Online AP and Discount ??'s

[3floridarays]

I am about to buy AP's online for our upcoming off-site trip in December. However, I am also thinking about booking an on-site stay for 2/5-2/7 for DS's 11th b-day. Here are my questions:

1. If I buy my AP's online, my understanding is that they will be vouchers and won't be activated until we use them in December. Does that mean I wouldn't be able to get AP room only discounts until after they're activated, or can I get the discounts before they're actually activated?

2. Does Disney send PIN's to AP holders before they're activated, or will I have to wait until after December to keep my eyes open for those?

3. If I am able to get AP discounts for room-only before the passes are activated, what kind of discounts could I expect?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

 

[Grumpy92]

Generally AP Discounts are not sent out nor are they PINs. Sometimes they will be in the Mickey Monitor. In the past they would come out 3-4 months in advance, but this year they are going furhter out. Obviously bookings are down.
I suggest three websites: 1. the WDW official website, Click Passholders in the upper right hand corner. It list all your discounts. www.disneyworld.com
2. The discounts are listed on this website http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-resorts.htm#room
3. I really like www.mousesavers.com

You can book an AP rate with the voucher. Just present it at C/I.
AP Rates are from what I have seen in the past the deepest discount.

 

[disneyfan55]

Yes, most AP discounts are as described above. You do not have to have the AP when booking though. I have booked many times and when and got the AP before checking in. (I wait so I don't have to put out the cash early or if for some reason I have to cancel)

There is a current AP PIN good for many dates through June 12, 2010. THis is something I have not seen before, but it does exist. My son received it about 2 weeks ago.

You can look up all the historical data on AP (and all discounts) on Mousesavers.com. They have a listing. JUst to let you know, last year the GP, AP and FL resident discounts only were a few dollars apart in amount. If you are buying the AP for the discount only you might want to check them out as well.

 

[kaseycamille]

First post ever!

So...it is possible to go ahead and book a room and then change the reservation to a passholder rate when the rates come out? I did not know this.

I guess you run the risk of passholder rates not being available right? Are there any other negatives or positives to doing this.

We're going in January for two nights and have been anxiously awaiting passholder rates! But its getting late and we want to go ahead and get something booked, so this might be the way to go.

All your information is greatly appreciated!

 

[Jcricket Fan]

kaseycamille!

Yes, you can book now and then if AP discounts EVER come out you can try to get one of those.

I went ahead and booked the 4/3 package which is a pretty good deal and although you need to take tickets with that I will just get my ticket and apply it to my AP renewal which happens during our trip.

IF/when the AP discounts for Jan happen I will call and see if it ends up being a better deal.
The biggest issue for me is that final payment because I booked a package needs to be made by 11/22 so I need the AP rates to come out before then or to cancel my 4/3 package means a cancellation fee will be charged.

Peace.
Colleen