Confused about AP!

[maxie]

Do you need to be a S Cal resident to buy the $99 So Cal Select AP and the $129 So Cal AP?

Would it be much use to try and get a AP and hope for a good deal on PPH for Jan 30-Feb 8/05? Trying to decide whether to go thru the hassle or just book the Carousel.

 

[challada]

Yes, you must have a driver's license or such w/a So Cal zip (but they also include all the way up to San Francisco) to get the SoCal AP's.

You will definitely get offered AP rates right away for the hotels as we were given fliers the day we purchased our APs.
I've heard that you can book at AP rates, then get your AP and show it at checkout. Maybe it's worth just calling disney to find out the AP rates for the time you are going.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Here is my experience with this: You will right away be offered the AP Discount of 10% off a Disney hotel but AP rates do not come out until certain times for certain days. For instance we are going in December, are AP holders and have not been able to get an AP rate other than the 10% discount. What we have done is book on expedia, which when we booked had a "stay 4 nights get one free". Our average nightly rate is around $180 for Disneyland Hotel. I have that reservation (which is cheaper than the AP Discount Rate Disney offered me). Then I am going to keep checking to see if I can get an AP rate which I have heard can be as low as $99 for DLH. If I get that I can cancel my expedia reservation and book with Disney directly for cheaper. And one other thing, CM's will always tell you they have no idea when AP rates (other than the 10%) will be available, they tell you to just keep checking back.

 

[disneychrista]

Go ahead and book Carousel, you can always cancel up to 48 hours (local time) before your arrival.

When I book priceline rooms, I ALWAYS have a cancellable backup. It works great. That way I know I have a room either way.

 

[maxie]

Thanks for the info. I'll definately book the Carousel even if just for backup. Would luv to stay at PPh however an AP will cost so much more than the SC Pass we were planning on buying as we will have to buy that person all the other admission fees seperate on top of the AP. If we can't be guaranteed a good AP rate on the hotel don't know if it will be worth buying. Travelling with an 17th month old so perhaps the Carousel is better as it's closer? Decisions decisions....