How certain are AP discounts?

[bamagirl@hrt]

I've been to WDW twice in the last three years, so I'm far from the pro that many of you are. Both times we went on packages. The first time, moreso out of ignorance. The second time (last Fall) we got the "7 for 5" deal, so we came out ahead. Both times we've stayed at ASMo and really liked it a lot. However, for our next trip in 2006, I want to upgrade. I love the theme of the WL and we also fell in love w/ SAB when we ate at Beaches & Cream, so the BC or YC is another option. However, rack rates for those resorts exceeds our budget. Seems that many of you have AP and get great rates. My question: Are the AP discounts pretty consistent from year to year? Do you just always buy an AP, counting on the discounts or do you wait & see if there's a discount and then purchase your AP? Just trying to think ahead -- you can never start planning too early!

Thanks!
Christy

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

book a room and when the AP rats come out you can apply them to your ressies. You do not need the AP to book the rate, but you will need it at check-in.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We're AP holders and always wait for the discounts. Depending on what time of the year you want to go, the discounts typically stay the same, as long as you're looking at the same dates, year to year. We like to plan our vacations during value seasons, for pricing and smaller crowds, so we always get the AKL for $109/night. It hasn't changed for quite a few years now.

 

[weluvpluto]

We don't buy our APs for room discounts, that's just a great bonus for us.

BTW, there is not a guarantee that if you make a reservation and AP rates come out, you will be able to get that rate for your reservation. There are many people on this board that have not been able to have the AP rate applied to their existing reservation.

For us, we wait until the rates come out to make our reservation, because I figure we wouldn't be able to stay at our choice resort at rack rate

 

[cobbler]

I don't buy mine for the room discount as it is not guaranteed. I get them because in a one year period we will be at the parks for about 15 days and it just saves us a lot of $$ to buy AP's over regular tickets.

The room discount is a bonus.

I book a room I can afford to pay for at rack if necessary and wait for the codes to come out. I don't book a room I can't afford to pay for - just in case the codes don't come out.

Also you never know, sometimes they are not for certain dates and not for certain resorts so it is a chance you have to take.

 

[GoPatsGoSox]

There is no guarantee for AP rates, however, you can get an idea of the historical rates and the dates they were released on mousesavers.com.