Confused - AP rates/vacation package?

[MinnieFlute]

I've had a logon for this site for a long time but I never use it - I'm just sort of a fly on the wall around here!

But alas, I know that someone should be able to help me out with this situation. You see, DH and I have a trip scheduled for Christmas of this year. We purchased annual passes (which are so far those nifty little green vouchers) because we're pretty sure we want to go back next summer as well (and possibly spring break if we can swing it... this is the year for 3 trips!).

Well, we also wanted to try out the Dining Plan for the first time. Apparently, it is a recent thing that AP holders can purchase DDP without having to buy a one-day parkhopper. So this is neat. It turns the trip into a "vacation package," though, which is presenting a slight issue.

We wanted to check if there were annual passholder discounts for our room. When I made one of the payments on the trip (in July, I believe) and the CM I talked to about said to call back closer to the trip to check if there would be AP discounts (all pretty typical so far). Well, after reading on MouseSavers.com that if there were APrates, they should be out by now, I called back today. Well, the CM said that our package was already discounted (due to having the DDP) and that we weren't eligible for any AP room rates.

So my question is... do AP rates not count when you get a vacation package? Because that seems really silly to me... I pay how much for the AP and I get the same dining package that everyone else gets and am not eligible for the AP room rate (if there even is one - the lady couldn't even tell me) just because I bought DDP?

Help help!

 

[mbanks21]

You can get the AP dining package with or without the AP discount. If the AP rate is not available you can still get the AP dining package at rack rate.

 

[baj0505]

Have you checked on line to see if AP rates are available for you time period? You can use your number to login as an annual passholder. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/passholder/landing

 

[chickapin]

Check the passholder website...after you log in with your voucher info, you should be able to check to see if there are rooms available at the passholder rate for your dates at the resort you want. If there's availability, you can add dining while still taking advantage of the AP rate.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Sounds like you are wanting to change your room only res into a WDTC package. It will be different, and not just a matter of adding a DDP on to a room only res. Not usually a big deal. But be aware a WDTC package is a different type of res from room only and has different payment and cancellation policies, and possibly even different rates than your current room only res.
You are wanting a WDTC AP ticketless package. (Right now there is no such thing as an AP room only res with DDP added.)
The DDP are an exclusive to WDTC packages. (Unless you are a DVC member. But even then the DDP is from WDTC.)

 

[MinnieFlute]

OK, we had a vacation package set up already (due to adding DDP) and I had heard AP rates were out. And when I called back the second time, the CM realized I was right - we definitely were paying the rack rate for the room when there was an AP rate available (we were NOT getting a discount on the dining, btw).

Well, they gave us the AP discount after that was figured out and we got about $400 off the trip. When in doubt, try a different CM!

Thanks for the help!