Don't understand how AP rates save money if you only go once a year. Pls explain

[Ted and Holly]

When I did it for my Thanksgiving AKL trip, I booked the room on the AP rate BEFORE I bought the AP. That way, if it was not available for my dates, I would not have gotten the AP.

These Fairy Tale Package and Kids Stay and Play Free are uncommon promotions. In recent years, rarely was there a discount better than the "typical" AP rate. Maybe this changes the rules for the bargain hunters.

Ted

 

[PrinceJohn]

I just wanted to chime in on the value of the "ap for room discount". Our situation is pretty simple and really shows the beauty of the ap rates for hotels. We are staying 8 nights and will visit the parks 5 days (4 major parks only). There are 6 of us, so we need 2 rooms. Therefore:
Without A/P: 5-Day Hopper-$231, 8 Nights Coronado Springs@$165/nite-$1320 per room. Total: $2871

With A/P: Annual Pass-$392, 8 Nights Coronado Springs@88/nite-$704 per room. Total: $1800

We saved $1071 with the a/p rate ofer rack rate. definitely worth it even if we do not use the pass again.

 

[DisneyKidds]

When I did it for my Thanksgiving AKL trip, I booked the room on the AP rate BEFORE I bought the AP. That way, if it was not available for my dates, I would not have gotten the AP.

Definitely the way to go about it. I also agree with you that, compared to the past, things like the Fairytale Package and Kids Stay and Play Free were uncommon. Of course now we have two decent promotions in a row, so who's to say what becomes common Disney practice. You also don't know if such packages (if offered) will save more or less than an AP rate (if offered).

I'd imagine that timing could become an issue for some as well. Do you book the Stay and Play package now, or hold out for AP rate, which are coming out on pretty short notice now. Will you still be able to take advantage of Stay and Play if you can't get the AP rate? Lot's of questions.

Hey, the most important thing is that people are aware that there are discounts to be had. You just have to evaluate them and decide which one to jump on and when. My only point is that it certainly isn't a given that buying an AP to get an AP rate on a resort will be the best available discount. Traditionally is may have been, and it may continue to be, but as can be seen from the last two promotions.............Disney is starting to do things differently.

 

[deb305]

yes AP can save big bucks:
Last Jan we went to WDW. When the AP rates were announced in November I called same day. After confirming that AP rooms were available for Sugar Loaf Concierge at GF I booked the rooms, and then bought one AP pass for me to get the room rate. They'll try to sell you AP's for the whole family, you only need one.
Our room at GF was normally almost $800 night, but since it was Value Season it was around $400+. With AP we got it for $240. The rest of the family got 4 day hopper passes, and we spent 6 nights at the hotel. The AP is not activated until you go to the park the first time, so even though I bought it in November not active to late January.
I only had to stay one night to justify the AP over the Hopper pass. This was the first AP we bought, we stayed at moderates before and could never justify the cost.

 

[DisneyKidds]

We saved $1071 with the a/p rate ofer rack rate. definitely worth it even if we do not use the pass again.

Agreed, it can be a beautiful thing and will save you money, and may be the best way to go..........................provided the AP discount is offered, you get it for your dates, and there are no other package promotions going on. An AP rate, if offered, will always save you money over rack, but that may or may not be the best available discount. Traditionally it has been. Usually it will be, but you can't necessarily bank on it. I'm sure you'll find more people with success stories regarding the AP strategy, but I'm sure you'll also find a few who were burned by the strategy as well. That is my only point - just be aware. Trust me, I read of lots of AP holders who wish they could have taken advantage of the Fairytale Package when it was offered, but they didn't need the passes and couldn't take advantage of the promotion.

Of course, all that matters is you find some way to save money . We would have loved to stay at the GF in Dec on the AP rate, but it wasn't available when I called (at about noon onthe day the rates were released).

 

[rngclick]

Upgrading a PH if we can get the AP rate is way to go for us as we booked separately and already have all of our PHs.

The only draw back will be if the hotel cannot upgrade the PH for me as the parks will be closed by the time we arrive in Orlando our first night.

Has anyone ever upgraded their AP at the hotel before? What do we do if the hotel won't and the parks are closed?

You all have been a great help.
Robin

 

[figmentvi]

Robin:

The CM's at the front desks are usually very understanding and will allow you to go to the park the next day to upgrade your PH, then just show them your AP when you return.

Just keep checking the boards here to see when Disney releases AP rates for Feb. (if theyhave them), then quickly make your call to get the AP rate.

Linda

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by rngclick
...The only draw back will be if the hotel cannot upgrade the PH for me as the parks will be closed by the time we arrive in Orlando our first night.

Has anyone ever upgraded their AP at the hotel before? What do we do if the hotel won't and the parks are closed?

The resorts do not sell AP's and cannot upgrade your PH to one. It can only be done at a Guest Relations location at one of the parks or at either of the two DTD locations.

Linda is correct in that you will not have a problem checking in without it. Most times the CM doesn't even ask to see your AP. And in the event they do, your worst case scenario is that they will tell you to come back the next day to show it to the front desk.

 

[rngclick]

Just wanted to say thank you for all of your great advice. We have been to WDW twice in this past and I have still learned so much from this board.

You all have been extremely helpful and encouraging.


Thanks again,
Robin

 

[SnackyStacky]

If you'd like to talk about sketchy AP rates, speak to anyone who had an AP and wanted a rate for this past September.

