Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[cobbler]

So, how do you buy an ACTIVATED AP? I hope someone posts the rates/discounts they get. I wouldn't want to buy an AP, activate it 3 months before my trip, and then the rates not be as good as the MYW Dining Plan.

Boy, WDW sure knows how to throw a kink in things!

EXACTLY. We will let our AP's lapse this year. They expire 11/29 and we won't go in 2006 until after Thanksgiving again. No sense in renewing for a whole year and only use 3 days. This will make it very hard for me to get reservations and I hate dealing with TA's because I know more than they do sometimes and it can be a headache. I have had an AP for a while now but do let them lapse when we know our trip won't be for a year.

There needs to be a better way. Something besides doing what they do now and going to the other extreme with all the restrictions.

 

[diathoney]

It's out there now, you can access it through the Passholder page. You have to book at LEAST 120 days in advance (or more) no less. I couldn't book for October 13th because it's less that 120 days, but I could for November 14th. The rates didn't look that great to me but it said if a lower rate becomes available you would automatically ge the lower rate. Hmmm.

 

[momoftwins]

But if you can book up to 120 days - let's say to make sure you get a room with the AP rate - in advance, and the AP must be activated, then you will lose 3 months time on the total usage time of the pass. For example, if you book a trip for Dec in Sept (120 days earlier than your arrival and pass would be activated) won't your pass then only be valid until Sept of the following year. Thus you could essentually lose 3 months of usage since how it is right now is the pass could be activated on the day you check in at the resort (Dec)??

Just trying to understand. Thanks.

 

[triplefigs]

So how do I get an AP to be able to log on? It won't be active, right? This SU**S!

 

[DVCconvert]

From the passholder web site
--------------------------------------------------------------
Introducing Our Passholder Best Rate Program

Planning a vacation in a few months? Then it's time to try our Passholder Best Rate Program! Now Passholders booking a Disney Resort room online under 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.

See Important Program Requirements below



Enjoy this great rate at a great time to visit! Happiest Celebration On Earth is in full swing with new attractions, including Soarin'™, Cinderellabration, and Lights, Motors, Action™ Extreme Stunt Show.

As a Disney Resort Guest, you can also enjoy these Disney Resort benefits:

Renowned Disney service 24 hours a day
Spectacular pools
A beautifully themed Resort in the heart of the Disney magic
Complimentary Transportation (motor coach, water launch, or monorail) throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort
Important Program Requirements
Program only available to adult passholders booking online at disneyworld.com/passholders. Passholder may only book one room per reservation. Reservations must be made by adult Passholder with Passholder's credit card. Passholder must present his or her valid Pass at check in.

 

[triplefigs]

It's out there now, you can access it through the Passholder page. You have to book at LEAST 120 days in advance (or more) no less. I couldn't book for October 13th because it's less that 120 days, but I could for November 14th. The rates didn't look that great to me but it said if a lower rate becomes available you would automatically ge the lower rate. Hmmm.

Can you check for 11/29 at the GF main bldg? What about Dec 3 Poly LVC (one room each)? Can I book those now? What are the rates?

 

[n2mm]

Yes, I also just came from the passholder site and this software is indeed up and running. I played with the dates for awhile, but could not locate any discounted rooms no matter what dates I put in. hhmmm.

OK, for those who can't go into the site, it does say that an ADULT active AP is required for checkin, so looks like this issue is being addrressed also.

I still am wondering why I could not find any discounts no matter what dates and resorts I put in. Is it not up and running officially?? Looks like folks with active APs will get first shot at the discounted rooms.

The site is not very user friendly right now. I would like it if it told me WHAT was available at what rate instead you have to choose your resort and do all of the screens, only to be told there isn't a discount there. Hopefully, this will be all sorted out.

No you can not use a voucher, because you have to be an active ap holder to get into the site.

 

[cobbler]

Also what is it under when you log in?? Special offers? or Benefits and discounts??

 

[DVCconvert]

Yes, I also just came from the passholder site and this software is indeed up and running. I played with the dates for awhile, but could not locate any discounted rooms no matter what dates I put in. hhmmm.

Me either! I was looking at Deluxe's & conceirge


I kept getting:

We are unable to find any availability. Please try a different Resort choice, different travel dates or change your request for a suite or concierge services.

