APH discount on room question.

[holcomb-mania]

I'm planning a trip for next October. I'm a AAA member, but the APH discount seems larger. I'm thinking of getting an AP to get the associated discounts, but will only use it once in a year. Will it be worth getting the AP, or should I opt for the AAA discount and get the cheaper bonus passes to the parks?

Thanks.

 

[bjakmom]

If you look at the top of the forum there are 2 permanent threads where many have posted their dates and rates/discounts throughout 2004 - that should give you some idea of what AP rates others have gotten this year. Then you'd have to weigh the room savings for however many nights (the more nights, the more savings, of course) and figure the price difference for your AP from the regular tickets. Also be sure and consider the AP discounts for dining and shopping. My next trip will be my first as an AP holder and, since I have two trips planned within a short period, buying the AP saved me $$ -
If the AP doesn't add up for you, look into getting a Fan Club or Entertainment card - they seem to be the next best discounts on room rates.

 

[patster734]

One thing to keep in mind is that Universal will sometimes offer special deals on their annual passes. This past May, Universal was offering buy one year, get the next year free with activation by June 30 so that the pass expires no later than June 30, 2006. A coupon code was required for this deal which the fine folks on this board freely supplied. We bought two of these passes and actually activated them this pass weekend (Oct. 9), so for us it was buy one year, get 8 months free. Now there is no guarantee that Universal will have another offer like this but it is possible.

 

[Eclpz314]

We took advantage of that 2yr for 1 Pref. AP deal this past July. We were going to be there 10 nights, so the AP was the best option anyway. Just make sure to check the blackout dates if you get a regular AP---lots of holidays and most summer weekends are blackout dates. The Preferred AP costs a little more, but no b.o. dates. We bought our passes online and didn't actually use them until July, so we lost a month.....but, because our passes are good until June 2006 now, we get to plan another trip that will be a little cheaper! You can go ahead and reserve a AP discount room as soon as the rates come out, but try to hold off on buying your passes as long as you can to see if a good deal comes out again in spring.

 

[Motherfletcher]

If you are only going once in a year the 7 day ticket deal described in mousesavers is hard to beat:
http://www.mousesavers.com/universalorlando.html#7for2
It depends too on the number in your party. You only need one APH for the discounted room rates, free parking and discounts at all shops and restaurants. Another option is to look into the Entertainment Card rates.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

I think my biggest problem is that no rates are currently available for my trip in October, and I'm kind of blind in that aspect of my planning. I should probably be patient and wait for things to unfold. But I wanna know now! LOL.

Seriously, though, I don't want to miss out on the resort or room of choice due to October becoming more popular.

I'm still trying to decide what dang resort to stay in. They all three are appealing in their own right. Maybe by the time I decide on that, rates will be out.