APH Rates Are Currently Available... [UPDATED 07/27/18]

[Csaks]

We are out too. I had everything plan by this time last year for the same time frame. Not sure whats going on but it was much easier last year. Going to the house of the mouse, I ain't paying $1600 US for three nights. We will just drive up for a day or two and buy an Express pass for the day, it will feel like buying a park ticket anyway having AP's.
Good luck everyone else with your dates.

 

[macraven]

Seems like this is the year all hotels in Orlando are increasing prizes

Taken back uo jacked up price some but it was not outlandish

I also stay at Disney days before moving to uo

POFQ went up for my usual dates
Sports went up to $165 a night
Last year it was $110
All different numbers based on day of the week and time period

I pay for what I want and live with these increase prices without pouting

I just want to be there and pay it and forget about it

Whatever the cost of the room, I’ll
Pay it to stay there
POFQ I do like same for rpr

 

[wagman67]

We are out too. I had everything plan by this time last year for the same time frame. Not sure whats going on but it was much easier last year. Going to the house of the mouse, I ain't paying $1600 US for three nights. We will just drive up for a day or two and buy an Express pass for the day, it will feel like buying a park ticket anyway having AP's.
Good luck everyone else with your dates.

For me, it is simple math... 4 people, 4 days in the parks, 3 nights needing a room...going in May, so we always want EPs.

EPs for 4 people, for 4 days...on the dates we are going, with tax, are $1831. Any decent room, off-site, is going to run at least $100/night.

The grand total is $2131. I do not include tickets or food, because they are going to be the same cost no matter...the only variables are room and EPs.

So, as long as I can book a room, for 3 nights, at one of the onsite hotels that offer EPs, for $2131 or less, I am golden.

Right now, without APH rates, RPR has rooms, that meet our needs, for $309/night. With tax, that will come to about $350/night...so, about $1050...which is half of what I would pay for EPs and an off-site hotel. No-brainer what to do.

But, it gets better...I have never failed to get an APH rate for more than $250/night at any of the three hotels (RPR, HRH, PBH)...I just go with the cheapest, at the time...not picky...love 'em all.

Your mileage will vary by the number of people and days in park...and the big one...can you live without the EPs?

Now, I just need to find those APH rates...had already booked HRH, by this time, last year...but, even at seasonal rates, I am still saving.

 

[Roxyfire]

Agreed. It is supply and demand. However, Universal annual passes are so cheap compared to Disney annual passes but I'm not hearing anyone mention that when they are complaining about Universal room rates.

Absolutely on that AP. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. The Uni hotels (that I've been to) were both very high quality for the price. I'd bet even the Cabana Bay ones are very nice, even though it's not on my radar at the moment.

 

[jamessmith119]

I was able to get AP rates for Hard Rock for 3/9 - 3/15 this morning. They showed up around 9:00am EST. Rates below. HTH.

Mar 9 $354.00
Mar 10 $354.00
Mar 11 $324.00
Mar 12 $324.00
Mar 13 $324.00
Mar 14 $324.00

 

[weather_lady]

APH rates were released for my dates (4/28-5/1) this morning, as well. We're staying at RPR in a standard room and currently, only the RPR suites are being offered at the APH rate for my dates. I called Universal and was advised to keep checking back, as APH rates for standard rooms, if offered, won't be released until after the suites are mostly booked up.

 

[WhitneyMB]

Thanks for sharing. Seeing these new AP rates brings me hope! Going either way, but hoping for deals for 3/28-4/3.

 

[Roxyfire]

Edit: Looks like the rates are updated through May 31. Other dates may be added as needed but I caution people as there were no rooms available during Columbus Day weekend therefore no AP rates. This could happen around Easter as well.

Thanks for the updates guys! I was able to modify my rate from Portofino Garden View 2Q to Bay View 2 Q for $264 a night. The dates are 5/29-6/1.

 

[Jennifer Evans Pitts]

I just got APH rates March 9-11 at SF for $204 Lagoon view!!

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Just booked for March now that APH rates are out. Got RPR for $276/night plus tax.

 

[larissawbb]

Stay More Save More still wins for us.

 

[WonderfulLife]

Just booked APH for march 20-23. $294 garden view at Hard Rock. Saved $125 per night over royal pacific at $419 water view. Don't give up.....

