I've been going to Disney for the past 35+ years.... we've only started staying on Disney property for the past few visits. (mainly due to we stay around 15-16 days at a time. We stay a week or so on property, and then move to one of the DT disney hotels for the remainder to keep our costs down so we can stay and play longer!
)
What would the advantatge be for me to book now for next summer (mid to end of August)? (*besides the obvious "to be able to get a room" option.....)
So here are my stupid questions.... (sorry if I'm rambling here)
1.) We've never booked anything besides a room only reservation due to we usually purchase our tickets a year + or so in advance anyway to get the lesser rate when the rates change every year (This year I decided to get an AP due to the discounts, etc that we will get with an AP (ie: free parking for the entire trip, discounts on other tickets, (ie: waterparks) and some dining discounts, and possibly an AP discount on the room, etc).
I looked on mousesavers for the history on when rooms, discounts, etc became available for reference. I wonder why this year that they only offered the AP room only discounts up until 8/14 and nothing beyond that, but they offered a room only discount to the general public from 8/14 to somewhere near the end of Sept. Any thoughts? I guess it doesn't matter but I just wondered why they singled out the AP folks this time.
2.) I've never taken advantage of the FD option if it was available to us, and plus our kids are happy eating at McDonalds, or Steak and Shake, Pizza Hut, etc. - I hate to say it but they are pretty fussy and don't like a lot of the options for dining in the parks. We've done and will do some Character meals and some other meals, but for the most part, fast food or restaurants outside the park seem to work better for us and our fussy eaters. We have a car so it's nice to get out of the park surroundings once and awhile too.
3.) I'm just trying to decide if I should call next week (or now if I can call and make room only reservations as the website said something if I want to "call" for 2013 now it looks like I can do that)..... or being an AP, does anyone think that I can use that site next week too (or now?) to make a reservation for next year? I have the AP, but haven't tried the AP site yet for reservations.
4.) If I book a room only now, and the rates change later (say they offer an AP room only discount or another offer arrives to us) I have no problem cancelling and making another reservation... even if they have to credit the original deposit back and I get charged for another. (I only use my DV for Disney trips costs anyway so the $ isn't a factor) However, I thought I read online somewhere that there is a difference in the deposit, payment options, or cancel policies if you book online vs. over the phone. Does anyone know what those differences may are?
Is there anyother advantage of booking a package deal under what I've described above? I would probably be best to stick with the room only rates, right? It's just when and how I should make the reservations.
~D
I Will be happy to start making payments to knock it down 
