Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[cobbler]

I agree with Karen and others who have said that it will probably still be possible to get AP rates inside the 120 day window. The difference will be, those that commit to a particular resort 120+ days ahead and pay a nonrefundable deposit will be first in line to get those discounted rooms and it will happen automatically for them. Those that either choose not to gamble on the Best Rate program or cannot do so because they are traveling in less than 120 days will have to call CRO when discounts are announced, possibly be on hold for 30-45 minutes, and book whatever discounted rooms are left over the phone, which may not be at your first choice resort or your preferred view.

In other words, this Best Rate program won't be the only way to get a discounted room, but will be the way to maximize your chance of getting a discounted room at your first choice resort with no effort on your part, but via a nonrefundable deposit.

Re: the nonrefundable deposit, I could live with that if, like with nonrefundable airfares, you were booking a discounted room to begin with. This would be a win/win for both sides. I am given a good discount up front so I know what my cost will be, and it might even go down a bit more if better discounts are announced before my trip dates. In exchange for this, I commit early and give Disney a nonrefundable deposit, meaning that I am very unlikely to be tying up resources at CRO with calls to change my dates, change resorts, add additional people, whatever. I could even live with the fact that after I've booked they might offer some package deal (like free dining) after I've commited to my room-only reservation, because I got a guaranteed discount. I'm just uncomfortable with committing to rack rate up front and trusting a big corporation to lower my rate later to who knows what. And I'm also uncomfortable with their statement that I would get any discount offered to the general public. I would need to see the wording changed to include AP discounts as well because as currently worded they could argue that AP discounts would not be matched.

I could live with that I do book my reservations more than 120 days out and rarely change them. In fact this is the first year that I did change them, just modified, not canceled or had more than one reservation.
I could handle non-refundable as long as you could transfer it - if necessary -without penelty and knowing I am going to get a better rate than rack right off the bat.

 

[ms.ojo]

To those who are touting the "buy an AP for multiple park touring days not room discounts" position.. I feel the need to clarify....I (for one) do not think Disney OWES me an AP discount on a room. I knew full well purchasing my AP that room discounts may or may not be offered during my stay and even if offered, I may not be lucky enough to get one.

BUT..... while I was playing that waiting game...I was able to have my room booked w/ a nice AAA rate! I always booked what I could afford at the AAA rate. If good AP codes came out, and I felt like upgrading my resort, or lengthening my stay...I would.

NOW....they are saying, play the waiting game...but book at Rack rate through us and oh, it requires a non refundable deposit to play this little game! If they don't come out w/ a good public code...or some special AP rate (which again, the website doesn't mention anything about in their guarantee) then I'm stuck at Rack rate!!! And I could have had my nice AAA rate. See the difference???

Don't mean to be so curt, but honestly, this is not about Disney owing me an AP room discount. It is about them taking away my option to secure a good rate (AAA that I KNOW) and telling me I must trust and take a chance that they'll eventually do better than Rack Rate.

 

[PookaJean]

I'm still confused...in the past AP discounts and all other discounts were limited availability...so if you book online 120 days or more in advance how are they guaranteeing that your particular resort and room level will have enough discounts to go around?
At that point you've paid a non refundable deposit and can't change to a different resort to get the discount.

 

[Sammie]

I could live with that I do book my reservations more than 120 days out and rarely change them. In fact this is the first year that I did change them, just modified, not canceled or had more than one reservation.
I could handle non-refundable as long as you could transfer it - if necessary -without penelty and knowing I am going to get a better rate than rack right off the bat.

I completely agree, this is why I am taking a wait and see attitude about this. If the discount was like previous years of an across the board 45% at all resorts, then Yes I would be willing to book 120 days out and chance losing my deposit if I cancel.

If the discount is not good enough to warrant the restrictions then I won't use it. I will simply book a room I can afford without discount, use my AAA, or hope for an AP discount the old way of calling in and seeing if anything is left.

