First time AP holder...questions!

[LuckyOswald]

Hi all! My girlfriend and I both purchased APs by upgrading our third party tickets during our trip that just ended, as we knew we wanted to come back once more in a calendar year. We wanted to try and do a trip in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and once more for Flower and Garden. Maybe again in early summer 2018, not sure yet. My questions:

1)when do AP discounts for the winter come out and what should I expect as far as % off room only?

2) we've only ever done week long trips, but these would be more like long weekends (Thursday-Monday). Any tips to maximize the fun on this length of stay?

3) How do the crowds in late Nov/early Dec compare to early Sept? That's when we usually go, but because we went with family we just got back from the World. The crowds were much heavier than we were used to, but the weather was similar.

Thanks everyone! Hoping to get the most out of my AP

 

[Tuvalu]

1. The current room discount offer runs through October 7. Discounts for winter should appear around that time. Not all resorts will be included in any room discount offer and percentage varies based on resort level. No more than 25% off has been typical for deluxe recently.

2. Fun is what you make it. If you are a park commando, visit the parks. If you like to relax, choose a nice resort. Or strike a balance. Long weekends are not much different than week long trips (I've done both many times.)

3. Late Nov/early Dec has become a busy season, especially the first week of December (lots of youth competitions.) I am at WDW now and the crowds are less than what I experienced at the beginning of December last year. Weather is more pleasant in December though. Early September may be the slowest time of year to go so if that is what you are used to, any other time will be busier than that.

 

[LuckyOswald]

1. The current room discount offer runs through October 7. Discounts for winter should appear around that time. Not all resorts will be included in any room discount offer and percentage varies based on resort level. No more than 25% off has been typical for deluxe recently.

2. Fun is what you make it. If you are a park commando, visit the parks. If you like to relax, choose a nice resort. Or strike a balance. Long weekends are not much different than week long trips (I've done both many times.)

3. Late Nov/early Dec has become a busy season, especially the first week of December (lots of youth competitions.) I am at WDW now and the crowds are less than what I experienced at the beginning of December last year. Weather is more pleasant in December though. Early September may be the slowest time of year to go so if that is what you are used to, any other time will be busier than that.

Thanks for the reply! We usually stay at Pop and have stayed at CBR once. I would like to splurge and stay at a Deluxe since our tickets and flight(thanks to gift cards! ) are taken care of, I just cant decide which! I'll probably go with whichever is the cheapest around that time. Stinks to hear that about the crowds, but we will have fun regardless. We are seasoned enough at this point to know how to navigate the crowds. Thanks again for your input!

 

[Tuvalu]

Thanks for the reply! We usually stay at Pop and have stayed at CBR once. I would like to splurge and stay at a Deluxe since our tickets and flight(thanks to gift cards! ) are taken care of, I just cant decide which! I'll probably go with whichever is the cheapest around that time. Stinks to hear that about the crowds, but we will have fun regardless. We are seasoned enough at this point to know how to navigate the crowds. Thanks again for your input!

I recommmend WL. It is a less expensive deluxe and the decorations during the holiday season can't be beat! All the construction is completed and the lodge now is nicer than ever (I am here right now.)

 

[networkpro]

If you can go starting the Tuesday after Thanksgiving it's been pretty nice for crowds that part few years.

 

[experiment624]

Room rates seem to be better in September since it is off-peak season, and the rates seem to sky rocket for the high-peak holiday time. That is without the AP discounts. I would assume better AP discounts in September, since it is off-peak, to attract guests. They wont be too motivated to offer deep discounts during peak season since they wont have trouble filling rooms.