To AP or not to AP - that is the question

[msjpatt]

OK, first of all I must apologize in advance for asking this question as I am sure it has been asked before - but here we go anyway. We have room only reservation at the Poly May 7-14, 2005. I have AAA and my travel agent has applied the discount on our room rate bringing it down a little bit. We are hoping that we will be able to get an even better code to bring the rate down some more, but are beginning to lose hope as our trip approaches.

The question I have is if you were me, would you buy an Annual Pass and hope that an AP code comes out during the time period we are going or would you just simply hang on to what we already have and just hope for the best. I know Annual Passes are significantly more $$ than the 7 day park hopper we are going to buy, but we thought that in the end there would be enough savings to make it worth our while.

Please, please, please - we need advice.

Thanks

 

[kathy carleton]

I would not get an AP simply to get a better rate... you are taking a gamble on that, but if you do like we did, and plan to go again within that year's time, then it is more than worth it. Actually, we figure they ended up costing us a ton, becuase we went to wdw 3 times last year to "use our AP". .. Also, don't forget that with an AP you have the true freedom to come and go as you please!! I am a school teacher- off all summer- my daughter and I loaded up in july for 10 days and just lay at the fabulous CSR pool for most of each day, and would go to the parks at night. They give you many options, but I would not buy one for one use only and the chance of a discount on room. (AP also gives you 10% at world of disney store- if you aree disney freaks like us, that saved us about 50$ last year).

so that said, enjoy!!!

 

[DisOrBust]

You don't have to have the AP in "hand" in order to apply an AP rate. Watch these boards and Mousesavers for when AP rates are released. As soon as you see they are out call and have the AP rate applied to your reservation if its available for your days at the Poly. I would not leave getting an AP rate in the hands of a travel agent ...no offense.. but they can be gone within hours of being released. Also consider if you are willing to stay at a differnet resort if AP rates are not available at the Poly. Good Luck!


Sue

 

[msjpatt]

How long in advance do AP codes tend to come out for a given time period?

 

[pooh2001]

MYW park hopper adult - for 7 days is $196 in advance, or $28/day.
AP adult - $420.68 - to be $28 a day, it would take 15 days.
So for a 7 day magical week, I would not go with AP's unless you are planning another trip with in the year (before May 7th, 2006)


AAA can still be a good discount for you.
Sometimes AAA is 50% off at the Swan & Dolphin, brinding the standard room rate to below $200 (may $189, $169)

Save money other ways. Eat breakfast in your room. Bring or buy (airport car transportation 30 minute free grocery stop) pop tarts, cereal, snack bars, fruit, plastic bowls & plates, utensils, paper towels, water bottles.
Most gift shops (at least at Deluxe) sell milk.
The WDW deluxe and moderates now have refrigerators. Poly should have one or request one when you arrive.

Enjoy the Poly, the pool is wonderful. You can see the fireworks from the beach. Lay in a hammock. Rent a boat. Great resort

 

[cobbler]

I would not get an AP just for room only codes, like others have said it is a gamble.

If you plan on using it for more than one trip in a 365 day period then yes.

And as a previous poster said it might end up actually costing you more. I bought one knowing that I would go for 9 days in December of 04, then again for 7 days in October this year but I'll be darned if I didn't figure out a way to go again a month later in November before the expire They can be hazardous to your health

As for how long they come out in advance, well depends on when your trip is scheduled. My trips are usually around the Oct-Dec time frame and AP codes come out around early to mid August. So depending on when you are going it can feel like you are cutting it close.

 

[msjpatt]

Thanks for the suggestions - I really appreciate it.

 

[lmhall2000]

I plan on doing it! I calculated the savings...at the current AAA discounted rate with a MYW package the cost is $3759 including tax for 6 nights at YC....now if I get a room discount at $204 a night (average discount for that hotel) my total would be $2274 without the Dining package...I'll probably spend $1000 on dining so I'm still saving $500...I think $500 is worth it....but I'm not buying my AP until I book the code..

You still get the savings on the other members park tickets...we don't do hopper tickets we do daily...so the savings on their tickets compared to the past makes up for any extra I pay for the AP.

Tara