Questions about getting the best rate

[ryansmom]

Can someone help clear up my confusion?
We will be going Oct 2004. We need 3 rooms (11 people) for a week split between the Poly and the AKL. My husband has a AAA membership. We will try to get a discount with that. Would it be worth while for him to get an Annual Pass? (It would be highly unlikely for us to go again within a year) If you get an AP after you book rooms, do you just call back and tell them you now have an AP???

Thank You!

 

[DebbieB]

You don't have to have the AP in hand to make an AP reservation. So if/when AP rates come out, see what they are, change the reservation if you want, and then buy your AP.

 

[ryansmom]

How far in advance do you book rooms? Even after you book your room they will adjust the rate to a better one??? Also, do you need to activate your AP somehow?

 

[dg39]

We go every year in July. 1-2 days before we leave I start getting depressed that our vacatiion is coming to an end, so I usually call from our room for our next summers vacation. The only discount thats out at that time is AAA,and maybe DC, but I'm no longer part of DC. I book using my AAA discount and then I keep my fingers crossed, hold my breath(you get the picture) waiting for a code or some other type of discount that I can use. When/if a code or something comes out (usually 2-3 months from my trip) I call and tell them that I want to change over from AAA to the new discount. THis past trip we had AAA, then the FTP came out and using that literally saved us $$$$. The FTP wasn't good for everyone, especially those who have AP's, but it worked great for us & I'm hoping they come out with another deal like that. But if they come out with sometype of discount for ap holders and non ap holders then we all win.

 

[Tigger Fans!]

Hi-
We've been considering purchasing the AP to take advantage of room rates too! There's no chance we'd be able to go again (airfare is just to expensive from here) during this year.

When I talked to CRO, the agent said that even when AP codes are available they won't let you book a room at that rate unless you can give them the numbers from the back of the AP. Does this sound right?

TTFN!

 

[anne930]

We booked a room last year at annual pass rates - we bought vouchers from the Disney Store and didn't activate them until the morning after we checked in - you are supposed to have them when you check in. I've never heard of anyone having to have them when the reservation is booked. I would try calling again and talk to another cast member - the rules could have changed though.

 

[Tigger Fans!]

Originally posted by anne930
We booked a room last year at annual pass rates - we bought vouchers from the Disney Store and didn't activate them until the morning after we checked in - you are supposed to have them when you check in. I've never heard of anyone having to have them when the reservation is booked. I would try calling again and talk to another cast member - the rules could have changed though.

That makes more sense to me! Maybe this CM was new to CRO?? Anyway, I'll try calling again and see what they say!
Thanks!
TTFN!

 

[frannn]

and have never needed to give any info off my AP when booking a ressie. I would check for room rates, then buy an AP.

 

[Mermaid 3]

I wans't aware that AP holders could book a room for a cheaper rate. I never had an AP, but would sure like to in the hopes of getting there twice in one year. But chances are, I wouldn't get there more than once in a single year. So how much does it save you on the room if you have an annual pass?

 

[LoDivaLoca]

1) you don't need the AP in your hand when making a ressie - you must have gotten someone new/confused...

2) Yes, you can get cheaper rates with an AP - I don't know if it's consistently year round though. (I tried in the value season, and it worked out).

I was booking 7 nights at the ASMu (can't remember the costs now) during the value season. Since I was getting a PHP - it was worth it for me to pay the $60 (at the time) to upgrade the pass to an AP as it was going to save me $80 on the hotel. So it worked out for me. AND, I got to squeeze in one more trip - just before it expired (so YAY for me.)

I *think* on average the AP could save you 10/15% which depending on how long your trip is, could make it worth it.

 

[dznyntnh]

Before you invest in an AP, remember that AP rates are not guaranteed.

They are seasonal discounts that Disney will offer to fill rooms that might otherwise go empty.

You should pruchase an AP based on how many visits to wdw you are planning and how much use you will get out of it. Then if you happen to get an AP rate on your hotel, then you can look at it as a happy perk, but if it doesn't happen you won't be as disappointed as many people on these boards appear to be.

 

[AirForceRocks]

You should pruchase an AP based on how many visits to wdw you are planning and how much use you will get out of it.

I would agree, except that since the AP doesn't have to be in your hand to make the reservation, it can most certainly make sense to buy one due to room rates.

It just depends on the AP rates and total savings over other discounted rates.