AP rates are not helping me!!!

[DEH3rd]

I am so annoyed. i called the day that the AP rates were released, and was told that they were sold out. I CALLED AT 1:00!!! I already had an AKL standard view room reserved for 3 nights before I switch to my DVC boardwalk room. There is no way the rates should have sold out in 6 hours!!!!! AIGGGH!!!! (venting)

 

[Praise2Him]

Last fall I called at 10 am the day public codes were released and Poly Lagoon Concierge was sold out - so I feel your pain! You better believe I was on the phone at 8 am when AP rates were released a few weeks later!

 

[peachgirl]

Standard rooms seem to alway sell out first. Add to that the POFQ deluxe transfers which are almost all standard views and you get a pretty good idea why there aren't too many rooms available.

 

[webray]

We have noticed less and less ap rates available when we call for reservations...and they are certainly side stepping all the holidays for annual passholders.

So, we have opted to stay at the Dolphin and the Universal resorts instead. They still believe in giving great rates to their guests.

 

[tkgdisney]

I called for CR and was told that they had so many reservations at this resort that they did not need to offer these rates at this hotel. I am not happy - should I change to a deluxe that has an ap rate available? - or are they all gone.

 

[Hayley]

The only thing I can tell you is that I have had experience with this and it might work out for you eventually.

Just because it is sold out doesn't mean it will stay sold out - I think alot of people double book or book and then change dates. People are working the system and looking for the best rates so they book and then try to get the price down. ( I do this, but I don't double book or change resorts - I book at full price and then change the reservation every time I find a code that helps me.)

So, keep calling. The rates may not be gone for good - as people cancel reservations the available discounted rates will re-open up.

This sounds confusing even as I am saying it -- do you understand what I mean?

 

[crs7568]

I have to agree with webray. I have booked my Christmas vacation at the Dolphin already with a great teacher rate. This summer we are staying for a few days at the Beach Club (and keeping our fingers crossed for an AP rate) and spending several days at the Hard Rock for a super Entertainment Rate. My first choice would have been to spend the entire time at a Disney hotel for both vacations but I find it a bit infuriating that they feel the need to play this absurd waiting game.

Good luck getting your AP rate. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[mom_rules]

I thought I read that if a previously booked special rate room is cancelled it goes back into their system as a regular room (not code or AP room again).

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by crs7568
... but I find it a bit infuriating that they feel the need to play this absurd waiting game.

I agree with you there! AP rates are doing no good for me this time around. We arrive 7/3, the last day of regular season for deluxes, and it looks like a code or AP's past 7/4 will have to be the way to go for us. Rates are higher on 7/3, and then you pay that rate through your stay. UUGH!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> you pay that rate through your stay. UUGH!!!!

Make separate reservations, the second ressie starts on the first day of the lower rate season.

On the other hand, if the published rate is higher for the latter part of your stay, make just one ressie and the lower rate will last through your stay.

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

 

[jaw62901]

I agree with both webray and crs7568 it looks like that if you want to get anykind of a good deal with an AP you need to stay at either the Dolphin or Swan.

I have a trip planned for Dec 26 to Jan 3 and was able to get a Club level room at the Swan with a king bed and a view of epcot for 209.06 per night instead of paying for just a standard room with a double bed facing the parking lot for about $200 more.

 

[Vermin]

Me either - I'm staying at the Poly May 3-6, and when I called yesterday, they were out of AP rooms. Kinda sucks, don't it!

Poly lagoon views were still available during that time.

On the other hand, AKL std (May 7-9) was still available at a whopping $15/night discount over my current rate. Not enough to justify the AP purchase for me.

 

[Hayley]

Originally posted by mom_rules
I thought I read that if a previously booked special rate room is cancelled it goes back into their system as a regular room (not code or AP room again).

All I know is that after someone told me to keep trying, I asked a CM at CRO if it was true and they said yes -- and it worked for me - I was able to get an AP rate a month after they told me none were left.

 

[Sammie]

Many rooms especially standard rooms at AKL and WL were booked by those relocated from POFQ so the inventory was very low when the AP rates were finally released.

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
>>> you pay that rate through your stay. UUGH!!!!

Make separate reservations, the second ressie starts on the first day of the lower rate season.

On the other hand, if the published rate is higher for the latter part of your stay, make just one ressie and the lower rate will last through your stay.

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

seashore,
I do have separate ressies, three to be exact:
(1)7/3 regular season, rack rate, no discounts available
(2)7/4 & 7/5 value season, rack rate, no discounts available
(3)7/6- 7/11 value season, AAA discount.

Booking the AP rate for 7/3 through my entire stay would actually cost me $116 more than my ressies now, because they only have WV, and I have a Standard view. That's what makes this so frustrating!!!!

 

[peachgirl]

As far as CR goes, I've read that because of large groups (conventions and such) that it is rarely available for discounts. What the CM told you was true. If Disney isn't giving as many discounts as other hotels, it's because they don't need to. When and if those hotels occupancy rates go up, their discounts will be reduced as well. No hotel gives discounts just to be nice. They do it because they need to.

WDW resorts are packed wall to wall during the holidays so there's no need to cut prices. If you time it right, you can get a real bargain during holidays, but as with other discount prices you have to be flexible.


There was a time when you had to book at least a year in advance to get the resort of your choice and discount codes were unheard of. There was DC and that was it. So, it could be worse.
I guess it depends on how important being onsite is to you. We won't go to WDW if we don't stay onsite. So, we wait and watch and change dates as needed.