First of all, yes, $221 is high for the PPH based on previous AP rates, which are much lower than that. Since there have not been any special AP rates for October announced thus far, $221 is the lowest available rate for the PPH in October, for AP holders (basically it is a 10% discount off the rack rate). And the rate you got for the DLH is currently the lowest rate for AP holders, but it not an actual 'AP rate,' if that makes sense. Now, IF there are special AP rates released for October next month, the prices will be much lower and you can call and ask for the AP rate and have them switch your reservation to the lower price as long as you show your AP upon check-in.
If you didn't happen to see my post on another thread today regarding AP rates for October, I called DLR Reservations today to ask a couple of other questions, and since the CM was very friendly and chatty, I decided to pump her for info on any possible upcoming October AP rates. She verified that, by this time each year, the Reservations CMs would normally know about any AP October rates coming down the turnpike, even before the AP holders know. But so far, they know of no such rates for October this year. She said this year is very "weird" in terms of booking because there are all kinds of people booking the 5 for 3 deals (AP and non-AP holders), and other people booking with the various PIN offers that some of us have received. She said that all of the offers and discounts that are currently in circulation only go up to the end of September and stop. There is nothing in terms of any kinds of discounts that they know of for October so far. Since they would normally have the October info by now, this CM I spoke to wasn't sure if, perhaps, DLR is waiting for these current offers to cycle out or is waiting for a certain number of bookings before they release October AP rates, or if they will just skip AP rates for October altogether. She also said it could be a 'short notice thing,' where there may not be any good AP rates showing for October for a long time, and then maybe just a few weeks beforehand some good ones may suddenly be released. She wasn't sure ow it is going to work. All she knew was that they normally have the October AP rates by now, but so far this year they don't have any knowledge of them at all. But she said that this doesn't necessarily mean they WON'T come out; they may just do it much closer to October than we expect, or they may suddenly spring the rates on the CMs in Reservations last minute. Like let's say DLR does release Ap rates for October in August, like some people suspect will happen. If they do that, they may let the CMs know at the last minute. OR, it is
possible they may not release any AP rates at all for October because they are anticipating high crowds.
As for Gay Days, technically DLR would like the people buying tickets and booking rooms to be attending the Gay Days events/convention. DLR is starting to get a little more cautious about booking rooms to people using convention rates and in some cases, even calling the guests back to be sure they have the proper registration for the events or whatever. So we aren't really encouraging DIS-ers to acquire tickets and or rooms through conventions/conferences anymore
unless you are actually attending the convention or conference in question, or to promote acquiring those tickets and/or hotel rooms on the open board/forum.
That 189.00 is an awesome rate, I may just keep checking and calling to see if anyone cancels.
