Buying AP and AP Rate Check In

[ffugitive]

I received an incredible AP rate for CSR at the end of January, but I have not yet bought an AP. I know the several places where I can buy an AP, but most only sell you vouchers that need to be exchanged at the park gate. Will the hotel accept such a voucher rather than the actual pass to get my AP rate at check in? Or do I have to go to a park first before I check in?

 

[ajleone]

Unless its changed in the last year the official rule is that they need the actual pass at check-in. That being said I have read where some people were able to use the voucher. If you can manage it just to save a hassle it might be easier if you can hit guest relations at DTD or the parks before you head to your resort.

 

[johnnyr]

Just to be on the safe side I would redeem the vouchers for the actual AP passes. That said, I have yet to be asked to show my AP at check-in.

 

[clkelley]

If you are flying in, and arrive during their business hours, you can purchase an actual pass at the Disney EarPort at the airport.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Yoiu mentioned a GREAT rate for AP. I was under the impression that the AP didnt give such great rates anymore. I remember in the past we did purchase them adn we did get a really great rate. When I discussed this with DH about our trip this July he said he thought all the rates were about the same ....AP or not. Anyone have any info??? Would it be good to get and AP for July. Thanks....

 

[ffugitive]

The rate I got is $99 / night for CSR, which without the AP rate was $150/night. Granted, this is January - I suspect the July would be a different story. What's crazy is that the rate for 7 nights alone justifies buying the annual pass. And that does not take into account the benefit during a likely second trip we will make some time during the 365 days to follow, as well as the 20% food and drink discount I will be able to get by joining the Disney Dining Experience for 65 bucks.

 

[biolabetty]

Was that rate for a standard room? I received an AP discount at CSR for that time period also, but my rate was not that low, however, I do have a water view room. As far as activating the AP prior to check-in, I'm in a similar situation. I have my voucher, but our plane arrives at 6:12 A.M. and I doubt there will be anyplace open to activate it at that time.

 

[APB513]

How do you get the AP vouchers? Where can I buy an AP?

I found the answers to these questions at: http://allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm

 

[Charleyann]

If you are flying in, and arrive during their business hours, you can purchase an actual pass at the Disney EarPort at the airport.

Where is that? Thank you so much!

Charleyann

 

[ffugitive]

Yes, my AP rate was for a standard - waterview would have been about 10 bucks more.

In response to another question, AP refers to annual pass. Disney sells the actual pass at the gates and certain customer service points in WDW, but it becomes active (and the 365 days begin running) immediately. Elsewhere, you can purchase a voucher instead of the AP itself, which must be turned in for an annual pass in order to be valid - the year does not start until you do so.

I suppose that brings me back to the question, what is the point of the voucher system at all? I could see it if a voucher was honored by the hotel to get the AP rate, but now I am not sure I see the point of getting a voucher in advance rather than just wait until I get to a park to buy a pass.

 

[LilGMom]

The AP discount has usually always been about 40% of the rack rate and you also get 10% lunches at select restaurants and stores in WDW. We've never checked in with just a voucher so I don't know if you can or not. I believe the point of the voucher is to save time. Whenever we've had our voucher or needed to renew our APs we have gone to Guest Relations and have not had to stand in line at the ticket window.

 

[clkelley]

Yes, my AP rate was for a standard - waterview would have been about 10 bucks more.

In response to another question, AP refers to annual pass. Disney sells the actual pass at the gates and certain customer service points in WDW, but it becomes active (and the 365 days begin running) immediately. Elsewhere, you can purchase a voucher instead of the AP itself, which must be turned in for an annual pass in order to be valid - the year does not start until you do so.

I suppose that brings me back to the question, what is the point of the voucher system at all? I could see it if a voucher was honored by the hotel to get the AP rate, but now I am not sure I see the point of getting a voucher in advance rather than just wait until I get to a park to buy a pass.

Well, some people who are anticipating a trip and saving money for it, go ahead and order a voucher online or at their local Disney store when they have the money for it, just so they can ensure their ticket is purchased.

Also, Disney also generally raises the prices of the APs every year. If you purchase a voucher and the price goes up, you don't pay the higher price.

If a guest actually renews, they are mailed a voucher to be exchanged when they arrive.

