April, May, June AP Watch. Let's Get it Started

[colleen costello]

ddank, I can only hope with all of Mickey's recordkeeping, they realize what we are up to. I was trying to "hold out" but someone here posted that if you wait too long in a busy season, all the "standard" rooms might be gone and I panicked! Let's hope our anxiety hasn't upset the apple cart!

 

[Princess'Mom2]

I booked about a month ago using the AAA discount -- and am hoping for better discounts through codes or AP. The waiting is killing me - I'd like to know what (if any) savings I will have so we can plan out our PS and Character meals.

It would sure cure my case of winter blues.

 

[susy]

Over Thanksgiving the codes came out late and yes, the standard rooms were taken, BUT if you upgraded you still ended up paying less than you would for a standard room at rack rate. The bottom line is ...the more rooms booked ahead of time, the later the rates will come out and less rooms will be discounted.

I will patiently play their game. I will just have my list in hand...
BC, YC, Poly, BWI.......

 

[minster22]

Bumping this up so when folks call they can put their AP rates right here............(very hopeful, wishful thinking here).......can barely stand the wait!!!!

 

[KatieLovesMickey]

Just called 7:40--very friendly CM said "anytime now..."

 

[dizcrazy]

ddank: my sentiments exactly!!!! Why should Disney release codes when their hotels seem to be full already?

 

[ddank]

Personally I don't see the point in booking ahead. If the rates will be available so will the rooms. If you don't plan on keeping the room without the AP rate then why bother. If anything you are ruining it for us who have the patience to hold out. Booking early to ensure a standard room standard room sounds a bit too frugal and selfish for me. To save 30 bucks a night you may cost everyone (including yourselves) 100s a night. Oh well...

 

[z28wiz]

 

[justhat]

We booked our rooms for May last May and for June last March. Whether or not AP rates come out we'll be keeping th same rooms, so for us it's well worth it to book in advance and not worry about the room being gone. Some of our rooms don't qualify for discounts anyway and since there are a limited supply of them (like the 2 bedroom suite at the GF) had we waited to book that with the rest of our reservation that we can use an AP discount on, it wouldn't have been available.

 

[kkleiner]

Can't help but wonder if the proposed COMCAST take over of Disney might
effect things like this? I hope not - I'm looking for room only discount
for Contemporary for 2 nights in May!

I have a AAA rate right now, but will not stay there if no discount.

 

[ddank]

just to clarify justthat YOU are not the type of situation I was referring to. to me its more of the "im going to the Swan/Dolphin if AP rates dont come out". you for every reason should book early. Also even if they do come out now they will be in shorter supply with the number of pre-bookings many of the AP waiters already made. Anyway I hope they come out soon so everyone, myself included is happy. I guess I just expect a bit more sense out of the people who frequent this place.

 

[ddank]

Originally posted by kkleiner
I'm looking for room only discount
for Contemporary for 2 nights in May!

I have a AAA rate right now, but will not stay there if no discount. [/B]

see what I mean? What incentive does disney have to release them? how is WDW supposed to know this person plans on dropping the ressies with no discount?? we are working against ourselves here people. i have to say im nervous as to the availability of these codes now.

 

[kkleiner]

I just want to make sure that I have a RES before the codes come out - it makes
it much easier for me and my travel agent to get the discount if I already have
a res.

I have a backup plan to stay at the Radisson Resort Parkway if not.

Sorry, but the very few times I CAN afford to go to Disney, I want to make sure
I have my bases covered.

I think Disney will come out with codes regardless - enough people DON'T do
a code watch and don't reserve ahead of time, IMO.

good luck people!

 

[jenniferhouston2]

DDank,

I know how you feel. We wait to book until the codes come out, just because I do not want to go through the hassle of switching reservations and dates, especially since we fly to florida and changing plane tickets are impossible these days.

Let me give you this consolation..

As popular as disboards is, I believe that this forum only reaches a miniscule fraction of Disney guests. (When you look at this forum everyday, I think you get the false impression that "everyone" is here.) A vast majority of people have never heard of discount codes, and only run into them through the direct marketing of Disney.

My point is that the actions of people on this board cannot mathematically affect the number of vacancies at Disney for a given time.

