Is it worth to purchase AP for 3 hotel rooms-PLEASE help?

[js]

Please help. We've been to Disney many times but getting very confused
My mom (karensi) will be taking my sister and me along with our families to WDW in November (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) for a full week (Saturday-Saturday). We plan on purchasing 5 day hopper passes.
We will be staying at the Contemporary and my mother will be paying for three rooms.
If AP rates became available for the week after Thanksgiving, I am thinking it would worth it for my mother to purchase an AP -just for her, instead of a 5-day hopper (I think it is about $100 difference) since she would make the difference up with the savings on three hotel rooms. Is this correct? She will book the rooms at the Contemporary and then wait for AP rates (hopefully) to come out. If they do, she can rebook at the AP rate and then purchase an AP. Is this also correct?
Thank you very much!

 

[mad4themouse]

Yes, she can book without the AP rate and then when (if) they come out later, she can call to see if any rooms are available at the AP rate. The is no guarantee that there will be.

She does not have to have an AP voucher or pass in order to book the AP rate but she may need to provide proof of such when you check in.

The AP is well-worth purchasing if the difference between its cost and the cost of your PHP is less than the amount that you will save by getting an AP discount.

My advise would be: book the rooms, wait for AP discount rates and purchase that AP after your rate change has been made.

 

[frannn]

before your mom, I would suggest you getting the AP. If you scheduled your next trip within a year, it would be extra savings. As the earlier poster suggested, I would book a room with the AP rate if it becomes available, then buy the pass itself. This way, if the rates do not become available, you would not have spent the extra $ (unless someone is planning to return within a year). You could also look at the other benefits that are unique to the AP and are guaranteed. If you can find enough savings there (like the 10% off lunch at Epcot sit down eateries) to make the more expensive AP pass cost beneficial, I would go for it now.

 

[DNBois]

DH and I have had APs three times and we have never had a problem getting a quoted AP rate by just calling and asking. But this year, when we called and I asked for the AP rate, I was asked for our zip code and our names to check to make certain that we had an AP. This was rather strange and we called about 5-6 times and every time, they asked for that info to check. Just thought I would give a heads-up; someone mentioned that they are doing this so that they do not book rooms for non-AP holding guests and run out of AP rooms for those that do have the AP. Needless to say, unfortunately, we did not get an AP rate so I guess you never know - good luck!

 

[jaross]

I've purchased an AP for the room discount before. It was so worth it, even for one room.

We were able to book the AP discount before we purchased an AP. But, we would not receive the discount until we showed our AP at the front desk. We would purchase the AP at the gate and then show it before check out.

Sounds like you have a good plan.

Chris

 

[iwannabeminnie]

I too am very confused about the AP's and how best to use them. We were hoping to go next January and were thinking about buying an AP so we could get a better room rate. I thought you had to have the AP in hand when reserving a room. (On the Disney website you have to have a pass number to access the AP area.) If I bought the AP, they are not activated until you actually USE them, right? If for some reason we could NOT make it next January, is there an expiration date on when the passes have to be activated? Can I hold a pass for two years before activating it? Please help me! (WHY oh WHY did they have to do away with the Disney Club????)

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by DNBois
But this year, when we called and I asked for the AP rate, I was asked for our zip code and our names to check to make certain that we had an AP. This was rather strange and we called about 5-6 times and every time, they asked for that info to check. Just thought I would give a heads-up; someone mentioned that they are doing this so that they do not book rooms for non-AP holding guests and run out of AP rooms for those that do have the AP. Needless to say, unfortunately, we did not get an AP rate so I guess you never know - good luck!

Yes, they're asking for more info, but not because you're asking for AP rates. That's required under their new computer system that was put in last fall....they can't get to the pages with prices without inputting your personal info...name, address, etc. Call again and ask for regular rates, and you still have to give name, address, etc. Personally, I find it frustrating as it just seems to make the calls take even longer!

I guess it should come as no surprise to any of us that Disney does keep all this info and use it later to offer discounts, promotions, etc.