 

[Brad Bishop]

The AP discount has usually always been about 40% of the rack rate and you also get 10% lunches at select restaurants and stores in WDW. We've never checked in with just a voucher so I don't know if you can or not. I believe the point of the voucher is to save time. Whenever we've had our voucher or needed to renew our APs we have gone to Guest Relations and have not had to stand in line at the ticket window.

Doesn't the lunch discount only apply during the week. I mean, if you're a weekend-traveler that particular perk isn't worth much (I just remember reading that somewhere recently when I was looking into it).

I never could hammer down what the AP savings were for resorts. It was ranged from "I got a great rate" to "I got an OK" rate to "It didn't apply or was about the same."

I had a really hard time guaging the AP benefits when I was looking at them a month or two back. I eventually gave up and just figured I'd get a 10-day Park-Hopper/No Expires ticket, instead.

I'd still reconsider if someone could give me a clearer picture of the benefits.

 

[ffugitive]

Putting aside the obvious savings of a second trip (which we will likely do anyway), the saving is significant in this trip alone. I think I may just get an AP for myself, which is about $200 more than I would pay for an 8-day Park Hopper. As I said above, my $99 rate is $50 saved per night, with a total savings of $400 for the room (so I am +$200 already). Then I will pay $65 for the DDE, which I could not do unless I buy the AP. We spend about $100-150 per day on food that would be subject to the DDE 20% discount, so that's another 150-200, less the $65 join fee - at least another $100 savings.

So, without considering the benefit to a likely October trip, or the little 10% discounts and benefits you receive here and there, I am saving at least $300.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Now, when I booked my AP rate for AKL for December, the CM said as long as I have the voucher at check-in I would be okay, however I will have already exchanged mine before we check in there, because we will be at the CR under a AAA rate for the first 2 nights.

I got a great rate on my AP's from AAA, saved almost $100 on 3 adult AP's, then I saved several times in addition to that savings also and I haven't even used them yet.


Suzanne

 

[ffugitive]

I didn't know AAA offers discounts on AP's - I'll definitely give them a call. M

 

[APB513]

I got a great rate on my AP's from AAA, saved almost $100 on 3 adult AP's, then I saved several times in addition to that savings also and I haven't even used them yet.


Suzanne

Wow, you got lucky!!! I called a MI AAA office and they only sell 4 day PH. When I called a FL AAA office, they only sell AP's for FL residents.

Just makes me want to move to FL even more

 

[LilGMom]

Doesn't the lunch discount only apply during the week. I mean, if you're a weekend-traveler that particular perk isn't worth much (I just remember reading that somewhere recently when I was looking into it).

I never could hammer down what the AP savings were for resorts. It was ranged from "I got a great rate" to "I got an OK" rate to "It didn't apply or was about the same."

I had a really hard time guaging the AP benefits when I was looking at them a month or two back. I eventually gave up and just figured I'd get a 10-day Park-Hopper/No Expires ticket, instead.

I'd still reconsider if someone could give me a clearer picture of the benefits.

As far as I know the 10% lunch discount (at select restuarants) is good during the weekend too. At some places like Rainforest Cafe, which isn't owned/operated by WDW, it might be only Mon - Fri but we've always used our AP for lunch discounts regardless of the day and have never had any problems. I could be completely wrong or the 2008 benefits state that it is only for weekdays but when we went with my ILs last month they used their AP's for lunch on Sunday with no problem.

And generally you can guesstimate a 30-40% discount off of rack rates for AP room rates, usually less of a discount during peak seasons or major holiday seasons. Of course not all of the resorts offer AP rates and those that do have a certain number of rooms that they will offer at AP rates and once those are gone you have to pay rack rate again.

You can go to the WDW website, go to the AP section and they offer a pop-up that will let you preview the basic benefits. There are numerous sites that will show you what the AP or FL res. room rate is and the AP and FL Res. rates are usually within a few dollars of each other.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Wow, you got lucky!!! I called a MI AAA office and they only sell 4 day PH. When I called a FL AAA office, they only sell AP's for FL residents.

Just makes me want to move to FL even more

I am in Alabama and got mine in Georgia. If you would like to PM me, I will give you my reps info and you can contact her to see if you can purchase them at the discount price.

Suzanne