You do not need to purchase the AP to reserve a room with an AP code.
You do need to have the Annual Pass or at least the Annual Pass voucher to check into the hotel. The front desk will usually require that you show at least the voucher or maybe the activated annual pass at check-in.
If you do not produce the voucher or annual pass, you will be charged rack rate for the room.
To add to this....last year, I booked at the
AAA rate at Pop Century. I was able to lock in $85 per night in late May....(basically 15% off the regular $99 rack rate).
I WAS NOT a member of AAA when I called for the reservation. I was planning on signing up with AAA for the $50 membership fee if no other codes were released.
Well....Disney Visa released a code for $69 per night at the Value Resorts. I was able to switch my reservation to that code....so, I no longer needed to join AAA.
The AP rate for a value resort was also released at $59 per night. It would have cost me $150 more to upgrade to an annual pass. The savings would have been $10 per night over 7 nights ($69 Disney Visa Rate vs $59 Annual Pass Rate)....$70.
It was definitely not worth paying $150 to save $70....(duh!)....so, we stayed with the $69 room rate.
So....you do not need to have an AP or a AAA membership when you make the reservation....but, you are required to show your AP, voucher, or AAA membership card upon check-in to keep your low rate.
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