Is This a BAD SIGN? Re: FL and AP Rates

[HLAuburn]

Does anyone think its a bad sign that FL rates were released without any "old" AP rates? It seems like in the past, AP and FL rates were released at the same time, or even AP rates a little before FL.

Any predictions? Should we still hold out hope for AP rates the old way?

 

[Tinkbellfan]

After speaking with a few CM's today (trying to figure out the Best Rate vs AP rate situation) I too have a bad feeling about the AP rates NOT coming out. On top of the FLA rates coming out with no AP rates, they decreased the Best Rate window to 60 days. I already have a rack rate booked at BC, but could not get any Epcot resorts using the Best Rate for the days I need. If AP's don't come out soon, I will have to change resorts! I refuse to pay rack rate!

 

[pic22]

I think the Best Rate is replacing the the AP Codes, but I am hoping that they will still have the AP codes for a few more months. Why have two programs, especially as they seem to fine tuning the Best Rate.

 

[AmyBiff]

I'm hoping for at least one more "old" AP rate since I fall into the October dead zone - I was SOL at 120 days and now I'm SOL at 60 days.

 

[Disneyworldreaming]

I to was thinking that they just might not come out, due to the 60 window, I saw when I looked first thing this morning!

 

[johnsonet]

I went ahead and booked online this afternoon. Can't believe I agreed to the "non-refundable deposit" but my dates are solid so, God willing, we'll definitely be there. Because AP rates were expected by many today, I have a funny feeling that this might be Disney's new way of releasing AP rates. It assures that only those with an actual AP can get the rate and keeps people from clogging up the system with reservations they're very likely to cancel.
I got AKL for $159/night (standard view room - rack rate $239) during Regular Season, so I am happy.
I'm so sorry for those of you in that "October Dead Zone"

 

[dr2004]

I think a lot of people are missing the point of the new structure. Hotel codes have been greatly cutailed this year, but over a 7 day stay theme park tickets have decreased by about $50-60 per person and they are throwing in free transportation to the resort. Call it a $35 value per person.

So it looks like the powers that be have shifted from a "fill the rooms up" philpsophy to an "entice them never to leave the grounds" philospophy. Think aboput it, offering the free transportaion means the guest isn't renting a car. That means they are much more likely not to go eat outside cheaper, visit Universal, etc.

And the extra days on the hopper for a couple bucks will make that person weigh the option of going an extra day at MGM for an extra 10 or so bucks or renting a car and paying $60 to see Universal.

I think they will lean towards deeper ticket and transportation savings in the future as long as they fill up this way.

 

[cobbler]

I'd been hearing that they would release them the old way but I never really took it to heart. I always took on the mentality of "I'll believe it when I see it."

I do agree that this may be the new way for AP users to get rates and crack down on those that don't have AP's and those using just a childs AP.

I can say that maybe they did hear our voices and that 120 days out is unreasonable.

 

[addicted2disney]

Now that the window was reduced from 120 days to 60 days, I was able to FINALLY get the cheaper rate. I think its very unfair to the October people, that are really missing out twice. They should offer that Best Rate to those who booked after the 120 day window, but before the 60 day window started.

 

[n2mm]

I still think the old way of release will still happend and hope so for those in the dead zone for October. But I had suspected that because of the BGR availability for other codes would be extremely limited availability and watching the Florida folks, it looks like there is hardly anything left. I expect the biggest draw for the BGR is not the price, but the choice of the resort you want at any discount. So the bottom line seems to be, if you want a certain resort, the BGR is the way to ensure you get it.

 

[4forDis]

I think a lot of people are missing the point of the new structure. Hotel codes have been greatly cutailed this year, but over a 7 day stay theme park tickets have decreased by about $50-60 per person and they are throwing in free transportation to the resort. Call it a $35 value per person.

So it looks like the powers that be have shifted from a "fill the rooms up" philpsophy to an "entice them never to leave the grounds" philospophy. Think aboput it, offering the free transportaion means the guest isn't renting a car. That means they are much more likely not to go eat outside cheaper, visit Universal, etc.

And the extra days on the hopper for a couple bucks will make that person weigh the option of going an extra day at MGM for an extra 10 or so bucks or renting a car and paying $60 to see Universal.

I think they will lean towards deeper ticket and transportation savings in the future as long as they fill up this way.

Dr2004,
I think you hit the nail on the head! We were going to spend a day at Sea World this trip. Then I crunched the numbers: For 4 of us to buy 1 day tickets to Sea World it was in the $100 range. For 4 of us to spend an extra day at Disney Parks, $10.

The tickets for this trip are so much cheaper than our last trip in 2003, that I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that AAA discount for rooms is the best I'm going to do.

 

[4orm]

I would have done BGR in a second but I'm in that 2 week black hole. The day BGR came out I was so excited, only to find out it wasn't applicable to me since it started 120 days out, making it Oct 15th. We don't mind the deposit, since we know we are going on our dates.