If I was an AP holder I would be boiling right now.

[sdoll]

We have decided that the next time we go we would purchase an AP since it would have paid for itself a few times had we been smarter. I have since learned I could book on the AP code and just get an AP when we get there. Well I have been hanging out and checking every day for the AP rate for February only to be dissappointed. I have no idea how you actual AP holders are staying so patient. I am getting ticked and I am not even a AP holder yet.

 

[Rosanne]

Forgive me, but I think an AP pass is a great deal simply for the value of being able to return to the Disney parks for a full year. I don't get the hostility about the special resort rates. I mean, I definitely think it's nice to get them but I don't really get the entitlement and resentment I so often hear regarding special discount resort rates.

 

[LindyN]

I have an AP--since 2002--and buy it for park admission and not for discounts that might not be available. The free parking is also a nice perk too, so it doesn't really matter whether or not I stay on property or somewhere else.

Disney is a business. They want to sell vacation packages with tickets and their dining plan--they don't want to book discounted rooms to people they know are going to keep coming back. They've also increased the pin offers, and some of those pins are 40%, which rival the AP rate.

Even in the days of more frequent AP discounts the passholders got the "leftovers."

So we wait, and wait, and wait. It is sort of surprising that we're approaching Dec 1 and there is plenty of availability in Jan-Mar, and no AP rates yet. Probably they're right around the corner though.

 

[fla4fun]

They released AP discounts through 2/11 this morning - really nice, 40% off mods and 45% off deluxe/villas. I was able to save nearly $1000 off rack rate for my FW cabin!

I do wish they wouldn't make us wait so long though. A month later than normal . . .

Now I need the spring codes!

 

[disneyvacalover]

Does me no good as we have flights booked 2/10-2/22. When do you think they'll release for after 2/11?

 

[jockey]

We got fed up waiting for rates to come out so cancelled our booking at WL today, glad we did they only had courtyard rooms

 

[MissBritt]

Not to hijack...

Do SP holders get the same deals as AP?

 

[maxiesmom]

An AP is just that, an annual pass. It is not meant to be a discount card of any kind. I like when they do release codes, don't get me wrong. But if you buy one just for the codes, you are setting yourself up to be disappointed. And only have yourself to blame for it.

 

[disneyfan55]

We got fed up waiting for rates to come out so cancelled our booking at WL today, glad we did they only had courtyard rooms

We have 2 rooms booked with the AP PIN that came out about a month ago. I called and tried to book a regular room with the AP code and only the bunk bed rooms are available and they cost more than what we are paying with 40% off. If anyone wants AKlodge, they have the regular room there for only 132 per night! I was checking around for most of the room types just to see what was out there. Board walk was another pretty good deal for around 170 per night. I guess for now we'll keep what we have since AKlodge is out of the way for us. It would save about 35/night (times 14 because of the 2 rooms though)

 

[tritrk]

We have decided that the next time we go we would purchase an AP since it would have paid for itself a few times had we been smarter. I have since learned I could book on the AP code and just get an AP when we get there. Well I have been hanging out and checking every day for the AP rate for February only to be dissappointed. I have no idea how you actual AP holders are staying so patient. I am getting ticked and I am not even a AP holder yet.

"Take a breath" as my momma would say. The codes out now are so good that they most likely feel they will do. If not I am sure there will be more to come than the 11 Feb AP expiration code that just came out. Talk to reservations and see what you can work. Even if you did not get a pin discount you can always ask. I have recieved 4 pins in the last 60 days (20,30,40 and 40 off rooms).

The AP is for a park entrance break and other associated deals. The AP room discount was just an added addition when they needed to fill a few more rooms.

 

[DebbieB]

Does me no good as we have flights booked 2/10-2/22. When do you think they'll release for after 2/11?

Don't they honor the rate for your entire stay if you arrive before it expires?

 

[DisneyWisher]

Not to hijack...

Do SP holders get the same deals as AP?

Yes and being A Florida resident you have those rates too. They are usually the same and once I had to book with my AP because the FL rate rooms were sold out. But typically I book with FL rates, save the AP rates for the out of state residents.

Actually the AP rate is a little bit cheaper for mods and Dels.

Sample FL rates:

Value resort, Standard view: $54 plus tax (Value season); $69 plus tax (Regular season); $89 plus tax (Holiday season)
Moderate resort, Standard view: $94 plus tax (Value season); $104 plus tax (Regular season); $129 plus tax (Holiday season)
Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge, Standard view: $144 plus tax (Value season); $174 plus tax (Regular season); $234 plus tax (Holiday season)
Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, Studio: $174 plus tax (Value season); $194 plus tax (Regular season); $254 plus tax (Holiday season)
Other resorts and room types are available at varying rates

Sample AP rates:
Value resort, Standard view: $54 plus tax (Value season); $69 plus tax (Regular season); $89 plus tax (Holiday season)
Moderate resort, Standard view: $89 plus tax (Value season); $99 plus tax (Regular season); $124 plus tax (Holiday season)
Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge, Standard view: $139 plus tax (Value season); $169 plus tax (Regular season); $229 plus tax (Holiday season)
Polynesian, Garden view: $254 plus tax (Value season); $294 plus tax (Regular season)
Saratoga Springs or Old Key West, Studio: $169 plus tax (Value season); $189 plus tax (Regular season); $249 plus tax (Holiday season)
Other resorts and room types are available at varying rates!
also room locations will cost more.

