ARGUMENT FREE Roll Call For AP RATES!!!

[sandbar]

I got tired of waiting for AP rates, so 2 days ago I booked the WL for Sept. 10-13 with a AAA rate. I was surprised that discount is still available for those dates since it's getting so close. I wonder if they still do have a lot of rooms empty and may yet offer AP's. I really hope so for the rest of you who are still waiting!

 

[Gary M]

On Aug. 11, I phoned CRO about AP room discounts for Aug. 17 to Aug.21, they had standard rooms available for a very good rate. The courtyard and wooded views, were not discounted for those dates. The people I called for, didn't go anyway. It looks like not everything is booked full, if you can get a great discount, less than a week before check in.

 

[Tigger1028]

I just called at 8:10 and still no AP rates past 8-23.

 

[magicplace4me]

At 10:15 still nothing.

 

[ddank]

3:08 EST and nothing. She insisted they were not done away with.

 

[luvpooh]

I actually called tonight at 5:07 PM to cancel my BWI ressie b/c I don't want to pay rack rate in October for it. CM Andrew pleaded with me not to cancel once he heard my reason was due to AP rates not being released. He said there was a big meeting this afternoon where the phone reps 'laid it on the line' to the leaders and management about AP rates and that they are getting large volumes of calls every day regarding them. He said that they were essentially told that Marketing controls the rates and that they thought the package deals had been successful and that the rooms were at a high enough occupancy to not offer any room only discounts. Andrew (who mentioned he has been dubbed "Mr. Difficult" by management) told me he then asked why FL resident rates were released and said they did not have an answer to that question. He also mentioned that he and many other CMs were "sticking up for you guys" and willing the management to offer the discounted rates.

Bottom line, he said to hold on to my ressie until the 1st week of September and that there should be something then (he mentioned September 3 specifically).

So take that as yet another CM's opinion/story and put as much (or as little) faith into believing that the AP rates are coming...

I don't know what to do at this point!!!

 

[Figaro1]

I will now be awaiting for Sept. 3 in the 'wait and see game'. At least we have a holiday to break up the days!!!

May the waiting begin!!!

 

[chinamom3]

LuvPooh, thanks so much for posting this. I haven't posted too much about the AP situation, but right now I have rack rate Contemporary rooms for 4 nights in mid-October, and well as 2 nights at the Swan-those 2 nights are double-booked with the CR. I hope that the AP's will come through for that time-I will certaintly have to cancel at least 2 of the Contemp nights if not. I was wondering if all the calling we have all been doing has,indeed, gotten through somehow to the "Big Guys," and I appreciate knowing that it may have. Andrew, if you read these boards, we appreciate your help. I believe something may come through for September and October. (I believe, I believe, I believe...oh, that's Shrek.) Hmm, that's a thought.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by luvpooh
. He said that they were essentially told that Marketing controls the rates and that they thought the package deals had been successful and that the rooms were at a high enough occupancy to not offer any room only discounts.

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I think that's a very telling sentence right there - and pretty much confirms the opinion that management "thinks" these rooms are already "booked" and therefore they see no reason to discount them..

If you all cancelled the rooms that you're waiting for AP rates on, I wonder what their reaction would be then?

Just a thought...

 

[julfre]

I just gave up waiting for AP rates and called and made a reservation at the dolphin for dec 8-13. The AP rate was booked for the 7th completely and so I am still one night short. At least I have a nice room at a acceptable price for most of the trip.

 

[DebbieB]

The Swan/Dolphin must be very happy with all this! I would have booked the Swan for Oct 1 to 6 but Oct 1 is sold out and I don't want to move. So I booked CBR with DC for 20% off.

From what CM Andrew said combined with posts from Mary Waring (mousesavers) and WebmasterPete, I really doubt AP rates are going to happen.

One thing blows my mind. I work for a major corporation (insurance co). I can't believe that they allow their cm's to talk to guests so openly about behind the scene meetings and their personal opinions on discounts. Essentially talking down their management. As they would say: bad show.

 

[DMRick]

If you all cancelled the rooms that you're waiting for AP rates on, I wonder what their reaction would be then?

I've done my part...and cancelled and booked at the DTD Marriot. I wasn't going to even make a ressie until it was the price I could afford, but the CM who took my call encouraged me too.

