Using an AP

[MerHearted]

Ok, so I just bought my first ever AP. Now... how do I use it? I think I got the gist of it, so let me see if this is how it works.

For a May trip.

1. I call Disney and book a room at standard price. I pay for the first night right away.

2. When the AP rate comes out for May, I call back asking for the new rate. Is it as simple as "Hey gimme the new rate for the room I already have." Or is it more complicated? Like would I have to change my whole reservation? What are the chances the room I want is available for the rate?

3. In May, I show up at the front desk of the Contemporary and pay for the rest of my stay and they give me the key. Now can I just show them my exchange certificate and get it activated later? Or do I have to walk over to MK, get it activated, and come back and show it to the front desk?

So is this how it works? Or am I wrong somewhere? Also, would it be better to just wait until the AP rate comes out and book then? When do you think the rates will come out for May? Thanks.

 

[brkgnews]

Congrats on getting your AP!
:sohappy:

You have several different options on booking. You can wait until the codes come out (keep in mind everything has just changed again with the passing of Passholder Best Rate into oblivion - no loss there, tho), or you can go ahead and book now (phone or web), and then call to change your ressies if the new code comes out. Another option that I would recommend is contacting Kingdom Konsultants (several of them are board members here) and getting them to book your room. It won't cost you anything extra (they get commission from Disney), and they will handle all the hassle of rebooking if neccessary. WannabeBelle, Kingdom Konsultant, and Jamie18 are all KK folks on the boards here.

As for activiating before you check-in, I've never even had them ask to see mine before. Others have, though, so it's up to you. Worst case scenario: hop a monorail from the Tempo over to MK to activate, then walk back (since you'll have to ride back via the Poly and Grand Flo before you get back to the Tempo). But you may not have to deal with it, so it's probably worth the risk. They should let you go ahead and check your luggae anyway if you can't check in yet. Maybe they'll even let you come back later with the activated AP.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Great run down BRKGnews!!! You did a great job of wrapping it up in a nutshell. Hi tehre MerHearted!!! Welcome to the AP bunch!!! I am an AP holder as well, so I know what you are going through!!! The bad news is that there is NO advantage to booking a room and then trying to "switch" said room over to an AP rate. A hotel may have vacancies but not at the AP rate for the dates you want. My understanding is that this is kinda like a sale at your local store. If a particular resort is selling well they may not put as many rooms up for the AP rate as a hotel that may not be booking as well. They can easily decide not to put up ANY AP rooms at all as well. Some hotels are notoriously difficult to get for an AP rate. I have always had the hardest time getting Wilderness Lodge or Coronado Springs. It really is a question of luck and how flexible you are willing to be either with your dates or with your resort choices. I havent ever had a problem when I had a few choices in mind for either dates or resorts and have always gotten my first choice (usually thanks to Pam of Kingdom Konsultants who booked my trips before I started working with her!) Hope this helps!! Belle

 

[MouseMadness]

Ok, so I just bought my first ever AP. Now... how do I use it? I think I got the gist of it, so let me see if this is how it works.

For a May trip.

1. I call Disney and book a room at standard price. I pay for the first night right away.

2. When the AP rate comes out for May, I call back asking for the new rate. Is it as simple as "Hey gimme the new rate for the room I already have." Or is it more complicated? Like would I have to change my whole reservation? What are the chances the room I want is available for the rate?

3. In May, I show up at the front desk of the Contemporary and pay for the rest of my stay and they give me the key. Now can I just show them my exchange certificate and get it activated later? Or do I have to walk over to MK, get it activated, and come back and show it to the front desk?

So is this how it works? Or am I wrong somewhere? Also, would it be better to just wait until the AP rate comes out and book then? When do you think the rates will come out for May? Thanks.

If you need any advice on walking around with an air of superiority, just give me a holler. You know where to find me. :wave:

:lookaroun

 

[brkgnews]

LOL. I'm sure he'll get that on his own. I'll call Jim Hill Media. Hee hee hee.

