OK, I started the thread on AP news and since starting it I've gotten lots of new info. I've tried updating it but it is spread out so here it is in concise form....
I spent many hours on the phone with Disney reservations, guest services and sales yesterday. I even had a lengthy conversation with a sales rep while I was supposed to be having dinner with my family at a restaurant! Here is a summary of the information I was able to get in those conversations:
What we know absolutely for sure:
this is NOT the release of AP rates, this is a new program but not the rate release
- it is only available online
- online reservations can only be done for one room at a time, the system isn't set up to let you book multiple rooms in one reservation. That is why you can't book 3 rooms with this offer (unless you have 3 APs) [side note...sales says they will be looking at addressing this issue]
- you must use an ADULT AP
- you must have either an activated AP (that does not expire before the trip you are trying to book) or have an ADULT AP voucher in hand. You will need the numbers off of the back of the AP or voucher in order to make the reservation.
- there is a NONREFUNDABLE one night deposit required.
- it must be booked 120 days or more in advance.
- Disney will automatically reduce your rate should any offers be made to the general public that is less expensive than your current rate
they will not match AAA rates, PIN rates, group rates or "auction rates" (no one could tell me what auction rates were though)
- just like any other offer, it will only be available for a limited # of rooms per resort/room type/view per night
- if you book a split stay, they are 2 independent reservations so yes, you would have to make 2 deposits and yes, they are both nonrefundable.
What both sales and guest services have told me is true but WE haven't seen it in writing just yet (even if they say they have it in writing):
(my sales rep and I had a conversation about the need for an FAQ on this offer to address some of these issues in writing. She said she will definitely be bringing that up first thing Monday morning)
- this is NOT the end of the AP rate program as we know it, it's just a way to book and guarantee you don't have to be on the lookout for a discount, it will be applied for you automatically.
- you will still be able to call in and book AP rates as they are released. They will just be subject to availability just as they always have been.
- Availability will be more limited b/c the rate will be applied to all "best available rate" guests first.
- they will be matching AP rates and general public rates (the wording as it stands currently only guarantees general public rates)
- if you need to reschedule (as in cancel this stay but immediately book another) your deposit will transfer over with a $50 change fee assessed.
what I have(unofficially) been told they believe to be true from all of the info they have been given, but they don't have written confirmation on:
- there will definitely be discounts, and discounts better than AAA
- since it is only available to a limited # of resort/type/view rooms per night, there will be no "it's not available for this resort/view" with this offer. If a code is release, everyone on the best rate program will get it.
- since it is limited, there is every possibility that certain resorts/views etc. will be sold out or VEEERRRRY limited (think 2-3 rooms per night) just with best rate guests
- they don't think that ALL AP rate rooms will require a nonrefundable deposit, only rooms booked with this program. The thought is that you take the risk because they guarantee you will get the discounts as they are released. With regular call in rates, that isn't guaranteed
- you will still be able to book 3 rooms by calling in, again, you just won't be guaranteed the best rate.
what I have been led to suspect this may mean for the future:
remember, this is all just suspicion...it is not based on anything concrete.
- more than likely you will need an AP or voucher to book AP rates when they are released (remember AP rates and the Passholder Best Rate Program are 2 ENTIRELY different things). Disneyland has had this policy in place and I was told at least a year ago that they expected to see it start happening at WDW soon too.
- one sales CM mentioned that there have been discussions of making ANY discounted room into a package (even if it is just room only) so it would have a 45 day cancellation policy. I wouldn't be surprised if we see this happen. As of now, if you book an AP rate online (again, RATE, not best rate program) the cancellation policy is 45 days. If you made the same reservation by calling in, it is 5 days. Considering that they have been looking for ways to encourage online booking and decrease call volume, I wouldn't be surprised if the call in policy changes.
- one sales rep suspects the possibility of 2 tiers of AP rates, a lower one for best rate guests who have booked well in advance and a higher for guests calling in to book one closer to their travel dates.
I completely agree with you. This is horrible! We loved our quick trips with AP rates! We're young and don't have much money so we go whenever we can. We hardly EVER know four months in advance that we're gonna be able to take the time off work, have the extra cash handy etc. I'm very upset by this. We will be writing a letter as well. Not so easy being the bearer of bad news, but thanks for the info...
