An AP is not an entitlement to codes

[minnie61650]

What about Expedia?? You have to pay in advance and there is no refund policy if you have to cancel, because they have discounted rooms. I have a room at the Grand Flordian booked with best rate in December. I only had to put down a one night non-refundable deposit. The rate available through expedia is higher and I would have to pay in full at the time of booking.

Disney still has a pretty liberal cancellation policy for non-discounted rooms, or even rooms with small discounts (like AAA).

Shelly

ITA
If one books a cruise there is also a non refundable deposit after a certain time frame. If you think you may want to cancel your room then book a room only at AAA discount or rack rates.
Disney has given great discounts to AP holders for the past few years. After 9/11 attendance really dropped and they encouraged Fl. residents and AP holders to come more often even for shorter stays and deep discounts.
I never even knew about the discounted rates for AP holders until I started reading these boards while planning my upcoming trip this year. I did know about annual passes but since I do not go to Disney more than once a year I never even considered buying one. Disney sells an AP as a one year pass so you can visit the parks as often as you want. Discounts were never guaranteed.
Watch for their off season specials. 7 nights for the price of 4. 7 nights for the price of 5 or free dining if you do not like the BR plan with the non refundable deposit. Welcome to my world.
Linda

 

[Sammie]

One of our favorite nonDisney places to vacation is the Destin, Fl area. The resort we prefer has a very strict booking and cancellation policy, much more than Disney, and they don't offer discounts.

At the time of booking a payment of 25% of the total amount of the reservation is due. A non-refundable $45 processing fee is charged on all reservations. Cancellation to recieve your deposit back is 30 days. A 3 day stay is the minimum.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have just bought my second AP. My first pass had about 23 days on it. Did I make extra trips because I had already paid for my pass? Sure, but also because I got great airfare. We own DVC and primarily stay at DVC resorts. I do like to try out the other resorts so as to not use those pricey week-end points though. So, yes, I did use the AP rates to get a lesser rate. Now, when I bought my AP last week, it was only for a trip in Nov '05 and again in Oct '06....I won't be getting any room discounts with it since I will be at BWV all the time. But, as far as those of us that go more often versus those once in a lifetime trippers...I have to say that I spent much more money on my earlier trips. Each trip has gotten cheaper and cheaper!!! We don't do as many character meals anymore since dd is now charged as an adult and is very choosy about food. We don't buy nearly as many giftie type things. I think we spend an average of about $800 a trip now (food and misc.) versus about $1700 for our first several trips. And I think Disney realizes this. I think that's one reason they have made the DDE available to AP holders...to get us out there and eating at more upscale spots again.

I really think that Disney had had enough of those who booked AP rate rooms and then canceled them at the last minute when a good code came out. THat way they didn't have to pay for an AP. If no code came out, they could just keep that AP rate and then buy the AP. Or those who booked using a child's AP...yes, there was a 'loophole' in the rules allowing people to do that, so I am not saying anything negative about those who took advantage of that loophole. But, I'm sure Disney got tired of 'losing' money on those passes. ANd yes, it's all relative when I say 'losing' money...I know that. So, will they, in fact, lose more money with this new booking system? Probably. But I really think that after about 6 months it won't matter anymore. People will be used to the 'new' way. Disney will get their money from us, one way or another!!!

 

[Jen D]

While Disney may make more profit on the trip by the storied once-in-a-lifetime-pull-out-all-the-stops-rack-rate-payin' family, it behooves them to both cater to that guest and the repeat guest, which is the guest, incidentally, that tends to stick with them even during tough economic times, and visits during the slower seasons.

i'm not an AP holder as we usually go to WDW for a week every 18 months. We are planning on going twice in 2006, with probably a total of 16 park days,but given the deals available to the general public versus what has been offered to APs this year, I'm not altogether convinced AP is the way to go.

APs are significantly more expensive, of course, especially now that MYW prices are so low once you go over 5-6 days.

