AP Discounts

**Lou Mongello** · 02-11-2004, 05:34 PM

To save on Disney Resorts, here are a few tips:

Disney has four "seasons" at its Walt Disney World resort hotels each year.

Value Season is the least expensive and least crowded time, followed by Regular Season, Peak Season and Holiday Season.

So the most basic way to save money on Disney's resort hotels is simply to book in the off-season.

However, it is possible to get even bigger discounts. Depending on availability and current promotions, it is quite possible to save as much as 40% off the full price "rack rates" at the Disney resorts. The savings can add up to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

One way to do this is by purchasing an ANNUAL PASS> In addition to giving you admission to the 4 parks for one year form the date of purchase (A Deluxe pass is avaiable which include the water parks and Pleasure Island), you get discounts on Disney Resorts that can be HUGE!

Savings for Annual Passholders can be up to 45%!!!!, especialy at the Deluxe resorts. Annual Passholder rates are NOT guaranteed and frequently are not offered during peak holiday periods.

Sometimes, the Annual Passholder rates are so good that in some cases it's worth purchasing an Annual Pass for stays as short as three days!

I just purchased one myself, and paid just over $200 per night for a room at the Wilderness Lodge the week of February 2!!!

TrendyMagic · 04-29-2004, 09:42 AM

When I first bought AP's I didn't know of the extras of discounted rooms. Once I found out it made trips much more frequent and enjoyable. Got to stay at a few different resorts I thought I might never stay because of the price.

**Lou Mongello** · 04-29-2004, 10:00 AM

Yeah... for years I never considered an AP, then realized the enourmous benfits for staying at resorts...

In addition, you can save a ton of money when you shop (especially at Downtown Disney) being an AP holder. I bought tons of souvenirs for family & friends (and me, too, of course), last time I was there, and was amazed at what a discount I received!!!!

**tiggerguy** · 04-29-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKQJ10

To save on Disney Resorts, here are a few tips:

Disney has four "seasons" at its Walt Disney World resort hotels each year.

Value Season is the least expensive and least crowded time, followed by Regular Season, Peak Season and Holiday Season.

So the most basic way to save money on Disney's resort hotels is simply to book in the off-season.

However, it is possible to get even bigger discounts. Depending on availability and current promotions, it is quite possible to save as much as 40% off the full price "rack rates" at the Disney resorts. The savings can add up to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

One way to do this is by purchasing an ANNUAL PASS> In addition to giving you admission to the 4 parks for one year form the date of purchase (A Deluxe pass is avaiable which include the water parks and Pleasure Island), you get discounts on Disney Resorts that can be HUGE!

Savings for Annual Passholders can be up to 45%!!!!, especialy at the Deluxe resorts. Annual Passholder rates are NOT guaranteed and frequently are not offered during peak holiday periods.

Sometimes, the Annual Passholder rates are so good that in some cases it's worth purchasing an Annual Pass for stays as short as three days!

I just purchased one myself, and paid just over $200 per night for a room at the Wilderness Lodge the week of February 2!!!

Add another "season" to that list, at least for Fort Wilderness, "PRE-holiday"!
A friend from the rec.arts.disney group goes evry year the first part of December. This year when she made reservations she learned that the time period is now known as a diffent season and would cost extra! I believe she said it was a little above the regular season. Now don't that get all !?

Xharryb · 04-29-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKQJ10

Yeah... for years I never considered an AP, then realized the enourmous benfits for staying at resorts...

In addition, you can save a ton of money when you shop (especially at Downtown Disney) being an AP holder. I bought tons of souvenirs for family & friends (and me, too, of course), last time I was there, and was amazed at what a discount I received!!!!

Yes, the discount is pretty good, but for what we pay for the APs they should offer a bit more in my opinion. Most notably with the shopping. When I got my first AP the Downtown Disney shopping discount was good at almost all of the stores in the marketplace area. The last couple of years they changed that to only give the discount in the World of Disney store. Granted, if I'm only gonna get the discount in one place this is the biggest, with the broadest selection, but I would probably buy more items if I could also get the discount in places like the Christmas store and the toy store. Instead I refrain from making purchases in other stores (both at DD and in the parks) in the hope that they might have this item at WoD and I can get my 10% off.

crashbunny · 04-29-2004, 08:59 PM

Is it worth it if you go only once a year and like to stay onsite ?