However I won't be angry or feel mistreated by Disney is it is a success for others.

 

[Suzanne74]

I understand your comments trying to imply the passholder is only a park pass but I will have to disagree with that. To my knowledge passholders have been getting discount rooms since at least 2001 http://www.magicalmemoriestravel.com/HistoricalRates.html even shows these room discounts and the history of them. It isn't a random once in awhile thing. Passholders also have DDE cards for 20% off meals as well as 10% off merchandise. I am sorry, I do not think this is a just a park ticket.

Maybe you do not care about the additional benefits of the passholder but I do. You can imply that I want better then everyone else - that I don't, but I want the best deal that I can find for my family since we are not rich but love to go to Disney. If getting a passholder saves me money on hotels, dining and souveniers then it is a bigger perk then say a park ticket alone and that is why I purchased it - sorry if you think I got the wrong idea - when was the last time a hotel discount wasn't offered???? . Also I did purchase the free dining option as opposed to the AP rate since it was a better deal but you do have to buy park tickets (which an APer already has) or at least the min anyone else in your room needs. How did that benefit a passholder - even if the AP is just a "park ticket."


If Disney wants to change their policies, I understand they can do this - but they are isolating people with AP's who like to take quick and last minute trips. It is the people that do not have AP's that book 120 days in advance. APer's like to take lots of small or large trips some planned but lots of quick getaways. This new policy isn't giving them an option. Also - there have been many postings here where people have talked to CM's who said this is the only AP discount option - how do you know that we can get rates before 120 days - it is an assumption, correct??

And like another poster said, who ever books non-refundable hotel only?? There was also another poster who said a CM stated it would cost $50 to switch or transfer your stay. Come on!! It is obvious they are steering away from AP's.

If CRO is too booked up with calls then they should update their online services so people can go on and change or transfer services for free like you can do on say, Southwest. Type in a passholder card # and reservation number and then put your changes in. No more telephone calls. Same with reservations. It can be done - they have just chosen not to. Instead the are decreasing calls with this program because they know many APers will not do it. That was their choice. It isn't very friendly of an option, if you ask me.

Anyways this is my opinion as you have yours. If they want to offer discounts before the 120 days or offer great deals 120 days out, then fine maybe it will mean a little more but to come out with the half a$$ed option with no real answers let alone no real numbers, you are going to get some unhappy APer's. If anything I think CRO will get MORE calls and not friendly ones.

 

[CharlesTD]

Well for those people that feel an AP should get them a discount etc maybe if you are taking that many trips short and long you should look into DVC it will far offset any discount you would have gotten from an AP. You get your accomodations paid for for years and years to come at a set price then you can buy your AP for the parks and DDE discount. DVC is a far better option than AP was anyday.

 

[Stitch Inside]

I understand your comments trying to imply the passholder is only a park pass but I will have to disagree with that. To my knowledge passholders have been getting discount rooms since at least 2001 http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2005.html even shows these room discounts and the history of them. It isn't a random once in awhile thing. Passholders also have DDE cards for 20% off meals as well as 10% off merchandise. I am sorry, I do not think this is a just a park ticket.

Maybe you do not care about the additional benefits of the passholder but I do. You can imply that I want better then everyone else - that I don't, but I want the best deal that I can find for my family since we are not rich but love to go to Disney. If getting a passholder saves me money on hotels, dining and souveniers then it is a bigger perk then say a park ticket alone and that is why I purchased it - sorry if you think I got the wrong idea - when was the last time a hotel discount wasn't offered???? . Also I did purchase the free dining option as opposed to the AP rate since it was a better deal but you do have to buy park tickets (which an APer already has) or at least the min anyone else in your room needs. How did that benefit a passholder - even if the AP is just a "park ticket."


