Questions about AP Discounts

[Masonmj84]

We’re thinking about going the week after Thanksgiving in 2012 (current plan is to check in the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is under fall season pricing).

We haven’t for sure decided on the resort but let’s assume it will be a popular one (e.g., Poly, AKL, WL, etc.).

In 2011, they announced the fall AP discounts in early August, and the discounts period spanned from October 3 to December 22. However, I understand that this is subject to availability at the resort at the time the discounts are announced, such that some resorts won’t have any availability at certain times, even at the very moment the discounts are announced.

For example, assume we were to book the resort today. Then, in early August, fall AP discounts are announced. On the very day of the announcement, I call and ask to apply the AP discount. I am told that the discount can’t be applied because there is no availability at the resort at that time (even though I’m already long since booked there and I called on the very day the discounts are announced). Is this a possible scenario?

If so, are there things I can do to increase my odds at the same resort. For example, if we were to check in the Sunday or Monday after Thanksgiving, would that increase our odds? Or would we be better off trying for a different resort?

Along these lines, has anyone had success booking an AP discount at a popular deluxe resort during the end of a popular week like Thanksgiving (i.e., when premium pricing rates don’t apply but it's still the weekend and the crowd levels are still on the high side)?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yes, it is possible to be told there are no AP discounts at a resort you are already booked at. They release the rooms based on vacancies.

Yes, checking in the Saturday after is tough since many people will check out on Sunday, thus lessening the room availability. Also, AP rate might be blacked out until the next day. In this case, perhaps a split stay ressie, at the same resort (1 night at rack rate and then remaining nights at the AP rate).

Sadly, it is hard to predict what will happen in 2012 since the discounts are definitely fewer than previous years.

 

[mickeynut1]

For example, assume we were to book the resort today. Then, in early August, fall AP discounts are announced. On the very day of the announcement, I call and ask to apply the AP discount. I am told that the discount can’t be applied because there is no availability at the resort at that time (even though I’m already long since booked there and I called on the very day the discounts are announced). Is this a possible scenario?

AP discounts work the same as pin codes, GP discounts, etc. Disney releases discounts to fill rooms. If a resort is at (or near) capacity, Disney sees no need to offer a discount for that particular resort since bookings are high. Having an existing reservation does not guarantee you a discount (neither does having an AP). Booking now means that if a discount comes out for your dates, the room you already have booked will be one less room that needs to be filled/discounted so there is a chance that you would not be able to have it applied to your reservation. You may have to be flexible with your dates and resort in order to take advantage of a discount.