Are there ALWAYS AP rates?

[skuttle]

Not sure if anyone will know this for sure, but I thought I'd ask.

Our AP's are up for renewal in December. We plan on going to WDW towards the end of May and I'm sure AP rates for that time won't be available in December. Are AP rates always offered for the end of May? Would they be similar to last years? Thanks!

 

[zulaya]

I certainly don't work for Disney, but the only times I haven't seen AP discounts offered were for Xmas week (2001 was the exception) and the 2 weeks surrounding Easter. Peak times (mid Feb thru most of April) seem to have had some discounts this year, but don't quote me as I don't rightly remember. I htink you probably will see discounts in May, but nothing is ever guaranteed.

 

[gepetto]

I have always gotten discount the end of May. But we are pretty flexable about where we want to stay.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by skuttle
Are AP rates always offered for the end of May? Would they be similar to last years? Thanks!

In 2001 we were able to get an AP rate at the AKL over Memorial Day weekend.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't know if there are always AP rates.
I do know from experience that AP room discounts may be an option, but aren't always available.
For our May stay at POR, we were not able to get an AP rate (when we booked early February). BUT a good discount rate was available that anyone could use. (For that stay a preferred room at AS was the same rate as a night at a mod!)
And lately we have seen where some resorts are not participating in AP rate discounts. We are staying at ASMu in October, because ASMo was not participating in the AP discount. There were other resorts that were not participating also.
So your chances are good, but never guaranteed.

 

[Piglette]

Check out mousesavers.com
She has a historical listing of what rates were available when (including AP rates)

 

[DebbieB]

If your AP's expire in December and you willn't be going until May, you may want to think twice about renewing in any case. By the time you first use the renewal, 5 months will be gone (it will be effective on the renewal date and expire 1 year later). Depending on when you plan to go after that, you may want to just get new AP's in May and they will be good until May 2004.

 

[Mattsmom]

When we went in June 2001, AP rates ended 5/23 and didn't start again until 7/4. (except for AKL) I was looking for any discount I could get! Ended up using DC for the BC and a State code for POR.

 

[skuttle]

I don't think renewing in December will make much difference for us. Once we return from WDW in May, I'll be studying for the bar exam and then starting a new job. We won't make it back to WDW before May 2004, so I'll probably just renew in December and save a few bucks. Thanks for bringing that up, though....I never thought of that. But for us, it won't make a difference.

 

[skuttle]

I know that with rack rates, if the season changes during your stay, you get the rate from when you checked in. If the AP rates are available when we check in, but later in the trip they are not, do we still get the AP rate for the entire trip?

 

[Dan Murphy]

My understanding, Allison, is that the rate you check in with is the rate for your length of stay. I had that on one stay at DxL in 2000. Rate change was in middle of my stay, but my check-in rate applied for all my days. Always best to check though, rules do change at WDW, as we all know.

 

[chrissy72]

forgive my stupid question...but what is AP rate??? also, i booked a trip for mid may and used a AAA discount, will i be able to use that mousesaver discount everyone talks about and secondly, is it a substantial discount??

 

[skuttle]

Hi Chrissy72...Welcome to the DIS!

AP rate = Annual Passholder Rate. The disney resorts often offer room discounts for Annual Pass holders.

Mousesavers has a list of LOTS of different discounts for different people: everyone, Florida residents, AAA, AP, etc. As long as you satisfy the requirements for a specific rate, you should be able to use it.

 

[chrissy72]

quick response!! thanks so much. everyone here is sooo helpful!!! still trying to learn all these initials!! so can i use as many discounts as i want if they as long as they apply or just one???

 

[chrissy72]

quick response!! thanks so much. everyone here is sooo helpful!!! still trying to learn all these initials!! so can i use as many discounts as i want as long as they apply or just one???

 

[Luv2Roam]

Just one per ressie.

 

[Pookey]

I looked at mousesavers.com I couldn't find any history of what AP rates have been availabe when. Where on the site can I find this info?

 

[CuteKatCar]

Hi, Chrissy,

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you. So, here goes:

I book my trips directly through CRO. Room only. In July of 1999, I booked May 2000 and was able to get a Disney Club Discount (10% off rack rate during regular season). The Annual Passholder rates for May 2000 came out in March 2000. (AP rates are released a few months at a time). I was then able to get 2 of my 8 nights at the AP rate (it was for the GF, so it was a good savings). They also had an AP discount for the Contemporary for the last 3 nights of my stay. So I took them and we changed hotels during the stay.

I believe the AP discount at that time was 30%. Once I secured the hotel rates, I then bought the actual Annual passes. The passes themselves are expensive. I remember that the difference in the passes I was planning to get (Length of stay which was 9 DAYS so they were alot) and buying APs was only $25.00, so it was worth it in that regard. Check out the ticket prices on mousesavers. Your room savings would have to exceed the price difference in the tickets you would originally plan to purchase. Did I lose you yet?

We returned again in May 2001, one week before the AP expired. We stayed at the CR and I believe I was only able to get 3 of the 6 nights at the AP rate. They were sold out by the time I called. I have to say we got our money's worth out of the APs.

Just yesterday, I booked my trip for next June. I was able to get a AAA discount which was 10% off the Polynesian and 15% off the Caribbean Beach Resort. I am planning on buying 7 day park hopper passes. Using a AAA discount, that would cost me $1,160.00. Annual Passes would cost me (with AAA discount) $1,355.00. A difference of apx. $200.00. So, when the AP rates come out next spring, I would have to save at least $200.00 off the rooms to break even.

Also, I have never had any problems modifying my ressies when I secured the new discounts.

Hope this helps!!

Anna

 

[skuttle]

Here's the link to the historical info. It's located under the FAQ's.

 

[goofyandmore]

Skuttle and Chrissy, I got an AP rate the week before Easter 2001 and was told it applied as long as check in was by the Thursday before Easter. This last Easter 2002, I missed the discounts and didn't go but someone on this board said they got an AP discount the week after Easter.

It is my understanding that you can only use one discount. So, you can get the AP discount on a room but not the ap and disney club. However, you can use the Disney club discount to get a discount on the purchase of your AP.