My latest AP rate theory

[BrianD]

All right, here's my guess as to what Disney is thinking right now. We currently have a discount code available to everyone which is good, but not necessarily great. (Yes, I'm spoiled.) Then, this past week, the FL resident rate came out and it is GREAT, in fact the best I've seen. $74 a night for a moderate during regular season... are you kidding me?!?! That's 50% off!

So....where are the AP rates? And what will they be?

With the current codes available, I don't see any reason why Disney won't release AP rates as well. What I think Disney is doing is trying to decide how good to make the AP rate. They are waiting to see how many bookings they get with the FL resident rate. I guess they are thinking that people are shying away from flying, so maybe they can get a bunch of locals in there.

So, if they get enough bookings with the FL rate, then the AP rates will probably come out as something compareable to the current general public codes. If they don't see enough bookings from the FL rate, then I think that the AP rates will be compareable with the FL rate, which would be AWESOME!

Just my theory...

 

[phanomouse]

This is exactly what I was saying to my Brother and his wife when they called me last night asking about our rooms! I think it is right on track with what Disney is doing... good call Brian!

 

[onceuponadream]

I really hope you're right. Actually I also have a theory. I was on Mary's site trying to see if there is a pattern to when AP rates are released as compared to FL resident rates. It looks like they (AP rates) are typically released about 2 weeks after Fl resident rates. That would make it around Monday right? We'll see if my theory is true in a few days

 

[MelissathePooh]

OR Disney has filled up enough available rooms with the current codes and FL Resident code that there is no need to offer AP discounted rooms.

I'm not saying this is the case, but its another scenario to consider. It all depends on how the current discounts impact occupancy levels. If AP rates are released they could be fairly limited if occupancy is already up.

Melissa

 

[onceuponadream]

Melissa

I totally agree. There will probably be less availability at some of the resorts. I think the value and moderates especially as the rates are so low. Let's hope there's still room for us if great AP rates do come out!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I have an AP related question maybe someone could answer. We have to have our trip paid in full by April 10th. We have been checking into purchasing our park hopper passes from one of the ticket brokers. We have been waiting for the AP rates to come out but as you can see we're running out of time. What I am wondering is should we just give up and buy all of our passes from the ticket broker or should we hold out longer on my DH's pass just in case the AP's do come out before our May 2 arrival and we are able to get that discount? We already have the latest room only code applied to our reservation and it's not too bad but with paying for three rooms a good AP would have come in handy. I'd like to know what anyone else would do in this situation. I don't want to wait too long to order our tickets. I hope I made sense here. Thanks for any input.

 

[BrianD]

I would hold out for AP rates to come out. You're not losing anything by holding out on purchasing your husbands park pass.

 

[Trissy]

I would like to know what AP discounts you have all received in the past, if you have some time?

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by BrianD
I don't see any reason why Disney won't release AP rates as well. What I think Disney is doing is trying to decide how good to make the AP rate. They are waiting to see how many bookings they get with the FL resident rate. I guess they are thinking that people are shying away from flying, so maybe they can get a bunch of locals in there. So, if they get enough bookings with the FL rate, then the AP rates will probably come out as something compareable to the current general public codes.

Dead - Solid - Perfect

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by BrianD
I would hold out for AP rates to come out. You're not losing anything by holding out on purchasing your husbands park pass.

I actually like the Book now and Switch Later Strategy that DF99 talked me into. Book the the AEF or CZF or AEA rate...

From Mousesavers.com
Discounts at most Disney resorts. Ask for code AEF or CZF or AEA and get special discounts on various resorts for check-ins 4/27/03-7/3/03. In general, the rates seem to be $10 per night cheaper than the previously released AXA code. Some of the rates that have been reported so far:

All Stars - $74 standard
Moderates - $94 standard
Wilderness Lodge - $139 standard, $154 woods view
Animal Kingdom Lodge - $139 standard, $215 savannah view, $380 concierge
Contemporary - $164 standard garden wing
Ft. Wilderness Cabins - $169
Boardwalk/Beach Club/Yacht Club - $229 standard
Polynesian - $244 garden view, $340 concierge garden view, $425 concierge lagoon view
Grand Floridian - $284 garden view, $420 lodge concierge
Other resorts, room types and views are available at varying prices!

... and when (little "if") the AP rates comeout, call up a switch. You can always cancel if you want to and If when you change you can signal your pleasure (or displeasure) with Disney's loyalty to AP holders.


