Mousesavers is reporting that Disney is on the verge of a massive overhaul of the AP room discount program:
"A new "Passholder Best Rate Program" has been rolled out as of June 17, 2005 that will affect Annual Passholder resort reservations for check-ins starting October 8, 2005. Many aspects of this new program are unclear and there are currently no discounts released past October 4.
The new rules for Passholder Best Rate Program reservations for October 8 and later include:
* Annual Passholder rates will only be bookable online (individuals can book themselves through disneyworld.com/passholders and travel agents can book their clients thorough the Disney travel agents web site).
* You must book AT LEAST 120 days in advance.
* A NONREFUNDABLE deposit of one night's room rate and tax is required at the time of booking.
* The Passholder can now book only ONE room (formerly it was up to 3) and the Passholder must be an adult.
Ostensibly the Passholder Best Rate Program guarantees that Passholders will receive the "best room rate offered to the general public" (not including group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements) at that time for the room and nights booked. If Disney subsequently reduces the room rate "to the general public" for the same room and nights you booked online under this program, they will supposedly "automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate."
As you can see, this seems to be on first glance a huge downgrade from the current status. Non-refundable deposit, must book 120 days in advance, no longer a guaranteed discounts, etc. As of now, this does not apply to FL residents. The final details have not yet been released, and it is possible that we may see some fixed rate discounts for AP holders as was rumored before, and if a better general public discount comes out, then you would get the better rate.