Considering purchasing APs, but I have many questions!

[mom2jp]

We went to DW for the first time last September and are hopelessly hooked! We are thinking about going again January 2004 and again about a week earlier in January 2005 and take advantage of APs. Are the AP resort discounts better than the general public discounts? From what I understand, we could purchase the APs ahead of time and they aren't activated until we use them. We are current Disney Club members - could we buy the APs in December and they won't be activated until we get there in January? How would we book our resort with an AP rate if we don't actually have the AP yet? When do the AP resort rates come out for January? When do the airline prices to Orlando usually come down again? When we booked last summer, our travel agent said the prices would come down in July and they did - but I'm not sure they'll come down again very soon!

 

[InstImpres]

I just bought an AP so here are answers to a few of the questions:

If you buy in advance you get a voucher, you than take it to guest services to get it activated. The activiation begins your 1 year. If you don't buy in advance, it is a 1 step process at guest services, less than 5 minutes usually.

AP rates generally are better than the general public, but no guarantee and they seem to come out later to fill empty rooms. (you can always book and switch rates). You don't need the AP in hand to book. Sometime it is asked for at check-in, if you don't have the prepaid voucher you are given 24 hours to go back and show it or revert to rack rate.

Good luck
Sandy

 

[frannn]

I would purchase the APs at your DS as soon as you can. If you have a Disney Visa, you may be entitled to double reward points through August 8 (not sure on the date), and if you have a DC card, you can use that through 12/03. You would also avoid a future price increase. The discounts are usually, but not always available. There are no guaranteed discounts (learned this the hard way in 2/01), and you may have to change you resort preference to take advantage of them. Since our trips are over 8 days each, and I like to go twice in under 365 days, this is always my best option. Hey, I think I'm talking myself into buying an extra set of APs for next year....can't beat the free parking, a few dining discounts thrown in....hmmmm...definetly something to consider. You could book your room for Jan and rebook or apply the AP discount when/if it becomes available. For Jan (after New Years), I would expect to see AP rates because it is their slow season. The rates sometimes come out a couple months in advance, sometimes a week in advance. You have to keep calling to check. Right now, AP rates are out through Aug. I am waiting on Oct. Good luck!