Please explain AP rates to me

[peedeejones]

I was wondering exactly how AP works.
If I buy just one AP, am I then able to make a reservation if there is a special AP rate, for my whole family?

What traditionally have the AP room discounts been like?
Are there any other benefits to purchasing AP if discounted rates are not offered?

Sorry if I sound stupid but everyone talks so much about AP, I wonder if it is worth it to get one.

Thanks!

 

[Fionasmommy]

I believe you can book up to 2 rooms with under AP rate - AP holders please correct me if I'm wrong!

I looked at purchasing an AP last spring. We were going to POFQ. Rack rate was $155, AAA rate was $131 and AP rate was $119.

When I did the math, it wouldn't have saved us money over our AAA package. You can't get DDP with the AP, so you have to buy the DDE card for food discount. Buying the DDE card will eat up most of your rooms savings on the first trip, and for us, eating with DDE would've cost us more.

I'm sure that it really depends on where you stay (and how good the rates are then), where you eat (if you eat more TS meals) or don't want DDP at all, and how often you go.

 

[peedeejones]

Thanks.
Right now I booked with AAA rate of $331 at Poly in October. That price just floors me! I have NEVER paid that much for a room at WDW. Since I would just be getting a room only and no dining extras, and AP rate may be a little better but I have to take into condsideration the price of the AP itself.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Thanks.
Right now I booked with AAA rate of $331 at Poly in October. That price just floors me! I have NEVER paid that much for a room at WDW. Since I would just be getting a room only and no dining extras, and AP rate may be a little better but I have to take into condsideration the price of the AP itself.

I got an AP rate of 219 or so at the Poly at the same time last year...Right now I have the AKL standard view with a 75$ a night AP discount

 

[cobbler]

One should only buy an AP for admission.

While it is possible there will be a discount it is just as possible there won't be.

Take last October for example. There was a "black hole" period of about 2-3 weeks where there were no discounts.

This year in June, no discounts. July - a date in August, only Epcot area resorts, OKW and SSR had discounts (no values or moderates).

So be warned that if you buy one, you may have ultimatly bought it and not receive any discount because there isn't any to be had or they are giving them for resorts that are out of your budget.