Come on AP Rates!!!

[MinnieLovesMickey]

We booked 9 nights at the WL for December and are waiting for the AP rates to come out to hopefully save some money. When I called last month and booked, I asked if when the AP rates came out could we convert our reservation. The CM (who was very pleasant and helpful) said you actually had to make a new reservation, you couldn't convert. We decided to take out chances and book a room and see what happens when the AP rates come out. Maybe we will be able to convert, or maybe we will have to rebook. Since we are talking December, if we rebook I will get my original deposit back.

I guess we are happier hedging our bets, having a reservation and working from there. Since you don't seem to have to have an AP number when you book, I am concerned we might get blocked out if there are very few rooms, especially by people playing games...so, my advice to get the room and work from there!

I've been able to convert my reservations a couple of times to a better AP rate. The biggest issue I ever had doing that was last year the CM didn't know the code for the AP rate, but luckily I was looking at the offer online so I was able to get her the #. The CMs have always been able just to transfer the $ right over, kept the same ressie#, and no worries about any dining ressies.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It depends on the CM. I have had some do exactly as the PP posted but more often then not I have had to make a new ressie and then cancel the old one. (But I think this happens since I tend to go from room only ressies to AP plus dining, which makes it a package etc.)

 

[HLAuburn]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not so sure if booking the room you want ahead of time makes any difference if/when AP rates come out. In my experience, it's not as simple as "applying" the AP code to an existing reservation - the resort/room type has to be available under the new promotion.

For instance, we booked our August trip with the Summer room-only code. If we tried to book the same room and dates under the FL Resident code ($5 cheaper), it says no rooms are available. Obviously they are available, just not for that specific deal.

I hope I'm wrong and you can just apply the AP code when it comes out. I myself am thinking about booking the room we want in hopes of adding the code when it comes out, but it just seems too good to be true.

 

[MinnieSummer]

The more people that book a room now hoping for a discount later, the less likely the discount will be offered. If there is already limited availability in the value resorts for december, why would Disney offer a discount? I was on another thread and they were talking about not being able to get a room in the value or moderate resort they wanted so they had to stay in a different resort. I really don't see that as a great indicator that a discount is forthcominjg. Of course, it could be that they have set aside a number of rooms for APers and are just really enjoying making us all crazy.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

At least in our case, we booked the WL at a full rate knowing that if we don't get a discount we will keep and use our existing reservation. So, I understand the theory that the more rooms that fill up, the fewer there may be at a discounted rate. Since we will be staying at the WL in December, either at a full or discounted rate, this scenario is different that someone booking, holding a room that they will cancel if they don't get a discount.

So, at least for us, we are just hoping to save some money, but our vacation does not hinge on the discounted rate.

 

[snykymom]

It depends on the CM. I have had some do exactly as the PP posted but more often then not I have had to make a new ressie and then cancel the old one. (But I think this happens since I tend to go from room only ressies to AP plus dining, which makes it a package etc.)

You can change a room only discount/rack rate reservation to another room only discount reservation (room, resort, discount, etc.) without rebooking, and transfer the deposit to the new room. You can change a package discount/rack rate reservation to another package discount/rack rate reservatoin without rebooking, and transfer the deposit to the new package.

If you change from a room only reservation to a package reservation, or a package to a room only, you must book a new reservation, your original reservation is cancelled, you must put down another deposit, and your original deposit is refunded.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not so sure if booking the room you want ahead of time makes any difference if/when AP rates come out. In my experience, it's not as simple as "applying" the AP code to an existing reservation - the resort/room type has to be available under the new promotion.

For instance, we booked our August trip with the Summer room-only code. If we tried to book the same room and dates under the FL Resident code ($5 cheaper), it says no rooms are available. Obviously they are available, just not for that specific deal.

I hope I'm wrong and you can just apply the AP code when it comes out. I myself am thinking about booking the room we want in hopes of adding the code when it comes out, but it just seems too good to be true.

You are not wrong. The particular discount must be available for the resort & room, and you may have to change your resort or room type.

 

[yooperfan]

Do you guys think it is better to book a room now before the rates come out just in case and then call to convert it when the rates become available just in case everything fills up before then?

If you haven't booked a room then I am assuming you haven't booked TS meals either since you need to be staying on property to do that. I would get a room reserved just to be able to book meals. You will not lose your meal ressies once they are made if you change rooms or resorts. I am trying to get certain TS meals for 180 days out and can't get a good time now. You need to start making meal ressies if you want any choices to be left. If you aren't doing table service, then it might be okay.

 

[snykymom]

If you haven't booked a room then I am assuming you haven't booked TS meals either since you need to be staying on property to do that.

Not true. Anyone, regardless of where they're staying, can book TS at 180 days out. Only resort guests can book 180+10, but anyone can book after that. You do not need a resort reservation.

 

[fla4fun]

Of course, it could be that they have set aside a number of rooms for APers and are just really enjoying making us all crazy.

No, I don't think so. The whole purpose of the discounts is to fill rooms they can't fill any other way. If the discounts they have already offered (i.e., bouncebacks, extended free dining, etc.) are already filling up the rooms, they won't have any need to offer AP discounts. Although I usually use AP discounts, I've got my two fall trips booked with bouncebacks this year, including a stay at YC in December. I was concerned that they might not offer good AP discounts this year because of the other promotions, so I took advantage of the bounceback when it was offered. So far this year, the bouncebacks have been in line with the AP discounts, so I don't think a better deal will come out. I'm now hoping for a good AP discount for January.

