Could someone please explain "APH rates"?

[hilltopfamily]

And how to get them? I'm trying to figure this out from past threads, and did do a "search" so I could try to understand this. APH stands for annual pass holder tickets? And by having one, do they allow people reduced rates for the onsite hotels but only sometimes??? Does only one person in the room need to purchase one? How would I know if I can get a reduced hotel rate during my stay by purchasing one? I guess I'm asking for any and all info about APH's and how they relate to staying onsite. (and sorry this is so long...I don't seem to be very concise today! )

We're probably coming to Universal around the 2nd or 3rd week in June (or could come in July if significantly different pricing) because I saw such great pricing on the park tickets ($85 per person). Last time at Orlando we stayed at a wonderful offsite resort (Cypress Pointe) and would love to do so again due to all the room we had there. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit with 3 TV's, whirlpool, full kitchen, etc and goes for $100 a night during the time we'd be coming. But we're thinking we'd be very, very sad to not have the "Express" benefit you get from staying onsite. As I discussed on a different thread, my DD16 has disabilities, (she uses a wheelchair for distance and lengthy mobility, cannot tolerate long times in lines, gets overheated in extreme temps sitting in a wheelchair due to trouble regulating body temp, and is very visually impaired) but I'm concerned they may not provide her with an Express GAP card---maybe only one for vision and a different wait area. Sounds like they are quite restrictive in giving out the Express GAP cards??? Unfortunately, I know she could not tolerate waits of 60 minutes in lines (even 30 minutes is too much for her). So back to the APH question. If it is too much of a gamble on DD getting an Express GAP card, then we should try to find the best pricing and stay onsite. Looks like we'd pay about $239 a night for a room at RPR plus taxes would come to about $1050 for 4 nights. Any help with figuring APH out would be greatly appreciated!

 

[t-and-a]

Only one of you needs to have one, and it would have to be the "Preferred" annual pass. Here is a link to the site where you can purchase one:
http://www.universalorlando.com/annualpass/ap_pref.php.html
It will not only give you discounts on rooms, but also on food and merchandise in the parks! Here is a link to the site to check rates for the rooms:
https://universalhotels.ibe.netbook...UEHRH+UEPBH+UERPR&lookAndFeelId=969&locale=en
In the blank for Promotion Code, type in APH and see what comes up. Even if you book now, the rates could go down closer to time to leave, so keep checking and call to change your rate to the reduced rate if it does go down.

 

[damo]

Your best bet is to call Loews and ask if the rate is available for your stay.

My suggestion is to call Loews and get them to tell you what discounts are available for your time. There are many discounts that don't always come up on the website. Then go from there as to what you need to purchase to get the rate.

 

[rpbert1]

APH rates will not be available till a few weeks prior to your trip.
What about AAA they are available now by calling directly, for june dates think it is approx $191.20 anight at RPR, then if nearer your time APH rates come out and are cheaper you can apply that to your reservation.
A few on here have been saying that AAA have been the cheapest rates for the last year or so.
I am sure Damo will be on later , she is the expert on U.O hotels
See Damo posted as i was writing

 

[damo]

APH rates will not be available till a few weeks prior to your trip.
What about AAA they are available now by calling directly, for june dates think it is approx $191.20 anight at RPR, then if nearer your time APH rates come out and are cheaper you can apply that to your reservation.
A few on here have been saying that AAA have been the cheapest rates for the last year or so.
I am sure Damo will be on later , she is the expert on U.O hotels
See Damo posted as i was writing

Haha. And t-and-a was posting as I was writing. I had to go and edit some of my repetitive info as well!!!

 

[hilltopfamily]

thanks so much for the explanations...I'll go to the links and see what I can find out right now. I may post back with more questions based on what I do, or don't, see once I get there! (I'm currently not an AAA member, but sounds like it may be cheaper for me to join so I'd get the better hotel rate. Then I'd be "watching" closer to our dates for better pricing with APH, right!?)

 

[d4est]

Does it make sense to anyone that AAA rates were better than APH rates? You can join AAA for like $40--a heck of a lot cheaper that the AP. I would think AP rates would be better...

 

[damo]

Must be some sort of kick-back?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

AAA costs $58 for a new membership and $48 renewal. Prior to getting our AP's we used AAA for our Universal trip discounts. We have saved more $ using the AP overall but I'm wondering if thats changing lately. We'll see what I fond for our next trip. I know over the years there have been times (seasons) that the AAA rate beat the APH but not usually. There are also certain APH room promotions where the rates are really low. It seems from March through April the rates are CRAZY high no matter what discount you have.

 

[d4est]

Wonder what I should expect to pay in mid December--either 12/9-12/12 or12/16-12/19, not sure which yet. Looking for slow & cheap! Although the last time we went it was President's week & with FOTL, it really didn't matter as far as crowds. So I guess it is cheap I am concerned with!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Wonder what I should expect to pay in mid December--either 12/9-12/12 or12/16-12/19, not sure which yet. Looking for slow & cheap! Although the last time we went it was President's week & with FOTL, it really didn't matter as far as crowds. So I guess it is cheap I am concerned with!

We go in Dec. too and the earlier the better! Last year (2005) we got RPR for $101 a night! Those rates (the cheap ones) wont be showing up for some time though, like september or even after HHN.

 

[d4est]

Holy crap! That is awesome! Was that a special rate, like AAA or APH?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

It was an APH rate that was offered in the AP newsletter. Ya know even $150 for RPH I have no problem with its when the rate hits over $200 a night for a std. RPH room that I have a problem. Now I'm looking at $350 a night rates at PBH and that just aint happening! I'm spoiled and I know it but I really hope those off season low rates are not a thing of the past.

 

[d4est]

When we went in Feb 05, we stayed at RPR, standard room @ $200/night. It is a nice hotel & FOTL is awesome, but that's a lot of money. I am going to get an AP this time & am hoping for a good rate at HRH. I am willing to pay around $200-$225 a night. Hoping for even cheaper though!