Awaiting the flames ,

 

[welovedis]

I think DisneyFreaks is already using the code:

We already have the latest room only code applied to our reservation

DF-why does your room have to be PIF by 4/10 if your trip is not until 5/2? Just curious as that seems like an odd-number of days or something. Also--how long does the ticket broker say it will take to get the tixs to you? That would be something you'd have to consider in the equation--I personally don't know much about ordering these as that has never been an option for us.

If the broker can get you the tix fairly quick then I would wait a bit on the rates. I think the consensus here is that if they are going to release any AP rates then they probably will do so pretty soon. You could then try to apply it to your existing ressies and lowering the total cost you would have to pay in full.

If, for some reason, you can't get the AP rates for your dates then you won't have lost anything by waiting and will just have to make sure your payment gets there on time and that you order your tix accordingly.

Just my .02!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Thanks Karen and BrianD. I appreciate your input. I think we'll wait a bit to order our passes. It's just that I have heard that Disney is trying to stop the outside ticket brokers from selling some of the Disney passes and I don't want to lose out. To answer your question Karen, I have no idea why we have to pay off our room only reservation 21 days prior to check in. I guess CRO just singled a few people out because very few of us have to do it this way. We have called and called about this and we get a different reason practically every time. LoL. Apparently the concensus is that all room only ressies are going to be treated like this sometime after April 1. When we originally booked way back when we were on the pay balance at check in plan but when we applied the code discount they changed us to this new way. I personally wish it weren't like this with the AP's being so late. I know if we get one we probably won't get our refund check in time to use it on our trip. Does anyone know if we can pick up any refund owed to us at the check in desk?

 

[peachgirl]

"Does anyone know if we can pick up any refund owed to us at the check in desk?"

I've read posts from several people who just leave the balance on their account and use it once they're there charging back to their room for purchases. Seems like a great idea to me!

 

[welovedis]

DisneyFreaks-thanks for the info, I was really perplexed about that one (plus I was counting the days wrong and ended up with 23-duh!). If you were going to charge anything to the room at all then having the balance left would probably be the best thing to do.

I had heard about the ticket brokers having problems with selling the 10 day passes but I hadn't heard anything else. That is too bad since they do offer an alternative to paying full price at WDW if you don't have the DC to use.

Good luck with the waiting, it can be so tough. I've been sitting on the airlines sites for almost 2 weeks now to see if I can get some low airfare (probably not gonna happen) and the waiting is driving me nuts-lol!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Keeping it on account does sound like the best way to handle it and I would love to do that but someone said in another thread that by paying 21 days prior to check in our ressies are being treated as a package and apparently you can't do that with a package. I don't know if this is true or not but even if it is wouldn't applying an AP let us abide by different rules?
And Karen, good luck with the airfare rates. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[Dalpal]

I am still waiting for ANY code for when we are going(7/16)!
I am also waiting for APs. But It would sure be nice to get our cost down alittle now.

This is driving me crazy, seeing all these codes and not be able to use them......So close and yet so far away.... The other codes stop at 7/3.

I wonder when will the codes for after that come out???????

Someone PLEASE make me feel better

 

[RobMax]

The 31st - then panic!

 

[onceuponadream]

DisneyFreaks

We are also holding out purchasing our 10 day world passes until we see if an AP rate comes out. We will need 1 less world pass and an AP instead if they do. Have you heard about brokers having diffuculty selling the passes ?? I may go ahead and order if that's the case. It sure beats the alternative of waiting and having to buy 6 AP's for our 12 day trip. Hmmmmm

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Seems like we are in the same boat onceuponadream. LoL Over on the Budget Board there are some threads about paramount international travel that say on mousesavers.com Mary has stated that Disney may be stopping the brokers from selling the 10 day world pass and the 30 day fun in the sun passes because they were intended for the UK market. So far though they are still selling them from what I am reading. Good luck.

 

[onceuponadream]

DisneyFreaks

I am going to go ahead and buy 5 of the10 Day World Passes. I figure it will save us almost $300 over 5 APs. I will wait on the last pass and either buy an AP if AP rates come out (or if 10 Day World Passes become "unavailable") or go ahead and buy the last World Pass and pay the shipping separately if no Ap rates become available. Having to buy 1 AP will cost $40 more than a 10 day pass but if AP rates come out it will be worth it!

I'm still kicking myself for not buying from themparkland.com when it was available. I waited on the APrates and it ended up costing me about $150 as their rates were so much less than PIT. I am not suprised that they have changed their policy though as it was widely known that those passes were intended for UK but being used by US citizens...

Thanks so much for giving me the heads up on the tickets...you may have saved us $300 if they get discontinued . Hope you can make your decision soon. I bet there are AP rates soon...