Question re: AP Rates / Codes for October 2011

[jcvalenti]

Hey all.

I tried to find the answer to this myself, but was overwhelmed by the info on the board. If I'm reposting a question, I apologize.

Anyway, we've got a big group going down for a July trip. As with the past, the 16 of us stay off-property, but we all get annual passes. We'll be there from 7/13 to 7/26 this year, and we'll go back before the passes expire next year (probably from 6/25 to 7/8).

We were planning on getting the annual passes when we get down there, and obviously won't activate them until our first park day (7/13).

Now here's the question. I'm also planning an "adult's only" weekend down at Epcot Food & Wine in October (from 10/19 to 10/22) to celebrate my 40th. I've got a rezzie at the Dolophin right now, but I've always wanted to stay at the Boardwalk, but I just can't choke down $400 per night for a room that I basically only sleep in. When booking a trip via Disney for my sister-in-law, who stays on property, the operator told my wife that AP discounts for Boardwalk might bring the price down quite a bit.

Having never booked a room with AP discount before, I'm wondering the following:

a) Is there any chance October AP discount rates will be out before 7/13/2011 ?

b) If the AP rates come out before 7/13, and I buy one annual pass early, can I take advantage of the AP rates BEFORE the pass is activated ? Or would I only be able to take advantage of the AP rates once my pass is activated in July ?

I appreciate any help any of you on-property veterans can provide.

 

[catne]

Seems like the AP rates often don't come out until a couple of months ahead of time...I think they offer them at "last minute" to fill otherwise empty rooms. If they're full-up, they don't offer AP discounted rooms (or offer very few so they book immediately & are gone.)

However, if AP rates for October should happen to come out before July you can call and book room at AP rate without having the actual AP pass. I did that last year for a January stay...booked it in Fall 2009 by calling and telling them we were purchasing APs in January. You just have to have your pass by check-in time.

We've saved as much as 45% with AP discount at the deluxe hotels...I got a room at Beach Club Villas for about $200 a night during off-season.

Now I don't know if you'll be able to do that in October at an Epcot-area resort. I would think those hotels may not have any problems filling up on weekends since they are "walking" distance to Epcot Food & Wine...probably very popular for those who wish to imbibe freely and not worry about transportation or driving while drinking.

 

[jcvalenti]

Thanks, Catne.

I guess a follow-up question, then, would be if anyone has successfully got AP Rate rooms at Boardwalk (or Yacht or Beach Club) in October during Food & Wine. And if I booked a room at regular rates now to reserve it, and then AP rates came out, would they adjust my rate downward like they do if other discount rates come out ?

 

[baler31]

I have booked BWI during F&W with an AP discount with no difficulty. Now that said it seems as though they are holding the AP discounts closer to the dates this year so we will see how that holds up. In the past we have even been able to book the Deluxe CL rooms at BWI with the discount.