New From NE PA... with Questions:)

[Anc96]

Hello..

I've been reading the boards for the past few days and was hoping someone could answer some questions about the new AP best rate program.

Last year I wanted to take my daughter somewhere special... and there's no better special place than Disney World. I did a lot of searching and found that for our 2 week stay it would be best to purchase APs. With the hotel discounts (and not having to pay for park admission again) I was able to surprise my daughter again in Nov/Dec and take her back to WDW for her 8th birthday. We stayed 8 days that time. And, this summer we spent 16 days both on and off property.
All of this was done on the same APs.

Now, with the new rules.. this will no longer be possible will it? Although I doubt being able to afford the mid-year birthday trip... I was hoping that next year when we returned, to purchase the APs again so we could use them again the following year. But now, if I have to have an active AP when making the on site reservations 120 days in advance.. isn't that taking away 4 months of the AP time? We much prefer staying on site of course.

What I would have to do I think is purchase the APs late June when getting to the parks... and stay off site that stay (on site isn't much of an option for us without AP rates... especially since the AP resort discounts are getting lower and the resort rates are getting higher). Then the following year book for early June with AP rates for the resort. So I get the park admission the first time.. but I can't get the resort discounts.

Is this right.. am I missing something. Please tell me I am. Although this past stay (June14-29) we were only able to stay on site for a week (because I splurged for AKL), we LOVE staying on site and would hate to not have any time at all at the resorts... plus the benefits of staying at on site (EMH.. package delivers.. and atmosphere).

TIA for any help...
ANC96

 

[canwegosoon]

I have not done this yet, but I purchased an AP pass from disney(they sent a green voucher), and was able to give some #'s off it when I got my DDE, then when I actually got to the parks I activated the voucher AP. I would think you might be able to do the same...I would call and ask.

 

[Unregistered]

Thank you Canwegosoon....

When I read your reply I rechecked one of the websites with the new rules. One site does say "You can only book this program online and you must have a current, activated Annual Pass or an Annual Pass voucher in order to access the online booking."

I will call to confirm this when I'm getting close to the point of being ready to book (being careful to stay well within the 120 day period).

I'm really relieved since my daughter is really looking forward to going back to AKL. I can't afford the full rates, and I would really like to try staying there for the full length of our stay the next time.

This info is big relief! I still don't think I like all these new rules.... oh well.

Thank you again!
ANC96

 

[Anc96]

Ooops...

wasn't logged in when I posted the above.. don't know how to fix that:

 

[canwegosoon]

Glad to hear the good news!!! You should look into the DDE if you will be going alot again...you can have up to 10 guests...it saves 20% at lots of sitdown restaurants and only costs $50...I use it for the tips.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Ooops...

wasn't logged in when I posted the above.. don't know how to fix that:

I wasnt aware one could post without being logged in. Looks like you did log back in though.

 

[Anc96]

Yes.. I logged in when I realized my name was "unregistered"... lol.

Thank you again for the info Canwegosoon.
I remembered seeing something about getting $25. off the DDE in the 2005 AP sleeve. It says it's valid for passholder and up to 6 guests. Not that I need that many as it's always only my daughter and myself.
It the membership a 1 year membership? I might be interested in getting it. I'd have to find out which restaurants participate.
I will usually wait for a 60-70% off sale at Restaurants dot com. We save tons of money on area restaurants... and we always get 50% coupon off of Arabian nights.. my daughter's favorite show there, for between $1.20-$3.00 (that's 50% off Arabian Nights' standard rate. There are usually other discounts available but I've found this the best value). I also purchase the Orlando Entertainment book (after February for about $10.00) for more values in the area (the OE book includes a coupon for the casual restaurant at the all stars too).
The DDE might be a chance to have different dining experiences in WDW that we wouldn't have thought of before, and save money too!

We were fortunate to have gone 3 times in technically a one year period. But it's not usual that I would be able to afford that. Once a year... and having the AP cover 2 consecutive years, is a more reasonable expectation. So I look to save money where I can. I even have the Winn Dixie price plus card! lol.

This site is really great. I'm glad I found it.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Yes.. I logged in when I realized my name was "unregistered"... lol.

Thank you again for the info Canwegosoon.
I remembered seeing something about getting $25. off the DDE in the 2005 AP sleeve. It says it's valid for passholder and up to 6 guests. Not that I need that many as it's always only my daughter and myself.
It the membership a 1 year membership? I might be interested in getting it. I'd have to find out which restaurants participate.
I will usually wait for a 60-70% off sale at Restaurants dot com. We save tons of money on area restaurants... and we always get 50% coupon off of Arabian nights.. my daughter's favorite show there, for between $1.20-$3.00 (that's 50% off Arabian Nights' standard rate. There are usually other discounts available but I've found this the best value). I also purchase the Orlando Entertainment book (after February for about $10.00) for more values in the area (the OE book includes a coupon for the casual restaurant at the all stars too).
The DDE might be a chance to have different dining experiences in WDW that we wouldn't have thought of before, and save money too!

We were fortunate to have gone 3 times in technically a one year period. But it's not usual that I would be able to afford that. Once a year... and having the AP cover 2 consecutive years, is a more reasonable expectation. So I look to save money where I can. I even have the Winn Dixie price plus card! lol.

This site is really great. I'm glad I found it.

Yep, currently AP holders receive $25 off the price of the DDE. Bringing it to $50. Its a great deal, as canwegosson stated , it covers the tips...20%.
The part I like is it also covers adult beverages.
The only part i dont like is it becomes "active" from the date of purchase.