I just got an AP rate for checkin 10/15

[Ronda93]

I'm going to cross post this (budget board) because I can't believe it...

I know this time frame should be under the Best Rate program. I called and spoke to Elizabeth. Told her I wanted POP Century checking in 10/14. She set the computer to spinning. Asked me if I needed park admission... no, I have annual passes, but I don't think there are any discounts for me at this point.

She pauses, tells me if I move my check in to 10/15 she can get me an AP rate. She referred to it while reading it back... passholder rate. With tax it's $88.10/night.

I took it. She needed a deposit by 10:00 tonight. Five day cancelation policy, too. Put it on my CC. I see the reservation in Disney's system. It's $79. Makes me feel like a sap for not asking about AKL, too. The reservation number is the R1234567 style, not the huge numbers of the past.

Anyone else try this lately?

 

[chyam]

Which phone number did you use?

 

[CarolA]

The "best rate" program never indicated there would not be other AP rooms available. Everyone just assumed it did... The best rate program just spares you the daily check to see if the rates are released.

 

[chyam]

This is the reply I got when I asked about the best rate program
Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that the Passholder "Best Rate Program" is a discounted offer and is not rack rate.

If a guest makes any type of reservation and wishes to apply a discount at a later time, the
discount is not guaranteed.

There are no automatic or guaranteed conversion to
discounts on reservations once made. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

We appreciate your understanding.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ronda

WDW Online Communications
IMO it's not that great of a deal !

 

[Ronda93]

Which phone number did you use?

407-W-DISNEY

 

[Ronda93]

The "best rate" program never indicated there would not be other AP rooms available. Everyone just assumed it did... The best rate program just spares you the daily check to see if the rates are released.

There seem to be a lot of vagaries about the Best Rate program. I'm well inside the 120 limit, too, yet they labeled it Best Rate. I'm just happy to get it.

 

[cthetulips]

Called today for an AP rate the old fashioned way for Oct. 4-10 and AKL savannah and Fort Wilderness Cabins came up as available at Passholder rate.
There are some rates out there. If you book online (Passholders Fall Special Rates) there are still a variety of resorts available at all levels.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Called today for an AP rate the old fashioned way for Oct. 4-10 and AKL savannah and Fort Wilderness Cabins came up as available at Passholder rate.
There are some rates out there. If you book online (Passholders Fall Special Rates) there are still a variety of resorts available at all levels.

Well that would come up because I believe the current AP rates run through 10/4. Correct?

So are there no AP rate between 10/5 and 10/14?

 

[CHRIS F]

I just called disney [I already have a reservation at rack for ASMo], tried to get AP rate at ASMo and then tried pop century for check in 10-19, the CM told me no AP released past 10-04.

Should I try and make a fresh booking?



Help!!

 

[amyrenek]

I just called disney [I already have a reservation at rack for ASMo], tried to get AP rate at ASMo and then tried pop century for check in 10-19, the CM told me no AP released past 10-04.

Should I try and make a fresh booking?



Help!!

I just tried calling for an Oct. 19th check in(already have reservations for all star sports) and was told basically the same thing. That there were no ap rates past oct. 4th. I'm wondering if it's worth trying to call again later.

 

[Ronda93]

I'd try a couple more times. I was prepared to take Pop rack rate.

The CM sounded competent and somewhat seasoned - the system allowed her to book Best Rate for me over the phone at 84 days out. It sounds like there are restrictions, but they're not in the booking software.

One oddity though... I've had CMs suggest shifting days to search for codes, but never, hey, I've got it here. I always had to suggest the time frame.

I think this was a fluke, but you make get a fluker, too.

good luck.

 

[DMRick]

I thought the best rate for that time period was (per Mary's site) $59? I was a couple days late for my time frame, so I'm looking off site, but if I can still get the best rate of $59 for mid-end October, that would be great.

I'd try a couple more times. I was prepared to take Pop rack rate.

