Hotel question. AP questions. Maybe more!

[Canadian Harmony]

I'm checking into hotels in the area for my solo trip (hopefully at least with one friend!) in October. I can get a smokin' military rate deal at the Days Inn just north west of the park for the days I am going. Is it an OK hotel?

The next one one my list is the DI, but it's twice as expensive as I can get the rate for Days Inn. When the family goes, we'll probably stay at one of the hotels on Harbour just to cut down on the walking, but going alone isn't a big deal if the walk is 10 minutes or so.

AP questions - I read that having an AP will also get me a reduced rate at some hotels. Which hotels does this apply to just so I can compare rates. Also, is there any benefit for a traveler to get the AP before arrival, or should I just buy it at the gate when I arrive? Is there a discount place for APs I could get it from online?

I'm aware there may be no MHP next year, or it could be moved, or whatever, but let's say for argument's sake there IS a MHP next October and tickets go on sale in a similar fashion next June/July. I'm planning on getting a MHP ticket for the trip so will having an AP make a difference in the price of that ticket? Or just a difference in WHEN I can buy the ticket?

TIA

 

[figment_jii]

Is there a discount place for APs I could get it from online?

I have not yet found any place that sells legitimate discounted APs. The best you can hope for is that if you buy a discounted ticket and upgrade to an AP, they would bridge the ticket price (meaning give you the full gate price of the ticket, thus allowing you can retain the discount). However, DLR does not consistently bridge ticket prices, so you cannot count on that.

I'm aware there may be no MHP next year, or it could be moved, or whatever, but let's say for argument's sake there IS a MHP next October and tickets go on sale in a similar fashion next June/July. I'm planning on getting a MHP ticket for the trip so will having an AP make a difference in the price of that ticket? Or just a difference in WHEN I can buy the ticket?

Yes, for some nights there is an AP (DVC and Disney Visa) discount on the advance purchase price of ticket. For example, this year, the advance purchase price for AP/DVC/Disney Visa card holders was $63, compared to the regular advance purchase price of $69 (valid for the parties on 9/28, 9/30, 10/5, 10/7, 10/12, 10/14, 10/19, and 10/25). Mostly, it's valid on the non-Friday parties and those earlier in the season.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I have not yet found any place that sells legitimate discounted APs. The best you can hope for is that if you buy a discounted ticket and upgrade to an AP, they would bridge the ticket price (meaning give you the full gate price of the ticket, thus allowing you can retain the discount). However, DLR does not consistently bridge ticket prices, so you cannot count on that.


Yes, for some nights there is an AP (DVC and Disney Visa) discount on the advance purchase price of ticket. For example, this year, the advance purchase price for AP/DVC/Disney Visa card holders was $63, compared to the regular advance purchase price of $69 (valid for the parties on 9/28, 9/30, 10/5, 10/7, 10/12, 10/14, 10/19, and 10/25). Mostly, it's valid on the non-Friday parties and those earlier in the season.

You're so awesome.

So, to save at least SOME money (because the exchange rate bites), I should buy the AP - I'm going with a Signature AP - online after June 25th (which is when we'd be leaving in 2017) and use it to purchase my MHP ticket for an applicable party if possible. My tentative dates are the 13th-17th of October, so if there's a party on the Friday but it's not one of the AP discounted ones, then don't bother buying in advance, and to just get it once I arrive on the Thursday.

I've made notes in the spreadsheet.

 

[figment_jii]

My tentative dates are the 13th-17th of October, so if there's a party on the Friday but it's not one of the AP discounted ones, then don't bother buying in advance, and to just get it once I arrive on the Thursday.

Err...there is no advance purchase discount, so you could wait until you get there to buy the tickets, but it's worth noting that almost all of the MHP sold out in advance for the last several years. I tracked the sell out dates in 2015 and 2014 and Geemo tracked them in 2013).

 

[goooof1]

If it's the Days Inn on Ball.....that's likely a 10 + minute walk to the trams at the Mickey and Friends parking structure......or 20 + minutes to the esplanade. And there is not much over there and between there and the parks.

 

[Angrose]

Hotels with AP rates:
Hojo, Ramada Maingate, Candy Cane Inn, Anabella.

I'm probably missing some, but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

 

[tlovesdis]

Also Del Sol, Majestic Gardens and Hotel Menage give AP discounts.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Err...there is no advance purchase discount, so you could wait until you get there to buy the tickets, but it's worth noting that almost all of the MHP sold out in advance for the last several years. I tracked the sell out dates in 2015 and 2014 and Geemo tracked them in 2013).

I meant buying an AP in advance. If it's not going to do me any good for a reduced price on a MHP ticket, then I'll get the AP at the gate and buy the MHP ticket when it releases to the general public.

If it's the Days Inn on Ball.....that's likely a 10 + minute walk to the trams at the Mickey and Friends parking structure......or 20 + minutes to the esplanade. And there is not much over there and between there and the parks.

Yes, I believe that's the one I have the pricing info on.

Hotels with AP rates:
Hojo, Ramada Maingate, Candy Cane Inn, Anabella.

I'm probably missing some, but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.

Thanks. What's the basic reduction, do you remember?

Also Del Sol, Majestic Gardens and Hotel Menage give AP discounts.

Thanks, I'll check into them.

 

[Epek]

Also- carousel inn, portifino, sometimes the castle inn, desert inn and suites, desert palm? and the holiday inn.

I think for most the discount is around 15%

 

[tlovesdis]

I didn't know Desert Inn offered an AP discount! I have a ressie with them. I'm going to call! Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

Pretty sure Desert Palms has an AP discount.

 

[figment_jii]

I meant buying an AP in advance. If it's not going to do me any good for a reduced price on a MHP ticket, then I'll get the AP at the gate and buy the MHP ticket when it releases to the general public.

Ah, got it! In that case, it all depends on which party you attend. For the past several years, there has been an AP discount on advance purchased tickets for select parties (usually weeknight parties). We'll have to wait until next summer to see what is happening in 2016, but hopefully they'll have MHP and there will be discounts for AP/DVC/Disney Visa.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

Ah, got it! In that case, it all depends on which party you attend. For the past several years, there has been an AP discount on advance purchased tickets for select parties (usually weeknight parties). We'll have to wait until next summer to see what is happening in 2016, but hopefully they'll have MHP and there will be discounts for AP/DVC/Disney Visa.

Yes, the waiting will kill me. Especially since the construction may end up moving the party over to DCA (which would be super cool), but as I'm only going to be there from Thursday afternoon and leaving Monday morning, I have a feeling the only party I can attend will be the Friday (if the schedule's the same) and so I'd be out of luck for a discounted MHP ticket even with an AP.

I'll just save my pennies and jump on the AP first before getting the MHP ticket if it proves to be a savings. As it is, the AP will pay for itself in savings when the whole family goes the following June, and now that I know about the hotels offering an AP rate (which is often better than the military rate they offer), I may even be saving more!

 

[tarheelalum]

AAA or in your case the Canadian Motor club ? CCA often gives a better discount than the AP.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

I can look into that. I see often the 'pay now' rate is even better than all of them combined!