Getting an Annual passholder discount

[LadyDarling]

I'm tossing around ideas to make visiting Disneyworld next year (the 1st week of December, 2005) a little cheaper and one thing we thought of (since we're staying 8 nights) is to get one annual pass just so we can get discounts on our rooms (we'll need 2 rooms, there will be at least 4 of us going) and other things while we're there. It would definately be worth it to us, as my husband and I are ALWAYS looking for excuses to go back.

Any ideas if this is a good strategy? what is the annual passholder discount like?

Thanks!

 

[wolf29]

mousesavers.com has a concise explanation of AP discounts that you can expect. The site has a listing of current codes and is kept very up to date. If there is a certain resort that you wish to stay at, you can go ahead and make your reservations and later have your discount applied to the reservation by calling with the applicable code. You may have to call more than once to find an available discount for your time period and room, as they are of limited availablity, but it should not be a problem.

 

[vilegirl]

Getting an AP sounds like a great idea. We got them in January because it just made sense and honestly - we've saved a lot of money with it. The discount on room rates is great. You can also save a % off lunch at certain restaurants and you get 10% off at the Disney store at Downtown Disney. It's great! I'm definitely getting another one in Jan. 2005. It's been more than worth it for us!

-Linda :wave:

 

[LadyDarling]

Getting an AP sounds like a great idea. We got them in January because it just made sense and honestly - we've saved a lot of money with it. The discount on room rates is great. You can also save a % off lunch at certain restaurants and you get 10% off at the Disney store at Downtown Disney. It's great! I'm definitely getting another one in Jan. 2005. It's been more than worth it for us!

-Linda :wave:

How many days did you stay and how often do you visit WDW? We're just curious. At this point, we can only go about once a year, though by next summer we may be buying a house in FL area (we currently live in CA).

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey Lady Darling, How's stuff?? Hope all is great for you!! The AP is definitely the way to go. It was the beginning of the end for me as far as trips go. Since I got my AP I have been averaging 3-4 times a year!! Also Pam, from Kingdom Konsultants can book you at the AP rate. She has done that for me. She will often times book me at the hotel I want and then get the discount when it becomes available. Give her a buzz!!! Belle

 

[slappy magoo]

Just bear in mind, if you plan on booking the room that far ahead, they might not be able to offer you the AP discount because the rate codes aren't available for that time frame. This would mean that, if you're booking your own room, then you would have to put up one night deposit at the regular room rate. Then, about three months before your trip, you should be able to find out what the discounted rate will be and they will apply all of your deposit to that rate.

Also, if you're booking your own room, you should let the agent helping you know you intend to have an annual pass by the time you arrive. I think each hotel only gets a limited amount of discounted rooms. I doubt they'd inconvenience you like this, but if that hotel reaches its allotment of discounted rooms when you show up, it might make honoring the rate difficult. Let them know ahead of time.

 

[marietta-stitch]

If you purchase a AP prior to going down there, can you still book rooms at the AP discounted rate and then Activate the AP upon arrival?

 

[wannabeBelle]

You absolutely cannot just show up with your AP and expect the front desk of any resort to change the rate. Call and apply the AP rate to your exisitng reservation. They will take whatever money has been taken as a deposit and apply it to the updated reservation. As previously said each hotel only gets but so many rooms at the AP rate and may or may not have availability. Also please remember the AP rates are never guaranteed at any point. I think it was last year that the AP rates were never given for September!! Belle

 

[Snow White 610]

WannabeBelle is right! I was "holding out" on purchasing an AP for my trip last September, the rates never came. I stuck with my 7 for 4 reservations which were still a good deal. I have reservations for this September again, and again I'm waiting to see if September AP rates surface.

 

[disneybuff100]

I'm tossing around ideas to make visiting Disneyworld next year (the 1st week of December, 2005) a little cheaper and one thing we thought of (since we're staying 8 nights) is to get one annual pass just so we can get discounts on our rooms (we'll need 2 rooms, there will be at least 4 of us going) and other things while we're there. It would definately be worth it to us, as my husband and I are ALWAYS looking for excuses to go back.

Any ideas if this is a good strategy? what is the annual passholder discount like?

Thanks!

the ap discounts for hotels ids the best discount you can get. For example a regular room for a one night stay at wilderness lodge is $199.00, but with an ap discount you can get it down to $114.00. it's also gives you discounts on merchandice and food and recreational activities. if there are anymore questions plz scream!

 

[wolf29]

Disney offers lots of discounts, any of which may be combined on a single stay, as they are made available. I have used AP discounts for part of a stay combined with room-only discounts for the rest. There are also Disney Visa discounts available, so applying for one of those is a good idea. You can call any number of times and have discounts applied to an existing stay, as they open up, in one or two day blocks if need be. These will be handled by the resort as a continuing reservation. You may need to stop by the front desk as those reservations overlap and do some minimal paperwork, but it is worth the savings. You do not have to check out and then back in.

 

[Nansafan]

If you purchase a AP prior to going down there, can you still book rooms at the AP discounted rate and then Activate the AP upon arrival?

This is what we did. I called for ressie for Contemporary and said we would be purchasing APs as well. After the room booking was completed, I then purchased the AP's on the same telephone call. No problem whatsoever.

 

[LadyDarling]

Hey Lady Darling, How's stuff?? Hope all is great for you!! The AP is definitely the way to go. It was the beginning of the end for me as far as trips go. Since I got my AP I have been averaging 3-4 times a year!! Also Pam, from Kingdom Konsultants can book you at the AP rate. She has done that for me. She will often times book me at the hotel I want and then get the discount when it becomes available. Give her a buzz!!! Belle

Hey there! I'm doing pretty well. I'm writing one of the last two songs on my album which is going to be REmastered (with more updated sounds and instruments). It'll FINALLY be done (all 10 songs) complete and ready to be marketed in August! I can't wait! Hubby and I haven't quite decided on Disneyworld next year yet. I mean, we know we're going, but we're just tossing around ideas right now. Pam is first on our call list! If the housing costs goes up here any higher (median house is $480,000), we may live in FL!

 

[wannabeBelle]

Sounds like a plan!!! Jeez houses where you are are almost as expensive as here in NYC!! And in Manhattan it is even more than what Iam looking around at here in the burbs!!!!!!!! Wow!! Anyhow glad to hear all is well and I wish you luck on your housing search!!! Hey just think if you move to Florida, you qualify for the Florida Residents discount for the passes as well as the hotels!!! Sounds like a deal to me!! Belle