booking with AP?

[briarberry]

I hope someone can help me! We booked our first WDW trip last year with an agent before I knew these boards existed. I have decided we can go again this August (just my DD and myself) and we are planning another trip in August 2006 to meet up with UK relatives. I am considering getting an AP so I can book rooms this August with the discount and I could use it again next August. I do realize I must go earlier next August but that's not an issue. My questions are - do I need the pass to book the rooms or can I buy it when I get there and are the discounts always in place (I can only find the rates until July 2005 on Mousesaver)?
I am new at booking all this stuff on my own and it is a bit overwhelming!
My daughter and I had a great time (despite the hurricanes) last time, I never thought we would be going back so soon but DD8 is growing up so fast I want to enjoy it! She is even up for the 22 hour drive there and back!
Thanks in advance. I love the resources these boards provide!

 

[weluvpluto]

The AP discounts for this August have not been released yet, my guess is they'll be out at the beginning of May (that's when they were released for the last two years). You do not need an AP pass to book the room, but you will need it at check-in. So you could buy it when you get there, but before you check-in. AP discounts are not guaranteed, but there have only been a few times when there weren't any recently - holiday periods and for some reason, in Sept. two years ago.