Buy AP or not???

[wezee]

DH and I are considering buying AP's but are a bit confused about the benefits, especially for booking rooms. I'm sure many newbies like me have posed this question but.....

Please give me the pros and cons of the AP, including the possibility and/or availability of room discounts based on your experiences.

We have always booked thru our TA and she always seems so hesitant about checking for code specials, and we are considering booking our own trips and forgoing the TA.

 

[kelscross]

In the past we got around 80.00 per night off deluxe rooms with the AP. Even if there isn't a discount it has come in handy because we've made two trips out of ours this year and would have been able to use it three times, but we had to cancel the last leg of our trip after the Disney Cruise last year.

 

[Disney Fool]

If you keep reading this board, you'll soon have way more information than any TA!!!! Buy an AP if you plan to do more than one trip in a year, not because of room rates. If the room rates happen to come along, great! and they always do come out, but maybe not when you want it, or where you want it. I've had an AP for 15 years --but I'm flexible, and can go at any time there's a bargain. For me, I've always managed to snag a great discount. Case in point: Beach Club for $235 next week!! But, I also go to Disney about 3 times a year. I also enjoy the other benefits of the AP, such as the DDE card (which is a separate purchase if you have an AP) which gets %20 off food and drinks. Sometimes there are discounts on Cirque du Soleil tickets (deep discounts).

 

[wezee]

We are planning on at least one 9-10 day vacation each year, and are hoping to sneak in a couple of long weekends, if the airfare and room rates allow. Thanks for the input. Are there any cons we should know about, and can you buy an AP any time of the year???? I assume it is then renewable in 12 months??

also... when booking a room for the AP rate is it better to call CRO or book online?

 

[Disney Fool]

Yes, you can purchase an AP at any time. After you get it, you can also purchase a DDE card (Disney Dining Experience) which gives 20% off meals and drinks for up to 6 in your party. As to rooms, you will usually get an email from Disney which will inform you of any specials they will offer, but you can always check the official Disney website under the section for "Passholders" and any special offers will be there. YOu can book on line by clicking the links to special officers, or call CRO and just ask for the AP rate and ask what's available.

 

[wezee]

Thanks for the great info.......think we will prolly get the AP. Plus, I'm finally getting up enough courage ( with the help of all the great people and advice on DisBoard) to plan and book my next trip myself.

 

[NHWX]

If you have the Disney Visa card, put the APs on the card early enough (getting a voucher that you can turn into tickets once you arrive) so that you can earn the disney dollars on them. You can also order that DDE card early too.

I prefer calling into CRO to make reservations. You can then cancel later (a five day window as opposed to a 45 day window) than if you made the reservations online.

You might as well sign-up for airfare announcements as well.

NHWX