I hate to ask...question about child's AP...

[lmhall2000]

We are planning (cross fingers) on a May trip...it will be our last family trip for a long while (gotta travel!) I was all set on buying myself an AP to save on the discount (should one come out...I won't buy it if it doesn't...and I've already crunched the numbers...even with buying myself an AP I come out $500-$700 ahead...and that's a lot of spending money for our family)...

Yesterday, my mother told me she was thinking of taking the older grandchildren to Disney for Christmas...so now I'm thinking of buying my son an AP pass so he can use it again for Grandma's trip....two questions...can I book a discounted AP rate just using his AP pass? and he turns 10 the end of May...is that the age where the adult pass starts? Will he have to pay for an upgrade if he goes in December?

Thanks for any clarification...

Tara

 

[perpetualplanner]

The AP pass bought for your child at 9 can still be used after he turns 10 until it expires (we just bought my 9 year old one so I know). I'm not sure about booking the room but from what I understand YES you can book a room with an AP discount using a childs AP.

 

[maryliz]

Hi Tara. Yes, you can use your childs AP to book the room ... as long as he is listed as a guest in the room -- which means that it can be used again in December if discounts are available

My understanding is that the pass is good for a year, as long as the child was 9 when it was purchased. So you won't need to upgrade. Sounds like it's all working out great! And because of his 2 trips, it's worth it to buy the AP, even if you don't end up getting a room discount -- but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

MaryLiz

 

[swilphil]

When I booked a room at an AP rate in December, I was told it had to be an adult AP by 2 different CMs. You can call and ask, but I would want to get it in writing if they tell you it's okay to use a child's AP. That way there are no surprises at check in.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

When I booked a room at an AP rate in December, I was told it had to be an adult AP by 2 different CMs. You can call and ask, but I would want to get it in writing if they tell you it's okay to use a child's AP. That way there are no surprises at check in.

I just asked this question and was told it had to be an adult AP, childrens are not acceptable. I would call though yourself and ask when the rates come out.

 

[skiwee1]

I used a child's AP to book a room so it is done. I called last week and asked this same question and they said as long as the child's name is on the guest room then it is FINE.

 

[taximomfor4]

I have called several times a week, for 3 weeks straight now, looking for AP discount on the first 3 nights of my March stay. EVERY time, I have also asked about using a child's AP to get room discount. Was told no EVERY time. Several of them even explained, like saying "Sorry, no. If they allowed that, everyone would just do it that way."

So if you do it, definitely ask for it in writing that it was ok'd. A CM at the check-in desk might refuse to accept it! By the way, I will try to find the email I got from WDW when I emailed asking this very question, several weeks ago. I hope i kept it (but probably not...........)

Beth

 

[skiwee1]

They do allow it upon check in so really that is all that counts! LOL! There is no distinction on the sleeve of a child's that makes it different perks then an adults.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I called and was told no. Then I found this site and it was suggested that I write Disney. I have three times over the last few months and have never received an "official" response....or any at all in writing. So my best guess is that it depends on the CM. If your child is returning a childs AP may be the way to go. If they insist on an adult AP at check in just be prepared to buy one as you will save $$$$ either way.

 

[taximomfor4]

Bummer, then, because after many negatives from the people on the phone, and the email from Disney saying no, I finally just called the hotel directly yesterday. They told me no also.

SO I finally just bought an adult one. I am kind of bummed that after all this, they do allow a childs AP to get the discount! None of us are going back except MAYBE my 2nd dd. I would have gotten it for her instead of for me.

Oh well. We budgeted this way, its not that huge a price difference in the total scheme of things. Just wish they would get their policies together and all do the same thing!!

Beth

 

[kathy carleton]

They absolutely take child's ap as long as that child is registered guest. There is no official Disney policy that states WHO in the family holds the AP, as long as there is one ap for that reservation.

 

[maryliz]

My sister's kids have travelled with their aunts several times, in that it made sense for her to buy the kids AP's. For her own one trip a year where she only had hoppers for everyone else, she has always been able to use her DD's AP to get the discount on her room ... as long as DD was registered as a guest.

