Fall AP Rates

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

My good friend has AP's. She plans on going to Disney for two weeks beginning September 11, 2004. The current AP rates runs to August 28, 2004.

My question is this....did they run AP rates for that period last year and if so, when did they come out?

I know last year codes were scarce because of the Fair Tale Package. This year it is the 7 for 5.

Any thoughts and/or comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[DebbieB]

There were no AP rates in September last year. That is when they were running the 7 for 4 package. They continued the 7 for 4 into November but they did have AP rates starting 10/02/03.

 

[korlows]

I am the poor sap who purchased the APs and am going in Sept!
I cannot believe this.
Gloria...I am freaking. I cannot understand why they would do this!
There has to be a way! What is the point to being an AP holder if you can't get the rates?
There is too much money at stake!

Who can I call/
Ya think I should resched.?
Oh Man!

 

[frannn]

I wouldn't write off AP rates just yet. I was very surprised about last year, but we didn't go till Oct and couldn't get them even though they were offered. I called on the first day they came out, at 6:59 am. Changing your dates doesn't guarantee anything. Value season rates are lower to begin with (77/night + tax for value resorts) and that is guaranteed. What if you reschedule and still can't get AP rates, and have to pay more per night for regular season? I would only reschedule if your dates were flexible and you were able to snag a reservation for the dates that the AP codes already exist. Be careful, though. You may end up with more humidity and rain, as well as more crowds. Also, try to avoid Labor Day weekend. The point of having APs, at least for us, is that they actually cost less than UHPs would be for our 10 night stay. Also, we activated these passes last Oct, and will be reusing them for admission this Sept (almost like getting free admission this time-or half price, whichever way you look at it!) Good luck to all of us going to the world past 8/28. I could really use the discount, and would be upset if Sept was the only month of the year not being discounted!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

frannn: Thank you for your suggestions. I will make sure my friend reads the post.

DebbieB: Thanks to you also for the information regarding what happened last year.

Is it true--AP rates have been offered for every month this year up till August? Can anyone confirm? If so, is this the normal?

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR
My good friend has AP's. She plans on going to Disney for two weeks beginning September 11, 2004. The current AP rates runs to August 28, 2004.

My question is this....did they run AP rates for that period last year and if so, when did they come out?

I know last year codes were scarce because of the Fair Tale Package. This year it is the 7 for 5.

Any thoughts and/or comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

Other then the Swan/Dolphin there were no AP rates offered at Disney owned resorts. We are currently booked to stay at the Dolphin for this upcoming Sept 11th through the 19th with an AP rate.

 

[helenabear]

No offense, but I wouldn't bank on AP rates to be around the way they have been in the past. There have been AP rates for a long time now, but they weren't always so easy to come by. I feel bad for those looking for an AP rate, but I wouldn't ever buy an AP just to get the good rates. Just an FYI, you can get an AP rate booked w/o having an AP on hand at that moment (you can book it then buy it after). So I guess I wouldn't go out buying an AP until you either get the rate or know for sure you'll get your money's worth out of the AP for the park itself. I only get an AP when I am pretty sure I can get at least 8 days out of the pass. Last year I got 13, this year I might get about 11 or so. If I didn't think I would get that many, I doubt I would buy one.

That was long winded, but I hope all you looking for a good rate can find them

 

[korlows]

Thanks everyone!
I am still gonna plan on going Sept 11 (for 2 weeks) with our friends. We'll be at the Wilderness Lodge so the discounts would help.
If I booked it for the Aug. rates, I would have saved 1300 off the room. Right now I have a AAA disc. 188 per night. The AP rate would be (in Aug) 134. Not too bad.
500 dollars is almost enough to pay our airfare.
Tough call to make. I don't want to melt though in the middle of Aug.

Helenabear...thanks for the info. We booked a room in Feb of this year w/the AP rate (saved 40%!.) I had bought the passes while on the phone to book my room because last year i knew I went twice in the same year. they activated it at the gate, we expire in Feb.

So we'll be getting the use out of it as far as hoppers go but the rate is a serious money saver.

Cross your finger for Sept. Rates.

