AP versus UT tickets

[woodynjessiesmomma]

I've been trying Google but I haven't found updated info...
I have a good price on 2+1 tickets through UT/Mousesavers, but one option say it must be used by 5/31/16 and the other option doesn't specify so I think that should be good for October.
We still haven't settled on a room, so I was considering 1 full AP for the room discount and other perks then 3 Power Passes for the rest of us. We will be onsite 6 days total and originally planning 3 park days with 1 resort day and nothing specific on arrival or departure days, but it could be nice to have the flexibility to go for a few hours on any day. When do the room discounts for AP get released? I'm afraid to plan on this and then the room we decide on get booked up.
Any advice on AP versus UT tickets?
TIA!

 

[macraven]

1.
Some of the passes you mentioned do have early expiration dates
Don't buy the ones that expire in May

Only buy the passes that do not expire

2.
Book your onsite room now with the public discount code SMSM
You are staying 6 days and will get a good discount by using it
Smsm has greater discounts when you book longer stays
Depending on your dates, smsm rate will beat AP rates

You can call and modify room rates anytime from smsm to AP room rates

The main thing is to secure your dates for a room now as rooms go fast due to the Hhn event
Weekends fill up quicker than weekdays

3.
AP rates last year were released mid April

I have been staying onsite in October since the hotels went up
Each year attendance rises in October due to Hhn

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Thank you! Can the annual pass discount be applied later? I thought I read somewhere you had to book with it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you! Can the annual pass discount be applied later? I thought I read somewhere you had to book with it.

Not sure where you read that. As Macraven said you can change it later. (This is all assuming a room-only reservation)

Now there is NO guarantee that an AP rate will show up. But if it does then you can change it.

 

[macraven]

i think i know what you mean.

yes, you can book with the ap rate without having the actual ap.
but, you do need to show it once you activate it to the hotel front desk so your room rate stays the same.
book with ap rate, get the ap rate.

if you can not produce the valid ap, your room rate can revert back to the non discounted room cost.

i have been booking the smsm rate for the last 8 trips.
the smsm rate for 2016, came out in november 2015.

i always book my october stays early, very early in order to secure the type of room i want as i am there for 14 days.

when the ap rates are released for my time period, i check it out.
in the past 8 trips, only 2 times the ap rate was better for my dates.
i called and modified my rate with the ap rate the day it was released to the public.

anyone can modify their rate before their stay.
but, if you wait too long, it may be that you can't modify the rate if all the ap allowed are already booked.

just because you have an ap doesn't mean you can book any room with it.
there are limits on the number of rooms/dates that it can be applied to.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Thank you again. I think I had read it related to having the AP at check in and you can't apply it later such as buying the AP while you are there.
I'm having to reread everything, information overload.

 

[damo]

Thank you again. I think I had read it related to having the AP at check in and you can't apply it later such as buying the AP while you are there.
I'm having to reread everything, information overload.

You don't need to have it at check-in. You just need to be able to show it during your stay. Lots of people need to go and pick it up and don't actually have it at check-in.