AP room discount-hard to get for specific resort?

[Jene]

Hi,
We are a family of 5. Me, DH, DS11, DS7, DD5 at time of travel. We would like to stay at POR. Because we are a family of 5 we are limited in where we can stay in a standard room. We have stayed at the ASMu family suites, and deluxe preferred room is a little out of budget. I am considering purchasing an annual pass. May have opportunity to go back on a grown up trip later in the year. I am trying to determine if an AP makes sense to purchase. The room discount looks great for early Dec-when we are planning to go. My question is, are these discount codes so limited that they are hard to get? If we really want to stay at POR will we have trouble applying the AP code to an existing room reservation? If I am not able to return later in the year, the room only discount makes the AP worth purchasing, but am concerned I may not get the discount if it is very limited in the number available. I appreciate any info you may be able to share with me. Thanks!

 

[LilGMom]

If you stay updated as to when the AP discount goes into effect you really shouldn't have any trouble getting an AP discount. The only time we've ever run into any problems getting an AP discount is when we've waited until a month, or so, prior to our trip and then our choices have been very limited and on one occaision there was no more AP rate availability. We've also booked a room without the AP discount and then as soon as the AP rates were released we've called to have the discount applied. We've never had to switch resorts because of the AP rate not being available at a certain resort. They do limit how many rooms they have for AP rates and not all of the resorts will offer an AP rate room for any given time but there are more than a couple of resorts that offer the AP rate per resort tier.

HTH, if I just rambled and didn't make much sense just PM me and I'll try to explain it better. Not enough tea today yet....

 

[Jene]

Thanks for the info! It made sense to me. I love tea too. Can't get my day going without it!

 

[gardenia]

My experience is that POR is not too difficult to get on an AP rate, especially if you pay attention like LilGMom said to when the discounts come out. The resorts that can be hard to get at AP rates are the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, and Polynesian. But you want a moderate anyway.

An added benfit of buying the AP, is that you have a real solid excuse for going back as often as you possibly can!!

 

[Jene]

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping the AP will give me the excuse to return multiple times in the year. We love taking our family, but had the opportunity to go without the kids last year, and had a great time. Again, I appreciate your info!

 

[Shmily1]

I can't say I had no trouble getting a room at POR on the AP discount but I ended up getting it anyway. I was determined to call every day, several times a day until I got it. I made my reservations then when the code came out, I put my plan in motion. I called several times then on the third day, I had my room and a discount. You just have to be persistent!!

I talked DH into the AP for my Christmas present. I've been twice since and going again in less than 2 weeks!! Seems to be working out good for me!!!

 

[Gr8dan2]

i think it depends on time of year and where you're looking. it IS tough to get them at value resorts, often. We've had APs for the last 6 years, and for the first 3 or even 4 years had no trouble ever getting AP rates. For the last two its been a different story, we've had 3 trips in a row that we couldnt get the rates anywhere except deluxe resorts and two of those times we called on the very day the rates were announced. In fact on one occasion, called within 10 minutes of the reservation number opening and couldnt get a value resort. AAA rates aren't all that different, depending on time of year. I think the value ones were within $5/night. The AP rates also seem like they're not as good as they used to be--they're nothing close to the 40% PIN codes (which no one in my extended family with APs has ever gotten).

 

[LilGMom]

The AP rates also seem like they're not as good as they used to be--they're nothing close to the 40% PIN codes (which no one in my extended family with APs has ever gotten).

Isn't that the truth!! I remember (not too long ago) when you could count on the AP (and FL resident) discount to be between 35-40% regardless of what season it was. I used to not hear as much about the codes for non-APers as I do now.

 

[Jene]

I appreciate everyones info, it sounds like the key is to be attentive to the release of the AP code, and be persistent. A little bit of luck would be helpful too! We are going to take our trip even if we don't get a code, I was just hoping to make it as economical as possible. Again, I sure appreciate the info!