 

[triplefigs]

No you can not use a voucher, because you have to be an active ap holder to get into the site.

So how do you activate an AP voucher other than being at the park?

 

[Lewisc]

Sounds like this is a system to encourage AP holder into making an extra trip. The existing system is basically a way to encourage guests into buying an AP.

The discounts better go back to being almost 50% to be worth putting up with these new restrictions. For the last few years the AP discounts haven't been much better than the PIN and general code discounts.

 

[cobbler]

Well they won't let you do anything past 11/26.

 

[DVCconvert]

The discounts better go back to being almost 50% to be worth putting up with these new restrictions.

I agree completely! Especially since they're changing the deposit to non-refundable!

 

[ms.ojo]

Was just at the AP site. how's this for FINE print>...

Now Passholders booking a Disney Resort room online under 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.

OK, so it let's you book 120 days out and then you don't have to monitor these boards as it will automatically give you the best rate offered to the general public. Well I don't want the best rate for the Gen'l public (GP)...I want my AP rate!!! And right now....my AAA rate beats what they're listing as the GP rate!!!! So why would I book there, w/ a NONrefundable deposit...at a higher rate than what I have w/ AAA???? Makes no sense to me. I wish they said they would automatically reduce your room rate to any promo rate that's offered to APs. THAT would get me to book in early and pot'lly give up a night's deposit if no AP rates became available during my time slot....but as it stands now...I'm not biting!

 

[lillygator]

oh my goodness - I can't wait to get home to try it!!

 

[cobbler]

You know, I wonder, it says "Best rate PROGRAM" maybe this will be an addition to the current way we book things. Only you get the best rate this way??

Wishful thinking maybe but hopefully. That way you are guaranteed the best rate where the normal way you might not be??

I know it probably wouldn't list it on the website there since you do have to have an active AP to get in but it but it really didn't say that you couldn't have just a voucher and book over the phone.

I probably am having some serious wishful thinking but maybe this will give Active AP holders a small jump start and not have to worry about scowering the net for the best rate.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

it looks like one of two things is happening here:

(1) the rates aren't loaded yet but will be soon

-OR-

(2) they are saying that you book at rack, but that if they offer any discounts to the general public that they will automatically drop your rate w/o you having to call. You would then have committed to a room at rack with a non-refundable AND to having an AP, without knowing what the final price of your room will be.


Re: activated pass...

I don't know about the public site (my AP expired and I'm not buying another for a few months yet so I have no log in myself!) but on the TA site you can enter a voucher #. It looks like you are going to have to have purchased AND RECEIVED your voucher before booking AP rates for now. I have already sent an email suggesting that they add the option to purchase an AP voucher in the same transaction so people who don't have one yet can take advantage BUT that they do ABSOLUTELY have to purchase a pass so no more "if they ask to see it, then I'll buy it but if not, I'm cool" type of thing.

Also, on the TA booking page, it specifies that the deposit is refundable before 45 days out rather than nonrefundable. The Guest Services CM specifically said nonrefundable to me...with emphasis on the nonrefundable. We will see if that changes or not. It's already changed a bit (ie adding the space to enter AP or voucher #s) since I first posted.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

OK, so it let's you book 120 days out and then you don't have to monitor these boards as it will automatically give you the best rate offered to the general public. Well I don't want the best rate for the Gen'l public (GP)...I want my AP rate!!! And right now....my AAA rate beats what they're listing as the GP rate!!!! So why would I book there, w/ a NONrefundable deposit...at a higher rate than what I have w/ AAA????

that's what I'm wondering as well. It also creates a loophole for them. With the free dining package offered recently, the ROOM portion is not discounted at all. So if they release free dining with nondiscounted rooms, the general public isn't getting a cheaper room though they are getting a cheaper bottom line....make sense?

This raises lots of questions.

BTW...I'm almost done checking every single day offered (in st. view Caribbean Beach) and have yet to see a discounted room.

 

[cobbler]

I sure won't get my room at rack rate hoping that a better rate will come out and have me commited to that, heck no. I will book with my AAA rate and at least I can cancel that without penelty and then book with the AP rate if it comes out better.

IF that is the case then it doesn't eliminate our need to be on the watch constantly for a better rate.

 

[lillygator]

so no deluxes avail?