If Disney wants to change their policies, I understand they can do this - but they are isolating people with AP's who like to take quick and last minute trips. It is the people that do not have AP's that book 120 days in advance. APer's like to take lots of small or large trips some planned but lots of quick getaways. This new policy isn't giving them an option. Also - there have been many postings here where people have talked to CM's who said this is the only AP discount option - how do you know that we can get rates before 120 days - it is an assumption, correct??

And like another poster said, who ever books non-refundable hotel only?? There was also another poster who said a CM stated it would cost $50 to switch or transfer your stay. Come on!! It is obvious they are steering away from AP's.

If CRO is too booked up with calls then they should update their online services so people can go on and change or transfer services for free like you can do on say, Southwest. Type in a passholder card # and reservation number and then put your changes in. No more telephone calls. Same with reservations. It can be done - they have just chosen not to. Instead the are decreasing calls with this program because they know many APers will not do it. That was their choice. It isn't very friendly of an option, if you ask me.

Anyways this is my opinion as you have yours. If they want to offer discounts before the 120 days or offer great deals 120 days out, then fine maybe it will mean a little more but to come out with the half a$$ed option with no real answers let alone no real numbers, you are going to get some unhappy APer's. If anything I think CRO will get MORE calls and not friendly ones.

Well put. Has anyone called CRO today about this?

 

[Lollipop Mom]

If Disney wants to change their policies, I understand they can do this - but they are isolating people with AP's who like to take quick and last minute trips. It is the people that do not have AP's that book 120 days in advance. APer's like to take lots of small or large trips some planned but lots of quick getaways. This new policy isn't giving them an option. Also - there have been many postings here where people have talked to CM's who said this is the only AP discount option - how do you know that we can get rates before 120 days - it is an assumption, correct??

actually, many CMs have said that you WILL have the option to book less than 120 days with an AP rate, just not on this plan. You can book an AP rate just as you did before, it will just be subject to availability (which I predict will be even more limited than before...but that remains to be seen) and it will not guarantee you the best rate where they will drop it automatically if something else is offered.

They are well aware that many AP holders take last minute trips. That was part of the point of the AP rates, to encourage you to say "we don't have to buy tickets, and we can get a great deal on a room....let's plan a long weekend." They have said that they expect regular AP rates to still be offered. It hasn't been put it writing on the web site yet but it also hasn't been put in writing that this is the only option. More sources have said that the "old way" will still be there than have said it won't.

 

[Suzanne74]

NOW....they are saying, play the waiting game...but book at Rack rate through us and oh, it requires a non refundable deposit to play this little game! If they don't come out w/ a good public code...or some special AP rate (which again, the website doesn't mention anything about in their guarantee) then I'm stuck at Rack rate!!! And I could have had my nice AAA rate. See the difference???

I totally agree. It isn't about Disney owing anyone anything but it is about myself getting the best room for the best possible price. If they do not allow me to change or transfer, even with a good discount is it worth it? I am not sure yet.

So far there is nothing that says it is transferable, there is nowhere that says discounts can still be booked less then 120 days and are refunadable, there is no where that says a discount is even guaranteed. Everyone just thinks it will be - but how do you know?????

Yes, I am sure they will offer a discount the first time around but what after that - if you have to book 120 days out for the best discount, I could live with that but paying rack rate and hoping with a non refundable deposit is like Disney grabbing your money upfront, deciding how busy it will really be - then putting the codes out there. They took the upper hand away. They probably wanted it that way and fine, but they will lose customers and valued frequent ones at that.

 

[Bella2000]

I still cannot access the site- all I get is system error...

There has been an ongoing issue with some of the Disney sites (their tech coding issue) DVC and AP for example on non IE browser. I use Safari and have had issues with Firefox as well. If I use IE (which I never use on my PC or Mac) I can get on the site.

 

[Stitch Inside]

Well for those people that feel an AP should get them a discount etc maybe if you are taking that many trips short and long you should look into DVC it will far offset any discount you would have gotten from an AP. You get your accomodations paid for for years and years to come at a set price then you can buy your AP for the parks and DDE discount. DVC is a far better option than AP was anyday.

