Yesterday I got a call from Disney Guest Services/Exec Office regarding my lengthy letter on the Best Rate Program. The gal was wonderful and did an excellent job in answering my questions, being honest, and assuring me that others "up the line" would definitely "hear" my concerns and comments. Below is a quick summary of our discussion, as an FYI. What she told me, if you read between the lines, both agrees with and contradicts the information originally posted.
We talked for about 1/2 hour. Basically, what it came down to is this ...
1) Disney is saying that there will not be any new AP rates that come out other than through the BRP. But she said they originally said the 120 days wouldn't change and obviously it did -- since they just lowered it to 60 days.
2) She said they are being bombarded with emails and letters about the BRP. While she wouldn't specifically tell me their leaning she very much "implied" that there were many, many, many, many people upset and even MAD about the new BRP program. We talked about the fact that the non-refundable deposit is a hard pill to swollow -- especially 120 days out and even 60 days out especially in light of the current cancellation policy on the package and room only rates. I explained that there was a lot of concern that Disney is going to change the refund policy on both pac kages and room only. Again, she indicated that this seemed to be a common concern among MANY.
3) If a new AP rate were to come out those with ressies under the BRP would not automatically get that rate. They would have to call and have the new rate applied. She said that many, many, many people are voicing the opinion that they are VERY upset about this. We talked about the fact that I felt, as many on the boards also felt, that the lower rate should be automatically applied to a ressie that was in the BRP since the program was suppose to be the best AP rate available... She told me that lots of emails were also voicing this concern, too. And, she indicated that everyone should "stay tuned" as new policies, etc. seem to be coming forward quite rapidly when it comes to this program.
4) She was very sympathetic to my concerns and said that ALL emails, letters, calls are being documented and ALL info is being passed on up the line. She indicated that the 120 days was changed to 60 days out --- she assumed -- due to the enormous influx of correspondence from AP holders.
5) I explained my concern to her regarding the huge increase in price from last year's AP rate to this year for same time/same property.... and how I felt it was way too much of an increase for one year. I also told her that as a business, I understand they have every right to price their product as they see fit .... but that as I consumer I also have the option of no longer purchasing the product. We also talked about the fact that if Disney continues these increases that the "most loyal and fanatic" Disney AP holders, who often dramatically help their occupancy rates in the value season, may choose to alter their vacation spending habits and look to spend their money elsewhere. She said that they had also received many emails and letters stating just that.
Overall, she told me that, the official word from Disney is that they will not be offering any lower AP rates, but that I should "stay tuned" as things seem to change regularly. Also, that the NO BRP reservations would automatically receive a lower AP rate if it were offered -- that would still be handled how it was in the past by the ressie holder calling and having it applied to the reservation. But she also said, stay tuned ... as is evidenced by the fact that the booking changed from 120 to 60 days out... just a few days ago.
We talked for about 1/2 hour. Basically, what it came down to is this ...
1) Disney is saying that there will not be any new AP rates that come out other than through the BRP. But she said they originally said the 120 days wouldn't change and obviously it did -- since they just lowered it to 60 days.
2) She said they are being bombarded with emails and letters about the BRP. While she wouldn't specifically tell me their leaning she very much "implied" that there were many, many, many, many people upset and even MAD about the new BRP program. We talked about the fact that the non-refundable deposit is a hard pill to swollow -- especially 120 days out and even 60 days out especially in light of the current cancellation policy on the package and room only rates. I explained that there was a lot of concern that Disney is going to change the refund policy on both pac kages and room only. Again, she indicated that this seemed to be a common concern among MANY.
3) If a new AP rate were to come out those with ressies under the BRP would not automatically get that rate. They would have to call and have the new rate applied. She said that many, many, many people are voicing the opinion that they are VERY upset about this. We talked about the fact that I felt, as many on the boards also felt, that the lower rate should be automatically applied to a ressie that was in the BRP since the program was suppose to be the best AP rate available... She told me that lots of emails were also voicing this concern, too. And, she indicated that everyone should "stay tuned" as new policies, etc. seem to be coming forward quite rapidly when it comes to this program.
4) She was very sympathetic to my concerns and said that ALL emails, letters, calls are being documented and ALL info is being passed on up the line. She indicated that the 120 days was changed to 60 days out --- she assumed -- due to the enormous influx of correspondence from AP holders.
5) I explained my concern to her regarding the huge increase in price from last year's AP rate to this year for same time/same property.... and how I felt it was way too much of an increase for one year. I also told her that as a business, I understand they have every right to price their product as they see fit .... but that as I consumer I also have the option of no longer purchasing the product. We also talked about the fact that if Disney continues these increases that the "most loyal and fanatic" Disney AP holders, who often dramatically help their occupancy rates in the value season, may choose to alter their vacation spending habits and look to spend their money elsewhere. She said that they had also received many emails and letters stating just that.
Overall, she told me that, the official word from Disney is that they will not be offering any lower AP rates, but that I should "stay tuned" as things seem to change regularly. Also, that the NO BRP reservations would automatically receive a lower AP rate if it were offered -- that would still be handled how it was in the past by the ressie holder calling and having it applied to the reservation. But she also said, stay tuned ... as is evidenced by the fact that the booking changed from 120 to 60 days out... just a few days ago.