I much prefer to stay on site (I like to go between resorts for shopping, watching the electric water parade, and others such reasons, and it's much much easier with that white sheet of paper saying you belong on site!), so I'll be a little disappointed, but it's a decision we can easily live with.
The best part of staying on site, is if one of us wants to go take a nap, the bus back to our room is right there..no waiting "on the hour" etc...and since we use a rental car, even my daughter can go back to the room at any time, and not have ot count on us driving her. The buses are slower first thing in the morning and at night, but we seldom use them at that time.
We do have AP's right now (not sure we will again) and that does give us free parking even without staying on site.

 

[Luv2Travel]

I called and cancelled my Polynesian ressies last week. The CM asked my reason for cancelling and I told her that there was no way I could (or would) pay the rack rate that I had reserved the room for and that I saw no reason to hang on to it in hopes of a discount. I asked her why I should keep the reservation if marketing looks at vacancies to determine discounts and she had no answer for me. The ONLY reason I booked it was because the CM convinced me to go ahead and book so I would have a room.

Now I have a room at the Swan booked at $139 with the AP discount. Thanks you Swan/Dolphin hotels!

(Will still keep my fingers crossed for others to get the AP rate though )

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by DMRick
The best part of staying on site, is if one of us wants to go take a nap, the bus back to our room is right there..no waiting "on the hour" etc...and since we use a rental car, even my daughter can go back to the room at any time, and not have ot count on us driving her.

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Naps?? On vacation?? We wouldn't know a "nap" if it bit us in the face!! LOL.. We're so hyped up over being on vacation in Orlando (or come to think of it, anyplace else we go on vacation) we just go, go, go - like the Energizer Bunny - and never seem to wear down..

Course when we come HOME, we may sleep for a month or so...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

 

[DMRick]

Naps?? On vacation??

We start out usually for early entry (which you get if staying on Dis property) and go until midnight. That's a very long day for the grands. A nap or a swim is welcome in the mid afternoon, and unless we all want to do it at the same time, nowhere as convenient as staying on-site. Certainly a great benefit to staying onsite in the morning and evening is how quick you get to the parks.
Personally, because in the way past I only stayed off-site..I think the best way to judge, why some love to stay on-site, is to try it (I believe you said you hadn't done that yet). We have stayed for as little as $49 in the Allstars, so the money difference has been nil..the benefits in our eyes have been great. Not great enough to pay Disney rack rate (we have 5, and three are adults..Disney charges for the 3rd adult, so the All Stars is out this trip) however on this particular trip.
We will definately miss staying on site, even though we are just in DTD. Although AP discounts are not a promise..we prob won't get an AP again...but just use the AAA rates when it's just us staying on site.
Of course since you enjoy staying off-site and intend to spend equal time away from Disney, for you it may not matter..for us it does. We usually spend two days out of Disney in a day day trip, one day in a seven day trip..so we go mostly for Disney. There are money advantages staying off-site which may be worth it to some, so people have to do what their expense level and wishes are.

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

DMRick,

I'm with you! We always go back to the room for a nap. If no one is tired, we'll hit the pool or just sit in the lobby of WL and relax.

I don't really think I will ever stay off site though. Guess I'm spoiled. But like you said, money-wise, staying off site will be cheaper. However, I love the convenience to come and go (quickly) as I please.

Unfortunately, I am one that WILL pay rack rate just for the convenience of staying on site. Granted, I would LOVE a discount!

 

[Boo'sMom]

Has anyone called today??

 

[magicmouse2]

Yeah --- Nothing.

 

[Colt]

Still no AP rates, CM mentioned possibly early September. I've heard this routine of " maybe tomorrow / maybe next week " so many times now.... but days to our trip ( and thus hope ) still remain.

 

[Boo'sMom]

I just spent about 20 minutes on the phone with a very nice CM who said they were given a memo this morning directing passholders to a site within disneyworld.com where the passholder codes and rates will be listed. She read the memo to me and it indicated that due to the viruses going around the system hasn't been updated with the new codes....but she said they are being told that passholder discounts ARE coming out, and it is a computer problem that is preventing them.
Unfortunately, the web address she tried to list the rates, was not working.....so we'll try calling later.

HTH someone!