Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[TDC Nala]

I can wait and watch this, since the rest of my reservations this year are DVC.

But I am curious as to whether this means AP holders will NOT be permitted to book with ANY kind of discount less than 120 days out. That could be a problem.

 

[Bella2000]

Interesting observation on renewing APs. Since they changed the renewal date from actual activation for the renewal to the original purchase activation I do as Brian and others - go multiple times and then let my AP expire and get another one when we return. I am not going to waste 4 months.

I must say that I do like the ability to book AP rates online. I think that is a welcome addition. What I dislike about the new rule is the blanket non refundable deposit and since I enjoy last minute trips the booking time frame would not work. I understand deposit rules and forfeit of a deposit but a blanket nonrefundable up front says hey you are signing away any recourse.

I liked the addition of the DDE and I would miss staying multiple times a year; however the current program as it stands is not for me.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Guess it will be off site room and food for us and the ten day ticket instead of our usual two weeks plus on site trip as we often have to plan at the last minute.

BTW, this granny has always wanted to stop at a Cafe Risque. I want to order a lot of bacon and watch them cook it in the raw. Hey, entertainment is entertainment.

Slightly Goofy

 

[cyndibelle]

WOW THAT IS CRAZY..we booked our trip last month for sept 30-oct 9 and we got a rate of 59 bucks a night....also they didnt give us any of that cancellation stuff or whatever....

 

[cobbler]

WOW THAT IS CRAZY..we booked our trip last month for sept 30-oct 9 and we got a rate of 59 bucks a night....also they didnt give us any of that cancellation stuff or whatever....

This is new, it will take affect for new check ins starting Oct 8th, its for the next round of codes that will be out very soon.

 

[johnnyr]

While the "nonrefundable deposit", "45 day cancellation" and "general public" thing really have me upset (especially since I've been a dedicated AP holder for some time), I'm sure we havn't seen the big picture or finalized product yet. I don't believe they will cut us AP holders off. I thnk this is revision 1. I DO believe they would rather sell DVC than AP's. I also believe this is the reason they are making it more of a challenge for us AP holders. Imagine if they swayed the majority of us AP holders to purchase DVC. It would be a big chunk of change in the bank for them.

Although I pay for nonrefundable airline ticket all the time, I never would pay a nonrefundable deposit for a hotel room - Disney or non-Disney. Will have to follow this one closely.

 

[ms.ojo]

... just catching up on the posts here again. Liked what mary wrote @ Mousesavers, I agree 100%. I'm not jumping on this offer.

Unfortunately I DO think the way this is headed, if people start booking rooms on the site AND Disney automatically discounts those folks to the upcoming AP rates (not just Gen'l Public rates) that there will probably be no AP rates left for the rest of us to grab the old fashioned way via the phone. But am I willing to give up my AAA rate for that chance right now....no! For 6 nights the end of Nov. at a Moderate it would cost me $283 more booking on the AP website. And the whole non-refundable deposit.... sigh.

This was our 1st year as an AP holder. We went in Apr/May w/ our AP rates and had a great visit. I've secured AAA rates for Dec and am telling dh not to count on us getting anything better this time around. hey at least the season is value vs. std so the rates were better to begin with. If we do somehow get an AP rate for this trip....it will just be a blessing. (or fairy dust! )

 

[BCV23]

Although I'm sure DVC loves to have more members, I think WDW is happy when anyone buys APs for admission....DVC members too.

DVC members get a $100 break on APs this year and $125 on PAPs.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Wow - this has really bummed me out. Our APs expire July 18 and we'll be there until July 16 and then not until January. I really wasn't going to renew our APs just buy new ones in January. But with everything that I've read so fare I think we might be better off with AAA discount and MYW tickets and dining. I feel like they didn't really care about the people who came the most. I'll miss the waiting for the AP rate to be released with the rest of you.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

read the mousesavers......www.mousesavers.com for info.

