nEW AP BOOKING RULES

[RichieGraciemom]

Saw on Mouseplanet today that ap holders will have to book rooms 120 days in advance to get the discount and that they can only book one. also they must be done on the ap website, thus meaning that the pass must be activated before you can use this. I read that this will hurt many last minute trips to the resorts for pass holders.

 

[CarolA]

That is not exactly correct. You CAN book 120 days in advance and you will then be automatically converted to the AP or best rate as it is released. You can also book as you have been in the past. TAs can also book using vouchers.

So... if you know you are going this may be the way to go.

They are limiting it to one room per AP and I think that is a good idea. This 3 rooms per one AP means that legit AP holders can't always get rooms. Also you know have to have an ADULT AP.

 

[lllovell]

I just spent forever reading some of the other posts about this and I see it as much ado about nothing in many ways.

They need to rectify the non-refundable deposit part if they are going to make you book at rack rates for now. But, that is the only downside I see to all of this. It appears to me that it is simply a program being put in place that will benefit the average used and penalize that group that used to book multiple rooms with no intention of using them all - simply keeping their "options" open for their family to make plans.

Also, as Carol pointed out, it SHOULD open more AP rates for the rest of the population. I believe that you can still get 3 rooms, but it takes 3 seperate ressies and therefor you would have to put down 3 deposits.

Time will tell and I suspect the non-refundable part will move back to 60 days or so and that rooms will be booked originally at 10-15% off rack rates, but I do think the AP discounts will remain in effect.

 

[kathleena]

I did read that they plan to accept voucher numbers, so not sure the activated AP statement is true.

 

[colleen costello]

I am glad that the next trip I have to book is not until March. By then all this will be cleared up. I just learn all the angles then Mickey changes the rules!

We use AP discounts to get cash nights to stretch our points. I hope they are still available in the future. We like to stay cash the first night so we can check into DVC early and avoid getting a crummy room!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I see two problems with the new rules. 1--the non-refundable deposit. If a total newbie can reserve a room and be able to cancel out 5 days in advance on a regular ressie, then an AP holder should at least have 30 days, just like DVC members have when we reserve for cash thru MS. 2--There are no more last-minute trips on AP rates.

I have no problem with limiting the number of rooms, and I HATE how people reserve rooms they have no intention of using, but it seems like Disney used a sledge hammer to kill a mosquito, ya know?

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Last year I booked a room at one of the value resorts and when we arrived I booked a room at Port Orleans using an AP rate. It ended up being a few dollars more that the value resort rack rate. While planning a second trip to BCV we booked one night using the AP rate but prior to arriving we were able to get a members discounted rate so we cancelled one and used the members discount.
Is your understanding that I cannot do this under the new rules without paying for the one night?

 

[lllovell]

Last year I booked a room at one of the value resorts and when we arrived I booked a room at Port Orleans using an AP rate. It ended up being a few dollars more that the value resort rack rate. While planning a second trip to BCV we booked one night using the AP rate but prior to arriving we were able to get a members discounted rate so we cancelled one and used the members discount.
Is your understanding that I cannot do this under the new rules without paying for the one night?

yes and no DVC Grandpa

If you book at 120+ days to guarantee you an AP rate, then you have to put down a one night deposit and IF your change of plans is for less money overall, if you make changes, you will be charged a $50 fee. However, it sounds like what you did was get AP rates at check in which DOESN'T require anything more than the standard reservations you have made in the past. Making a reservation for a room without an AP discount hasn't changed. You still call CRO and can cancel 5 days before, etc. What I think is going to be different in the future is that there probably WONT be any AP discounted rooms available when you check in. They may or may not offer deeper discounted AP room codes AFTER the 120 mark depending on the time of year. If the number of AP discounts is already above what they want, I dont see there being discounts available for short term trips like there was in the past.

The nice thing for Disney is that they can look at the hotels now and determine much better what is actually rented and what isn't. They will know 120 days out if they need to send out AP rates that are lower than the ones they had already offered to fill up the resorts (but they also have to honor those rates for people that have already booked). This gives them much better control over the entire process of filling the rooms. Also, it is my understanding (read into that - who knows sometimes - this thing is changing hourly) that if you ARE able to get an AP rate after the 120 mark has passed, that you will ALSO be required to make a one night non-refundable deposit, so basically, they are trying to stop people from making multiple ressies for the same period and waiting around to see which discounts are the best to choose which hotel to stay it. People could easily take 3 hotel room out of the mix until the AP rates are released (or after, since you could cancel 5 days out) and the rest of us had no access to those rooms. I suppose they can still do that, but it would get expensive!

So, you can certainly change your ressie even upon arrival if other rooms are available. (for a $50 charge if it is going to cost less than your first ressie or for free if you are spending the same or more).

 

[jctwizzer]

We like to stay cash the first night so we can check into DVC early and avoid getting a crummy room!

It would interesting to know how many "crummy" rooms you think there are in the DVC program...since we've never having had a DVC "crummy" room, perhaps we aren't being picky enough.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

If you are on the naughty DVCer list, you won't be getting the AP discount.

Disney has made our cash night decisions easier. No reasonable chance at an AP rate...we'll stay offsite. I hate games like these that Disney is instituting. I like to know the final cost at the time of booking. We plan a budget for our trip in advance.