 

[kahiko]

I did not start this soley to start arguments, I really wanted to get everyone' thoughts since I was in the minority on this one.

This is about the only board on the internet where I can discuss something like this , take an unpopular stance and not get cursed at, shot down, banned, etc. which is why I love this board and discussing with the people on it even when I know my opinion is not going to be popular.

Be careful with your wording. Proof read before you post. "I did not start this soley to start arguments" implies that at least in part you wanted to start arguments. You may not have ment that but you did say it.

I think you and everyone on here is entitled to an opinion. Half will generallly agree with you and half will disagree. Keeps life from getting boring.

 

[EjandMD]

This is the codes board, if you don't want to read about us complaining, don't read this section of the board. I thought this sub board was to post what codes & discounts are available. It is to keep everyone one informed on what is coming etc... it was done this way so those who didn't wish to weed through all the post about the codes didn't have to. If someone doesn't want to hear it (read it), then don't.... that is the purpose of this sub board, for those who want to know...not those who don't care.

Good Point!

 

[TChrist05]

I will apologize first if I offend anyone, but I consider my wife and I very good Disney customers. We are annual passholders(have been for the past 15+ years), members of the Disney Vacation Club for 3 years and have been taking at least 1, sometimes 2 cruises a year on Disney Cruise Line. We do spend a lot of money at Disney, and we get a top notch vacation for it. We do feel since we have been and will be probably forever avid Disney people, a little perk of a cheaper room is not asking too much. We have not played the multiple room bookings game, but we do like our quick trips down for a couple of days. My job keeps me going at off peak times, which is another plus for Disney as well as us since the crowds are a little more controlled. I just think the people that come back time and time again, and there are thousands, should get some kind of realistic break. Like I said, I do think that we are entitled to something...and the best rate program just doesen't cut it in my humble opinion. Disney is a smart operation, and they listen to what the people think....so maybe they will fine tune this a little bit more than they have in changing from 120 days to 60...we have to keep calling and asking....and if worse comes to worse....there are so very nice hotels that are not Disney very close to the parks....so if the occupancy goes down I do think that would get there attention also....
Tom

 

[shellybaxter]

I will apologize first if I offend anyone, but I consider my wife and I very good Disney customers. We are annual passholders(have been for the past 15+ years), members of the Disney Vacation Club for 3 years and have been taking at least 1, sometimes 2 cruises a year on Disney Cruise Line. We do spend a lot of money at Disney, and we get a top notch vacation for it. We do feel since we have been and will be probably forever avid Disney people, a little perk of a cheaper room is not asking too much. We have not played the multiple room bookings game, but we do like our quick trips down for a couple of days. My job keeps me going at off peak times, which is another plus for Disney as well as us since the crowds are a little more controlled. I just think the people that come back time and time again, and there are thousands, should get some kind of realistic break. Like I said, I do think that we are entitled to something...and the best rate program just doesen't cut it in my humble opinion. Disney is a smart operation, and they listen to what the people think....so maybe they will fine tune this a little bit more than they have in changing from 120 days to 60...we have to keep calling and asking....and if worse comes to worse....there are so very nice hotels that are not Disney very close to the parks....so if the occupancy goes down I do think that would get there attention also....
Tom

What a nice, calm reply stating a personal opinion. How refreshing, seriously how refreshing to read a well thought out, not knee jerk responce. I respecfully disagree with your opinion. I don't believe anyone is entitled to discounts. In my opinion a company chooses which discounts to give to whom and when. Disney has recently chosen to give more discounts to the general public (free dining - cheaper MYW tickets for longer stays) and less discounts to AP holders. I respect their decision. I don't feel entitled to more because I am a frequent visitor. I spend plenty of money at Disney, but that doesn't mean I should get more perks. I simply don't believe the world should work that way and respect Disney for the choices they've made.
This is of course my opinion, not any more or less valid then your opinion. Just a different side or a many sided coin

Shelly

 

[jcapizzi]

