AP Rates During Christmas Time and When to Purchase?

[Queen Elisabeth]

Okay, so I am planning a trip for my family of 6 for December 17-23 and I'm planning to buy 6-day Park Hoppers and then upgrade to APs during our trip. I've been having trouble deciding on hotel accomodations, and I was wondering if you experts and AP holders could give me some insight.

My plan with the APs is for us to get our Christmas 2010 trip in, a 10th Anniversary trip for my husband and I in March (he and I will be getting Premium passes and we'll get Deluxe passes for the kids), a Summer 2011 trip, a Halloween trip and possibly a mini birthday trip in November 2011 for my husband and daughter. I plan to get our money's worth!

That said, I would love to be able to stay onsite this Christmas, but we're not rolling in cash, plus since we have 6 people we would have to get a suite which is way out of our price range. Since we are planning on getting APs, I was wondering what kind of rates are usually offered for December and if it would be worth it to buy one AP now or ahead of time in order to be able to book an AP rate for the DLH. The only thing is, it would throw my time-table off for that AP as far as when it expires, and I have no way of knowing whether the rates would be within our budget or not. Also, if we end up not staying onsite, it will eliminate the option of having a magic morning for that ticket as opposed to the Park Hoppers that will be upgraded.

Can anyone tell me what the AP rates for the onsite hotels (especially DLH) are during the Holidays, and even just in general? I know there's no way to know 100%, but just historically what has been your experience?

I also have reservations at HoJo and Desert Inn and Suites (with spa) just in case while I decide. Help!

Any input is appreciated.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I think in December I remember paying between $159-$179 per night at PPH or DLH with an AP but that is a standard room, not a suite. Not sure how helpful that is for you but that has been our experience

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I don't believe you have to have the AP in order to book the hotel, just to check in. You can purchase an AP right at the hotel desk if you need it to guarantee a special rate and then check-in. Several years ago when we had a cheap ticket inclusive package deal for the Paradise Pier, we just upgraded all our tickets right at the hotel check-in desk for convenience.

The clock on the AP doesn't start until you actually activate the AP at the park. So if you buy it ahead at a Disney store or online, no worries about your timing.

Typical AP rates are supposed to be 10% off. The hotels recently have been offering much better deals than that, but it's hard to say if they will be motivated to offer anything better so near the busy Christmas season. The AP hotel rate calendar only extends out to September (I think) right now.

I would normally recommend getting APs as early in your trip as possible once you've taken advantage of Magic Mornings, but I see that Dec. 23 is blocked out for the deluxe, so if you were planning to enter the park that day you would need to wait on the deluxes. You should upgrade to at least one of the premiums though once you've used your MM so that you can start taking advantage of the AP discounts on food and merchandise as soon as possible.

I and many people on this board really like Hojos. They also have no special rates currently for December, but keep an eye on this page: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29
If the AP rate becomes available at Hojo, that could save you enough money to make it worth giving up the MM from the beginning.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

Thank you both so much for responding.

I don't believe you have to have the AP in order to book the hotel, just to check in. You can purchase an AP right at the hotel desk if you need it to guarantee a special rate and then check-in.

I understand this, but how do I know what the AP rates are ahead of time unless I buy an AP? Access to that part of the website isn't available till I buy one, right?

I and many people on this board really like Hojos. They also have no special rates currently for December, but keep an eye on this page: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29
If the AP rate becomes available at Hojo, that could save you enough money to make it worth giving up the MM from the beginning.

I am definitely planning on booking HoJo for our summer trip, I'm just not sure if the extra walk will be worth it during the winter when the pool play area might not be used and the weather might not be the greatest. I was sort of thinking that during the winter the in-room spa might be more attractive, lol. I am still crossing my fingers for AP rates, though. Plus I wouldn't even have to give up MM because HoJo will give us AP rates for the whole stay even if I don't get the AP till the end of our trip.

 

[dsnydaddy]

You won't know the exact AP rates until about 3 months before. I've been watching the AP website myself and I am planning on treating the family to GC for the Halloween party. Low end at GC is about $240/night up to $370. So, I'm planning on something in that range. Right now, I have an AP rate at PP for $150/night. That's better than most of the nearby hotels will do. I can't even get HOJO's for that price on my dates.

 

[lulubelle]

I'm pretty sure the week before Christmas will not have anything more than a 10% off rack rate AP discount. Those two weeks are about the busiest of the entire year, so if you do want an onsite room, I would for sure call now.

Now for your trip in March, is it early March or late March? The Deluxe pass starts blocking out Saturdays the third week of March. If you are going early I wouldn't bother getting DH a Premium. You really only need one per family for the discounts. That will save you $140 right there.

With a family of six, I would look into the family suites at Hojo's. Just remodeled, fun and roomy. Save staying onsite and booking an AP rate for the off season when they have killer deals - like $159-$179 as the previous poster mentioned. The may have those rates in early Dec, but the closer to Christmas, the higher the price.

Have a wonderful trip and lots of fun planning!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We got DLH on an AP rate the week before xmas for $250/night for a lower level resort view room.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

Our March trip will be late in the month (our anniversary is on the 30th), so the cost difference would be more like $100, but I'm also considering the fact that in November 2011 my husband and daughter may possibly be taking their own father/daughter trip for their birthdays (a week apart) and he would not have my AP for discounts. He would need his own Premium if I wasn't going, right?

We already have a Kid's Suite booked but without the Ent/AP rate I don't know if the minimal cost savings will be worth the longer walk, plus I'm not sure how thrilled I'll be about the freeway noise. I don't know! I'm having such a hard time deciding, lol.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

We got DLH on an AP rate the week before xmas for $250/night for a lower level resort view room.

