So, has anyone actually had the BRP lower their rate?

[DisneyPhD]

Trying to decide weather to book BRP for Jan 2005. If we can get a cheap enough room we will not use our DVC points and that way maybe we can get out of this constant state of borrowing (with out actually having to skip at WDW vacation.) We are looking at AKL (hopefully for around 129 a night, currenlty it is 150) or PROS (hoping for 79 a night, currenlty 110 a night for BRP for those dates.)


So, has anyone actually booked at a higher rate and have it go down by time your trip took place? If yes, when did that happen (how many weeks before your trip?)

Sorry if this has been asked and asnwered before, I couldn't find a post on it.

Thanks.

 

[Tink10]

I haven't had my rate lowered, but I booked the WL for $135 a night (plus tax). The AKL was also $135 a night for a std view.

I don't expect my rate to drop because the $70 off is exactly the same discount as the last round of AP rates. Rack rates did go up, so naturally, the discounted rates have gone up.

 

[pic22]

This seems to be a misconception that I also had, but in talking with CM's and reading other posts on these boards. I don't know if this applies for all codes or rate chages, but if AP codes come out for Oct - Dec, they will not automatically applied to all those with the BRP. You have to call and get it applied to your reservation. I thought this was the only advantage to the BRP and now that this is not the case, it seems like a waste. You both seemed to get a good discount, but I believe that is all you will get unless a code comes out and you call to have it applied to your reservation. So Disney basically added a one night non-refundable deposit to the AP program, so inorder to get the discount, they want to lock you in with a non-refundable deposit. Can you make any changes to your reservation, like length of stay, or which resort, or anything?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I made changes to my ressie, but I was still out from the 60 day booking window, I am not positive about 60 days or closer to your stay but I think you can make changes. At first there was a $50 change fee, but that since has been dropped.

 

[Tink10]

I called twice to make sure that changes could be made if something came up & was told that changes could be made (dates, resort etc). If more $$$ was spent than the original ressie then the $50 fee would be waived, if less $$$ was spent then they would charge the fee.

Others here have said that they did away with the fee. so I have a feeling that the answer to that lies with whichever CM you get on the phone.

 

[CastawayChar]

I have a reservation for 16 nights. (We are getting married at the Poly) I had reservations for 4 nights Poly lagoon view and with the BRP I was able to get GV concierge for $100.00 less. They didn't have anything available for what I had initially booked. Then by switching from Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom Lodge for 6 nights I was able to save $200.00. We are also booked at the Wilderness Lodge for 6 nights but wasn't able to save anything on it. A savings of $300.00 will give us a few extra dollars to spend on other things.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I had heard about the AP rate, that it wouldn't actually be changed unless you called and asked it to be applyed to it.

However I thought that "if there was a better puplic rate it would automaticly be changed.

Anyone have this happen or it is all talk.

I know we are going in Jan, my question really is if we are paying for a room ourselves or using DVC points from next year. I would rather save my points, but only if I can get a good enough rate (rates I have paid in the past for these rooms, expect now it is value seaon and it was summer and May before.) If I do BRP I am locked into paying for a room. If I go ahead and use DVC I am also stuck with using the points now.

 

[Tink10]

I really need to find a hobby!

After too many hours of looking at historical AP rates and trying to get to the bottom of Best Rate vs AP rates, it is evident that the Best Rates ARE the same $$ amount off as the last round of AP rates. If you look on mousesavers and check out the AP rates listed there, you'll see that the discounts are one in the same.

The way it was explained to me was that the old/standard AP rates weren't available to the "general public", so, if they were released and they were less than the Best Rates, we would have to call to have it applied, but If Disney did release a rate or code that the general public/anyone could use, I can't imagine it being much less than Best Rate.

There is so much misunderstanding & misinformation about Best Rate out there, people are having a hard time figuring it out.

 

[Aneille]

The way it was explained to me was that the old/standard AP rates weren't available to the "general public", so, if they were released and they were less than the Best Rates, we would have to call to have it applied, but If Disney did release a rate or code that the general public/anyone could use, I can't imagine it being much less than Best Rate.