 

[nativetxn]

I can't answer your question but I'm going to move this to our resorts board where I'm sure our experts will have some excellent advice for you.

Katholyn

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR
Is it true--AP rates have been offered for every month this year up till August? Can anyone confirm? If so, is this the normal?

They only release them a few months at a time, usually following the season dates. It's not unusual that they are only up to 8/28 now, which is the last day of summer season at the values & moderates. I wouldn't expect rates past that for at least another month or two.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by korlows
I am the poor sap who purchased the APs and am going in Sept!
I cannot believe this.
Gloria...I am freaking. I cannot understand why they would do this!
There has to be a way! What is the point to being an AP holder if you can't get the rates?
There is too much money at stake!

Who can I call/
Ya think I should resched.?
Oh Man!

The point of being an AP holder is to get in the parks for cheap if you plan on going more then 10 days or more then once a year. The extras thrown in such as room discounts are not guaranteed and are just an added bonus if it happens. If anything you should not have bought an AP until you actually secured an AP rate on the room. I am an AP holder and don't expect discounts. I go to WDW 30 days a year and get my moneys worth. If the discounts are offered then that is great but if not then I don't worry about it. Do you plan on going more then 10 days to the parks? If so then the AP is worth that alone.

 

[pandora174]

We're also AP holders & are heading the week of 9/11. We were hoping for the WL at the summer rate of $109. What are the chances ? We're also FL residents & that usually for some reason always has come thru before (Dec. trip stayed at the BWI $174 & Poly $170) & Mar POP for $77) & hopefully for this Sept. Any ideas ?

 

[korlows]

Thanks Terry. I purchased my APs when booked my hotel. I got my AP Rate. This is our second trip. But yeh...you are all right on the 10 day thing. I actually purchased the AP with the discounts in mind. Park tickets are great too. I have Universal and Sea World tickets as well.

I keep thinking that I am entitled to more with them than is in that little booklet that they give you. Like the unknown perks.... Hear of any?

Next year may not purchase the AP...?

Are there renewal fees or do you purchase them new again?

And is being in the Vacation club worth it? Has anyone heard?

WL for $109? Where did you get that # from? I think we paid that by a mixup last May. GREAT RATE! Hope it happens for us all.

 

[DNBois]

korlows -
There are no renewal fees - you just save some money when you renew. DH and I just renewed our APs for $361.00 a piece which saved us about $40.00 a piece (if we had waited and purchase brand new APs).
Unfortunately, I do not think there are any unknown perks for AP holders - I believe (and someone may know what I mean) that there used to be 'secret' areas around the parks that allowed AP holders (like somewhere around Carousel of Progress) to rest and grab a drink. I also believe that they used and may still do) offer special event packages to AP holders (like Halloween parties inside the Haunted Mansion). Please bear with them on this - DH always finds this strange information on all kinds of WDW sites so who know if it is true (sorry hon!). Hopefully, someone will verify or correct this info.
As far as DVC, you may want to try a specific board to find out info as I don't know much about that. And I believe that you can get the WL (standard) this summer season for $114 not $109 but that may be with the AP. Hope this helps

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Hey Kim: Lots of input on this for you. Hope you had a good weekend and I will see you at the preschool!!!

 

[Disneyholic]

Actually, the rest area behind Carousel of Progress is a AAA room for AAA package buyers and can only be used with a voucher that comes with the package and only one visit for the whole vacation.

Disney had AP passholder lounges for a while at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, but as far as I know they have closed them. I really liked these lounges. The one at EPCOT was reaaaaally nice. Air conditioned, lots of different drinks, and characters roaming around. Animal Kingdom one was not airconditioned, had spring water on tap and some video games, but not much else. Wish they would bring the EPCOT one back at least and maybe some improved ones at the other parks.

 

[korlows]

Wow!
This really is a great site. Good input.
I saw a few posts back...someone was arriving on 8/29. I see that we're not the only ones hoping. $114 would be great
I just hope that the end of next month brings great AP rates for us all.
SW airlines has great rates if you book now...so...I guess if the APs don't come out...I still saved money on AAAs rate.

Everyone cross your fingers and hope that one of Disneys Marketing team members sees/feels our pain and hooks us up w/Sept rates!.