Terry is correct ... the AP discount info we got when we purchased ours in January does not say that room discounts (if available) are only valid with the use of an adult AP.

If this is a recent policy change, then I would expect nothing less than it to be clearly indicated on my information ... and since it's different than it has been in the past, I would also expect that it should be in bold print with blinking lights around it to bring it to my attention. The use of an AP for a discount has never had to be the person booking and paying for the room. I can actually book several rooms using my AP, and they can be for a family member who is paying for their own room, as long as I personally am booked into a room and registered as a guest.

MaryLiz

 

[DMRick]

If you write guest services, you will have it in hand, that a child's AP may be used. They generally write firs,t then call. I've asked and gotten the response. Be sure the addy is in your address book, so it isn't filtered out as spam:
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[CarolA]

From what I have read they are "tightening" up on the AP discounts. Now asking for the AP when they didn't use to and not allowing Children to get you the discount. YMMV!

 

[DMRick]

I just was there last week, and no one asked for my AP...and I had three rooms. They would have to take away my "official" email also that I just got a couple weeks ago. I just got a survey card today, asking how I liked how they answered my questions. It's hard for them to say you can't use a child's AP, when it shows the same perks as the adults. It even says on the AP site, which I posted before on another thread, that kids have to make sure they have permssion to call..so apparently they expect kids to call. I've never heard of anyone who went ot check in, and had it questioned when they used a child's AP. When you make your ressie, they just ask for the AP holders name (they have to be there during checkin, but not in each room), not the age.

 

[fam4jc]

I love getting the room discount (got AKL sav view during peak for less than $200/nght) for using my AP but I will upgrade my girls park hoppers to AP when we go in April b/c we are going back in Dec and it's the cheapest method for that many nights. I would buy your son the ap IF his grandmother has a reservation to take him in December. Otherwise I would wait to buy the adult ap until AFTER you have a room booked with an AP code. I received my AP for Christmas so my dh paid the $403 in december but it wont be activated until April. It's better to purchase after you have your reservation imho.

 

[Disneyholic]

Not all the details of every perk is included in the AP jacket. I found that out when I was making a $150 purchase at the Virgin Megastore at DTD. 5 of the items were sale items and the girl at the register said that policy is NOT to give the 10% AP discount on sale items. The jacket just says 10% off of total purchase with exclusion of certain items, but doesn't mention sale items being excluded. We only got $5 off our purchase because a $50 DVD was the only non-sale item. I was very disappointed. I probably should have asked to talk to a manager, but..........

So..... just because it doesn't spell it out on the jacket doesn't mean it's the way you think it means.

That's why there are so many disagreements, nobody seems to know exactly what is right and when you try to get any answer, everyone has a different one.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Well said. It would be nice if we could all just accept that there are no absolutes and be happy for those who are lucky enough to get the discount.

 

[skiwee1]

Well said. It would be nice if we could all just accept that there are no absolutes and be happy for those who are lucky enough to get the discount.

This has been answered over and over and over. You can easily write to WDW and they will tell you that using a child's AP for discount is perfectly fine. The perks are listed right on the sleeve. I've talked to probably 10 CMs on this and they have all said it was fine to use a child's AP. I USED a child's AP for a discount and the CM at the Poly said it was fine and is done all the time because it is one of the perks. How much more absolute do you need? You do what you want but I am telling anyone that will listen that it is OKAY and it isn't a LOOPHOLE but a REAL perk.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I wonder why some CMs say its ok and others say its not. I wonder if they keep track of certain questions. I also wonder if by all this talk if the price of a child's AP will go up.
My point of view is going to be very unpopular and I will get flamed but oh well.
I think everyone in the rooms that an AP discount is given should have APs. Not just 1 child. There are families where everyone in the family has an AP and they can't get the discount because some person decided to go the cheap route and only get one AP for a child. The discount is given because people with APs travel to Disney several times a year. The discount is an incentive to travel more often. But until Disney changes its policy do what you will. I just hope it doesn't affect those of us that are AP families.