought it until after we checked in the resort

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by BoyLovesBuzz
... That would make the AP of a 12 yr worth less then the AP of a 21 year old...

I do see you point, but, there is always the issue that a 12 year old cannot reserve a resort room.

But, people are trying to use a child's AP, not an adult AP, and that child's AP is indeed worth less than the adult's, which can be clearly seen by the price difference.

My personal opinion is that as long as it is an adult AP, it should be ok for booking an AP room, as long as the passholder is listed somewhere on the reservation.

 

[NancyK]

I used my niece's AP to book a room. I asked CRO before I booked the room and they said it was no problem as long as she was staying in the room with me (she was). When we checked in, they asked to see the AP and the CM was aware that the adults in the room had park hoppers and my niece was the AP holder.

 

[skiwee1]

I can't see how there would be a problem. Nowhere does it state that it is adult AP holder discounts. Anyway, I couldn't tell you how many times I've gotten AP discounts and was never asked to see any AP. I've never been asked to show my AP when checking in on a AP rate. Our APs expire in May of next year. After that my DD will still have her AP until October. I fully intend to book a room on an AP rate, if available, using her AP. Unless Disney can show me in the passholder info that it must be an adult AP then I will do it. Also you can book 3 rooms on an AP. That room could be for a friend or another family member that doesn't have an AP so I see no harm.

Edited to add that you can always put two names on the reservation. I had a booking for the Poly in my name. My mom got a postcard in her name. I called up CRO and asked if I could use her postcard since she would be there also. They said no problem and put her name on the booking also. The CM said you can have as many people as you would like the reservation to be in. Funny that when we checked in using the postcard rate we again were never asked for the postcard! LOL!

 

[seashoreCM]

I would say just do it. (Reserve the room in your child's name)

Then when you check in, if someone shold raise a question about it, you the parent can say "I'm going to pay for it". That should immediately quell the argument. You might even offer to pay for the entire stay immediately.

Once I checked in for my AP rate reservation and the desk clerk didn't ask to see my AP. I had been to a park earlier that day and it is possible that system then pointed out the existence of the AP on the computer screen for the desk clerjk.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[n2mm]

Done it and was always told as long as one member of the party was an AP holder and did not have to be the person who reserved the room.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
I do see you point, but, there is always the issue that a 12 year old cannot reserve a resort room.

But, people are trying to use a child's AP, not an adult AP, and that child's AP is indeed worth less than the adult's, which can be clearly seen by the price difference.

My personal opinion is that as long as it is an adult AP, it should be ok for booking an AP room, as long as the passholder is listed somewhere on the reservation.

Most people don't get my points. . What I was trying to get across was ... An AP is an AP is an AP regardless of who holds it or how much it costs. Unless they have added some fine print somewhere, they all have the same benefits, they all offer the same perks. The same is true for a PHP, UPH or any other instrument, for lack of a better word, issued by Disney. Children's tickets are cost less because they cannot ride some of the rides. Thats why you become an adult at age 12 at Disney. You still can't vote, go to war, or buy a Bud Light, but on average you can ride RNR. By saying that a specific benefit, or perk, is dependant on the holder being 21 years of age or older, lessens the value of AP held by someone under 21. That should not sit well with a lot of people. I brought up the 12 year old as an example to illustrate the point that to tie the discount to the requirement that the room be made in that persons name would lessen the value of the exact same instrument. Therefore there is no tie between the two. From there its an easy leap to see that a child's ap should be fine for a room discount.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

BoyLovesBuzz

At age 9 is when you have to pay adult prices for your child not 12, and you must be 18 years old for the reservation to be in your name. I would make the reservation in the parent's name just as long as she/he would be in room with an AP. Just as long as one person has the AP should be fine like the other poster said you can reserve three rooms with just one AP. If your child is over 9 same price so just buy AP in adults name...

 

[JayCT]

We made our resevations last year in our 6 year olds name to get the AP rate. As I said before, we were told by the CM that this is not a problem and is done all the time. We did not have any problems paying it on my credit card.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by BoyLovesBuzz
Most people don't get my points. . What I was trying to get across was ... An AP is an AP is an AP regardless of who holds it or how much it costs. Unless they have added some fine print somewhere, they all have the same benefits, they all offer the same perks. The same is true for a PHP, UPH or any other instrument, for lack of a better word, issued by Disney.

Not true. A child with a PAP can't enter PI without a parent. The consensus seems to be a child AP is OK BUT Disney is free to set up the rules either way. A child CAN'T make the hotel reservation. Disney certainly has the right to go either way on this point.

 

[CatOne]

After reading this thread I clicked off immediately and called WDW. I called twice and both times I was told I could not use my dd's AP to get the room discount. I see that people have been able to, so it is worth a try...might work, might not, but I thought that would be great if I could. I am going to look up the "rules" if I can find them...I may argue the point once I reach the hotel if there is nothing in print that says it must be an adult. My dd's name is on the room because they asked me and they asked her age. Have to wait and see. good luck!!!


CatOne

 

[schumacher]

Hi folks,

I'll chime in here with the risk of being flamed but here goes. I understand Disney is extremely expensive and everyone including myself is looking to save anyway they can however, I find this practice of booking an AP rate with the thought of purchasing a child's AP a bit bothersome. The price difference is a whopping $55 (a burger and fries at Disney LOL). I for one will be very aggravated when I check in next month and have to wait in line because someone is arguing with a CM that little Cindy Lou Who booked this room and is only 4, even though I believe policy states you must be an adult.

The AP rates can save you up to 40%+, so I don't think the $55 should cause that much pain in light of this.

I know folks say they have done it and will do it again, until they get stopped, but this just does not seem on the up and up to me. My feeling is that if the adult premium is too much, perhaps one should re-evaluate whether they should be vacationing.

Just my opinion.

Let the flaming begin!

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[DMRick]

when I check in next month and have to wait in line because someone is arguing with a CM that little Cindy Lou Who booked this room and is only 4

Why would there be an argument? If you email Disney, they'll call you back. Ask your question and if it's possible, they'll tell you sure..child's AP's can be used for rooms...just make the ressie in the adults name. Little Cindy Lou can't have a ressie if she's 4. If you ask the caller, she'll email you the reply. If you have a problem (and I can't see why you would), just show them the email, which comes with a phone number and case number on it.

In any case, just ask Disney, instead of people on this list, who don't get to make the decision (and don't misunderstand me..this list is wonderful for answers..but clearly some don't agree on this). While this list is good for answers based on experience, Disney, the resort owner is the only one who can tell you if a certain policy is in place and enforced.

editted to add..where did you call? Curious, because I find that reservations, believe it or not, is seldom a good place for official Disney answers. I prefer customer service, and when I email, I always get a phone call in response. They will back it up with an email. Obviously, if policy has changed, then you would have to get an adult AP..but as of September, child's AP was fine (jfi, I have an adults AP..I didn't need to use a child's AP..I asked for another person).

 

[schumacher]

Originally posted by DMRick
Why would there be an argument?

DMRick,
I see an argument based upon the post prior to mine. The poster has stated calling Disney and them stating that they could not do what you are prescribing.
I am not a Disney employee or expert but if they say no and you attempt it anyway, that will usually lead to an argument. I understand folks have done this and if it has worked in the past great but I think we would all agree not all CMs are as knowledgeable or otherwise as we would like.

Cheers,

Schuey