Originally Posted By Darkbeer Disney states that you will get 10% off any available rack rate at the Disney owned hotels year round. That is not the best deal by far, but if a room is available, then you will save the 10%. Howard Johnson's Plaza Hotel on Harbor offers the same deal, but 20% off the rack rate. These are great deals at BUSY times if you want to stay on those properties. But during the slower times, they will offer larger discounts to AP holders. For the 3 Disney hotels, the best deals at slow times don't get announced until a few months before the expected dates of arrival. MouseSavers.com does a great job of following the current Discount rates and the codes you need to get the special rates. HoJo's works in about the same way, but they tend to announce their special rates earlier than Disney. The best source of their discounted rates is at their own Boards... <a href="http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/" target="_blank">http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/</a> But basically the hotels want to see the "booking trends" for the time period, and then if they see low bookings, then they lower the rates to try and get more folks to book. But there is NO reason to discount until a few months prior to the expected booking.
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion I went this year the third week in April and we had a blast didn't wait more than 10 minutes on all the rides except the subs of course so I want to go back during that time plus the weather is great. Also I did go to the Disney Outlet and got a tones of stuff. When I went they still had a big box of all the Golden Ears for 2.00 and I also got Christmas plates which where four boxes of four for a 3.00 it was great plus we went to the chambers site and got 15% of your purchase and printed up 4-5 of them. My only deal with the Ap is that I do want to get it for April but how do I get the AP to Start in April so that it is April- April? and if I get a reg ticket and the upgrade once I get there then how do I get the discount for the room, which you pay up front? any clues ? Also is'nt the Ap site at disneyland.com just for people with an Ap to look at, I thought when I went there that it said to enter my Ap number or something to the sorts ? thanks also for all the imput I do want to get one now the quesstion is how do go about it .
Originally Posted By mater4 Jenna keep in mind your recent trip was not within a couple of weeks of easter this year. Next year with easter in April DL will not be empty. I just don't want you to get your hopes up for the same wait times for rides by going at the same time as your recent trip. If you purchase the AP in advanced and show the hotel the printout you will not have a problem with the discounts. Not sure how it would work by purchasing a park hopper and upgrading. Hopefully Villains or Darkbeer can help with that. The AP's don't get counted towards your one year until the day you walk into the park.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Last year you went nearly a month after Easter - this year that will be the week after - Most schools do spring vacation the two weeks prior or preceding Easter. Next year that same time will be very busy...
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion I never even thought about that maybe I will do it in march I never even thought about easter in April unlike last year thanks for pointing that out! but as stated at 6:09 how do I work the AP ? and Mater did you say that the year does not start till the first day I walk into the park ? is that right ?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Yes it works that way - you can buy it ahead of time - but your year doesn't start until you activate it at the park.
Originally Posted By DLTheo That's right, because they first day you use it to get into the park you have to go to the AP center on Main Street to get your picture taken and officially activate it. Hey Villains, is the AP usable for hotel discounts before you activate it? How does that work? Do they just need to see proof that you purchased it? But what about if you buy a regular multi-day pass that you don't trade up to the AP until later in the week? Do you miss the boat for the discount then?
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Yes you can book for the ap - but upon check in you must show you purchased one or buy one from them. If you buy the multiday you miss out on the ap discount. If you are not sure you really want them but want the discount - You could just buy one use it for the hotel discount and food discounts - before the last day upgrade the others if you want. You only need one AP for up to 2 rooms.
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion Is there an open link to the Ap site or do you have to have the Ap to view the page? beacause I would love to be able to look at there calender and see what kind of discounts they do offer. Also when your year is up and you want to go does it have to be that week befor or can you go the week it expires say it expires on a wed and you are there the whole week do you still get the discount ?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer www.disneyland.com/ap You can look at all the blockout dates (there are thre different calendars, one for each of the 3 AP types that have blockout dates), and recently they opened up the discount list (lower right).
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion It's not the black out dates that I am curious about it is the discount for the Disneyland Hotels that I would like to know I have already looked at that web site and it does not tell you how much say October's discount is, that is what I am looking for I already know I want to get the AP with no blackout dates, and I have also looked at what discounts you do get at restaurant's. But someone had said that they don't announce it till a few months before that is why I was curious where there calendar is that says the hotels discounts for staying with them. Like what is August, September, October etc.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I believe you have to have an Ap to see that info - I had to enter mine when I registered on disneyland.com There aren't any discounts listed right now --- Usually someone posts the code on LP when it is available - you can call the hotel with the code and book a room - however upon check in you must have a AP - I am not sure if you buy one now on line if it gives you a registration number to get into the ap site - or if that happens after you actually activate the pass. I do know if you buy it now - until you go to the park and activate it you year will not start.
