I am on overload....please help me!!

[bubba's mom]

Okay...... this is our first trip since 1992, and new to US/IOA. I was all set to purchase the Universal buy 2 days get 3 free for myself, DH & DS. Staying onsite at RPR. But, now I'm thinking of buying myself an Annual Pass to get the better discounts (ie: resort, restaurants, shops.......) So, I think I have finally "overloaded" myself and my brain is shutting down. Here's my dilemma:
I assume the AP (not the Power Pass--Preferred/Premium annual Pass) gets higher discounts than AAA. I don't know what AAA usually gives you, but I'm guessing 10% or 20% off resort and 10% off restaurants (and shops??). What is the traditional discount for AAA?? 20%???
I assume the AP gets you 30% off resort and 10-15% off restaurants and shops?? AND, if I purchase an AP online, how does the room ressie work? I think I need to book it now at rack rate, and what do I show them for the AP discount rate?? The annual pass and what else?? I'm going crazy....aaarrrrggghhhhh......somebody...throw me a rope!! THANKS!!!!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Just call and ask for the AP rate. If they have it available you can book it and show your AP at check in. If they don't have it available yet, you can book at rack rate and keep checking back for AP rate.

 

[Foladar]

I believe AAA is 10% off food etc (not too sure) ..
And the comparsion (for my night rates) is AAA is $179.20 and APH is $129.00 ($159.00 on the weekend)

 

[bubba's mom]

How do they charge you if you check in on a weekday and stay thru the weekend?? Do you get the weekday rate for every night you're there--even if it includes the weekend??

 

[Foladar]

How do they charge you if you check in on a weekday and stay thru the weekend?? Do you get the weekday rate for every night you're there--even if it includes the weekend??

Nope, they charge you weekday rates for weekdays (Sun-Thurs) and weekend rates for Fri and Sat. AP passes are really worth it, although I could get the low rates as a Florida Resident, I get a savings of 129.00 with the AP, almost pays for itself.

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks Foladar....here's the dilemma I'm facing...... IF I purchased the annual pass (not the power pass because of blackout dates-the regular AP), I would be spending $85 more ($191.65--to buy AP) and saving $98 on room (using AP discount vs. AAA)....only about $13 difference. I'm basing this on the USF/IOA ticket at their site of buy 2 days get 3 free. We are going to eat at Margartiaville-which is only a 10% discount either way, and Mythos, which is 10% with AAA and 15% discount with AP....and souvenirs...well, we don't buy that much...so an extra 10% doesn't mean much there. I also must mention that my BIL & family will be joining us our 3rd, 4th & 5th days and they have annual passes to receive the dining discounts...so, we don't really need it while with them!! AND, I'm not sure if I'll get back down there within a year to use more days on the AP. I think I just might go with the AAA discount....don't see the difference in spending that extra $100...it's going to be spent on either the AP or on the room.......

 

[bubba's mom]

Nope, they charge you weekday rates for weekdays (Sun-Thurs) and weekend rates for Fri and Sat.

How come when I go to the Loew's site and plug in AAA discount code, it doesn't have a little * next to the rate (like APH does) stating that the rate will change (I assume because of staying Wed-Sun the weekend rate would kick in?) If I'm understanding the rate quotes right, AAA rate is for each day you're there (weekday or weekend) and AP rate will change on weekend days! Am I right?

 

[Mortlives]

Our AAA rate is the same for every night, Thur-Sun. Maybe it's only the AP rate that changes because it's so much better on weekdays? 30

 

[robvia]

You'll probably come back after you visit.
The good thing about buying the PAP, is you can renew it next year for $99, which is a great deal. The other thing, is the PAP lasts for 1 full year, so if you visit this year, and then visit next year 1 week earlier, you would get in for free.

 

[Foladar]

Our AAA rate is the same for every night, Thur-Sun. Maybe it's only the AP rate that changes because it's so much better on weekdays? 30

I noticed this, AAA just has the higher rate I think, while APH has a lower rate on weekdays.

 

[dcookies]

Are you a Loew's first member? If so, what level? If you're gold or platinum, you can use the AAA rate and get an upgrade, so you get a better room for less than the AP rate. Plus, AAA is a "qualified" stay that counts towards the next level.

For example - I'm going for a weekend trip the end of the month and staying at HRH for two nights - 1 weekend, 1 weekday. AP rates - $179 and $149 for garden view. AAA is $183.20 both nights. I used AAA rate, since I'm a Loew's first gold member, and received an upgrade to a deluxe room (which we usually book anyway). The AP rates for the deluxe were $219 and $189. So the way I look at it, I'm saving about $45, plus I get the Loew's benefits (just love those cookies and milk)!

If we were staying for 4 nights, though, I'd have booked the AP "stay 3 get 1 free" special, which is probably the best deal around. The rate you use really depends on what other programs you belong to. I always look at all the rates that might be available (FAN, AAA, APH, Ent) and choose the one that works best for my length of stay.

 

[bubba's mom]

Are you a Loew's first member?

Thanks....I see your point! Good idea! But alas, I will only just be signing up for my Membership because of this trip! First time to USF in 13 years so, they didn't have the resorts or IoA or anything last time we were there.....I think that's why it's difficult planning, we haven't been there in so long. But, I do have a map of the parks and it's neat to look between the old map and the new map....how different everything is!!
**Update to my "brain-fry"....this is what we decided to do: since the website ticket offer of B2G3Days Free is only a limited time offer, we bought one for each of us (me, DH & DS). IF I find the AAA discount to be less than 20%, I will buy an AP and use it for our trip (leaving 1 of those B2G3F tix unused. Then I'll use that ticket, the AP and buy 1 more ticket--for DS--for the following year). The way I was figuring discounts, was I would be spending an extra $85 for the AP to save $98 on the room-(with AAA being 20%). So, if AAA isn't going to be giving 20%, I'll probably go with the AP. I was going to be spending an extra $100 somewhere--room or ticket (AP)...so, I figured to get those tickets online while they were offering them and worry about rates and discounts closer to June!
THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR INPUT ......I am done worrying about it and my brain is "intact"....well, as much as it could be for a blonde on her birthday anyway!!

 

[DW mouser]

Does a Fan Club Card get you any discounts? I have that and a Loew's gold. Thanks!