AP Resort Discounts

[poohj80]

Hopefully one of the DL vets out there can answer this question.

I noticed that DL offers two different APs for non-SoCal residents - a Deluxe and a Premium AP, based on dates. Do both APs offer the same resort discounts? Are there other perks to getting the Premium vs Deluxe other than the extra days?

Thanks!
PJ

 

[iceskatejen]

They do offer the same hotel discounts. The premium offers a lot of other discounts that no other AP has--10% off merchandise $10 or more, 15% off in the in-park sit down restaurants, and 10% off hotel restaurants.

 

[Tink33]

The premium also includes parking in the Mickey and Friends structure and the Disney Magazine.

 

[poohj80]

Thanks! We'll only be using the pass for one trip (if the cost savings on the hotel justifies the additional cost of the AP) and not renting a car so we'll probably just go with a Deluxe if the dates workout.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Normally how much is parking? If staying in a "Good Neighbors" hotel, or whatever it's called, is parking free in the DL parking garage? I guess, unlike WDW, all the onsite hotels are within walking distance it DL/CA?

Thanks, T&B

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oh, one more question...I thought that I'd read that in order to reserve a room at a DL resort with the AP discount that a person already has to have an activated AP. Is this true?

T&B

 

[iceskatejen]

Parking is $9 for cars, pickups, minivans, SUVs, $11 for Rvs and such. I think unless you're staying in an onsite hotel, you still have to pay for parking. In the case of many of the Good Neighbor hotels, they might be closer than the parking is, so you might as well walk.

I was going to add that the Disney Magazine subcription that comes with the Premium AP is around a $20 value and the parking that's included is around $40-45 to add on to other AP levels, so in comparison the premium is still a really good deal if you're able to go fairly often.

 

[poohj80]

I was getting an idea of room only rates on the DL web site and noticed there is a way for DL passholders to login to view discounted resort rates. Since we won't buy our AP until we arrive, might there be a current AP holder who would be willing to help me out and check rates for our dates online just to give me an idea if they are available and how much of a discount it is so I can figure if it makes sense to buy the AP for just one trip?

Thanks again for all your help!
PJ

 

[PryncessChrysty]

Normally how much is parking? If staying in a "Good Neighbors" hotel, or whatever it's called, is parking free in the DL parking garage? I guess, unlike WDW, all the onsite hotels are within walking distance it DL/CA?

Thanks, T&B

All of the onsite hotels are within walking distance.

I would also like to add that the off site hotels have shuttles that take you to DLR, they have a special entrance that they pull into and then a quick walk to the parks!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks! Doesn't seem worth it if a person isn't going to be doing a lot of garage parking.

T&B

 

[got2travel]

I was getting an idea of room only rates on the DL web site and noticed there is a way for DL passholders to login to view discounted resort rates. Since we won't buy our AP until we arrive, might there be a current AP holder who would be willing to help me out and check rates for our dates online just to give me an idea if they are available and how much of a discount it is so I can figure if it makes sense to buy the AP for just one trip?

Thanks again for all your help!
PJ

I have not been able to view AP rates online. The best they will show is a general timeframe of available dates, and a minimum rate of $79 at Paradise Pier. In the past I've seen $79 Sun - Thurs and $99 Fri, Sat at Paradise Pier, $99/$119 at DL Hotel and $139/$159 at Grand Californian. These are the lowest I've heard of AP rates going and these are usually only available during really slow times.


Oh, and Tigger&Belle, you just request the AP rate when you call to make reservations, they don't validate it until you check in. Not sure how they would take it if you just had a voucher and hadn't processed the AP yet.

 

[poohj80]

Thanks again!

Last question (for now )...does anyone have the phone number for DL reservations please?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When you call to get AP rates do you have to give them your AP # and then they confirm it when a person checks in?

I know at WDW nothing is needed when a person reserves and a voucher or activated AP needs to be shown at check-in.

T&B

 

[got2travel]

714-956-MICKEY for reservations.

No, you don't need to give any ID number or anything, just ask for AP rates.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>The DLR hotels are within walking distance to the parks & Downtown Disney.

Some hotels are also within walking distance: BW Park Place Inn, Park Inn & Suites, Carousel Inn, Fairfield Inn (these are the ones I usually recommend). Ramada Maingate Saga Inn is economy hotel & within walking distance.

Some hotels offer complimentary shuttle: Candy Cane (also can walk from there-about 10 min), Residence Inn-Resort Area, Anaheim Ramada, I think Sheraton (but also has a $10/night parking fee), Embassy Suites North

Some hotels are on the ART route. The ART charges $9 per adult 10+ for entire length of stay when booking a package through Walt Disney Travel Company. Kids ride for free when travelling w/an adult. You can also purchase an ART pass at the hotel desk for 1 day, or a number of days. HoJo (though, if you want, you could also walk), Raffles (has suites), Coast, Embassy Suites South, Anabella, Radisson, etc.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks for the info. I am really quite lost when it comes to DL since it's been 10 years since I've been (went as a child, though, since we lived in Oregon so it has great memories and my husband grew up 2 miles away in Anaheim).

I really don't know when we'll make it to CA, but my husband has been teasing me with the possibility. Not sure what got into him since he's not the Disney nut that I am, but I'm assuming that it's because he wants to go visit his parents and knows that if he ties Disney with it that I will go. lol He does have a point and it's very unlike me to turn down anythinig Disney.

I'm thinking that Summer 2006 might be good, though, since we could still take part in the 50th activities, the crowds might be less than this summer, and we would have more time to plan and look forward to the trip.

T&B

 

[poohj80]

Ok, called the reservation number and rooms are available but no AP discounts yet (they did offer me a AAA rate). The cast member quoted me a rate for a king bed room at GC (is this more expensive than two doubles?) which was $355/nite. On expedia, it lists a room for those dates as $335 for Sat night and $265 for the weeknights. I asked the cast member about cheaper prices during the week and he said no, $355 was the rate for every night. Should I just book on Expedia then or wait and hope for better discounts through Disney in the future?

 

[got2travel]

PoohJ, what are your travel dates? AP rates usually only come out about a month in advance. I'd say hold off on booking with Expedia since they have cancellation fees. Those rates seem really high and unless you are trying for a holiday weekend, I'm willing to bet the rates will go down the closer you get to your stay.

 

[poohj80]

We're looking to go in May. I know it's anyone's best guess if any discounts will be available due to the 50th. I know the rates are high now, but we also don't want to end up without a room. My current thinking is to go ahead and book at the high rates through Disney and then try to apply discount codes when it gets closer to time if they become available. Since this trip is for my b-day, dates aren't that flexible.

PJ