 

[peajay18]

Got an APH rate for a King room at Royal Pacific, May 4-6.
Called them up and amended an existing reservation of higher value with no problems.

 

[Long Beach Mike]

It looks like the dates near Easter are still blocked out. I'm going to PB 4/3-4/10. The only dates showing AP rate availability are 4/9 and 4/10. Its a nice discount if those are your dates, $264/night for a bay view 2 queen.

For now I'm sticking with my SMSM rate of $387/night for my 7 night stay.

 

[soniam]

Edit: Looks like the rates are updated through May 31. Other dates may be added as needed but I caution people as there were no rooms available during Columbus Day weekend therefore no AP rates. This could happen around Easter as well.

Thanks for the updates guys! I was able to modify my rate from Portofino Garden View 2Q to Bay View 2 Q for $264 a night. The dates are 5/29-6/1.

When did Columbus Day weekend sell out, if you know? Thinking about doing HHN for the first time with the kiddo (well not so kiddo anymore), and this would be the only time he's out of school. Thanks

 

[Roxyfire]

When did Columbus Day weekend sell out, if you know? Thinking about doing HHN for the first time with the kiddo (well not so kiddo anymore), and this would be the only time he's out of school. Thanks

I don't know specifically, but I originally booked 3 weekend nights on May 14 and was apparently able to switch to garden view later that month, on the 23rd. I kept looking for AP rates but at some point there were no rooms available for the Friday through Sunday nights at all. Conservatively I'd say by August? I know I didn't even book my Bay Lake nights until July as we were planning to stay at Pop originally before the DVC resale went through. Basically, I would consider booking now as there are still some water view rates available. They just might be full price, though.

 

[macraven]

Haven’t seen it sold out at this point


For Columbus Day weekend, rpr does have various room types listed

But might not have consecutive dates for specific room types

People cancel a lot
Sometimes you can find a few nights 6 days out open up on site

 

[WhitneyMB]

Edit: Looks like the rates are updated through May 31. Other dates may be added as needed but I caution people as there were no rooms available during Columbus Day weekend therefore no AP rates. This could happen around Easter as well.

I was able to modify my rate from Portofino Garden View 2Q to Bay View 2 Q for $264 a night. The dates are 5/29-6/1.

I assumed that they were talking about Memorial Day (May 26-28th) not Columbus Day (in October), given the context of the conversation.

 

[Tink Fans]

Just booked my last night (March 9th) at HRH for $324 (2q, garden view) BUT I just happened to call this morning about something else and inquired about APH rates past March 8th. No new info on website this a.m. Well anyway, came on here to report and see it's old news now but very HAPPY just the same. First time APH so this is really just lovely.

 

[Csaks]

For me, it is simple math... 4 people, 4 days in the parks, 3 nights needing a room...going in May, so we always want EPs.

EPs for 4 people, for 4 days...on the dates we are going, with tax, are $1831. Any decent room, off-site, is going to run at least $100/night.

The grand total is $2131. I do not include tickets or food, because they are going to be the same cost no matter...the only variables are room and EPs.

So, as long as I can book a room, for 3 nights, at one of the onsite hotels that offer EPs, for $2131 or less, I am golden.

Right now, without APH rates, RPR has rooms, that meet our needs, for $309/night. With tax, that will come to about $350/night...so, about $1050...which is half of what I would pay for EPs and an off-site hotel. No-brainer what to do.

But, it gets better...I have never failed to get an APH rate for more than $250/night at any of the three hotels (RPR, HRH, PBH)...I just go with the cheapest, at the time...not picky...love 'em all.

Your mileage will vary by the number of people and days in park...and the big one...can you live without the EPs?

Now, I just need to find those APH rates...had already booked HRH, by this time, last year...but, even at seasonal rates, I am still saving.

I get it, every ones mileage varies. For you it is golden. We have done Universal only trips for the last few years and I'm beginning to wonder if someone isn't telling me to go to Disney with all the aggravation. So I did. 7 nights at POP with QS was a thousand more for what I was looking at for Universal for less days plus we'd need to buy food. No biggy, we will have the truck and AP's and will still get our fix even if I have to pay for the Express for a day or two break from the Mouse.
I hope you find those APH rates too knock it down more.