Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[scoutsmom99]

I think that is where they are going to get people...this "program" can only be booked 120 days or more out so what are the chances of them offering other AP discounts less than 120 days out.

Ok I'm lost and I know that there is not a lot of info out on this yet, but does this mean if one wants to get an AP rate (or the best rate offered to the public), then they have to book at least 120 days or more in advance? Yikes if that is the case I would have to book my January trip in September...not that I wouldn't like to have another trip on the books that soon, but I don't know with work and what not when I would be able to go until like November or so!

Plus if one was to get at least the best rate offered to the general public what is the point of it(I realize the rates could be better, but I think this just lets Disney see how many rooms they can get people to book and then decide on a discount if any quoting triplefigs again sneaky sneaky sneaky)....If they offered room only to the general public with the 1 nights deposit (with same stipulations they do now (I realize that could change too)) I guess I would just book that.

I do think some things needed to change with AP discounts and the way they are handled, but I hope that people can still get discounts less than 120 days out...I guess time will tell. I do like the idea of booking and checking on-line for AP discounts as well...I just hope they have updated the passholder webstie because it has had issues with people not being able to log in before. Oh well at least this will give me something to think about at work tonight when we are dead because it is so gorgeous outside.

 

[ms.ojo]

Just to be clear...what they are saying is that if you book with this "passholder program" 120 days or more in advance, if they offer a general public OR AP rate that is lower than your current rate (which right now is rack) they will automatically drop the rates. So people who are booked with this program would not need to call in for the new discounts, they would get them automatically.

Actually, as I posted above from the AP website...it clearly says they will match any general public code that is offered. I didn't see anything about matching/applying an AP rate that may subsequently be offered.

Here is the link again:
the Passholder Best Rate Program at disneyworld.com/passholders can rest easy knowing they have received our best room rate offered to the general public* at that time for the room and nights booked. And, if we subsequently reduce our room rate to the general public for the same room and nights you booked online under this Program, we will automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate.

Rooms must be booked at least 120 days in advance and, unlike our normal cancellation policy, a non-refundable deposit of 1-night's room charge and tax must be paid at the time of booking. Currently this program is only available for arrivals through 12/19/05. The number of rooms and nights available for this Program is limited and rooms are not available every night. This Program is subject to change or discontinuance at any time and without notice.

* Does not include group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements

certainly don't mean to shoot the messenger. Just posting from the website what they're saying.

 

[cobbler]

Those are great questions so far. I sure hope it is an addition to what is currently offered now and that if you don't book online you can still get the same great rate.

On a side note this thread has helped my post count go up - LOL LOL

 

[Lollipop Mom]

certainly don't mean to shoot the messenger. Just posting from the website what they're saying.

I guess I should have been clear, what I've been told from guest services is that they will match any rate for the general public of passholders "if additional passholder discounts are offered" but those additional discounts are not guaranteed.

I'll keep updating as I get more info....this is new to everyone and I have a BIG stack of people looking for AP rates for check ins after 10/8 so I'm wanting to understand this deal completely so I can offer informed advice on this to them.

 

[Tinkaroo]

To jump into the fray here - I was able to get the site to work, and it is true that dates are only through 11/26. I have no idea where they get this as being a "best rate" program, as just by my punching in numbers, it looks to be rack rate. No thank you!!!!

I know we all know very little right now, but I certainly hope they will go back to giving regular AP rates - I'd be fine with them requiring an active AP to book those rates if they needed to to make sure they're getting the business and people aren't just trying to beat the system.

As the system stands now, incentive to buy an AP might really go down for some people. I can spend only $49 to keep my AAA membership, and at this point, have a better rate!

 

[jcemom]

if they offer a general public OR AP rate that is lower than your current rate (which right now is rack) they will automatically drop the rates. So people who are booked with this program would not need to call in for the new discounts, they would get them automatically.

But I don't need to do that now...I've got a wonderful DU agent to do that for me!

 

[PNO4TE]

Could you ask about split stays and requiring TWO non-refundable deposits?

When I book reservations at two different resorts now I have to pay two different deposits. Are we talking something else here?

 

[Epscot]

But I don't need to do that now...I've got a wonderful DU agent to do that for me!

And I have the news-breaker Lollipop Mom doing the same for me!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I'll ask about deposits for split stays but I'm sure that's going to remain the same. With any other type of ressie, code or no code, package or room only they require 2 deposits so I'm sure this will be the same way. As I said, the web site is still saying deposit is refundable 45 days prior so we'll see what ends up being accurate!

 

[ms.ojo]

I guess I should have been clear, what I've been told from guest services is that they will match any rate for the general public of passholders "if additional passholder discounts are offered" but those additional discounts are not guaranteed.

I'll keep updating as I get more info....this is new to everyone and I have a BIG stack of people looking for AP rates for check ins after 10/8 so I'm wanting to understand this deal completely so I can offer informed advice on this to them.

oh dear, another case of a verbal promise from Disney that's different from the printed word. Will be interesting to see how they answer your add'l questions.

