Getting AP rate with Child annual pass

[disneymom1]

Can I buy one child AP for my daughter and use it to book an AP rate at one of the hotels, or do I have to buy an adult one for myself. I really just want the AP to get the hotel discount.

 

[midlander]

Same subject. Do I have to have the AP in my hand before they will book a room reservation? Can you book two rooms on the same reservation with only one AP?

I'm a true beginner with Disney, and at my age, this will probably be my only trip. Thanks.

 

[TLinden16]

Disneymom1, folks have recently reported that they needed and adult AP to book an AP rate.

Hi Midlander! Welcome to the DIS! You can book up to three rooms with one AP.

Karen

 

[skiwee1]

I got my last AP rate at the Poly this past October using my child's AP. I asked CRO at the time of booking and they said it was fine. The sleeve that the child's AP comes in has the exact same benefits that the adults does. The CM at CRO also said that since you have to list all the people in the room on the ressie that my DD's name would be on it anyway.

 

[midlander]

Must I have the AP already, or can I order it independet of Disney, or do I order it at the same time I make the reservation. Thanks for your help.

 

[skiwee1]

Must I have the AP already, or can I order it independet of Disney, or do I order it at the same time I make the reservation. Thanks for your help.

You should have your AP in hand prior to check in just in case you get a CM that demands to see it.

 

[Kallison]

We've never been asked for our AP at check-in, we always get our passes after check-in. I"m sure a CM would allow you to come back with your AP if you told them you were on your way to purchase them at the gate. I've never had a CM demand anything.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Your supposed to have an adult AP to get the AP rate. A child can not book a room irrespective of their name being on the reservation. If you are given incorrect info by central reservations this won't help much at check in. There has been a lot of talk about Disney cracking down on AP discount abuse as well as tightening the ship in other areas. Not supriseing after the year Disney had in '04. A adult pass is only $63 more. Save yourself any potential grief and wasted money on a childs AP that could leave you in a difficult position.

 

[skiwee1]

Your supposed to have an adult AP to get the AP rate. A child can not book a room irrespective of their name being on the reservation. If you are given incorrect info by central reservations this won't help much at check in. There has been a lot of talk about Disney cracking down on AP discount abuse as well as tightening the ship in other areas. Not supriseing after the year Disney had in '04. A adult pass is only $63 more. Save yourself any potential grief and wasted money on a childs AP that could leave you in a difficult position.

The CM at the Poly upon check in also told me that my child's AP was just fine in using for booking a room. If Disney wants to change it then they need a different sleeve to put the child's AP in. I had no problems and would do it again if we didn't have our own APs now.

 

[swilphil]

I talked to two different CM's last week and they both said I would need the adult AP. You don't need to have already purchased the AP though when you make the reservations. Though you might want to go ahead and order the AP when you make your ressie. The only places to buy an AP is at a Disney Store, online at disneyworld.com, or from WDW. My Disney Store was out of AP's and I couldn't get the website to work, so I ended up making an extra phone call, waiting on hold, etc., just to buy the AP.

The Disney Dining Experience that's available to AP holders is also only for adults, I believe.

 

[Docsknotinn]

A good dose of common sense goes a long way. Useing a childs AP is scamming the system. Period. There is a reason a childs AP is cheaper. I hope Disney continues to crack down on this. There are those who get by the front desk with out even haveing a AP as well. Theft is theft. It doesn't make it any better because you don't get caught not haveing a AP. The sleeves are a moot point and I think we've heard from several folks lately who have said the CM's are finally getting it right asking to see ADULT AP's at check in. Can you imagine the millions that failing to check this properly has cost the mouse. After Eisners near hostile take over last year you can bet your AP that the top dog is going to squeeeze until he finds a way to replace that multi-million dollar bonus. Last week at the store the cashier gave me back more $$ than she owed me. I gave her the $$$ back. It wouldn't have been right to take advantage of her error, no matter how right she thought she was.

 

[skiwee1]

I talked to two different CM's last week and they both said I would need the adult AP. You don't need to have already purchased the AP though when you make the reservations. Though you might want to go ahead and order the AP when you make your ressie. The only places to buy an AP is at a Disney Store, online at disneyworld.com, or from WDW. My Disney Store was out of AP's and I couldn't get the website to work, so I ended up making an extra phone call, waiting on hold, etc., just to buy the AP.