**Lou Mongello** · 04-29-2004, 10:40 PM

Without actually figuring out the numbers right now... I think that it works out that if you stay at WDW for more than 7 or 8 days, your are better off buying an AP (not including the merchandise dscounts you receive). Don't quote me on that... I haven't checked the latest prices of APs versus WDW vacation packages recently.

TrendyMagic · 04-30-2004, 12:24 AM

The best value does vary by the time of year you are going, how many days and what you want to do. As mentioned before as little as 3-4 days it may be worth it. An average is right where Ace said, 6-8 days.

My AP paid for itself in the shorter time (4 days) because we booked several tours on our first AP trips and booked early at a Moderate resort. Now that I live in Orlando it is just crazy not to have it.

judycats · 05-24-2004, 08:59 PM

if a family is going to wdw and only one person has an annual pass can you still get a discount on more than one room or does everyone have to have a pass? we are going in a few months and not sure if it makes sense to have one of us buy a pass to get the room discount or if its a waste because we all need one and will only be staying a week. thanks!

TrendyMagic · 05-24-2004, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judycats

if a family is going to wdw and only one person has an annual pass can you still get a discount on more than one room or does everyone have to have a pass? we are going in a few months and not sure if it makes sense to have one of us buy a pass to get the room discount or if its a waste because we all need one and will only be staying a week. thanks!

First, you shouldn't need the extra pass just for the room. As long as one person in the party has an AP, the group gets the rate.

When you say you are staying a week... 7 days 6 nights? longer?

**Lou Mongello** · 06-19-2004, 08:52 PM

Does anyone know when the AP rates for September might be released? I'm looking to book my trip ASAP and want to have an idea of rates, etc. before I book it.

TrendyMagic · 06-19-2004, 08:56 PM

Check with reservations... you should be able to book the room now and apply any code later when they are released. I have done it before but not recently.

gatormark67 · 03-22-2006, 11:12 AM

Are the discounts different for the AP pass vs. the FL resident Seasonal Pass?

Are there ever incentives to buy the AP's?

gatormark67 · 03-22-2006, 12:40 PM

BTW...I am a FL Resident, so I am aware of that discount. We are getting ready to buy new ones...we let our last year's passes expire (STUPID!).

Hey, that makes me think of another question...
Is there any chance of WDW allowing us to renew our passes (at the renewal rate) a couple months after they expired?

Sam I Am · 03-22-2006, 07:15 PM

There is a chance, but it might not be worth it. The expiry date would be 1 year from the expiry of your old ones.

02-11-2004, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lou Mongello Lou Mongello (AKQJ10) - WDW Trivia Book Author and Site Owner/Admin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scotch Plains, NJ Posts: 7,858	AP Discounts To save on Disney Resorts, here are a few tips: Disney has four "seasons" at its Walt Disney World resort hotels each year. Value Season is the least expensive and least crowded time, followed by Regular Season, Peak Season and Holiday Season. So the most basic way to save money on Disney's resort hotels is simply to book in the off-season. However, it is possible to get even bigger discounts. Depending on availability and current promotions, it is quite possible to save as much as 40% off the full price "rack rates" at the Disney resorts. The savings can add up to hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. One way to do this is by purchasing an ANNUAL PASS> In addition to giving you admission to the 4 parks for one year form the date of purchase (A Deluxe pass is avaiable which include the water parks and Pleasure Island), you get discounts on Disney Resorts that can be HUGE! Savings for Annual Passholders can be up to 45%!!!!, especialy at the Deluxe resorts. Annual Passholder rates are NOT guaranteed and frequently are not offered during peak holiday periods. Sometimes, the Annual Passholder rates are so good that in some cases it's worth purchasing an Annual Pass for stays as short as three days! I just purchased one myself, and paid just over $200 per night for a room at the Wilderness Lodge the week of February 2!!! __________________ Lou Mongello WDW Trivia Books Author & Site Owner AKQJ10 >: 4 8 15 16 23 42 Listen to The WDW Radio Show Disney podcast Your Walt Disney World Information "Station"

