Question for AP holders regarding AP room discounts

[k5thbeatle]

Let me begin by saying that I'm not exactly sure how to phrase my question here to convey what I am trying to ask () but here goes;

As an AP holder to get a room discount when and if they come out, do you feel as if you have to unduly "hawk" over you computer 24-7 to not miss out on a room rate when they do come out? Maybe a better way to phrase this; do you think availability for AP room discounts is ever too limited?

I realize there are no guarantees but just curious what people's thought on this might be?

 

[Minniedap]

I have been going to Disney every year since 2001. I only remember one year when I could not get the ap discount. I always book early with the aaa discount and then call and change to ap. I look at history of release dates and start calling a day or two earlier.

 

[allthingsmickey]

I've always been able to get a discount. It might not be my 1st choice, but as AP holders we don't generally plan our trip that far in advance. E.g., I haven't been able to get CR Garden Wing rooms, but those are generally go first regardless of the type of discount, but I just booked an AP rate today for a trip at the end of April and there were still lots of room categories available.

 

[HelenParr]

I, too, have always been able to get a discount, perhaps not at my exact first choice of room (as PPs notes) but reasonable choices, in same resort, without having to book as soon as the AP rate comes out.

Having said that, if exact travel date is important, or there is a particular room I really want, I book the room either rack or with another available discount (or bounceback) and do not rely on AP rate to come out first. I then check to modify with AP rate when it comes out. Almost alwasy able to do better with AP rate, later applied.

 

[CarrieR]

We lost out on a discount over marathon weekend in Jan (at Pop) by not calling quickly enough. But we waited quite a while to call, so I wasn't too surprised. There was a miscommunication :/

 

[Megsie1000]

I was very disappointed in the availability last year for our June trip. I called the morning they came out (not at 7am but pretty darned early!) and the only availability they had was for rooms that were "upgraded views" categories, which would have been more expensive than the rooms I had already booked. It made me think they were only giving AP discounts to the more expensive rooms. I tried switching resorts and same result. I was not happy about that at all.

This fall I managed to book an excellent AP rate online the morning they came out for the Poly in January. And this spring I was able to book a standard POP room with no problem WEEKS after the AP rates came out (for late May). And there seemed to be a lot more availability this year. So I am not sure whether last June was a fluke or whether they are being better about it. But basically my answer is that I have had mixed success with being able to use AP rates for the places I would like to go and when I would like to go. And usually it only saves a few more bucks than the public offer. I would not buy an AP for the room discount. It is a nice extra but not worth the expense just for a room discount.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Let me begin by saying that I'm not exactly sure how to phrase my question here to convey what I am trying to ask () but here goes;

As an AP holder to get a room discount when and if they come out, do you feel as if you have to unduly "hawk" over you computer 24-7 to not miss out on a room rate when they do come out? Maybe a better way to phrase this; do you think availability for AP room discounts is ever too limited?

I realize there are no guarantees but just curious what people's thought on this might be?

The biggest issue I have noticed in the past year (give or take) is how late AP rates have been coming out in relation to general public discounts. AP holders really are getting the scraps That being said, it is usually a 5-10% bigger discount than what the GP is getting and we don't try to stay anywhere "hard" anymore. I've had good luck at YC, BC, Pop etc.

As for watching like a hawk, I just keep an eye out here on the code board. There will be a thread (or three) talking about AP release within an hour or so of them coming out. I tend to scan the thread titles once or twice per day when we think its getting close (ie, NOW! I really think summer AP rates will come out later this week or beginning of next).

 

[sophie832]

The past two times we've tried to get AP discounts at our chosen resort/room, we've been out of luck. The first time we had APs, which was in 2010-11, we got exactly what we wanted both times. Back in October of last year, we ended up at the Dolphin instead. This time around (4/13-17), we are sticking with the GP discount for our POR standard room. The only AP discount available was a king bed room, which would've been more than what we were paying for the standard room, even though the AP discount was slightly higher. So, I would advise people not to get APs just because they think they will get a room discount out of it. It just seems like the availability of rooms for AP discounts is decreasing.