 

[MichelleTO]

So this leaves us arriving October 6th out of luck, no options at all for APs with the new restrictions as we are under the 120 day mark. We of course just missed the Oct 4th date for the last discounts. Not impressed by the lack of info once again by Disney and their CMs on yet another new program and change. This for many of us may require a complete change to our plans from where we stay and how long. Without knowing what other if any discounts will be available at this time we are in limbo. I am hoping for the extension for the free dining because truly that is the only way I am willing to pay the overpriced rates at the Poly. We have been staying there since 1978 and do love it however there has never been any recognition by Disney as repeat visitors and the rooms are not what $354 should get you. We count on these discounts (which still have quite high rates) to stay at a deluxe. I wish Disney would reward those that plan way ahead and book early! No, instead they have us hold out and book rooms and then make multiples changes to try and get discounts as they may or may not decide to release them. Sorry this turned into a rant. But I am so unhappy and feeling so un Disney right now.

 

[Luv2Travel]

Just to put in my 2 cents: This is how some other hotel websites give out their best rates - by making you book online and the first night is nonrefundabe (often called "webrates"). The difference is that these rates may be booked up to the day of, not 120 or more days before hand! That's what's killing me.

It also makes me reminicent (sp?) of the fast pass rumor that was recently all over the boards. Where the more you spend ON SITE, then the better of a fast pass system you will receive. SO. . . by encouraging us to stay in the best resort possible and not giving very good discounts, WDW could really be racking in the money!

 

[sherry8253]

I am in the AP site now and cannot find anything about this. The only offer I see is through Oct 4. I also called CRO and spoke with 2 difference CM's and both claim to have no idea what I am talking about. What am I missing? Is this offer in the AP site now?

 

[EthansMom]

I am in the AP site now and cannot find anything about this. The only offer I see is through Oct 4. I also called CRO and spoke with 2 difference CM's and both claim to have no idea what I am talking about. What am I missing? Is this offer in the AP site now?

Look under "Special Offers" and you'll see the "Passholder Best Rate Program"

 

[sherry8253]

I just found it. Heck the quote for AP rate was MORE than AAA rate I was quoted 3 weeks ago. No Way!!! Do they think we are stupid? Do you think they have not loaded the correct rates yet or do you think this is it? If so, no more deluxe for me.

 

[barbeml]

Wow, talk about a monkey wrench. DH, DBIL and I have been AP holders since last November. The three of us went for 8 nights in November, DH and I were just there in May for 6 nights. For the past three months I have been coordinating a family and friends group trip for late October that would have included 5 or 6 rooms over 6 nights. DU has always gotten us AP rates, so we all based our planning on "book at AAA and wait for AP rate." If we can't share our AP rate for additional rooms, those people will drop out. So in our case, WDW will lose business.

I have a quote from DU at AAA rate that is $200 less than what the AP holder "deal" on the WDW site is offering. They can keep it.

Yes, the AP only guarantees park admission for a year and I have been plenty happy with that, but this scenario is a stick rather than a carrot. Non-refundable deposits 120 days out? I don't think so.

October will definitely be our last trip to WDW for some time.

 

[BCV23]

When I clicked under special offers earlier today, all I got was an error message. I'm off to try again.

 

[EthansMom]

I just found it. Heck the quote for AP rate was MORE than AAA rate I was quoted 3 weeks ago. No Way!!! Do they think we are stupid? Do you think they have not loaded the correct rates yet or do you think this is it? If so, no more deluxe for me.

I know -- it's quoting RACK RATE of all things!

 

[Gillian]

Thank you for posting this info and for keeping us updated.

The strangest thing to me about the 120 days is that AP holders are more likely to take last minute trips than anyone else! I know when we had APs we looked for any way possible to squeeze in a trip to WDW.

I'm going to look at this in the best possible way until we know more. Maybe it will really work to guarentee AP holders a good rate if they plan in advance. Other AP rates may come out last minute but those who have booked on the AP site will get them first.

I do think there is something to the thought of wanting more AP renewals. For a long time you could renew your AP at a discounted rate when the old one expired but not activate it until your next trip. When that was taken away a lot of people just let them expire and bought new ones. I don't even know if they offer that discount anymore.

It must be fun to be a Disney marketing person!!!

 

[barbeml]

I wonder if Disney just wants to eliminate APs altogether. Maybe they just want everyone to book packages. This whole thing just makes no sense to me. I mean, the MYW package that lets you buy a one-day ticket and get free dining for your whole stay is a heck of a deal, then they turn around and offer a slap in the face to AP holders in the form of non-refundable deposits on rack rate rooms, 120 day advance booking, one room per AP holder, etc.

Maybe APs are on the way out.