MerHearted, he's referring to the fact that sometimes folks accuse AP holders of being extremely conceited about it. Not often, but occasionally, you'll get that. But it's really more of a deal over at Disneyland than here in the east.

 

[DDuckFan130]

LOL. I'm sure he'll get that on his own. I'll call Jim Hill Media. Hee hee hee.

MerHearted, he's referring to the fact that sometimes folks accuse AP holders of being extremely conceited about it. Not often, but occasionally, you'll get that. But it's really more of a deal over at Disneyland than here in the east.

:lookaroun

Christy (a "she") will kick your butt when she reads that :lookaroun

Kidding

 

[MouseMadness]

:lol: Thanks Regina :lol: I was giggling so much I couldn't really think of anything to say :lol:

Vince and I are pretty close, brkgnews (not sure of your name, sorry ) He always accuses me of being "snooty" because we always stay Polynesian... concierge... lagoon view :lookaroun with our AP's LOL

 

[DDuckFan130]

:lol: Thanks Regina :lol: I was giggling so much I couldn't really think of anything to say :lol:

Vince and I are pretty close, brkgnews (not sure of your name, sorry ) He always accuses me of being "snooty" because we always stay Polynesian... concierge... lagoon view :lookaroun with our AP's LOL

No problem

And if you're so close to Vince, I'd think of getting vaccinated :lookaroun

 

[MerHearted]

No problem

And if you're so close to Vince, I'd think of getting vaccinated :lookaroun

HMPH!!!

 

[MerHearted]

Great run down BRKGnews!!! You did a great job of wrapping it up in a nutshell. Hi tehre MerHearted!!! Welcome to the AP bunch!!! I am an AP holder as well, so I know what you are going through!!! The bad news is that there is NO advantage to booking a room and then trying to "switch" said room over to an AP rate. A hotel may have vacancies but not at the AP rate for the dates you want. My understanding is that this is kinda like a sale at your local store. If a particular resort is selling well they may not put as many rooms up for the AP rate as a hotel that may not be booking as well. They can easily decide not to put up ANY AP rooms at all as well. Some hotels are notoriously difficult to get for an AP rate. I have always had the hardest time getting Wilderness Lodge or Coronado Springs. It really is a question of luck and how flexible you are willing to be either with your dates or with your resort choices. I havent ever had a problem when I had a few choices in mind for either dates or resorts and have always gotten my first choice (usually thanks to Pam of Kingdom Konsultants who booked my trips before I started working with her!) Hope this helps!! Belle

Ok, so you're saying I should wait for the AP rates to come out? When do you think they'll be available for May. As for resort flexibility, I don't believe I have that. I've kind of had my heart set on the Contemporary for this trip. I don't believe I have another option. Date flexibility is something though. I'm targeting early or mid May. What do you think my chances are of getting an MK View Tower room at an AP rate? This has been a dream of mine for a very long time.

 

[MerHearted]

If you need any advice on walking around with an air of superiority, just give me a holler. You know where to find me. :wave:

:lookaroun

Can you teach me the proper way of holding my nose up at non-APers? :lookaroun

 

[MouseMadness]

Ok, so you're saying I should wait for the AP rates to come out?

No, you call and say "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!"

:lol:

:lookaroun

Ok, I'll stop now.

 

[DDuckFan130]

No, you call and say "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!"

:lol:

:lookaroun

Ok, I'll stop now.

He already does that...which is why Belle knew he was no good :lookaroun

 

[brkgnews]

:lookaroun

Christy (a "she") will kick your butt when she reads that :lookaroun

Kidding

Let's see, that's at least the second time I've performed a $ex change on a boardmember -- and the TV shows make it out like it's so hard to do. I'm Jackie, by the way, so as you can imagine, I get calls all day asking to speak to Ms. Steele. So I feel your pain. "But Jackie's a girl's name!" to which I reply... "Yeah, tell that to Jackie Robinson, Jackie Gleason, and Jackie Chan."

