American using Canadian discount...

[clanmcculloch]

I've got a slight twist on this. I'm a Canadian living in the US. Am I eligible for Canadian offers? I'm not a Canadian resident but I am a Canadian citizen. I have a Canadian passport so that means I have photo ID showing that I'm Canadian but I don't have any ID showing a Canadian address. This is purely theoretical since I have a bounceback booked for next summer and don't need this discount, but I'm curious as to what the folks here think about this.

At one time there was a Canadian offer for a cruise. I had a TA call and ask if I was eligible. He didn't know so he called Disney to ask. He was told yes I am eligible as a citizen regardless of my current residency. I would think this would be true of WDW or DLR vacations as well. That being said, I also know how folks manning the CRO phones don't always get their facts straight so who knows what would have happened had I shown up without any documentation showing a Canadian address (though again, with a Canadian passport).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My whole point is that no where on the website does it say you have to be a Canadian resident to take that particular offer.

Well the words Canadian Resident is pretty clear that the offer is only for Canadians and here is the official policy from Mousesavers.

Canadian Resident Resort Hotel Discounts

Canadian residents can save on stays at select Disney Resort Hotels for stays most nights 10/1/11-11/22/11 and 11/26/11-12/22/11.

Value Resorts 20% off
Moderate Resorts 20% off
Deluxe Resorts 30% off
Deluxe Villa Resorts 30% off
Book by 12/22/11. Proof of Canadian residency required at check-in. Pricing and percent off will vary by resort type and date. Rates not available for all dates, room types and resorts. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals.

To reserve a room with the Canadian rates, call the Disney Reservations Center at (407) 939-1898 or contact a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel, and request code T2C.

I would think the part which I bolded is enough proof that you are not allowed to reserve this, no matter what some other poster claimed, or what some other misinfored Cast Memeber might have said.

 

[Saylan]

Well the words Canadian Resident is pretty clear that the offer is only for Canadians and here is the official policy from Mousesavers.

I would think the part which I bolded is enough proof that you are not allowed to reserve this, no matter what some other poster claimed, or what some other misinfored Cast Memeber might have said.

Not arguing the OP's case in anyway but she was referring to the Free Dining which doesn't start with 'Canadian Residents,'. I did notice it also doesnt' have any fine print on the WDW page, though I still feel knowingly taking an offer not for you is wrong.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Not arguing the OP's case in anyway but she was referring to the Free Dining which doesn't start with 'Canadian Residents,'. I did notice it also doesnt' have any fine print on the WDW page, though I still feel knowingly taking an offer not for you is wrong.

Well no matter if it's a Room Only discount or Free Dining, if WDW made those offers only for Canadian Residents they would still need to show proof of Canadian residency.

 

[Saylan]

Well no matter if it's a Room Only discount or Free Dining, if WDW made those offers only for Canadian Residents they would still need to show proof of Canadian residency.

Yep, and I don't dispute that. I do agree it should be more clearly labelled for the FD as it already is with the RO offers.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yep, and I don't dispute that. I do agree it should be more clearly labelled for the FD as it already is with the RO offers.

I agree, although common sense would say if that's listed for the Room Only discount, then they must have the same rule for the Free Dining offer.

 

[mjp12831]

Can anyone show from the WDW.ca website (mousesavers or any other travel website doesn't count) where it clearly states that you need to be Canadian resident/show Canadian id at checkin to book? If you can, then clearly it's wrong and shouldn't be done.

If not, and the WDW website allows you to book with a US address (a disney problem - not op's problem), and OP wants to take the chance that there won't be a problem with requiring ID at checkin (or is comfortable with the potential consequences of paying the difference), then why is everyone ripping the OP?

Would I do this - probably not because I'm afraid it would fall apart at checkin and cost me thousands more. However I don't think we should be judging someone for trying to take advantage of a loophole. It happens every day in every walk of life.

Generally, regarding rules, "if it's not in writing it doesn't count".

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Can anyone show from the WDW.ca website (mousesavers or any other travel website doesn't count) where it clearly states that you need to be Canadian resident/show Canadian id at checkin to book? If you can, then clearly it's wrong and shouldn't be done.

If not, and the WDW website allows you to book with a US address (a disney problem - not op's problem), and OP wants to take the chance that there won't be a problem with requiring ID at checkin (or is comfortable with the potential consequences of paying the difference), then why is everyone ripping the OP?

