What are AP rates????

[meganbear]

Hi, I'm newbie to this board and I have a ton of questions, the last time I went to WDW was in May 2000, I have never stayed in
Disney, but this year we are!!!

I've seen on some threads that you are waiting for the 'AP rates', I have no idea what that is. Also, we have two dates in mind, one is April 10 thru 14, the other date is May 8 thru 12. I got a discount postcard in the mail where I could get a value hotel for $74 a night if you go before April 17, I called today and booked the hotel for April 10 --14, there were a few available rooms in Pop Century, I asked the lady how crowded it would be at that time and she said the crowds would be heavy. BUT a friend of mine who has been to Disney in Oct, April (spring break) and June, said that she didn't think the crowds were bad during spring break---she said they were about the same as they were in Oct?????

The other date I had in mind would be May 8-12, but the only problem with this date is that my nine year old son would miss five days of school, and I'm wondering if I could get the value hotel at the rate of $74 a night in May???

Please help me out here!!!! Thanks!!!

 

[helenk]

The AP rates are the rates available for Annual Passholders. You do not have to have the annual pass in hand when you book the hotel but you do need to present it when you check in.
The rates vary from time to time, right now the dates effective 2/12 thru 4/17, the value resorts are 74 for a standard room, 84 for a preferred building. Right now there are codes for anyone, you must boolk by 2/9, the value resorts are 79 for a regular room and 89 for the preferred buildings.
I have gotten a post card before and they are usually pretty good deals, but you can not count on getting one the next time you need it.
The next set of codes that go from April on most likely will come out after 2/9. Just keep reading these boards and also check mousesavers.com, she usually posts the codes before anyone.
.
I can not answer your question about the crowds in April, I have never gone that time of year, I am sure someone else will know.
Alot depends on when Easter is.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

I too am curious about the AP rates. I am assuming I must hold a current AP in order to get the rate. Does it have to be activated or just held? Also, how long can I hold it before I activate it? I am planning a January 2005 trip (may move it to November 2004) but my youngest just started college and we are unsure what her expenses are going to be for the next semester. If something happens and we don't make it until June or July of 2005 is the AP still good? I would appreciate any advice from the pros out there.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

helenk, I missed your post. We were posting at the same time. We just came from ASMo in November and 79 was the standard room rate for anybody. Where is the savings?

 

[ChairborneRangr]

mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#codes

That's the link to the resort codes area.

There is another link in the theme park strategies about crowds. If I am remembering correctly the may timeframe (before May 21st when FL schools get out) is the lowest crowds of the two. Proble with lowest crowds is not everything is running.

You can book your room and watch for codes and call in the new code if it saves you money.

 

[helenk]

iwannabeminnie

The AP rates and codes for Feb thru April are during the peak seasons when the rack rate is usually about $109 per night. November is the value season and the rates are about $77 for a standard room.
The AP rates for the value season, have been around $49 or$ 59

 

[BambiTamby]

All the AP questions you'll ever ask, are answered here!

Love my APs!

 

[BambiTamby]

Also.......

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[meganbear]

You guys are so nice!!!! And helpful!!!! Thanks so much!!!!

 

[Kaybee]

Regarding your dates in April...keep in mind that Easter this year is April 11. You are going 10th to the 14. Usually the 2 weeks around Easter are very busy. I went at that time a few years ago,and some of the parks were almost at capacity...