There's absolutely no guarantee, which is why I think it's great that Disney will let you book without having the actual annual pass.

I'm staying for 10 nights for my honeymoon, and the AP is substantially cheaper than any hopper pass that I could buy, so that's why I'm buying it. But if I weren't staying for that long, I wouldn't make any decisions until it was time for the honeymoon, and I needed the admission media.

 

[pattyT]

wewent to WL for ten days in 2002 but had a great code ($139 a nite and we ended up with courtview) so opted to get 7 day passes for dh,dd,and I know ing we would not make it back in the year... then we went to Discovery Cove, spent one day at the hotel, and did Sea World and a water park on another day...

so NOW
we are looking at May 2004 for a trip and
we have 3 days on our passes and 3 options left!
DS was under 2 (by a week-lol) so he will NOW need passes and we will need to add to ours!

SOOOOOOOOO
do I get HIM an AP and get a room discount and just get more days on our passes?

AUCCCKKK
it sounds like they aren't giving out code rates now - right! So that would be the only way to get a discount!

 

[SnackyStacky]

patty T, it would depend on how long you're going to stay, and how many days you're planning on going to the parks.

A child's annual pass including tax is about $333. A 7 day child's park hopper plus is $262. For your child, I think the best route is a 7 day park hopper, but once again, I have no idea how long you're staying.

For you and your husband, do you each have 3 days left on your passes? A 4 day park hopper pass comes to $204. So, with your 3 days left, and a new 4 day pass, you and your husband will have the 7 days also.

So, to sum it all up:

Option A:

(1) 7 day child park hopper plus: $262
(2) 4 day adult park hoppers: 2@$204 = $408

Total for everyone to have 7 days admission: $670

Option B:

(1) child's annual pass: $333
(2) 4 day adult park hoppers: 2@$204 = $408

Total for everyone: $741

The difference is about $71. I would hold off and see if AP rates are released for your period. If they are, I'm sure your savings would be more than $71, making an annual pass worth it. If no rates are released, I would just get your son a 7 day hopper plus.

Good luck!

 

[pattyT]

Our last trip was for ten and it was not long enough! So I think we need to go ten again! But we won't even do the parks on the first or last day so now were down to eight - 3 days on passes - 2 days at waterparks = 3 days needed

we also have 9 year old dd too...same deal as our passes.

We would like to do two days at the waterparks too so then we would need to buy 'the ap holder' tix to get in there @26.63 each.

I hate math but I have been inspired to do some -
based on old ap rates during 'regular' season we could do

Boardwalk concierge for $2940 instead of rack at $4800!
That would make it DEFINATLEY worth it!

or AKL savahannah for $1790 instead of $3150 so it is still worth it!
Assuming similar rates are offered

It doesn't look like WL normally has AP rates during peak seasons though
Ands now I need to find out if a childs AP REALLY works for reserving a room!

THANKS a BUNCH!

 

[vicb]

Great thread, has answered many questions I had too!

But still wondering....

1. Doesn't the one member of your party with the AP have to be an adult to make a resort reservation with the AP discount? Would they count a child's AP for the discount if everyone else in the room had an adult PH ?

2. Isn't it true that you don't need to have the AP purchased and in hand when you call to make your ressie, don't you just need to have it at check in? If so then you could make an AP discount ressie and still change it if a better code came out, right?

I have never used an AP but we are considering having one of us buy one for this trip (late FEb. peak season rates) IF the resort discount would make sense $$wise.

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by deb305
yes AP can save big bucks:
The AP is not activated until you go to the park the first time, so even though I bought it in November not active to late January.

If I could add a note here:

It is the AP (in the form of a voucher) that is not activated until its first use. If what you purchase is a "real" AP, it is activated at purchase. This is an important difference if you are purchasing the AP several months in advance of your WDW vacation so that you can get it at a pre-price increase cost. The Annual Pass prices increase every year as sure as the sun shines in Florida so it makes sense to buy them before the prices go up. The AP that I got at my local Disney store is a voucher (it has no expiration date on it) and the CM who waited on me was unaware of the difference until I reminded her of the difference between a voucher and a "real" Annual Pass and she looked it up to check.

 

[corvair]

Just wondering what the annual pass includes... does it include the water parks and disney quest... also... where do you purchase them... thanks..amy

 

[PatriciaH]

Originally posted by corvair
Just wondering what the annual pass includes... does it include the water parks and disney quest... also... where do you purchase them... thanks..amy

Hi Amy-

The regular Annual Passes include 366 days of admission to the 4 main parks (MK, Epcot, MGM and AK.) You can also park hop from park to park (MK am, Epcot evening.) There are often discounts on restaurants, tours, sports and some merchandise. Sometimes there are special AP parties, early viewings of rides/shows and special viewing areas for fireworks (they have not had these in a while.) Premium Annual Passes include the water parks and Pleasure Island. I think they also now include World of Sports and Disney Quest. Is this correct?

 

[rngclick]

Bump

 

[Efastpitch]

Can you upgrade your ultimate tickets for annual passes.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My DU agent could not get an AP rate for us at AKL Concierge on Dec. 5. She did save us $1800 at the Polynesian Concierge. We are still staying AKL but with a Disney Club discount. So I wanted people to be aware that you may not get your dates.

Lori