 

[n2mm]

The $59 rate is for value season. Regular season is $79 for Pop and A/S. Mid-October is regular season. I fear the good rates at the value resorts during regular season are long gone.

 

[jenny2]

The $59 rate is for value season. Regular season is $79 for Pop and A/S. Mid-October is regular season. I fear the good rates at the value resorts during regular season are long gone.

Yeah, me too! I just called the other day and booked ASSP for 9/21-9/27 for DH and DS and got the AP rate of $59/night but that's because it's still value season.

 

[DMRick]

Anyone else try this lately?

Rude CM's. I just tried it and they told me you were printing a falsehood, that it's impossible to book an R number on the phone..and of course you did LOL!
I think we will be staying off site.

 

[tileman]

This is the reply I got when I asked about the best rate program
Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that the Passholder "Best Rate Program" is a discounted offer and is not rack rate.

If a guest makes any type of reservation and wishes to apply a discount at a later time, the
discount is not guaranteed.

There are no automatic or guaranteed conversion to
discounts on reservations once made. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

We appreciate your understanding.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ronda

WDW Online Communications
IMO it's not that great of a deal !

I may be reading this wrong, would not be the first time.
Is this suppose to mean that once I book a reservation through the best rate program I should not expect to receive a better rate if one was to come out for the resort and time I booked previously? If so is that not slightly misleading since it says better rates will be automatically applied. This is right from the WDW site

Now Passholders booking a Disney Resort room online under the Passholder Best Rate Program at disneyworld.com/passholders can rest easy knowing they have received our best room rate offered to the general public* at that time for the room and nights booked. And, if we subsequently reduce our room rate to the general public for the same room and nights you booked online under this Program, we will automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate.

I do understand the implication of GENERAL PUBLIC RATE*.


Thanks
Patti aka Rons wife

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Just called and was on hold for more than 30 minutes. I didn't expect reservations to be so busy during the middle of the day! Anyway, tried to book 10/8-10/16 at AKL. Quoted $239 rack rate. When it came up that I was an AP holder, the CM first offered to check for passholder rates then said "Oh, rates aren't out for that time period yet." I asked if she'd heard any rumors of when rates might come out, she said no and told me I ought to try the new on-line system. I explained that my travel dates were for before the first window of dates. She said, "Oh, yeah." That was it. No more offer of help. She never did check for AP rates on the computer. If anyone else has any luck booking AP rates for after 10/4, I'll give it another go.

 

[Jennjon]

I just called we have CSR booked Oct 14-22 and the gentleman I had on the phone was very nice, and he checked a bunch of different things, and said there wasn't any AP rates out for that time yet. I don't know how Rhonda got it, but she is really lucky. I will just keep on trying.

 

[DMRick]

And I wouldn't have minded being told that they aren't out, but I was being nice, when I said the cm said she was spreading falsehoods..he was just not nice when I asked if it was possible to get the best rate prices (which I thought were $59 on teh best rate site, for mid Oct, when I first looked). Maybe I'll call back and see if I can use my old postcard rate LOL. I've used that twice so far.
Although I think staying on site is convenient, I personally think off site hotels are much nicer for the money paid (value/mods), so it won't bother me if we stay offsite for the same price in a better (IMO) hotel. No kids, we have a rental, so it's not a big deal. If I get the good rates, then on site is perferred.

 

[CHRIS F]

Although on the telephone for 30 minutes actually found a helpful cm who actually sounded like she cared. She tried every code she could find spoke to a supervisor but no luck with rates, I think the cm's are still confused themselves about best rate programme. But the good news was that although I could not get a rate now she did speak to someone different and quoted normal AP discounts will be out very soon, she said to me 7 to 10 days away [off the record, why am I posting this as you will all beat me calling from the UK to get the rates]at $75 for value resorts, I am just praying they will be released while I am working in the USA over the next 10 days.
Although I have not got a better rate now at least I have some hope although not guaranteed if not then rack rate it has to be but it will still be great to be at WDW