There is so much misunderstanding & misinformation about Best Rate out there, people are having a hard time figuring it out.

I haven't booked anything with BR yet, but if I understand your take on it is that if they release an AP discount it is seperate than the BR program and if they still do postcard codes that is seperate too and you will need to call to obtain those rates.

I don't understand why you would need to call about the AP rate since you can't use BR unless you are an AP holder. That should be automatic since BR is not a General Public rate to begin with. So my take on it is the AP rate's where you called are now gone.

But if they did release an AP rate or a postcard rate to you that is better than the BR program offered would that $50.00 fee still be waived?

 

[DisneyPhD]

The 79 at mod rate I was hoping for was actaully as post card last may. The 129 a night at AKL was an AP rate for Aug 2003. I know prices rise, but I was still hoping for it in Jan since it is a much less busy time of year for WDW.

Oh well, the current 150 a night for AKL isn't that much more. I just wonder if we want to go ahead and book that, or borrow DVC points from the next year. As it is we never has to worry about lossing points since we always are borrowed from the next year. The good news is every year there is a new set form the NEXT year. Oh well. (yes we need an add on, but we got and add on to our family insatead, a 2nd child. Well worth it in my book. ) If we get another add on child we are going to have to have more points, the whole 5 in a room thing!

 

[Tink10]

I haven't booked anything with BR yet, but if I understand your take on it is that if they release an AP discount it is seperate than the BR program and if they still do postcard codes that is seperate too and you will need to call to obtain those rates.

I don't understand why you would need to call about the AP rate since you can't use BR unless you are an AP holder. That should be automatic since BR is not a General Public rate to begin with. So my take on it is the AP rate's where you called are now gone.

But if they did release an AP rate or a postcard rate to you that is better than the BR program offered would that $50.00 fee still be waived?

My gut (and a few CM's) are telling me that old AP rates have indeed been replaced with BR.

If a rate was released that was better than the BR, then yes, you'd have to call ASAP to get it applied to your ressie. As long as you didn't change resorts or dates, there would be no $50 fee. The $50 fee is/was only applied if you changed your ressie & were spending less than the original amount that you booked.

The fee is still an iffy thing. I've been told different things by different CM's, but the concensus on the DIS is that it's no more.

I Hope This Helps!

 

[Sammie]

I had heard about the AP rate, that it wouldn't actually be changed unless you called and asked it to be applyed to it.

However I thought that "if there was a better puplic rate it would automaticly be changed.

Anyone have this happen or it is all talk.

I know we are going in Jan, my question really is if we are paying for a room ourselves or using DVC points from next year. I would rather save my points, but only if I can get a good enough rate (rates I have paid in the past for these rooms, expect now it is value seaon and it was summer and May before.) If I do BRP I am locked into paying for a room. If I go ahead and use DVC I am also stuck with using the points now.

The info about Best Rate does not say if there is a better public rate it would be changed, it is says if Disney lowers it rates to the general public. Basically once you book Best Rate it is not going to get any lower unless, rates to everyone lower, aka rack rates, or you call in and change it yourself if for some reason a lower code rate was offered.

I do not see either happening though. I don't think Rack Rates will go down and I don't think Disney will offer any other AP discounts except Best Rate.

I think some of the confusion is the name they chose for this program, implies you are booking the best rate of all possible rates. This is not the case, what you are booking is the Best Rate offered to Annual Pass holders.

Plus misinformation on Internet forums is making it harder, as is some Disney CMs who still do not seem to have a total grasp of the plan.

If you book a room and you book it under Best Plan the rate quoted when you book is what you are going to be required to pay.

 

[DisneyPhD]

So the answer is really no. The rate you book is the one you get (baring you don't find a better rate or code yourself and call and have it changed yourself.)

I must say Disney isn't really doing well by their AP guests, not allowed to have the Dining plan (yes DDE, but still not the same) Since we are DVC we can't get that either. Best rate is ok, but not AP rates in the past (sometimes the same, sometimes not.)