04-29-2004, 10:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lou Mongello Lou Mongello (AKQJ10) - WDW Trivia Book Author and Site Owner/Admin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scotch Plains, NJ Posts: 7,858	Yeah... for years I never considered an AP, then realized the enourmous benfits for staying at resorts... In addition, you can save a ton of money when you shop (especially at Downtown Disney) being an AP holder. I bought tons of souvenirs for family & friends (and me, too, of course), last time I was there, and was amazed at what a discount I received!!!! __________________ Lou Mongello WDW Trivia Books Author & Site Owner AKQJ10 >: 4 8 15 16 23 42 Listen to The WDW Radio Show Disney podcast Your Walt Disney World Information "Station"

04-29-2004, 10:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lou Mongello Lou Mongello (AKQJ10) - WDW Trivia Book Author and Site Owner/Admin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scotch Plains, NJ Posts: 7,858	Without actually figuring out the numbers right now... I think that it works out that if you stay at WDW for more than 7 or 8 days, your are better off buying an AP (not including the merchandise dscounts you receive). Don't quote me on that... I haven't checked the latest prices of APs versus WDW vacation packages recently. __________________ Lou Mongello WDW Trivia Books Author & Site Owner AKQJ10 >: 4 8 15 16 23 42 Listen to The WDW Radio Show Disney podcast Your Walt Disney World Information "Station"

06-19-2004, 08:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lou Mongello Lou Mongello (AKQJ10) - WDW Trivia Book Author and Site Owner/Admin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scotch Plains, NJ Posts: 7,858	Does anyone know when the AP rates for September might be released? I'm looking to book my trip ASAP and want to have an idea of rates, etc. before I book it. __________________ Lou Mongello WDW Trivia Books Author & Site Owner AKQJ10 >: 4 8 15 16 23 42 Listen to The WDW Radio Show Disney podcast Your Walt Disney World Information "Station"

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04-29-2004, 09:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
TrendyMagic On Mars Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Next Door to the Magic Posts: 3,564	When I first bought AP's I didn't know of the extras of discounted rooms. Once I found out it made trips much more frequent and enjoyable. Got to stay at a few different resorts I thought I might never stay because of the price.

04-29-2004, 08:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
crashbunny Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,044	Is it worth it if you go only once a year and like to stay onsite ?

04-30-2004, 12:24 AM	#8 (permalink)
TrendyMagic On Mars Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Next Door to the Magic Posts: 3,564	The best value does vary by the time of year you are going, how many days and what you want to do. As mentioned before as little as 3-4 days it may be worth it. An average is right where Ace said, 6-8 days. My AP paid for itself in the shorter time (4 days) because we booked several tours on our first AP trips and booked early at a Moderate resort. Now that I live in Orlando it is just crazy not to have it.

05-24-2004, 08:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
judycats D-Ticket Holder Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 240	if a family is going to wdw and only one person has an annual pass can you still get a discount on more than one room or does everyone have to have a pass? we are going in a few months and not sure if it makes sense to have one of us buy a pass to get the room discount or if its a waste because we all need one and will only be staying a week. thanks!

06-19-2004, 08:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
TrendyMagic On Mars Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Next Door to the Magic Posts: 3,564	Check with reservations... you should be able to book the room now and apply any code later when they are released. I have done it before but not recently.

03-22-2006, 11:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
gatormark67 A-Ticket holder Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7	Are the discounts different for the AP pass vs. the FL resident Seasonal Pass? Are there ever incentives to buy the AP's?

03-22-2006, 12:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
gatormark67 A-Ticket holder Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7	BTW...I am a FL Resident, so I am aware of that discount. We are getting ready to buy new ones...we let our last year's passes expire (STUPID!). Hey, that makes me think of another question... Is there any chance of WDW allowing us to renew our passes (at the renewal rate) a couple months after they expired?

03-22-2006, 07:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
Sam I Am L'Originale - Keeping you behind the rope Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bristol, CT / Mentally: WDW Posts: 1,782	There is a chance, but it might not be worth it. The expiry date would be 1 year from the expiry of your old ones.