Only Staying 6 Days, Wondering If I Should Get Ap Anyway

[TiggerPiglet]

After reading some of the rates people are getting through the AP rate program, I'm wondering if I should get the AP, eventhough I'm only staying 6 days. Right now I have a rate of $321.12 (AAA) at the AKL, Savannah view for 2 nights, then I have a rate of $274.29 (AAA) at the Contemporary, standard view, for 5 nights. So, if I do my math right that's:
$321.12
X 2
_______
$642.24


$274.29
X 5
_______
$1371.45
For a total of $2013.69 (for the hotels)

Passes for 2 adults, one child with the park hopper option is: $654.69

For a grand total of $3309.93


Now with the AP option I believe I can get the Akl Savannah view for $210 a night and the Contemporary for $262. Now these rates I have read other people have gotten, so there is not guarantee I will. Anyway, using those rates I get:
$210
X 2
____
$420


$262
X 5
_____
$1310

Total for hotels $1730

AP passes for 2 adults $841.36
Ap Pass for 1 child $357.84
________
Total for passes $1199.20

Grand total for hotels and passes: $2929.20

Savings of: $380.58

Now, obviously it is cheaper to get the AP, but my dilemma is what if general codes come out and those rates would have been cheaper or AP rates do not come out for that time (Nov.) I just called and was told there were no AP rates out for that time. What does everyone think I should do, just get the AP or wait for general codes?

 

[Rhonda]

Don't forget that with an AP you also get some dining discounts, as well as discounts on purchases at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney too!

 

[CharlesTD]

Why not see if the dining package is available for the time you are there that would be a better option IMHO.

 

[EthansMom]

Just a couple of notes...

It looks like your room prices include tax in your current reservation, but I don't think your AP prices include tax.

Also, you could get just one AP for one of the adults and regular MYW tix for the other adult and child if you aren't planning on making another trip in the year.

And, since the Best Rate Program requires that you book 120+ out, you would need to purchase the AP(s) in time to get the voucher(s) in the mail in order to book any rooms.

If you get an AP and plan to eat at a lot of sit-down restaurants, consider getting the Disney Dining Experience card.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

Ethan's Mom, thanks, I didn't realize just one of us needed to get the AP tol get the discount for the room. And you're right about the tax, I'm not sure if the AP prices include tax or not. I'm actually quoting what other people have said they have gotten. I read on Mousesavers that AP rates are out, but when I called DIsney they said they weren't out, so I'm a bit confused by that.
Does anyone know the link to the Best Rate Program or do you have to have the AP already to get onto that link? If I have to do this 120 days out, I don't have much time to make up my mind.
Also, what does everyone think the odds are that general codes will be realized for early Nov.?

 

[SuzEm]

That rate you have for Contemporary Standard is rack rate, not AAA. I had a AAA rate for CR standard before I got my AP rate and it was $230 including tax! Rack Rate is $244 plus tax. You might want to double check that rate! I'm saving about $40 a night with the AP rate over the AAA rate. In my mind, not enough to justify the added expense of an AP over a 7 day MYW ticket, if you're not going back for another trip. You will have to crunch the numbers and see if it's worth the gamble to get one - you might not get the same AP rate by the time you get your voucher in the mail. If you do get the DDE, it'll save 20% on sit down meals - depending upon size of your family that may offset the additional AP ticket expense.

Unless those rates you have are during regular season - the ones listed above are value season...

 

[TiggerPiglet]

That rate you have for Contemporary Standard is rack rate, not AAA. I had a AAA rate for CR standard before I got my AP rate and it was $230 including tax! Rack Rate is $244 plus tax. You might want to double check that rate! I'm saving about $40 a night with the AP rate over the AAA rate. In my mind, not enough to justify the added expense of an AP over a 7 day MYW ticket, if you're not going back for another trip. You will have to crunch the numbers and see if it's worth the gamble to get one - you might not get the same AP rate by the time you get your voucher in the mail. If you do get the DDE, it'll save 20% on sit down meals - depending upon size of your family that may offset the additional AP ticket expense.

Unless those rates you have are during regular season - the ones listed above are value season...

You know, it's funny you mention the rate I got from the Contemporary, because I felt it was high and did question if it was in fact AAA rate and was told yes. Maybe I need to call and speak to someone else.

 

[sherry8253]

Any chance you might go back again next year? My DH and I always buy AP because we plan to get 2 trips out of them. We bought AP for our 01/05 trip and are going again in 12/05. We won't buy another set until 12/06 or 01/07 when we go again. If you do that you save not only on rooms but also on ticket and food with the AP dining discount card.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

I honestly don't know if I'll be back next year. I would love to, but for right now, I have no plans. This is hard because it doesn't look like general codes will be out any time soon.

 

[gullyf]

Just a couple of notes...
And, since the Best Rate Program requires that you book 120+ out, you would need to purchase the AP(s) in time to get the voucher(s) in the mail in order to book any rooms.

Someone just mentioned on another thread that you could call *someone**somewhere* a couple of hours after ordering your AP voucher and get the #'s for the purpose of checking/making reservations. If anyone has the details, please post them!