December AP Hotel Rates?

[squee]

Does anybody know if there will be lower AP Hotel rates for December. I want to stay with my family at the Grand Californian but the rates I got were $432 a night (standard view). I've stayed there a few times and have never paid that much even without a discount. Does anyone know if and when they might have lower rates for AP's? Thanks!

 

[CoolPool]

By this time last year and the year before, there were special AP rates already out for fall through mid December. I'm sitting here waiting myself.

 

[LuLusApple]

I am still waiting for October lol waiting.... waiting....waiting....

 

[Sherry E]

So far, the AP hotel calendar rates look just about the same for December as they do for October - which is not good at all. In fact, I know a lot of people here on the DIS thought that we would see some good October rates like what would be expected (I had my doubts), and nothing good for October has shown up for AP holders at all. Instead, there is a PIN code offer floating around - which only select folks are receiving (yours truly not included in that elite bunch), and the PIN code hotel rates extend all the way through to December. But the AP holders are getting the short end of the stick so far.

 

[pixiewings71]

I wish, I want to stay onsite.....but no, nothing yet...still holding out for our October trip but now maybe considering a Sept weekend too so I'm checking those rates later today. I'd love it if they did a good rate for Thanksgiving but I know they won't.

 

[hurleysweety]

Hoping for AP rates too! Glad we booked September - seems that those October AP rates never came out. I'm hoping that AP9 comes soon and we can use it any time in December (I'm not picky!!!) to see the Christmas decor. I'll even go those first few days in January if it means an AP rate!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Kerri I wouldn't count on great rates for sept weekends. Most are booked.

I wouldn't say we are getting the short end of the stick because compared to booking through disney without an AP rate we are still getting a deal...just not the deals offered in the past. Seeing that rooms are booking up on the first 2 weekends at the pier even without a better rate led us to book a room as well. So maybe since some of us are booking rooms at these rates they won't lower them.

 

[01spirit750]

Well, as I recall, last year the fall rates (Oct-Dec) were listed late on a Sunday night, and available for booking once the reservations opened back up on Monday am..

So I would watch on Sunday evenings. Being that this coming Monday is the first Monday in September I am thinking they might release the new rates Sunday night (9/6/09) after the Disney reservations system shutsdown for the night.

I do not have any inside information, so I could be completely wrong.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Does anybody know if there will be lower AP Hotel rates for December. I want to stay with my family at the Grand Californian but the rates I got were $432 a night (standard view). I've stayed there a few times and have never paid that much even without a discount. Does anyone know if and when they might have lower rates for AP's? Thanks!

Are you staying for 4 nights? If so, Disney and Costco are allowing AP holders to book the $400 off promotion minus the tickets.

 

[disneymum58]

I got a great deal through Expedia for the 4 nights we will be there in October. It was $100 per night plus tax and resort fee.

 

[Sherry E]

Kerri I wouldn't count on great rates for sept weekends. Most are booked.

I wouldn't say we are getting the short end of the stick because compared to booking through disney without an AP rate we are still getting a deal...just not the deals offered in the past. Seeing that rooms are booking up on the first 2 weekends at the pier even without a better rate led us to book a room as well. So maybe since some of us are booking rooms at these rates they won't lower them.

I'm not sure what the AP calendar looks like today for October (I didn't look at October yesterday when I looked at December's rates), but the last 10 times I had checked it, all of October was available. So it could be that AP holders who were waiting for good rates gave up and are now just starting to book because they have to have something at one of the DLR hotels and that's the rate they are left with. But I still think we are getting the short end of the stick as AP holders because the PIN code offer floating around is so much better than what the AP calendar is showing for October and some of the Expedia rates for the PPH were outstanding. So lots of folks could book with those great rates, and by the time anything good for AP holders comes out, there are fewer rooms to be had. The Expedia rates and the PIN code rates made the little piddly 10% off with the AP look sad. I know I am not booking PPH for $221 plus tax and plus resort fee - not worth it for that hotel. Now September had some great AP rates that were available for parts of September for a long time - $129 for the PPH, for example - and finally they started to book up totally just a couple of weeks ago. And those were available well in advance.

I think that - especially since Disney raised the prices of the APs (with the PAP being especially lofty), they should always ensure they have some great AP rates each month - even if they are only available for two weeks out of the month - just something better than the 10% off.

 

[pixiewings71]

Kerri I wouldn't count on great rates for sept weekends. Most are booked.

I wouldn't say we are getting the short end of the stick because compared to booking through disney without an AP rate we are still getting a deal...just not the deals offered in the past. Seeing that rooms are booking up on the first 2 weekends at the pier even without a better rate led us to book a room as well. So maybe since some of us are booking rooms at these rates they won't lower them.

Not true, I'm on the DL website checking hotel availability and the only thing that is booked for the weekend I'm looking at is PPH standard room, the view and concierge are available at PPH and all views/concierge are available at the DLH & GCH. BUT I'd really like it if they would release AP rates......

 

[Krissy Marissy]

The last 2 weekends didn't bring anything up for me. But we don't stay at PPH so haven't checked that one for days.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Honestly it's a little frustrating to me. I am trying to book 1 night at the PPH and the rate for the 1 night is better on Expedia than it is with my AP discount. When the guy told me what my "discounted" rate was, I told him it was cheaper booking myself through Expedia, he didn't really have a comment.

 

[grumpy's fan]

I also called DLR to try to book an AP rate for PPH and it was over 2x as much as the rates on Expedia. When I asked the CM why I could get a better rate with expedia and did they have best price guarantee she stated that I may be able to obtain a better rate with Expedia but any "issues" I have with the room and/or hotel would be handled by Expedia and not the front desk. That I was possibly trading customer service resolution with a better per night rate. I guess I'll risk it for a 500.00 savings.

 

[pixiewings71]

The last 2 weekends didn't bring anything up for me. But we don't stay at PPH so haven't checked that one for days.

Oh, got it. We are looking at different weekends. I'm looking at the 19th.

I also called DLR to try to book an AP rate for PPH and it was over 2x as much as the rates on Expedia. When I asked the CM why I could get a better rate with expedia and did they have best price guarantee she stated that I may be able to obtain a better rate with Expedia but any "issues" I have with the room and/or hotel would be handled by Expedia and not the front desk. That I was possibly trading customer service resolution with a better per night rate. I guess I'll risk it for a 500.00 savings.

I absolutely cannot imagine the front desk not helping you with any issues you may have.

 

[Vala]

she stated that I may be able to obtain a better rate with Expedia but any "issues" I have with the room and/or hotel would be handled by Expedia and not the front desk. That I was possibly trading customer service resolution with a better per night rate.

That would be completely new to me. Expedia handling "issues" and not the front desk? Probably depends on how the CM defines "issues".

I booked a hotel in Chicago last year through Expedia. During the first night the air condition broke, some liquid was actually dripping on the carpet. I went down to front desk, told them what happened and was given a new room within 3 minutes.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I think that CM just wanted you to book with him and spend the extra $500.

Right, so if my toilet is overflowing, I should call Expedia. I don't think so

 

[TheZue]

It wouldn't help with onsite issues, but if you had to get your money back due to something happening at the hotel, the room not being as promised, or whatever you'd be dealing with expedia and not Disney.

 

[squee]

Sounds like we're all in the same boat. Funny thing when I called and asked if she had an idea of when the fall/winter rate might come out she said that they say APers know more than they do. I didn't know whether to laugh or take Offense. I am hopeful there will be discounted rates for us this winter. Anybody remember the days of $159 at the Grand Californian? $400+ a night for a room Is a bit rediculous. I guess the recession doesn't affect famlies looking for a vacation.