Just my humble opinion

Jennifer

 

[newmousecateer]

see what I mean? What incentive does disney have to release them? how is WDW supposed to know this person plans on dropping the ressies with no discount??

I have ressies for May, I plan on keeping them no matter what. Sure, a code would be great! You can bet I will be on the phone in a second to use the code.

I don't want to start a debate here, but do you really think Disney doesn't know that a lot of these bookings will be cancelled if they don't come out with a code? Do you really think their marketing department cannot pick up on past "trends" in bookings and cancellations?

And just for the record, I think the people here have a lot of sense.

 

[missypie]

It sure would be interesting to see if there are enough DISers and Mousesavers to make a trend...I wonder how many rooms really are available under AP and other codes and what percentage of them are snatched up by DISers and Mousesavers. Like some other posters, I hope that most of the visitors remain clueless to some of the codes!

 

[speedyf]

I think some people are starting to go into panic mode. It's tough to have patience when it's getting this close....

I booked 2 rooms at Pop Century. If the code comes out and it's cheaper than $99 per night to move to a moderate, we are moving on up. If not, we stay at Pop Century....no biggie.

I think alot of those codes come out because the moderates and higher priced hotels don't fill up. They end up moving people who would have stayed at a value up a notch to moderate and end up getting people that may have stayed off site to come into the values. Most people just move up a notch.

Looking back over the historical chart since 2001 on mousesavers.com, AP rates have come out regularly over the past 3 years:

2001
April 22nd thru December 25th

2002
January 1st thru February 13th
April 21st thru December 19th
(Feb 27th thru Apr 20th - Special Discount Promo Packages - Gen. Public)


2003
January 1st thru April 9th
April 28th thru August 23rd
October 2nd thru December 26th
(Jul 4th thru Oct 30th - 7 for 4 Special Promo Package - Gen. Public)

I think it's pretty safe to say that some type of discount will be coming soon.....AP or other.

Also....I think Disney puts out the AP discount to sell more AP's. Take me for example....if no AP rate comes out, then I will purchase Park Hopper Plus tickets. If an AP rate does come out, I will purchase at least 1 AP. If I purchase that 1 AP, we are already talking about trying to plan another vacation before the AP expires. Disney will end up making more money because I will be tempted to go back within the year to get more value out of my AP. That means....more reservations, more concessions and meals, more shopping, etc...etc....

Just my opinion......

Also....if the rooms are not "full" for peak season, then regular season should not be any different.....but, you never know.

speedyf

 

[aesalsa]

Great arguments from both sides!

 

[michaela mouse]

Hey all-
Everyone...take a deep breath....I wouldn't worry about Disney not handing out the AP Rates. They do it every year and 2004 will be no different...just be patient.
If you read any newspaper you'll see that Disney has been in financial trouble (Comcast is ready to buy the entire Disney company which will be the largest media merger of all time and it's being seriously considered by Eisner and the rest of the Disney brass) and needs to start turning a profit with the Walt Disney World Resort as a whole. The current recession has led to the parks and resorts to appear empty. Not only are people skeptical about traveling.... due to the economy, people just don't have the money to shell out. The only way people will go is if they get discounted rates, hence, the AP rates are a no brainer.
I remember going to Disney as a kid and my parents used to make ressies 2 years in advance just to secure a room. Those days are long gone. The demand isn't there anymore and Disney knows it...especilly when they look at the books.
There's no way all the of resorts, especially those Deluxe resorts, will sell out so there will be plenty of rooms to go around, whether you book now or wait until the AP's come out.
Also, AP's rates are all more importanty about satisfying the AP Holders. These people spend a good deal of money at the parks and this is one of the few ways Disney can give back to those investors.
Personally, I would rather be safe than sorry..I booked some ressies at the AKL for the dates I want to go and have my airline tickets all set too but I'm not sweating it at all.

 

[JayCT]

michaela mouse - Actually park and resort attendence for the last quarter of 2003 was at record levels according to Disney. December was the busiest ever for Disney. I think some of the trip reports made on these Boards indicated that as well. This is what concerned me about AP rates and codes for our trip this May. Fortunately, it turned out my DW is eligible for a travel employee discount and we got a great rate at CR. I doubt an AP rate or code will beat it. I wish everyone the best of luck on getting a good rate. Jay