No, you usually are limited as far as when, where, and for how long you can do a DVC stay. APers have been able to go anytime, anywhere, and for as long as they wanted.

 

[CharlesTD]

I can use my points at any resort and go whenever I want to go the only resort I can't use points at are the Value resorts. We can stay as long as our points will allow us wether it be 2 days or 30 days or more. We can also call 3 days before we want to leave and if there is availability we go and there has never been a time we haven't been able to get a room.

 

[Stitch Inside]

I can use my points at any resort and go whenever I want to go the only resort I can't use points at are the Value resorts. We can stay as long as our points will allow us wether it be 2 days or 30 days or more. We can also call 3 days before we want to leave and if there is availability we go and there has never been a time we haven't been able to get a room.

You can go for as many as 30 days each and every year?

 

[CharlesTD]

If you own enough points you can go for as long as your points will last you. We have enough points that if we went in a studio we could stay Sun-check out Friday for 6 weeks.

 

[Stitch Inside]

If you own enough points you can go for as long as your points will last you. We have enough points that if we went in a studio we could stay Sun-check out Friday for 6 weeks.

Are you saying you have enough for 6 weeks each year, or have you been saving your points? What if you own the minimum amount of points? What does that get you each year?

 

[TLinden16]

One thing everyone has to remember here is that any discounts associated with an AP are a perk--not an entitlement. I'm getting three trips (maybe four) in on my current AP for a total of 21+. I believe I paid around $371 for my AP renewal in December. That is getting me in the park for under $19 a day (if I did the math right in my head). That is a lot of enjoyment for $19 a day.

We all know that Disney is in the business of making money. I've never done the math, but I would have to guess that Disney makes more money off a week long trip for a family of four doing a Magic Your Way package than they do off a family of four with APs who squeeze in two trips on that AP using an AP rate at a resort.

If you have an AP, Disney knows you are going to be back. It's more profitable for them to offer deals like the free dining, or the 7 for 4/5 deals they offered in the past. They are bringing in more people who wouldn't have been there otherwise. Getting something free always makes things look more attractive.

The more I read and think about this program, the more I like it for those of us who book things out 120 days in advance. The only thing I don't like about it is the nonrefundable deposit.

Karen

 

[CharlesTD]

I have enough points to stay for 6 weeks. If you have the minimum 150 points and you can get your family into a studio and go sun-friday check out then stay at say All Stars for Friday night and Sat night then back to OKW you can get I believe 3 weeks again this will also depend on the time of year you go. Value season a studio at OKW is only 45 points for sun-thurs check out Friday so with 150 points you would get 3 weeks doing this with some points to bank. If you haven't done so you really should take the DVC tour it is very low key low to no pressure sales and you get to see the accomodations you will be staying in it really is worth the time.

 

[Gillian]

CharlesTD, DVC is great, but it is not a viable (or the best) option for a lot of people. At times AP rates have offered a 40% discount. Most people compare rack rates when determining the value of DVC. When you start looking at the initial dvc investment, plus the annual maintenance fees, AP rates look pretty fantastic!

 

[CharlesTD]

Gillian the initial outlay can be very small especially with teh incentives DVC offers. You can put down as little as 10% and with the promotions they run usually offer to purchase back the first years points to put towards the down payment and low monthly payments it is really easy. You can even have the MF's debited fromthe account every month so it isn't a bill at the end of the year we currently have 400 points and are looking at another add on.

 

[MinnieM21]

Hi everyone ,

Just a quick question. I noticed that if you go on to the passholder login and click on "help me find my passholder id and login" it states "You must have a valid Pass or Exchange Certificate. This includes Premium Annual, Annual, Seasonal and Epcot After 4. It does not include Water Park, Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest, 3-Day Play Passes or any Magic Your Way Tickets."

Has anyone been able to get on with an exchanfe certificate?
TIA

I'd like to know the answer to this as well.