Booking a room & annual passes

[charminghearts]

I have a few questions on booking rooms and annual passes. This is my first time ever planning an entire trip(My family has always done it in the past.) I'm going in January with 3 of my friends, we're all college students and trying to do the most we can without having a ton of money to spend.

We're probably staying at Pop Century in order to save money, and we don't plan on spending that much time in the room anyway. I've heard that when booking you can ask about promotions in which you can stay at a better resort for the same price. Is this true? And what exactly would you ask for this? It's not a huge deal, but if we can get upgraded, why not? Also do any of the resorts require you to be 21 for check in?

I also have a friend who lives near Disney and is a cast member. I may have the a chance to go visit her for 2 days or so in November when I'd only have to pay for my admission. I tried looking up the cost of a 9 day park hopper with no expiration verses the annual pass and it didn't seem to be that huge of a difference. The AP will also allow me to feel free to go possibly visit my friend next summer as well, although I don't have definite plans on this. My question is, can you upgrade from a 9 day park hopper with no expiration to an AP, or is there a time limit on that?

Also, with the AP room discounts, do they apply on value resorts?

Sorry this is just entirely new to me and I want to get the most out of our vacation(s) that we can. Thanks for any advice.

 

[RiversideBunny]

Suggestion -

You should compare the cost of the Park Hopper without the No Expiration option to the cost of an Annual Pass.

Definitely consider the AP if there is a good chance that you will return within one year.

Good luck.

 

[Master Yoda]

AP room discounts can apply to all Disney resorts but they are not available all the time. You can also book a room at an AP rate without having an AP but you will need it at check in. The AP will also open up the option of the Disney Dining Experience card (DDE) which will give you a 20% discount on nearly every table service restaurant on property as well as few of the counter service ones. An AP will also get you discounts at WoD as well as discounted tickets to DQ and the water parks.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

Also do any of the resorts require you to be 21 for check in?

I also have a friend who lives near Disney and is a cast member.



Sorry this is just entirely new to me and I want to get the most out of our vacation(s) that we can. Thanks for any advice.

Back in 2001, I checked into Sports when I was only 20, but I might suggest calling WDW to make sure. Many hotels can refuse to check in guests under 21 (which is unfortunate, since I've encountered much more unruly guests who are much older than 21).

I don't know how good a friend your CM friend is, but she can actually book a room for you with the CM rate, which is usually better than the AP rate (if you do decide to go that route).

I got my first AP when I was 23, and it paid for itself on the first trip. If you're going for 9 days, it is absolutely a better deal (especially if you're using it for an AP rate on the hotel). This is particularly true when you factor in the savings on things like dining, merchandise at WoD, and mini-golf (if you use it).

I just looked up the price of a non-expiring 9-day park hopper and it was $423. For around $50 or so, you can get an AP. If you use the AP for the hotel, you will absolutely make up the difference easily. If you only use it for food and shopping, you can still easily make it up over the course of 9-days.

Good luck with whatever you decide