Thanks for the info! That I could swing. If only they allowed 6 in a standard room!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thank you both so much for responding.

I understand this, but how do I know what the AP rates are ahead of time unless I buy an AP? Access to that part of the website isn't available till I buy one, right?

True about the website, so yes it's good to ask people who have APs. However, I just booked (by phone) the DLH for a summer weekend the other day. I specifically asked what the AP rate was for my dates and the phone rep quoted me the AP rates without me having to provide any personal information such as whether or not I have an AP.

I am definitely planning on booking HoJo for our summer trip, I'm just not sure if the extra walk will be worth it during the winter when the pool play area might not be used and the weather might not be the greatest. I was sort of thinking that during the winter the in-room spa might be more attractive, lol. I am still crossing my fingers for AP rates, though. Plus I wouldn't even have to give up MM because HoJo will give us AP rates for the whole stay even if I don't get the AP till the end of our trip.

I get it about the walk back, and I haven't tried the other place you mentioned so I wasn't knocking them. I was just pointing out potentials for good rates. I do, personally, find though that the walk back to the Hojos is easier for me in the winter when there isn't the summer heat sapping my strength, so if the price is right I don't care about the distance. Of course, I have little tolerance for wet weather, so if I was walking back in the rain, I'd have a totally different opinion.

Cool about the Hojo and the AP rates "back-dated". I wasn't quite sure about that because when I asked staff this question before a previous trip, they implied I would get the rate starting from when I showed the front desk my AP, i.e. if I got an AP on day 2 and brought it to the desk, then the discount would start on day 2 and continue from then. It was confusing to me and I may have misunderstood, but it turned out to be a non-issue for us anyway. Much nicer of them to just give you the rate for your whole stay as long as you get your AP during your time there.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Our March trip will be late in the month (our anniversary is on the 30th), so the cost difference would be more like $100, but I'm also considering the fact that in November 2011 my husband and daughter may possibly be taking their own father/daughter trip for their birthdays (a week apart) and he would not have my AP for discounts. He would need his own Premium if I wasn't going, right?

Deluxe vs. Premium. How many blockout tickets is he likely going to need to buy across all your planned trips? Will he need parking on the father/daughter trip? How much savings will you rack up with in-park discounts versus how much extra you spend on the premium pass for him? With a deluxe pass, you get 10% off at most dining locations and usually no merchandise discount. With a premium pass, you get 15% off at most dining locations and 10% off at most merchandise locations. Disney has been running a temporary promotion that has been going on since before Christmas and expires this year on Sept. 30 that allows premium passholders to save 20% on merchandise and non-premium passholders to save 10% on merchandise. This discount has been extended several times so may be reaching the end of it's lifespan and finally disappear after Sept. 30, but you never know.

Other options:
1. You have the deluxe pass and let your husband have the premium if he is going more often. It does inconvenience you a little when you are there if you are the shopper in the family and need your husband to buy everything since he will be holding the premium.
2. Start your husband with a deluxe and if the need arises, he can always upgrade to the premium later.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

Cool about the Hojo and the AP rates "back-dated". I wasn't quite sure about that because when I asked staff this question before a previous trip, they implied I would get the rate starting from when I showed the front desk my AP, i.e. if I got an AP on day 2 and brought it to the desk, then the discount would start on day 2 and continue from then. It was confusing to me and I may have misunderstood, but it turned out to be a non-issue for us anyway. Much nicer of them to just give you the rate for your whole stay as long as you get your AP during your time there.

I think that it might be a new policy that they introduced when they started doing the AP rate like the Ent rate. I talked to Lorealle here and another person on the phone about it, and it sort of sounded like a new thing.

Deluxe vs. Premium. How many blockout tickets is he likely going to need to buy across all your planned trips? Will he need parking on the father/daughter trip? How much savings will you rack up with in-park discounts versus how much extra you spend on the premium pass for him? With a deluxe pass, you get 10% off at most dining locations and usually no merchandise discount. With a premium pass, you get 15% off at most dining locations and 10% off at most merchandise locations. Disney has been running a temporary promotion that has been going on since before Christmas and expires this year on Sept. 30 that allows premium passholders to save 20% on merchandise and non-premium passholders to save 10% on merchandise. This discount has been extended several times so may be reaching the end of it's lifespan and finally disappear after Sept. 30, but you never know.

Other options:
1. You have the deluxe pass and let your husband have the premium if he is going more often. It does inconvenience you a little when you are there if you are the shopper in the family and need your husband to buy everything since he will be holding the premium.
2. Start your husband with a deluxe and if the need arises, he can always upgrade to the premium later.

Great info, thanks! I think that you're right. It might make more sense to get him a deluxe now and then upgrade when we come back in March. I will have to look into it.

 

[aussietravellers]

We went for 15 nights, room only booking, leading up to Christmas this last December, staying at GCH. It was a last minute trip, booked a week or two before we left and I booked through a Disney specialist TA. I also was going to get an AP, so looked at both AP rates and the regular rate. There was a special on at the time, I can't remember now what it was now but the general public special was much better than the AP rate for that time.

 

[aussiegirls]

I think longtimedisneylurker is right about Hojo not back-dating stays at AP rate. There is a thread asking that same question on the Hojo boards and Lorealle told the person that asked that they could not get their whole stay at the AP rate unless they provided the AP on check in.

If the AP is purchased sometime during the stay then they can reduce the rate from that date forward, provided those dates are still available at the ET/AP rate.

xxx