Would I do this - probably not because I'm afraid it would fall apart at checkin and cost me thousands more. However I don't think we should be judging someone for trying to take advantage of a loophole. It happens every day in every walk of life.

Generally, regarding rules, "if it's not in writing it doesn't count".

I really appreciate you comming to my defense. I actually did expect to be ripped appart when I posted this! If a US promotion does come out I'll probably rebook and if not, I won't be any worse off than I was to start with.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Can anyone show from the WDW.ca website (mousesavers or any other travel website doesn't count) where it clearly states that you need to be Canadian resident/show Canadian id at checkin to book? If you can, then clearly it's wrong and shouldn't be done.

If not, and the WDW website allows you to book with a US address (a disney problem - not op's problem), and OP wants to take the chance that there won't be a problem with requiring ID at checkin (or is comfortable with the potential consequences of paying the difference), then why is everyone ripping the OP?

Would I do this - probably not because I'm afraid it would fall apart at checkin and cost me thousands more. However I don't think we should be judging someone for trying to take advantage of a loophole. It happens every day in every walk of life.

Generally, regarding rules, "if it's not in writing it doesn't count".

I couldn't find anything in writting, however I just did one of those chats on the WDW website and here is the response I got.

ME: If you are not a Canadian Resident are you not allowed to reserve the offers only available to Canadians?

Cast Member: That is right. The offers on the Canadian "Special Offers" page are for Canadian guests.

Now chances are you won't agree with that response, however it came directly from a Cast Member.

Also I would say websites like Mousesavers does count because they give accurate codes when it comes to discounts, rack rate information and etc. So while they are not apart of Walt Disney World at least they give the correct information about who can reserve what package if it's only available to people from a certin country and why would they say information like that if it wasn't true?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If a US promotion does come out I'll probably rebook and if not, I won't be any worse off than I was to start with.

Well Walt Disney World did come out with a Free Dining package available to guests from the United States and around the world.

Fall/Winter FREE Dining Package

For a limited time, get a FREE Disney dining plan when you buy a full price 2011 Magic Your Way or 2012 Magic Your Way vacation package (including accommodations and tickets) for select dates at select Walt Disney World resort hotels.

Offer is valid for check-ins 10/1/11–10/6/11, 10/22/11–11/3/11, 11/12/11–11/17/11, 11/26/11–12/1/11, 12/10/11–12/15/11, 1/8/12–1/12/12, 1/21/12–2/2/12, 2/11/12–2/16/12, 3/3/12–3/8/12 and 3/24/12–3/29/12. Some dates may have extremely limited availability. Some of the most popular resorts and/or room types may not have any availability. Based on similar offers in the past, the offer can apply to your entire stay as long as you check in within one of the allowed sets of dates.

Stay at select Disney Value resorts and get the 2011 Quick Service Dining Plan or 2012 Quick Service Dining Plan for FREE.

Stay at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas resorts and get the regular 2011 Dining Plan or 2012 Dining Plan for FREE.

The package includes:

Accommodations in a select Walt Disney World resort hotel (3 nights minimum, 14 nights maximum)

Walt Disney World theme park Base Tickets (2 days minimum; can be upgraded to include add-ons such as Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More at an additional cost)

Book by 10/29/11. No group rates or other discounts apply. Excludes suites, campsites and 3-Bedroom Villas. Advance reservations required. Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from the children's menu if available. Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.

So there is a valid offer for residents living in the United States which you are allowed to reserve.

 

[Feckless]

The point of the extra or earlier discounts to residents in Canada and the UK is that we are generally coming from further away, will have exchange rate issues (although the dollar is pretty much at par right now), and will generally have to pay more to get to WDW. Therefore, in order to entice us to WDW we are given a few perks. It irks me if an American resident was able to get a discount that he or she was not entitled to!

 

[Phatoomch]

Ok I'm confused so just asking a question - how can you book a canadian offer by accident? I thought it was only on the Canadian website - is it on the US one aswell then?

That aside, even if it doesn't say 'you have to be canadian resident blah blah blah' thats not a valid argument. The heading says it is an offer for Canadians, therefore if you are not Canadian its not your offer.

 

[Trinityloo]

Can anyone show from the WDW.ca website (mousesavers or any other travel website doesn't count) where it clearly states that you need to be Canadian resident/show Canadian id at checkin to book? If you can, then clearly it's wrong and shouldn't be done.

If not, and the WDW website allows you to book with a US address (a disney problem - not op's problem), and OP wants to take the chance that there won't be a problem with requiring ID at checkin (or is comfortable with the potential consequences of paying the difference), then why is everyone ripping the OP?

