DO you think AP rates will still come out?

[4orm]

With all these changes I wonder if Disney will still release regular AP rates. I know they say AP rates are 'sometimes' available, but in the past they have been available all the time.
We have AKL booked for 4 days in April before transfering to BCV in May and wonder if we might luck out and get an AP rate for this time...but I am begining to wonder if the AP rates that we're used to will be abolished, and only have the rare AP rate come out.
What do you think? AP rates as usual? Let's hope!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

My thoughts:

- yes, there will still be an AP and Florida resident pass
- yes, there will still be AP rates -- why would they stop them?
- no, they won't raise the rates on hotel rooms higher than their already published rack rates for 2005 when combined with a package
- and yes, there will be some resort discounts - when they need to fill rooms, they will offer discounts.

Relax - everything is going to be ok.

 

[currycook]

I agree with Ilovewdw2003.

How many rooms available has always fluxuated. But there will be the AP and the Floirda resident rates.

 

[cdpa4d]

I can answer this question right now. The new Magic Your Way tickes and packages start on January 2nd, 2005. AP rates have already been established for January and half of February in 2005. So it appears that Disney will continue to offer AP discounts. I wonder if they will change the AP discount pricing. Will it still be 30% to 45%? Right now the discounts for January through February are approximately 40%.

I forgot to mention that there was a general Disney resort code through the middle of April 2005. This code was not as good as the AP discount, but it was close.

ADP

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

- yes, there will still be an AP and Florida resident pass
- yes, there will still be AP rates -- why would they stop them?
- no, they won't raise the rates on hotel rooms higher than their already published rack rates for 2005 when combined with a package
- and yes, there will be some resort discounts - when they need to fill rooms, they will offer discounts.

I agree with ILoveWDW2003!

What I think may change is when the AP discounts are offered/announced. Since they are the steepest discounts, expect Disney will first try to fill rooms with Magic Your Way. They are certainly taking their time announcing Spring '05 AP rates, and think that delay's thanks to MYW.

 

[sherry8253]

I never had a problem getting an AP rate before for our entire length of stay at one of my choices. I always have at least 4 or 5 resorts in mind when I call. This year I called the morning they were release and the only resort that had all of our days available was CBR. Nothing at WL, YC, BC except suites. Even the Swan & Dolphin discounted rooms were sparse & we are eligible for several of their discounts. We finally snagged a discounted room at the Dolphin for part of the trip & AKL for the other part. That being said - I don't think they will discontinue AP rates but I think there may be fewer rooms available and our choices will be limited. I would have been willing to book at the general public discount code too but we couldn't find a resort other than CBR that had all of our nights available with that code either. We will just have to wait and see what the new plans bring.

 

[Penny12]

I don't think the introduction of MYW will make any difference to whether discounts will be released. However I do think discount availability in general will start to be harder and harder to find - in fact it's already started. We've been 'spoilt' the last couple of years due to the general downturn in the tourist industry after 9-11, however things have pretty much bounced back now, and resorts are selling out again.

As always, my advice is to book a room at the price you are prepared to pay and then if a discount comes out it's a bonus...

 

[Cameo]

I made my ressies for a trip in June this week. The CM said, "Are you an AP holder?" and when I said, "Yes," she said, "Well, let's check if the AP rates are available for June yet. I don't think they are, but we might as well check."

Of course they weren't, but at least she was nice enough to check. Now, I know that CMs don't always know the whole story, but it was inspiring that she believed there would be AP rates for that timeframe.

 

[buckeye]

Cameo,
Thanks for sharing that encouraging story!