[_landry]

"Since you can only book this program online, and a current, activated Annual Pass is required in order to access the online booking, it appears that you'll no longer be able to book the Annual Pass rate until you purchase and activate an Annual Pass. That means first-time Annual Passholders won't be able to use the Best Rate Program unless they are willing to activate the pass 3 months in advance!"

I copied this from Mousesavers and this is exactly the problem I have! I was waiting to purchase my AP and activate it at WDW!! I'm in a BIND if this is true.

If this "Best Rate Program" gives the same discount offered to the general public, then what's the benefit of having an AP? (besides park entry, of course) Why don't they just say there are no AP discounts instead of making it sound like your getting a "deal"
on your resort?

[gingles]

So who's going to want to buy AP's anymore? I think they're just trying to push everything to the MYW passes and packages. Leave to Disney, always fiddling.

[KarenT]

I Agree I think they are trying to really push the MYW packages. I called the other day and asked if they were ever going to let AP holders purchase the dining plan. The CM said she didn't know. She said the reason AP holders can't purchase the dining plan is because AP holders get room discounts. Well I guess that is changing.
I am going to hold off on my AP purchase until I hear more.

[gingles]

Now I'm starting to be happy that I went with the package (for other reasons) this summer. This new AP routine does not sound that attractive.

[bali]

Well, we'll still probably get APs, but that's unfortunate that a resort discount will be so difficult to get. I usually rely on that refundable deposit as a "just in case" measure; and I can't imagine signing away a couple hundred dollars on the "off chance" that you MIGHT get a discount later on! Are they crazy?!?

DVC is looking better and better... .

[bumble]

I just checked it out on the Disney web site. I noticed 2 things....1 that I could not get ANY discounts available for the Oct and Nov dates that they told me I could(which might be because they just haven't loaded them into the system yet) and 2 was that tiny disclaimer that states they might end the program at any time without warning. The second could be a good thing... if this program stinks as bad as it looks like it does, maybe they will end it soon and find a better way. I really am thinking this is bad news for me, if this new discount program is going to be the only AP room deals available. Im sad :*(

[lovemysons]

I don't know about this. The non-refundable deposit bothers me. Oh well. I guess we'll get the most out of our current AP and then just hope for good packages in the years to come.

[Captgoodguy]

I agree with Dana. We have been very pleased with our AP's up to this point. They have definitely paid for themselves with the discounted resort rates and the discounts at World of Disney in DTD. However the price of the hotels have always played a major part in how many times we visit. This will have a definite impact on our number of visits each year.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by bumble

I just checked it out on the Disney web site. I noticed 2 things....1 that I could not get ANY discounts available for the Oct and Nov dates that they told me I could(which might be because they just haven't loaded them into the system yet) and 2 was that tiny disclaimer that states they might end the program at any time without warning. The second could be a good thing... if this program stinks as bad as it looks like it does, maybe they will end it soon and find a better way. I really am thinking this is bad news for me, if this new discount program is going to be the only AP room deals available. Im sad :*(

Bumble, there can still be FL resident rates for you, so don't be sad, yet.

It can still happen for you. It still may pan out for us FL residents.

[MerlinMatt]

I'll be really angry if they go forth with not allowing discounts on multiple rooms. Our group trip in October was exactly why I got the APs to begin with.

I'm really upset about this.

October might get cancelled now.....

[royorb1]

Originally Posted by lovemysons

I don't know about this. The non-refundable deposit bothers me. Oh well. I guess we'll get the most out of our current AP and then just hope for good packages in the years to come.

This is my thought also. I mainly bought AP's because our last trip was longer than the longest park hopper. I did like the hotel discount but there is alot of negatives in this new plan. Looks like MYW will be the way to go in the future.

[royorb1]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

I'll be really angry if they go forth with not allowing discounts on multiple rooms. Our group trip in October was exactly why I got the APs to begin with.

I'm really upset about this.

October might get cancelled now.....

Yes Matt, we also have 2 rooms reserved and now I can't get a discount on them because there allready reserved and I didn't use the web site (which I wouldn't want to use anyway)

[bumble]

Originally Posted by Erin

Bumble, there can still be FL resident rates for you, so don't be sad, yet.

It can still happen for you. It still may pan out for us FL residents.

I hope you are right Erin Thanks for trying to cheer me up

[MerlinMatt]

So when does all of this become official? Is there a link to see official info from Disney??

[lovemysons]

Originally Posted by royorb1

Yes Matt, we also have 2 rooms reserved and now I can't get a discount on them because there allready reserved and I didn't use the web site (which I wouldn't want to use anyway)

I have a room reserved in late Nov/Dec, now I wonder what I should do with that. I wonder if we go online and register, will that work? I guess we have to wait for the official word from Disney before we proceed with any plans.