 

[colleen costello]

It would interesting to know how many "crummy" rooms you think there are in the DVC program...since we've never having had a DVC "crummy" room, perhaps we aren't being picky enough.

JCTWizzer, I was thinking of the time Lenshanem checked into OKW late in the evening. She got a smoking, handicapped studio with a LIZARD in it! She wanted N/S, N/HC (so she could give her little daughters a bath) and of course didn't want a lizard either! I have always had lovely DVC rooms but we always check in early... I mostly fear getting a smoking room because we couldn't accept one (Mom has asthma). For us, smoky rooms are definitely "crummy."

 

[CarolA]

It would interesting to know how many "crummy" rooms you think there are in the DVC program...since we've never having had a DVC "crummy" room, perhaps we aren't being picky enough.

LOL!
I am with you, I have never had a crummy room. I have done a survey and ALL of the rooms are at Disney! (Unless I book at VB or HH)

Personally "crummy" room seems to be the code for "handicapped accessible" which I have gotten a few times and had no problems with.

Of course as we all get closer to the end of the program and go to Disney in our wheelchairs and walkers.... our definition of crummy will probably change to "regular" room.

 

[lllovell]

If you are on the naughty DVCer list, you won't be getting the AP discount.

Disney has made our cash night decisions easier. No reasonable chance at an AP rate...we'll stay offsite. I hate games like these that Disney is instituting. I like to know the final cost at the time of booking. We plan a budget for our trip in advance.

You will know up front the maximum you will have to pay for your room Johnnie. I can see how you feel like its a game, but in reality, you will never pay MORE than the AP booked rate, so budgeting should not be a problem either. If you have to make a decision based on "we only can spend $____ on POR for one night" then you will know if the available rate is good enough or not. The nice thing is that if THEY decide to give better rates, you get it automatically without calling and checking.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

If you book at 120+ days to guarantee you an AP rate, then you have to put down a one night deposit and IF your change of plans is for less money overall, if you make changes, you will be charged a $50 fee.

Does this mean if I get an AP rate for BCV and then get lucky and find a Members Discounted Rate I will have to pay the $50 charge. I think from now on that I will get the Rack Rate then look for the Member Discounted Rate rather than going the extra step of looking for the AP rate while I wait for any Member Discount Rate to come available. $50 may be the difference between toe two.

 

[Joni]

I'm a little confused on this post. We always use premium AP but never use them for booking because we are DVC. Are the new rules for someone who doesn't own DVC and just wants to stay at Disney. I not sure if I am missing something or what.

 

[CarolMN]

I'm a little confused on this post. We always use premium AP but never use them for booking because we are DVC. Are the new rules for someone who doesn't own DVC and just wants to stay at Disney. I not sure if I am missing something or what.

You are not missing anything. If you never use your PAP to get a discount on a WDW resort room, this whole thread doesn't apply to you. The posters are talking about booking rooms for cash, not points. We use points for our entire stay and just use our AP for park admission and other discounts (not room discounts), so it doesn't apply to us, either.

Best wishes-

 

[TnRobin]

Sorry, but add me to the confused list. I don't book cash room often because of my DVC, but I just booked a room for after the members cruise. That is only 75-ish days away. I got an AP discount and was told my deposit is fully-refundable up until Sept 3rd - 5 days before check-in. So what is different?

Updated - oh, this "best rate" program begins in October. But I guess my next question is this. Do we know that this will replace the AP discounts, or is another type of discount offered in addition to the regular AP discount. To me it looks like a "best rate guarantee" in exchange for the added penalties.

 

[lllovell]

Updated - oh, this "best rate" program begins in October. But I guess my next question is this. Do we know that this will replace the AP discounts, or is another type of discount offered in addition to the regular AP discount. To me it looks like a "best rate guarantee" in exchange for the added penalties.

I think Disney will only release traditional AP discounted rooms IF there is a big gap in the number of rooms occupied versus the number they WANT occupied for any given period. So, if they want 25% more rooms full after the 120 day deadline has passed and they know that traditionally, they only et 10% more ressies between 120 days and the check in date, they will offer more AP discounts for people to call in like we do now. The nice thing is you get those rates too if you are already in the "best rate" program.

Also, yes - that is exactly what you are getting here - the promise of the lowest rate given to the public (AP rates includes) with the understanding that one night is non-refundable. Its not a penalty unless you don't show up and decide to simply cancel your ressie. You can change at any time with a change fee (all of this is EXACTLY like getting cheap airfare - except for SW I have been told - all the rest have their lowest fees on highly restricted fares..and if you change you pay $50 to do so) or if your change does not make your ressie LESS than your original reservation, the you owe no change fee.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

So when you book at greater than 120+ days you are booking the rack rate? And hope to get a discount? Sounds like Disney is hooking you in and will give you whatever discount they need to give you so they can still make their bottom line.

Does it matter if you book one year out or 120 days out i.e the earlier you book, the greater the discount? OR do all bookers get the same discount percentage?

 

[DebbieB]

So when you book at greater than 120+ days you are booking the rack rate? And hope to get a discount? Sounds like Disney is hooking you in and will give you whatever discount they need to give you so they can still make their bottom line.

Does it matter if you book one year out or 120 days out i.e the earlier you book, the greater the discount? OR do all bookers get the same discount percentage?

They are now showing discounted rates on the AP website through 12/19/05.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=843520