 

[MouseMadness]

Ok, so you're saying I should wait for the AP rates to come out? When do you think they'll be available for May. As for resort flexibility, I don't believe I have that. I've kind of had my heart set on the Contemporary for this trip. I don't believe I have another option. Date flexibility is something though. I'm targeting early or mid May. What do you think my chances are of getting an MK View Tower room at an AP rate? This has been a dream of mine for a very long time.

Is it imperative you get the discount? We've always been lucky enough to get a discount, but knew it was a perk, and only a perk, not something that HAD to be there to make the trip happen. I would say, decide what you can afford, book that, and then hope for the discount. (If I'm understanding what you're saying)

 

[brkgnews]

Can you teach me the proper way of holding my nose up at non-APers? :lookaroun

You have to be extra careful during those sudden downpours during the summer. You'll drown if you're not careful.

 

[MerHearted]

Is it imperative you get the discount? We've always been lucky enough to get a discount, but knew it was a perk, and only a perk, not something that HAD to be there to make the trip happen. I would say, decide what you can afford, book that, and then hope for the discount. (If I'm understanding what you're saying)

Yes! That's the only reason I have an AP. If I don't get a discount, my trip will now cost more than it would have with a regular ticket! It could very well total to over $3500. That's a lot of money!

 

[wannabeBelle]

Ok, so you're saying I should wait for the AP rates to come out? When do you think they'll be available for May. As for resort flexibility, I don't believe I have that. I've kind of had my heart set on the Contemporary for this trip. I don't believe I have another option. Date flexibility is something though. I'm targeting early or mid May. What do you think my chances are of getting an MK View Tower room at an AP rate? This has been a dream of mine for a very long time.

Well as far as waiting for AP rates to come out, That I cant answer but there is no advantage to booking and then switching over. If an AP rate isnt available at the Contemporary, they will simply tell you that, and you will have to decide to pay rack rate, change your dates or book elsewhere. With the construction going on at the Contemporary, I wouldnt get my heart set on getting a room there with a discount. It wasnt that bad prior to the Rehab but entire parts of the hotel are down now ( floors at a time as of my latest visit when they were doing over rooms in the Tower) so it might be pretty tough. I can tell you that it certainly doesnt hurt to try though especially if it means that much to you. As far as when AP discounts for May will be released, unfortunately no one is really certain on that. Disney doesnt like to let the cat out of the bag until the codes become public and can be booked, however once they are released, look here on the Boards as Pam or myself will usually post something announcing it. Sorry I couldnt help more!! Belle

 

[MerHearted]

Well as far as waiting for AP rates to come out, That I cant answer but there is no advantage to booking and then switching over. If an AP rate isnt available at the Contemporary, they will simply tell you that, and you will have to decide to pay rack rate, change your dates or book elsewhere. With the construction going on at the Contemporary, I wouldnt get my heart set on getting a room there with a discount. It wasnt that bad prior to the Rehab but entire parts of the hotel are down now ( floors at a time as of my latest visit when they were doing over rooms in the Tower) so it might be pretty tough. I can tell you that it certainly doesnt hurt to try though especially if it means that much to you. As far as when AP discounts for May will be released, unfortunately no one is really certain on that. Disney doesnt like to let the cat out of the bag until the codes become public and can be booked, however once they are released, look here on the Boards as Pam or myself will usually post something announcing it. Sorry I couldnt help more!! Belle

Thanks for your help! Oy, planning a WDW trip can be so frustrating. I've had my heart set on this ever since my 1st trip. Now there's a big risk it won't happen. It definitely feels a bit deflating. So I could face the decision of either putting this off or biting the bullet and forking over the full price in addition to the AP. That would be one serious chunk out of my savings.

 

[figmentmom]

Vince, if I were you, I'd contact Pam (Kingdom Konsultant) and ask her for advice. She's very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of getting the AP rate.