Best Rate vs. Annual Pass Rate

[BlsdMama]

These are different? Or they are the same?

For example:
We have finally decided we are going to spend three nights at POR and four nights at Ft. Wilderness (I think, lol.)

Let's say the Best Rate is $165/night at Ft. Wilderness and $99 at POR. If they are different, why would I bother to buy the Annual Pass? Can just anyone get Best Rate?

I promise, I've *almost* got my mind wrapped around all of this!! The questions will come less frequently now.

 

[pic22]

You have to have an AP to be able to get the Best Rate offer. Also you can not book it for someone else as you must have the AP at check-in and you can only use a credit card if it has the AP holders name on it.

To answer your first question, they can be the same, but to reserve the Best Rate, you have to put down a nonrefundable 1 night deposit, which has a charge against it for any changes to your reservation. The AP you can only apply, if available, when they become available, which is usually a few months before (2-3) your desired date. No one really knows how good the best rate will be as the first dates that this came available have not arrived yet.

Good Luck.

 

[betterlatethannever]

These are different? Or they are the same?

For example:
We have finally decided we are going to spend three nights at POR and four nights at Ft. Wilderness (I think, lol.)

Let's say the Best Rate is $165/night at Ft. Wilderness and $99 at POR. If they are different, why would I bother to buy the Annual Pass? Can just anyone get Best Rate?

I promise, I've *almost* got my mind wrapped around all of this!! The questions will come less frequently now.

Yes, you need an AP to use the Best Rate Program.

THEORETICALLY, it is called the Best Rate Program because you will get the Best Rate. You need to pay 120 days in advance, and there is a penalty for cancelling or changing.

With the AP rate (for room only reservations), you can cancel up to 5 days before your arrival without penalty, and you only pay one day in advance, the remaining days when you arrive.

IMO, there will be prenty of upset, unhappy, and otherwise POed people (who have booked through Best Rate) if the AP rate and the Best Rate turn out to be the same. Hopefully, we will find out later this month.

Ed

 

[LoveMickey]

I booked the Best Rate for our upcoming trip. I then tried to book another room for my nephew and his wife.

I was not able to do this, because we were within the 120 window. I then called to try and get the AP discounted rate, but they regular AP rates have not come out yet for Dec. I hope I can get the better rate for him.

It's a confusing system and I'm not sure I like it that much.

 

[CdnMom2]

Thank you, OP for posting your question. I didn't even realize there were still AP discounts without the Best Rate Program. Can one still get an AP discounted room on a child's AP?

3 of the 6 in our family went to a convention at WDW in July. I worked out the tickets endlessly. Finally decided to get AP for our youngest as she may get to go again (after our long-planned family December trip) even with other relatives. I knew I'd be foregoing opportunity to buy a DDE by getting a child's AP. So we got discounted rooms for the convention. Right after buying that AP (a day or 2) this new Best Rate Plan was announced so now no AP discounts on rooms with her! Had I known I would have gone with the Adult AP for me.

Sorry to hijack thread here. We're still trying to work out some of the accomodations for our Dec. trip. Plus, of course, the chances of youngest DD (the AP holder) returning to WDW to use said pass is better if there's a room discount for her & her grandparents!

Thanks for any info.

 

[cobbler]

Well not really sure yet if they are the same as there have been no AP rates released since the best rate program was introduced. It will be interesting to see.

As for a child's AP, they can't be used for the best rate program. It has to be an adults. Why? Because the name on the reservation has to match the name on the credit card and a child usually doesn't have a credit card.

 

[betterlatethannever]

...As for a child's AP, they can't be used for the best rate program. It has to be an adults. Why? Because the name on the reservation has to match the name on the credit card and a child usually doesn't have a credit card.

Even if a child has a credit card, they have to be 18 to make ressies.

Ed

 

[BlsdMama]

THEORETICALLY, it is called the Best Rate Program because you will get the Best Rate. You need to pay 120 days in advance, and there is a penalty for cancelling or changing.
Ed

Pay or book? This is relevant to me since we're using dh's bonus to fund this trip. If I understand correctly I need to pay for one night as a deposit.

What if we want to stay at two different lodges? For example if we want to spend three nights at Wilderness and then three nights at Animal Kingdom... must I book two separate ressies and pay two separate deposits?

Thanks!
Kelly

 

[shirley 38]

Hi Yes you have to book 2 seperate reservations. They will move all you belongings. Just call Bell Services and let them know where you are going. It is really easy.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Pay or book? This is relevant to me since we're using dh's bonus to fund this trip. If I understand correctly I need to pay for one night as a deposit.

What if we want to stay at two different lodges? For example if we want to spend three nights at Wilderness and then three nights at Animal Kingdom... must I book two separate ressies and pay two separate deposits?

Thanks!
Kelly

You are right about booking by 120 days but you will lose your deposit if you cancel. So, what I meant to say (which I didn't do a good job on) is you are putting money at risk much earlier than with the regular AP Rate program.

For your other question, yes it is two reservations and two deposits, and you could lose both if your cancel.

Ed

 

[zagafi]

Here's one of the things that bugs me the most--as a family of five we need TWO rooms in most instances. Nope, can't book that with this stupid program. UGH.

 

[BlsdMama]

I can handle a non-refundable deposit. I can handle the 120 day out booking... although it is annoying. But, what is driving me really nuts is the lack of ROOMS for large families. NO value resorts at all. We have five kiddos(so far) and while we aren't taking all of them on this trip, it's painful to know that in a few years we'll need at least two rooms. Five kids just isn't *that* many! And, since they are all little, dh and I will have to split up. Ah well, such goes life. It's only a week and we'll love it!

 

[zagafi]

Five kids just isn't *that* many! And, since they are all little, dh and I will have to split up. Ah well, such goes life. It's only a week and we'll love it!

Five kids isn't *that* many?? You are a far better woman than I! I have three and feel greatly outnumbered.

You're right, though, it is tough taking a "larger" family when you look at your room options. Ugh.

 

[jpeltier]

Hi, if you need more than 1 room,try Fort Wilderness cabins. There's a master bedroom with a double and bunk beds and there's a Murphy bed in the family room. There's a kitchen too. Its great for snacks or meals. There's a petting zoo, nightly campfires with a sing-a-long and movies.Kids love it!