Two different CMs this a.m.--Ram w/WDTC and Nealey.
With WDTC I gave my current res information and told them I was trying to convert it to an AP rate. Ram kept me on the phone for 20 minutes while he searched the screens. In fact, he seemed optimistic the rates were in for June. The screen popped up and he indicated, as have the others mentioned above, that APs are only out for Jan/Feb 12. He went so far as to say that if anyone thought they had an AP for May, they were mistaken and the only discount available past the value dates was a DC. Ram went on to advise the APs for May, June, July won't be seen until the expiration of the Jan/Feb 12 set of APs. I did mention to him that I was told yesterday that the June rates would be out today and he said there is no indication of that at all in the system. He very nicely told me that he was being totally honest with me and there was no such pending status for rates beyond February.
Another tidbit he volunteered was that anyone who was given an AP yesterday should check their res because the reservation staff was informed that anything booked at those rates yesterday would have to be rebooked. He said they would be doing call backs, or not. So, if you got the rate yesterday, you might wish to check on the res just to be safe. Ram also said that several calls he'd taken earlier in the a.m. couldn't be booked at the AP rates for Jan/Feb because they weren't released that early. They are now available--as of 8:00 a.m. or so.
On my 2nd call I simply asked if there was an AP rate available for the dates of our vacation (didn't mention an existing). Nealey was very helpful and indicated that the only APs currently out are for Jan/Feb 12. Further, she wouldn't expect to see APs beyond those dates until the expiration of the Jan/Feb APs (this has been true to form in years past).
So, I was 2 for 2 in the information department--both of these reservation staff members (WDTC/CRO) were on the same page. I'll be anxious to see if any of that changes as the day progresses.
I still think life would be much simpler if those rates were just available at the beginning of the fiscal year for WDW. They could release additional discounts on an as needed basis throughout the year based upon bookings or lack there of. They could conservatively release a percentage of rooms in the beginning for those longterm planners and add to it if the outlook for revenue isn't as good as projected. Wow, they wouldn't tie up reservationists and those of us who are early planners would be pleased--what would be do without all the frustration of the wait?
