Buy AP's or do packages?

[Rhonna]

Somehow I got messed up in my mind. It would be May and October - not November. With regard to blackout dates for a DAP, it's only Saturdays and the final Sunday in May and apparently no blackouts for October. That will work fine for us.

 

[iheartdisney]

I would not count on a AP room discount onsite. If you put any stock in Al Lutz's updates, DLR is tightening up the AP and local discounts this year to try to pull in more tourists with the relaunch of DCA.
There are some local hotels that offer an AP discount also- I know HoJo does. It is 20%all the time, and other times more.

 

[Rhonna]

I would not count on a AP room discount onsite. If you put any stock in Al Lutz's updates, DLR is tightening up the AP and local discounts this year to try to pull in more tourists with the relaunch of DCA.
There are some local hotels that offer an AP discount also- I know HoJo does. It is 20%all the time, and other times more.

If this is correct, I wonder if it will be aimed more at locals who get the SoCa AP's or ALL AP holders? We would be coming from out of state with deluxe and/or premium AP's for two trips in one year.

Plus, I know different disney "forecasters" can be close to correct or way off in their predictions. The relaunch of DCA wouldn't be happening in full force for our first trip in May. CarsLand, the big draw will not be ready then. If they do limit AP discounts it seems it would be more likely after CarsLand opens. However, they still need to fill hotel rooms onsite in off season. Not everyone in the country can pull their kids out of school in Oct/Nov. to go to CarsLand. I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[skiingfast]

If they do limit AP discounts it seems it would be more likely after CarsLand opens. However, they still need to fill hotel rooms onsite in off season. Not everyone in the country can pull their kids out of school in Oct/Nov. to go to CarsLand. I guess we will have to wait and see.

^^^ very true, which makes AL Clutz look very narrow minded in his wording.

 

[Rhonna]

If the savings on the on-site hotel with the AP (10% standard up to 30 or 40% during certain times)

Is this always the case that AP holders get 10% off disney resorts?

If so, even without a higher discount (30-40%) I would factor in how much that 10% would save us during our stay.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Is this always the case that AP holders get 10% off disney resorts?

If so, even without a higher discount (30-40%) I would factor in how much that 10% would save us during our stay.

Yes. But I don't know if it's only off rack rates or if it's on top of public deals too.

 

[Rhonna]

Yes. But I don't know if it's only off rack rates or if it's on top of public deals too.

If it's off rack rate that would be at least a little something. I wouldn't think they would give the 10% on top of the 30 or 40% specials.

We've always gotten a good deal or discount before. I'm hoping for room discounts in May and Oct. We have kind of decided we are going in May and setting the dates in stone so it won't be flexible. In the fall, we would be only going to DL so we could go when they offer the best deal. Oct or Nov would be fine.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I hope you don't mind but rather than starting an new thread about the AP I thought I would jump in on this one.

We have multiple trips planned for 2012 and I was debating purchasing an AP. We are planning a trip Dec 29 - Jan 7. Plus we will be in San Diego the second week of March and thought we may go for a few days. Then I was thinking a long weekend next fall once Carsland is open. We would need the premium because there are black out days in December/January. I've priced it out and I think it is a benefit financially to buy the AP rather than paying for individual park passes for each trip.

I have a few questions:

1. I looked at the links to the AP pages and I noticed that there seems to only be one price. $499. Isn't there a AP ticket for children? I wouldn't think they would be the same as an adult.
2. How do you find out what good neighbor hotels offer an AP discount? Do you call the hotel directly or is that something that you are able to find out when you make a reservation through disneyland.com?

   There are some local hotels that offer an AP discount also- I know HoJo does. It is 20%all the time, and other times more.

3. What are the pros/cons for buying a park hopper and then updating it to a AP when we get there?
4. If you have a park hopper do you call a different number to make reservations?

Any insight you are willing to share is appreciated.

 

[skiingfast]

I hope you don't mind but rather than starting an new thread about the AP I thought I would jump in on this one.

We have multiple trips planned for 2012 and I was debating purchasing an AP. We are planning a trip Dec 29 - Jan 7. Plus we will be in San Diego the second week of March and thought we may go for a few days. Then I was thinking a long weekend next fall once Carsland is open. We would need the premium because there are black out days in December/January. I've priced it out and I think it is a benefit financially to buy the AP rather than paying for individual park passes for each trip.

Yes you should, Usually 3 trips is the magic number.

I looked at the links to the AP pages and I noticed that there seems to only be one price. $499. Isn't there a AP ticket for children? I wouldn't think they would be the same as an adult.

It's a bummer but it's one price for all.

How do you find out what good neighbor hotels offer an AP discount? Do you call the hotel directly or is that something that you are able to find out when you make a reservation through disneyland.com?

AP discounts are on all the Onsite Hotels. It's upto other hotels if they want to offer them, and you book them idependantly not through Disney. I know the Hojo and Annabella do.

What are the pros/cons for buying a park hopper and then updating it to a AP when we get there?

Usually to work it so you get a Magic Morning. With an AP you otherwise need to stay onsite to get that benefit.

If you have a park hopper do you call a different number to make reservations?

No, but there is only AP benefit when you stay onsite anyway.