Calling all AP experts -I was surprised to find a room with an AP discount.

[annie_in_wonderland]

OK, I thought I know everything about WDW and obviously I don't.

I thought that to get a room with an AP rate you needed to call pretty much as soon as they came out. So when I was booking this last minute trip in 3 weeks I almost forgot to ask about AP discounts because I figured there was no chance.

I was so suprised to save $500! (of course the furnace started acting up that very afternoon and so there went that money! )

So what is the deal with AP rates since I obviously don't get it. I always figured that it might not hurt to check right before a trip to see if cancellations opened up some rooms, but are there more of them than I realize? Or do they open them up more often than I realize?

I'd like to understand this better to make better use of my AP if there are any AP experts out there!

Thanks!

 

[kbeitel]

We booked our rooms for 7-2 - 7/12 ... Right now I don't see that AP get any sort of discount during that time. If the discount gets posted, can I purchase and annual pass and call to modify my reservations to get an AP discount?

Thanks for your help!

Kim

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

We booked our rooms for 7-2 - 7/12 ... Right now I don't see that AP get any sort of discount during that time. If the discount gets posted, can I purchase and annual pass and call to modify my reservations to get an AP discount?

Thanks for your help!

Kim

I do know that when you book with an AP rate you don't have to prove you actually have the AP yet. You can book the room and then buy the AP - you just have to show it at check in!

But wait, I see you are asking something more. You want to book the room and then add the AP when the discounts come out. I have done this, but my understanding is that you really have to actually rebook, not change the reservation, so technically I guess there might not be a room with a discount. I COULD BE WRONG! It's nothing to worry about though, because a CM will help you with this.

Personally, I usually book and then change the reservation when I find a discount.

 

[Maxie86]

I am certainly no expert, but if there are rooms available, you can get an AP rate at the last minute. DS and his DGF were staying at the CR and decided they liked the Poly better, so they went to the Poly for breakfast and asked if they had any rooms so they could switch. They got a room with an AP rate, so it never hurts to ask.

 

[annie_in_wonderland]

I am certainly no expert, but if there are rooms available, you can get an AP rate at the last minute. DS and his DGF were staying at the CR and decided they liked the Poly better, so they went to the Poly for breakfast and asked if they had any rooms so they could switch. They got a room with an AP rate, so it never hurts to ask.

I think at the very last minute it is always a good idea. Rooms can open up because of cancellations.

I just always thought there was a limited number of rooms that they offer at an AP rate. I pictured them , for example opening up X amount on May 1 for Sept. bookings and by mid May them being taken. And then maybe close to your check in day some cancellations could free up a few rooms.

That's why I was surprised to find a discount, I guess it was a month out.

Or is there something I'm not getting? (entirely possible!)

 

[Maxie86]

You are right that there are only a certain number of rooms available for a discount, or none at all if the resort is already almost booked. It depends on the time of year you are going and what resort you want to stay at. I was not able to get any discounts for our December trip to the GF, and that was 6 months out, but got a AAA rate for April at the GF. Hoping for an AP rate, but don't think it is going to happen. We still need 2 more nights and am waiting for AP rates to come out before I book them. I think how they release rooms for discounts is a well kept Disney secret. It also seems that a lot of people are getting codes for 20-40% off, hopefully that won't effect the number of AP rates available.