The Disney Dining Experience that's available to AP holders is also only for adults, I believe.

I just called CRO to book Poly lagoonview concierge for October and asked about using a child's AP for a future discount. I was told by "Monty" that you can indeed use a child's AP and always have been able to. We all have APs again so it won't even be an issue. Really this is all kind of mute because they rarely ever ask to see the AP at check in anyway! The time I used my DD's AP I told the CM upon check in that I had my DD's AP and she said no problem. I took it out and she never even looked at it. She said that it was already in the CRO system that I had the AP discoutn. I have never been asked to show any AP when checking in but have always had to produce my AAA card when getting a discount with that. Go figure!

 

[skiwee1]

A good dose of common sense goes a long way. Useing a childs AP is scamming the system. Period. There is a reason a childs AP is cheaper. I hope Disney continues to crack down on this. There are those who get by the front desk with out even haveing a AP as well. Theft is theft. It doesn't make it any better because you don't get caught not haveing a AP. The sleeves are a moot point and I think we've heard from several folks lately who have said the CM's are finally getting it right asking to see ADULT AP's at check in. Can you imagine the millions that failing to check this properly has cost the mouse. After Eisners near hostile take over last year you can bet your AP that the top dog is going to squeeeze until he finds a way to replace that multi-million dollar bonus. Last week at the store the cashier gave me back more $$ than she owed me. I gave her the $$$ back. It wouldn't have been right to take advantage of her error, no matter how right she thought she was.

If Disney says it's okay then who are you to say anyone is scamming the system? What do you care anyway? It is NOT theft when the company giving the discounts give them. I was just there in October and was not asked to produce my AP. Never have been. They can do whatever they want and YOU can not do anything about it. Period.

 

[Docsknotinn]

No I can't. But as a stockholder I sure hope they do in the immediate future. I understand that some folks just don't mind takeing advantage of others. Have a nice Disney Day !

 

[skiwee1]

No I can't. But as a stockholder I sure hope they do in the immediate future. I understand that some folks just don't mind takeing advantage of others. Have a nice Disney Day !

I too am a stockholder. Only 2500 shares so I am sure I'm low man on the totem pole. I only used my DD's AP as mine had expired two months before. Since we were cutting back from going over 30 days a year at WDW to one trip of maybe 9 days I didn't see the need for renewing mine. Getting one more AP trip was great! It really didn't matter anyway because as I said before the CM never even looked at the AP just like all the other times I've been. Eight trips with an AP and never once been asked to see it. We did end up turning in our 7 day parker hoppers for APs for my mom and I the next day anyway as we decided to stay 12 days and an AP is a much better deal. I do not take advantage of anyone. Never have. Gosh I don't even reuse my mugs. Do you? I had 13 Poly mugs all the same design and 8 CBR mugs along with 3 WL mugs. I have since tossed them all out but the WL ones, great for car drinking, and will buy yet another pair on returning in October. When I am told my numerous people that work at Disney from the many at CRO to the CMs that work the front desks that a child's AP is just fine then I do not believe I took advantage of anyone. Being a stockholder, I am glad that WDW still has the customer service it is known for and that keeps folks coming back. THAT is the most important thing to a stockholder.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Well we agree on that. All I'm trying to say is that IMHO it is wrong and takeing advantage IF you/we suggest to others that they buy a childs AP for the sole purpose of a room discount. That does not appear to be your case but is what the OP was/is asking. We have seen several members who are posting that this year there have been changes in that policy. Frankly I don't think Disneys policy was ever to promote AP rates with a childs AP. In this case it would be most unfortunate IF the OP showed up with a childs AP haveing spent far more than just the park admission needed for the child. If the adult AP was then needed, as we are now seeing start to take place. They would then have to run out, buy an adult AP eating even further away from any saveings. Everyone has different views but to me this just does not seem a prudent move or good advice. No one would be happy if they showed up only to find the info was incorrect or no longer valid. Certainly Disney is somewhat to blame for the lax policy and inconsistancy in the past. It seems clear to me that's being addressed this year. Part of the reason is no doubt profit and loss. I think another BIG issue is the internet, chat forums books etc. that now allow countless thousands of people access to info they would not have had in the past. Five years ago there were in all likelyhood a fraction of the people useing childs AP's for discounts/pool hopping/resort parking for quicker access etc than today. I suspect there are several thousand a year that learn about AP's and other codes from this sight alone. Multiply that on a global multi media scale and I think its fairly easy to see why this is being addressed by Disney. Disney wants everyone to be happy but limits can only be strectched so far. A adult AP is a fantastic buy and if you can save more than the cost difference from your regular fare on one trip then you indeed have a bargain. I for one see no need to push the issue and risk paying rack rate over $63.