 

[dburg30]

An AP is just that, an annual pass. It is not meant to be a discount card of any kind. I like when they do release codes, don't get me wrong. But if you buy one just for the codes, you are setting yourself up to be disappointed. And only have yourself to blame for it.

Yep, an AP gets you a year (or whatever the current promo is) of admission to WDW. Totally agree with this post. Anything over and above is just nice to have, if you get it.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Don't they honor the rate for your entire stay if you arrive before it expires?

Not anymore, I think it was this last year when they started the 'per night' room charges, so you would only get the discount on the dates thru the end of the promo.

I am an AP holder and was also getting frustrated, yeah I'm not guaranteed a discount but darn it we all know they are out there and people are getting them. I will return w/ my tickets before it expires but for those of us who are so far away we can't hop down for a weekend, the potential of AP room discounts really sweeten the deal. The 40% off pin for most of 2010 for only certain people was really rubbing me wrong along w/ the latest announcement of Jan AP discounts ever, but then I got the regular 40% off pin tonight in email so I took Disney off the 'naughty' list.

Hopefully 2010 the AP discounts will come out quicker with all the other pins' bouncing around it seems like reservations must be down or disney is preparing for low crowds and trying to vamp up business.

 

[AppleSister1]

I am a first time APer...I just bought one in Oct. because we decided to do two trips in 2010. Of course, I knew there was no guarantee of discounts...BUT...the discounts are very much hyped here and on other sites...even Disney sites. So, wrong or right, it figured into our decision to buy them. Now, at this point, I've used my AP discount to upgrade from a mod to a deluxe for my Jan trip and I'm thrilled about that. But I was getting antsy. Since I don't live close enough for many trips each year, I don't think I'll renew. I'll still come to WDW...not sure I'll be an APer after this year tho. And maybe that's a good lesson. They are meant for those who are coming 3 to 4 times (or more) per year, I think.

 

[cglaura]

Not anymore, I think it was this last year when they started the 'per night' room charges, so you would only get the discount on the dates thru the end of the promo.

I am an AP holder and was also getting frustrated, yeah I'm not guaranteed a discount but darn it we all know they are out there and people are getting them. I will return w/ my tickets before it expires but for those of us who are so far away we can't hop down for a weekend, the potential of AP room discounts really sweeten the deal. The 40% off pin for most of 2010 for only certain people was really rubbing me wrong along w/ the latest announcement of Jan AP discounts ever, but then I got the regular 40% off pin tonight in email so I took Disney off the 'naughty' list.

Hopefully 2010 the AP discounts will come out quicker with all the other pins' bouncing around it seems like reservations must be down or disney is preparing for low crowds and trying to vamp up business.

I think this is the sentiment of most if not all AP holders, and my guess would be that Disney waits to see how other revenues are stacking up with vistors that they have not already received money from or less likely to return. Say they are really doing well, and they know they "should" offer an AP discount, they just wait to fill up with the non-regular vistors first....those that have to purchase park tickets as well. Then they know how many blocks of AP discounts they need to set aside to balance out the profit.

This is all non-tecnical speak...I didn't know how to word it otherwise!

 

[nurse.darcy]

At Disneyland the AP rarely helps so I have always used it as it is intended. . .to allow multiple visits without repaying for tickets. The AP at WDW pays for itself after two visits in one year. That's why I hold it. The discounts are great when they come and getting a percentage off purchases at the disney store is awesome. However, not the reason I buy the pass.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We have been AP-ers for years. And agree with many. The allowed discounts are a nice perk. But that is all they are. They are not guaranteed.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

We almost always go to WDW on a passholder deal. If it's not the AP rates it is on an AP PIN code. 30-40% is nice no matter how you cut it!!! It is more often than not (when you do deluxe) better than Free Dining, which sends everyone into a frenzy about how good of a deal it is!

I have not been upset one bit about the lack of AP rates, my PIN which books multiple trips on the same code is more than sufficient. $339 a night at Christmas for a WL Club Level Room! Unheard of!

Not to mention the TIW program which has saved me $$$$$, and the discounts on Merch and now at Disney Stores nationwide!

OP, if you were a current passholder you would be getting emailed deals that you aren't seeing in the regular passholder rates.

Thanks Disney!

 

[Berta]

Grace wrote:
We almost always go to WDW on a passholder deal. If it's not the AP rates it is on an AP PIN code. 30-40% is nice no matter how you cut it!!! It is more often than not (when you do deluxe) better than Free Dining, which sends everyone into a frenzy about how good of a deal it is!

I have not been upset one bit about the lack of AP rates, my PIN which books multiple trips on the same code is more than sufficient. $339 a night at Christmas for a WL Club Level Room! Unheard of!

Not to mention the TIW program which has saved me $$$$$, and the discounts on Merch and now at Disney Stores nationwide!

OP, if you were a current passholder you would be getting emailed deals that you aren't seeing in the regular passholder rates.

I'm confused...I'm a current AP holder, and I'm not getting emails of deals...what's the deal here?