Oh well. I guess that is why we joined DVC in the 1st place, so we didn't have to worry about always finding the best deal.

 

[Tink10]

So the answer is really no. The rate you book is the one you get (baring you don't find a better rate or code yourself and call and have it changed yourself.)

I must say Disney isn't really doing well by their AP guests, not allowed to have the Dining plan (yes DDE, but still not the same) Since we are DVC we can't get that either. Best rate is ok, but not AP rates in the past (sometimes the same, sometimes not.)

Oh well. I guess that is why we joined DVC in the 1st place, so we didn't have to worry about always finding the best deal.

I know that's why we joined DVC & look what I'm all caught up in.....Best Rate

 

[DisneyPhD]

I know that's why we joined DVC & look what I'm all caught up in.....Best Rate

Funny how that happends. Some habbits die hard. (also I am finding you can never have enough points..........)

 

[DisneyPhD]

So I called a few min ago and asked about rates in Jan. I asked if there was a post card pin next to my name also (since I heard there is one out for that itme and it worked once before in May.) No such luck. The CM said their records show we have been to WDW over 50 times. Now that just isn't right (unless they count # of days there, and then it would be well over 50.) Last year we did 27 days on one AP.

They gave me a number of $200 a night for AKL and 159 for PORS. BRP is 150 for AKL and 110 for PORS. At those prices I am inclined to do AKL. Still was hoping for better deal. Oh well, can't always get what you want.

Edited to update. I called MS the only studio they have open for that time is SSR. (they do have rather a lot avilable there in the MS CM'ers words) So it is either SSR or bit the bullet and pay the 150 for AKL. Wait too long and the choice are made for you.

 

[Sammie]

So I called a few min ago and asked about rates in Jan. I asked if there was a post card pin next to my name also (since I heard there is one out for that itme and it worked once before in May.) No such luck. The CM said their records show we have been to WDW over 50 times. Now that just isn't right (unless they count # of days there, and then it would be well over 50.) Last year we did 27 days on one AP.

They gave me a number of $200 a night for AKL and 159 for PORS. BRP is 150 for AKL and 110 for PORS. At those prices I am inclined to do AKL. Still was hoping for better deal. Oh well, can't always get what you want.

Edited to update. I called MS the only studio they have open for that time is SSR. (they do have rather a lot avilable there in the MS CM'ers words) So it is either SSR or bit the bullet and pay the 150 for AKL. Wait too long and the choice are made for you.

Did the CM give you the rates for BRP or did you look those up online?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Did the CM give you the rates for BRP or did you look those up online?

I looked them up on line. He was a nice guy, but was no help at all with the BRP. Infact he said the only way you could do it was online. He was a nice guy so I didn't give him a hard time about "What about people who don't know how to do online." He also confirmed what people are reporting what CM are saying. "BRP replaces AP rates, there will be no more AP rate codes."

He said here wasn't a pin on my profile, and he would of told me if there was since they always want to give you the best deal.

 

[asktriplets]

has anyone else been told that even if a lower AP rate comes out (or you get a postcard, or whatever), it may NOT be applied to their BRP ressie? i was told that because BRP is an online service, CMs at central reservations can't touch them....if a discount happens, you would have to make new ressies (which would then mean cancelling the old ones and losing your deposit)...all in all, i'd guess there will be no way that AP rates will be lower than BR, if they do come out at all....

we'll see.....

 

[Tink10]

Did the CM that you spoke with mean that you can't apply another discount to an already discounted rate? Because IF a lower rate, such as an AP rate is released & if it's available when we call, the new rate will be honored.

When I called, My ressie was pulled up without any problem at all & I added requests. I asked them what number I would call to make any changes or if I found a lower rate & was told that I should call the telephone number on my ressie confirmation site, which is WDTC. In order to modify a BR ressie, you shouldn't call CRO (1-407-WDISNEY).

The CM's at the regular CRO number don't have the same info.....