Would I do this - probably not because I'm afraid it would fall apart at checkin and cost me thousands more. However I don't think we should be judging someone for trying to take advantage of a loophole. It happens every day in every walk of life.

Generally, regarding rules, "if it's not in writing it doesn't count".

I haven't actually seen how this offer was written so I can't personally determine if it was meant for Canadians only but this makes me think: IF it states nowhere that it is a Canadian offer and it is simply on a Canadian website, there shouldn't be anything wrong with booking it as long as you are able to book it with your US address. As a Canadian, I am always buying things on US sites and as long as they allow me to, I can assume that the offers were not meant only for US citizens just because it's on a US site. A similar example to this would be the fact that I can book hotel and air through Expedia.ca or Expedia.com. Sometimes it is cheaper on the American site, so I book from there. Is this being dishonest? I have bought from Amazon.com (instead of Amazon.ca) also for the same reason. I can't speak to the offer that the OP refers to, but in my case, both Expedia and Amazon allow for international customers. I am simply choosing to deal with a US website for my transaction.

 

[mjohn9083]

I feel like the OP is smart for working the loophole.

I'm a US citizen BUT have been to Canada and visited the Canadian Disney site while in Canada (it automatically detects where you are and directs you to that site). Had I booked the trip while on vacation in Canada, it's Disney's faulty for automatically directing me to that particular discount page.

No, it may not work, but major props for trying. Loopholes fuel the American legal system.

Case in point:

"A BINDING CONTRACT IS FORMED ONLY ONCE A CONFIRMATION NUMBER FOR YOUR RESERVATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU AT THE END OF THE RESERVATION-MAKING PROCESS, INDICATING THAT YOUR OFFER HAS BEEN ACCEPTED."

If the online booking system accepted a US address, a US credit card, etc, and the OP received a confirmation number, I'd say legally in the clear.

Whether Disney agrees with me is a different story, but, legally, the OP can argue that her confirmation # is a binding contract.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Phatoomch]

I would be interested to see the website as I can only find it through the 'select international' under the US disney site where it says quite clearly for Canadian Residents.

 

[Saylan]

I would be interested to see the website as I can only find it through the 'select international' under the US disney site where it says quite clearly for Canadian Residents.

This is the main page. The Room-Only says Canada, the FD option above is what the OP is talking about. There is no fine print at the bottom of the either page (FD or RO) regarding proof of ID may be required.

 

[Phatoomch]

Thanks Saylan

Interesting - it doesn't say anything about it being a canada resident offer - but I still don't think its right. I would never have thought to try and find a loophole, I would just wait to see if we get the same offer.

 

[alliejay]

I would never try this, mostly because I'd be too chicken. I kind of think "good for the OP" if she finds a loophole. As to the earlier comments of the OP being a dishonest person. If Disney does not program their system properly, then that is their problem. Disney hands out PINS in a seemingly willy nilly fashion (although I know it is very targeted marketing). So there are many people on getting discounts while I will be paying full price. The whole pin things seems unfair to me - just as unfair as the OP "taking" a room from a Canadian citizen. Come on Canadians you have universal health care and now you want Disney discounts too! (in case you don't know - I am totally joking on the health care).

 

[mjp12831]

I haven't actually seen how this offer was written so I can't personally determine if it was meant for Canadians only but this makes me think: IF it states nowhere that it is a Canadian offer and it is simply on a Canadian website, there shouldn't be anything wrong with booking it as long as you are able to book it with your US address. As a Canadian, I am always buying things on US sites and as long as they allow me to, I can assume that the offers were not meant only for US citizens just because it's on a US site. A similar example to this would be the fact that I can book hotel and air through Expedia.ca or Expedia.com. Sometimes it is cheaper on the American site, so I book from there. Is this being dishonest? I have bought from Amazon.com (instead of Amazon.ca) also for the same reason. I can't speak to the offer that the OP refers to, but in my case, both Expedia and Amazon allow for international customers. I am simply choosing to deal with a US website for my transaction.

Bingo

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

So there are many people on getting discounts while I will be paying full price. The whole pin things seems unfair to me - just as unfair as the OP "taking" a room from a Canadian citizen.

There is a major difference. If you are at WDW paying the rack rate while others are getting a Room Only public discount, Annual Pass rates or Free Dining, well then you had the chance to reserve anyone of those deals. The OP is taking a room away from Canadians because this offer was only meant for them and not people living in the United States.