 

[DMRick]

Your supposed to have an adult AP to get the AP rate.
**

Why would you say that? Have you been told that in writing? And to the person who thinks it's a scam..why do you think that? I'm sure you both know that all CM's don't know everything about every part of Disney, and sometimes mistakes are made. Always best to get it from the horse's mouth, in writing, guest services.

The best way to find out, is to just write to guest services, as I did, and you'll get it in writing, (the correct answer) that a child's AP is fine for the room. You'll also get a phone call, if it's like whenever I've written to guest services..

We too are stock holders. I'm glad Disney keeps to their promises..the pormise inside the sleeve of the AP that is the same for adult and child.

**All I'm trying to say is that IMHO it is wrong and takeing advantage IF you/we suggest to others that they buy a childs AP for the sole purpose of a room discount.**

If Disney guest services, doesn't have a problem with that, I certainly won't . Just because 6 people out of a zillion say that "a" CM said you shouldn't doesn't make it Disney's policy to me. I take my discounts any honest way I get them.

 

[skiwee1]

Your supposed to have an adult AP to get the AP rate.
**

Why would you say that? Have you been told that in writing? And to the person who thinks it's a scam..why do you think that? I'm sure you both know that all CM's don't know everything about every part of Disney, and sometimes mistakes are made. Always best to get it from the horse's mouth, in writing, guest services.

The best way to find out, is to just write to guest services, as I did, and you'll get it in writing, (the correct answer) that a child's AP is fine for the room. You'll also get a phone call, if it's like whenever I've written to guest services..

We too are stock holders. I'm glad Disney keeps to their promises..the pormise inside the sleeve of the AP that is the same for adult and child.

**All I'm trying to say is that IMHO it is wrong and takeing advantage IF you/we suggest to others that they buy a childs AP for the sole purpose of a room discount.**

If Disney guest services, doesn't have a problem with that, I certainly won't . Just because 6 people out of a zillion say that "a" CM said you shouldn't doesn't make it Disney's policy to me. I take my discounts any honest way I get them.

Thank you DMRick! Finally someone that got it in WRITING something I've known about for a while. If Disney lets you use a child AP then that is Disneys rule. Since Disney does not have it written anywhere that a child's AP is not valid then I was not breaking any rules. I am a big rule follower from the mugs to limits on the room. I have no problems with paying for what I want and did not want anyone to think I was trying to scam Disney. I spend anywhere from $10,000-12,000 a year at Disney and trying to save a scant $63 was not my intention.

 

[Mainebound]

This is really curious. I just called to book WL in March and was told that I needed an adult AP to get an AP discount on our rooms, and also that the person who was making the ressie, whose name the ressie is under, needed the AP. We do not yet have an AP. Since we are only buying the AP for the discount, I would rather buy a child's AP. Maybe I will also write a letter asking this question to WDW before I purchase our AP. I will absolutely without question follow the official policy, but I am starting to wonder how we determine what official policy actually is! (and I do not subscribe to the theory that any employee at a corporation "makes policy" on the spot by telling a customer something!)

 

[Docsknotinn]

I'd certainly like to see a copy of that letter scanned and posted with a '05 date on it. DW made reservations a few weeks ago and was told flat out that was definately not going to be allowed. I guess there's only one real way to find out. Buy a childs AP and see if you wind up paying rack rate. Irrespective of the past Disney is changeing. If you plan on this approach I'd definately get it in writeing. If someone does please scan and post it. I'm not sure how long it will take Disney to respond but I have written and asked for the official policy on this issue.