Does seem a bit far fetched to have AP people book their trip w/ a non refundable deposit at rack rate....hoping for better to come out. As someone said, most TAs do that for them anyway. Now if they DID let us book...and then guarantee they'd apply any AP rate that might come out...that would be better. But let's face it. If they get a lot of people committed at a rack rate...would they really offer more $$ off??? of course if they didn't at least drop it to match say the AAA rate...you'd have a lot of tee'd of AP holders who might not renew. As someone pointed out...renewing AAA is much cheaper than renewing an AP. So...will have to see if this pays off for Disney (and us!).

 

[MAGICX2]

I just spoke with a very nice CM. I had concerns about not being able to access the passholder site with my unactivated AP. She said that the site can verify unactivated AP's, without activating them. She also told me that they WILL still have the release of AP codes just like they always have that can be applied to existing or new phone or online ressies. This made me feel much better. If the sites AP rate is close to rack, then I will take my chances with the codes coming out. She did say that they will only change your passholder site ressie's rate if a GENERAL PUBLIC rate is lower, not an AP code rate.

 

[cobbler]

But let's face it. If they get a lot of people committed at a rack rate...would they really offer more $$ off???

Exactly, especially if they have that NON refundable deposit.

 

[Lewisc]

If anyone has any other questions, I'll be glad to include them!

An AAA member should be allowed to book at the AAA rate, if available, and get the AP discounted rate later, if it's lower. Why should a person have to book at a rate higher than the best rate that's currently available to him? The system should allow for that type of reservation.

What happens if AP rates are only available for part of your reservation?

This system will basically let Disney know exactly how many reservations will be lowered if AP rates are released. Disney could lower the AP discounts and supplement it with codes.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

She did say that they will only change your passholder site ressie's rate if a GENERAL PUBLIC rate is lower, not an AP code rate.

Hmmm...guest services is saying they will match AP rates "if they are offered." His statement was that this passholder program guarantees passholders who book with it the best available rate so they would be "obligated" to honor any other AP discounts that were released later in order to uphold that guarantee of the best rate.

 

[Cinders Mum]

If anyone has been able to access the passholders section on .com with an exchange certificate could you let me know how you managed it, as it doesn't like mine at all and won't allow me access

tia

Val
xx

 

[Lewisc]

It also says they won't be matching auction rates. I wonder if Disney is considering using something like Priceline to dump extra rooms. A few years ago there were rumors that Disney was considering using PL.

I wonder how much of a discount we'll get if we don't know the hotel, only the resort class?

 

[FanofG00fy]

Howdy,

I'm going Oct 28 thru Nov 5. I'm more than 120 days out. I have pulled the resorts that I want and I am getting this message:

A Passholder rate is not available for the date and resort you selected and we have returned a standard rate below. To search for the Passholder rate, please modify your date or resort.

Well, I cannot just "modify my date." I've had this thing planned for over a year!

Anyone have any luck?

Chris

 

[ms.ojo]

An AAA member should be allowed to book at the AAA rate, if available, and get the AP discounted rate later, if it's lower. Why should a person have to book at a rate higher than the best rate that's currently available to him? The system should allow for that type of reservation.

What happens if AP rates are only available for part of your reservation?

This system will basically let Disney know exactly how many reservations will be lowered if AP rates are released. Disney could lower the AP discounts and supplement it with codes.

YES...they'd know just how much it would "cost" them..

speaking from the other side of the coin....maybe there wouldn't be any rooms left at the "new" AP rate to offer the base of AP holders who hadn't already committed via the website??? That would certainly incent people to book through this system in the future IF the discounts were deep. If not, they'll just stick w/ the known AAA and lower renewl rate.

I like your idea of being able to book at AAA (if applicable) and then get the best available rate vs. being forced to increase to Rack rate until (if) something better comes along on the AP site.

Can't wait to see how this all plays out. I don't like hearing that Lollipop mom is hearing one thing, the web site is saying another...and someone else is posting they were told by a CM it wouldn't honor future AP discounts either...only Genl publics codes.

 

[dawgsgirl]

Off-site here I come!

 

[ms.ojo]

Howdy,

I'm going Oct 28 thru Nov 5. I'm more than 120 days out. I have pulled the resorts that I want and I am getting this message:

A Passholder rate is not available for the date and resort you selected and we have returned a standard rate below. To search for the Passholder rate, please modify your date or resort.

Well, I cannot just "modify my date." I've had this thing planned for over a year!

Anyone have any luck?

Chris

I had luck looking at a moderate at the end of the time frame. 11/26-12/4. I posted the costs earlier in this thread. But no, I didn't book it at Rack rate. I like my AAA better. (besides which my acutal dates are 11/28-12/4 so i just have to wait until those open up.)