After re-reading your post, I have to disagree with you on this comment as well. Nearly every major hotel chain has some sort of reward program for the freguent guest (yes I agree that they do not have to, but they do). Even the airlines do; frequent flyer miles, credit cards do; cash back or point bonus. So we may not be the perfect world, there are still many large corporations that give their frequent guests perks. Disney may not give "coupons" while the other 2 theme parks in Orlando do, they have been giving "codes". Codes are the same thing, just not using paper for it (saving trees ). A discount is a discount, paper or letters, it doesn't matter. If Disney didn't have to discount, why did they just (this year) allow non-Florida residents to have the Disney Dining & Entertainment Card... I can tell you why, so more guests will eat on property, I haven't seen SeaWorld or Universal coming out with that card yet?

Actually both SeaWorld and Universal offer excellent discounts (15 - 20%) at 95% or more of their restaurants and gift shops, inculding City Walk - all included with the annual pass - no need to purchase anything extra.

 

[TChrist05]

After reading your post Shelley, and thank you for your kind words, maybe we(or I) are using the word entitlements in error....having an annual pass and a carry sleeve for it, Disney tells me all the "perks" I get for being an annual passholder....and being a Vacation Club member(and I did spend a lot of money to become one as many other people have) they constantly update and add perks for there members. On of the new perks this year was to discount the annual pass for vacation club members...so I guess I feel that it is a perk that we got used to and really don't want to give it up. Let us not forget, the vacation club members could not take advantage of the free Disney dining, and yes, I accepted it because I was not paying cash for my room.
Tom

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Actually both SeaWorld and Universal offer excellent discounts (15 - 20%) at 95% or more of their restaurants and gift shops, inculding City Walk - all included with the annual pass - no need to purchase anything extra.

Yes, I know they offer the discount with the pass. I am also a Universal Passholder. Universal actually dicounts food at 15% & merchandise at 20% (Disney's regular AP/SP also discount food at some resturants at 10% & merchandise at the World of Disney at 10%) I was refering to the actual DDE card. Universal & SeaWorld do not do that. Universal has been doing a trial run of an All u can eat per day deal. It is something like $20 & you can eat in the park all you want that one day. I know I read something about it on the Universal Boards. As I said though, I was just refering to the DDE card.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

After reading your post Shelley, and thank you for your kind words, maybe we(or I) are using the word entitlements in error....having an annual pass and a carry sleeve for it, Disney tells me all the "perks" I get for being an annual passholder....and being a Vacation Club member(and I did spend a lot of money to become one as many other people have) they constantly update and add perks for there members. On of the new perks this year was to discount the annual pass for vacation club members...so I guess I feel that it is a perk that we got used to and really don't want to give it up. Let us not forget, the vacation club members could not take advantage of the free Disney dining, and yes, I accepted it because I was not paying cash for my room.
Tom

Many moons ago when DVC started, they gave free admission to the theme parks for their members. They did away with that several years ago.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

ITA
Disney has given great discounts to AP holders for the past few years. After 9/11 attendance really dropped and they encouraged Fl. residents and AP holders to come more often even for shorter stays and deep discounts.
Linda

Actually Disney was offering the really good discounts prior to 9/11 for it's Fl Residents & Passholders. Many people just never really noticed it. Yes, 9/11 had a drastic impact on travel. It may have made more rooms available at the discounted rate, but the discounts were there before. I can remember getting up to 40% off rack rate & calling just weeks prior to going. I can also remember way back in 98 when I stayed in FW Cabins. During check in I added on days with my resident discount. That is very hard to comeby now....

 

[All Aboard]

Not an entitlement, but the Disney Company sure does dangle the carrot out there when trying to sell annual passes. From Disney.com:

Passholder Benefits and Special Offers
Passholders receive special offers and discounts throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. These include periodic Walt Disney World® Resort room discounts, merchandise discounts at select Downtown Disney locations, food and beverage discounts at select locations and so much more!