Here's what worries me about Best Rate...

[sarsah]

Best Rate clearly states that you will receive the "best room rate offered to the general public".

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I am thinking that annual pass rate or special codes (like the one for free dining, etc.) are NOT considered a rate offered to the general public and if that's the case then Best Rate doesn't sound like a good deal to me. Also, the deposit is non-refundable, so if you have to cancel, you are out of luck.

I can't use it anyway, my trip is in November and less than 120 days out.

 

[dizplanner]

Disney has stated that annual passholder discounts are "general public" discounts as are Florida residents and general public "code" discounts. Discounts which are not included are AAA and ones targeted at specific people with PINs (post cards/emails). I would also assume cast member discounts are also not included.

When you book the AP Best Rate, you are getting a discounted rate. Assume that is the rate you will pay. They will cover you if a better rate does come out, but the likelyhood is that a better rate will not. They will only release lower rates if business is really alot poorer than expected.

There was confusion back in the start up of the AP Best Rate program because the website would return rack rates if there was no Best Rate available. People thought if they booked these rack rates, they would get the Best Rate later. This was NOT true. They were not booking Best Rate, but a standard booking with no price guarantee. It sounds like they have fixed the web site so that it no longer does this. If there is no Best Rate availability, it just says so and stops.

Bottom line - if there is Best Rate availability for your dates and resorts and you like the price, book it. But if you don't book it, know that you will not be able to get the room for less any other way.

 

[Renate_do]

Hi,

okay, I know there is a non refundable deposite for the best rate. Do anybody know the policy if I have only to check in one day later because of (intercontinental) flights?
And how many consecutiv days are you able to book? I noticed that was not able to book more than 10 days for May 2006 on the (TA) website.

Greets from Germany Renate

 

[tjmouse]

If you check in one day later, but extend your stay by one more day as well, there is no problem. That's considered a change and the price is the same so you will not be penalized. However, if you decrease your stay by that one day, you will be charged a $50 change fee.

AP rates are only good for a 10 day stay. After that, you have to make a separate reservation, but you can use the AP for that as well. It's just 10 days under one reservation.

 

[Renate_do]

Thanks for your answer, just try to understand all about this stuff and figure out what will be the best for our (hopefully) upcoming trip next year

Just to verify when I book 8 nights and then need 10 cause of flights there will be no penalty cause the price will be higher?

Greets Renate

 

[nutsforgolf]

Can anyone post some of the "Best" rates that they received. Are they as good as the old AP rates I heard about?

 

[sarsah]

Thanks for the information. I did not know that. We tend to book less than 120 days in advance due to the nature of my DH's job, so we probably won't be able to take advantage of Best Rate. I hope Best Rate hasn't replaced regular AP discounts.

Disney has stated that annual passholder discounts are "general public" discounts as are Florida residents and general public "code" discounts. Discounts which are not included are AAA and ones targeted at specific people with PINs (post cards/emails). I would also assume cast member discounts are also not included.

 

[rcraw45425]

sarsah, same here. Unless we really plan for it DH's schedule comes out at best 6 weeks ahead. I was able to get an AP rate a few weeks ago for a last minute stay last week, we wound up booking a moderate, got a decent AP rate of $99 a night for POFQ. I also had booked October 6-10 at WL at $265 rack rate, moved that trip back two days to the 4th and got an AP rate of $235 tax included at the CR, lake view wing. That's on the existing code, I could have even added the free dining if I wanted to pay rack and buy tix for everyone. I truly hope that they don't discontinue the old AP codes! We hardly ever book more than 90 days out.

 

[mom_rules]

Under the best rate program we have POP at $59 (before taxes) and Yacht club at $224 per night-this is in December.

Rack for value season are $77 and $294.


AAA rates for same time were $65 and $249.

Hope this helps.

 

[aubriee]

Can anyone post some of the "Best" rates that they received. Are they as good as the old AP rates I heard about?

I'm doing a split stay Dec 9th-18th at POFQ and CSR. I got standard rooms at each for 94.00/night. If you're thinking about it you might want to go ahead and book though. I've read where POFQ is now not available for this time and last week I was debating on whether to stay at CSR or AKL (Standard room) for the last four days of my trip. At that time both were available, but last night when I was thinking about upgrading I checked again and AKL is no longer available at all for those four nights (standard, pool view, or savanna view).

 

[fam4jc]

We booked best rate during value season (early December) for $40 discount per night for a moderate, pref view at CS. I was happy with it.