How good are AP discounts?

[vhoffman]

I'm considering buying one AP for the discounts. However, how good are the discounts? From what I've read, they're only available at certain times and in limited quantities. We have reservations at WL Dec. 8-12, woods view, $186 per night AAA rate. The AP rates haven't come out yet for that time of year. However, what type of rates have people gotten in the past for that resort at that time of year? Do you AP holders out there find you save significantly on the room rates? Or is the AP discount just about as good as the AAA discount? In other words, is it really worth buying an AP just for the room discounts?

 

[Tess]

The summer AP rate for value resorts was very good--50% or very close; while the deluxe resorts were only discounted 26%--the Disney Visa rate was 24%.

A AAA rate is usually around 10%-20% off rack. Typically AP rates run between 30%-45% discount. It looks as if you already have a pretty good rate for WL, but an AP would cut that rate to, I'm guessing around $130--IF available. Did you check out the historic rates for your time period on Mousesavers? That would be a good place to start anyway.

An AP could save you some nice change, but they aren't always available. We weren't able to get an AP for our room this summer--thankfully, we have the DVisa discount or we'd be paying rack!

 

[dizcrazy]

last January (2004) we were offered WL for $139 AP rate.

Just keep your ressies and then watch for the codes for December. I would bet they'll offer AP rates for the dates you are traveling.

We watched mousesavers and these boards and then when the codes came out, we did the math and decided an AP for just one of us would pay for itself!

You always get 10% at some restaurants, stores, and we saved $75 on our retnal car from national thanks to our AP.

Good luck!

 

[nicknamy1996]

How long are you going for? Do you plan on going back next year? What is the rest of you party doing for tickets? And are there children in your party?

You can buy 1 child AP and use it for discounts, then you obviously would not need to buy the tickets for that person. Also if you are staying for a while it might be your best bet anyway. We went last February last year for 7 days with APs then went back for 7 more this January and used the same APs.
We were given 40% off at the All Stars during vaule season with our APs. Although we saved about $240 with the AP dicount for our room this year it is actually only that big of a saving off of the rack rate, and even without the APs we would have been able to use a code and save a portion of that. But I like looking at the whole $240 and the fact that the tickets were paid for a year ago was very nice.

You also get discounts at a lot or restaurants. We used that 3 times this year for a savings of about $14, you also can get 15% off at RFC gift shop(saved us about $8 this year) and the big one 10% off at World of Disney which saved us over $70 this year. The parking is free with the AP too, but if you stay on site its free anyway.

One neat thing about doing the AP is it's so easy to add a day or 3 to your trip. When the tickets are "paid for" and the room (ASMo off season with discount) only costs $52 per night with tax, you can 2 full days to your trip for a family of four for about a hundred bucks!

 

[jann1033]

the ap rates in Jan were only 5 dollars less at POP than the general codes for that time,,,saved me $50 but for Vero for the same time it saved me lots more,$40 a night off an already reduced group rate so that $200 paid for my extra $$ for the ap . imo none of the other discounts are that great ( a little here and there but probably not enough to make up the extra money)so wait and buy the pass closer to time and see what they are offering.

 

[nicknamy1996]

True, and you do not need the AP when you make the reservation, only when you check in. So if it swings in you favor make the reservation then buy your ap.

 

[IndyDisneyFan]

We have been AP holders for three years, and we have saved more than enough each year to pay for our passes and more! We are WL in July for 10 nights at $139 wooded view. We save 15% on tours, 50% on mini golf, 15% on watercraft(we love the water mouse!), and use the food and world of disney discounts as well. The break even point on the passes themselves is only about 7 days, so we take several short trips throughout the year and all it costs us is the hotel stay. Sometimes we stay on property, sometimes not, but parking is always free. Plus, we save money on renewals, so that makes them even a better value the second time around!

Laura

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I was waiting (with all the other DISers) at 6am to see the codes come out last Tuesday.
I had placed the reservation for the days and times I wanted the night before.
Then when I saw the AP codes come out, I calculated that a 5 day park hopper plus 2 was going to cost about $263. A AP for an adult costs $369, plus tax about $390 total (rought estimate)
My room rate at PO FQ was $74 a night, we upgraded to a King (adding $15 pr night) but still blew away the standard pricing.
And I now have a pass that will give me discounts on restaurants throughout the parks, at several disney stores there as well as watermice and other features.

If not for the King size bed a regular code, vrs an AP code- I would have saved $125 JUST in the difference from the regular code to the AP.

AAA also offers smaller discounts all the time and it only costs $60 to join. Discounts range depending on the time of the year.

Its true, you dont need your AP til you check in, but only so many rooms are available with the AP code, and they wont apply the code to your ressie, unless you have an AP (or so I was told)

Sometimes Im horrible at explaining things, I hope thats not to fuzzy for you.

 

[vhoffman]

I thought you could book an AP reservation without actually having the AP. You just had to show the AP when you check in. Do they ask for some sort of code number when making an AP reservation? Or do they just ask if you have an AP and take your word for it?

 

[hyzdufan]

Originally posted by vhoffman
I thought you could book an AP reservation without actually having the AP. You just had to show the AP when you check in. Do they ask for some sort of code number when making an AP reservation? Or do they just ask if you have an AP and take your word for it?

You just have to show it at check in, and from what I gather, most do not even ask to see it.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Well, I guess that conflicts with what they told me. There are codes for special discounts and you do have to know what that is. But they did tell me I needed to purchase the AP while booking my reservation.

If time did not allow for the actual pass to arrive a voucher would be mailed to me and I would need to go to a park first BEFORE checking in. They were firm that I could not check in with the voucher, but must have the pass with me.
As it turns out, I paid $3 to have the pass mailed to me (I am eagerly awaiting its arrival now!)
Saves a lot of hassle the day we arrive that way.

 

[nicknamy1996]

That is not correct. We did this without ap or vouchers and were told we had to show the ap at check in. We were not asked. If you bought a AP it is already activated which means the days are ticking off of it already, which would only matter if you planned on using it again next year.

 

[vhoffman]

I thought the AP wasn't activated until the first use, not from the day you buy it. Otherwise you'd just be cheating yourself if you buy it in advance.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Right. It's not active, but it's also not the AP. It's a voucher that can be turned in for the AP.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Talked to ticket services and they said that it would not be activated until I go to the park with the voucher that is being mailed to me.

Course I also screwed up because I didn't realize it does not give access to the water parks or DQ or PI.

Now I am not sure if I should exchange it for a 5 day park hopper plus 2 and the regular code.

Or leave it and pay to get in to water parks,etc?

Annual pass and AP code room rate totals $17 more than 5 day PHplus and regular room rate code.....not including admission to water parks and other places....

what to do? what to do?

I had thought of checking in first with voucher, than going to ticket services and changing to PHplus, but that seems wrong and if they caught the change they could charge me rack rates and it would probably be too late to apply the room only code.....