As far as booking the rooms in advance and hoping to convert, about two or three years ago, there was a big hullabaloo on the DIS because when the fall discount promotions came out WL was excluded. Turns out, a lot of people had booked WL for December and planned to convert to the discount later. But since they had such high occupancy levels at WL, Disney didn't include them in the discount. A lot of people ended up either cancelling, or moving to a different resort so they could get a discount. So I wouldn't book anything you can't afford without the discount - and if it comes, it's icing on the cake.

 

[HLAuburn]

By the way, HLAuburn, just LOVE your picture!!!

Thanks...for some reason, she really liked the mask! I think she looks like an "Incredibles" baby!


So I have a good feeling about tomorrow! Who's with me?! Goooooooooooo AP rates - woohoo!

 

[chottsy]

So I have a good feeling about tomorrow! Who's with me?! Goooooooooooo AP rates - woohoo!

i am!!
i gotta feelin' too!
...if not tomorrow...it will be next week for sure!

 

[aubriee]

No, I don't think so. The whole purpose of the discounts is to fill rooms they can't fill any other way. If the discounts they have already offered (i.e., bouncebacks, extended free dining, etc.) are already filling up the rooms, they won't have any need to offer AP discounts. Although I usually use AP discounts, I've got my two fall trips booked with bouncebacks this year, including a stay at YC in December. I was concerned that they might not offer good AP discounts this year because of the other promotions, so I took advantage of the bounceback when it was offered. So far this year, the bouncebacks have been in line with the AP discounts, so I don't think a better deal will come out. I'm now hoping for a good AP discount for January.

I too booked three trips for 2010 using the bounceback offer that was in the room when we were there last Dec. When the AP discounts came out for this past May I switched to that, just so I wouldn't have to buy those one day park tickets that were required in order to add the DDP to the trips. Even if the % off the room is the same, I'm hoping to do the same thing for both my upcoming Oct and Dec trips.

 

[Mercenary]

i am!!
i gotta feelin' too!
...if not tomorrow...it will be next week for sure!

Well it is not today...

 

[MinnieSummer]

My Christmas trip hinges on the discount. We will still go if nothing comes out, we just wont be staying at a deluxe. Although, I've got to say that last year we were booked at BLT and at the last minute (actually five days before we were to arrive) we took a really bad financial hit and had to downsize. We ended up at CSR and, honestly, had the best Chrsitmas. It was definitely better than the GF, SSR, and WL Villas Christmas trips. So I guess if we can't afford the Deluxe we will go back to CSR and have a wonderful Christmas anyway.

 

[disneyfan55]

It's true that the res. you have may not always be able to be transferred to and AP (or any other code) at times. We had a WL Woods room booked with a 40% code (no standards ever avail for our dates Feb 5-12 2010) The day the AP rates which were 45% off I tried to get the standard or even the woods. Neither were ever avail for our dates I checked every day! I even called a few times since I thought maybe we might be lucky. So, we did just keep what orig we booked. You just never know esp. with all the room types once you are in the deluxe resort type.

 

[Golf4food]

If you haven't booked a room then I am assuming you haven't booked TS meals either since you need to be staying on property to do that. I would get a room reserved just to be able to book meals. You will not lose your meal ressies once they are made if you change rooms or resorts. I am trying to get certain TS meals for 180 days out and can't get a good time now. You need to start making meal ressies if you want any choices to be left. If you aren't doing table service, then it might be okay.

Not true. Anyone, regardless of where they're staying, can book TS at 180 days out. Only resort guests can book 180+10, but anyone can book after that. You do not need a resort reservation.

We already have a DVC res at AKL but are adding a couple of days onto the end of the trip, probably at a Mod since DVC is all booked full for the two extra nights we need now. ADRs have long since been made (June 1st was our 180+10 date).

 

[sunnygal041]

Nothing at a discount for BW, BC, CR or YC or the Poly for 9/30-10/3. So sad. Going to MNSSHP on 10/1 and F&W on 10/2, but no luck with rooms.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Nothing yet today...maybe the 15th or Monday the 16th.
*crosses fingers*

Thanks so much for the info. So if I want to go the week after Easter I should book a room and hope for the discount to come out and call to change it if they do? I was considering trying to rent some DVC points and then just add dining.

That's up to you. If you feel better booking now and then converting later when the rates come out, do it.

But know that sometimes your resort or dates might be excluded from the rates, so you could end up changing anyway.

Does anyone know what the AP discount for October historically has been?

DH just found out he has to go to Orlando for a few days the middle of October on a business trip. I would like for DD and I to go ahead and get a room on property and DH can join us when his business is done. I am upgrading our tickets to the Premier AP in September so I think we would be eligible for an AP room discount in October.

Thanks-

I think it is usually 35-42% off depending on where you stay.

 

[hardingk]

I hope rates come out next week.....this waiting is driving me crazy!

 

[GoofEeyore26]

With the rumors of new discounts coming out Monday, i really hope the AP rates hit on Sunday or even more rooms will get booked up with other deals.

We're hoping to change our current reservation at POFQ (at 40% off) to WL with an AP discount.