Glad to be a DVC Member. Checkout the new AP rate rules:

[DebbieB]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840378

http://www.mousesavers.com/newapdiscounts.html

I was thinking of trying to sneak in a 4 night trip in October for the food & wine festival with an AP rate. It's already past the 120 days. Deposit non-refundable? No way!

 

[brianm27]

I am just getting ready to close on our DVC resale. I think our timing was great - AP ticket discounts are in for DVC members and AP discounts are out for resort hotels.

I have never had a problem getting last minute reservations for a weekend for food and wine - and never paid rack rate either. I won't put a NONREFUNDABLE deposit 120 days out even with the guarantee of the lowest public rate. If the rate for the general public goes down, I 'll reserve through regular channels then.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!

 

[lenshanem]

Are they kidding?!?

What does it even matter with the 45 days to cancel if the deposit is nonrefundable anyway? Maybe I'm missing something? Or do you have to have it paid in full 45 days out now?

When mousesavers is sounding critical... Well, this new policy obviously must not be a very good thing.

YIKES!

 

[Paul in CT]

Speaking as someone who occasionally uses AP rates for staying at the moderates when we don't have enough points, I think this new arrangement for AP's makes the AAA discount more attractive, but I will withold judgement until the discounted rates show up, if ever. At this point only rack rates are coming up for November. I would not make a non-refundable deposit at rack rates with only the promise that we will get the best rate offered to the general public. Call me cynical, but I think that means "no discount".

 

[denecarter]

In some ways, I can understand some of Disney's logic... before I became DVC I would scour the Resorts Board looking for discounts. I think for some people, it was fairly common to book a room, then keep modifiying ressies every time a new code or discount came out. Now, there won't be all that "modifying" to get the "best" rate possible. In general, I don't really mind planning 120 days out ... I've got my basic vacations planned much earlier... compulsive long range planner here (11 month window works GREAT for me). But, I've been known to add a few extra days at the moderates or deluxes onto a pre-planned DVC trip IF a good AP rate popped up. I won't do it for a discount that "might" happen. IMO, the new policy will cut back on ressie modifications (for better rates), but it will also cut back on those "the AP is burning a hole in my pocket, let's do WDW" trips and the "hey, they're offering a great rate, let's add a few days to our trip" trips.

 

[bicker]

Folks may want to read the latest messages posted about this. They indicate that this is a new program -- it doesn't replace the old AP discounts. It is just another program in addition to the regular AP discounts, intended for folks who are willing to do this online, provide a non-refundable deposit, etc.

 

[DebbieB]

There is a post over on rates & codes by a travel agent (I think) that gives alot of new details:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840378&page=18&pp=15

One thing I do hope they stick with is requiring an Adult AP or Voucher in hand to make an AP discount reservation. That way non-AP holders can't hold AP discounted rooms waiting to see if something better comes along.

 

[bicker]

This is probably the most important bit of that thread that many folks haven't read yet:

What both sales and guest services have told me is true but WE haven't seen it in writing just yet ...
this is NOT the end of the AP rate program as we know it, it's just a way to book and guarantee you don't have to be on the lookout for a discount, it will be applied for you automatically.
you will still be able to call in and book AP rates as they are released. They will just be subject to availability just as they always have been. Availability will be more limited b/c the rate will be applied to all "best available rate" guests first.

 

[OneMoreTry]

This does make DVC look even better. But what about those who like to stay at the Poly or GF once in a while?

I don't think anyone in their right mind would use THIS NEW option if also given the chance to purchase one of the old discounts with a refundable downpayment and not having to activate the AP 4 mos in advance. WHich strongly implies this IS a replacement.

When a business reduces discounts doesn't that mean business is good? Disney stock is rated favorable by most. P/E is about 20. Maybe I should buy some. Or should I do an add on?

 

[JimC]

I don't mind the advance booking requirement or the deposit. But to do that without knowing what, if any, discount you will get is very odd. This makes about as much sense as the pink birthday cake MK castle a few years back!

Thank goodness for our DVC!

 

[DebbieB]

Probably was designed by the same person who made up the "special DVC pass" a few years ago, 4 out of 5 year park hoppers paid in advance, which never took off.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I lover DVC. Never used my AP for a room rate. No need to.