Annual Passholder FIASCO

[Grumpy's Gal]

I can't believe it. We've stayed onsite in Deluxes and Moderates for the last five trips. Looks like I won't be doing that again after the announcement they made today about annual passes. ;-( That is really disappointing.

 

[dreams91]

I missed the announcement...What was it?

 

[poohj80]

I missed the announcement...What was it?

I wondered too, so did some digging....read here:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840378&page=1&pp=15

 

[Nik's Mom]

We're sad about the news. We just bought our aps for our May trip and wanted to go again within the next year. I just don't like the new non refundable deposit. I'd rather use our AAA discount. We'll let our ap's expire after this year.

 

[jiminy14]

I did an online survey for Disney about two months ago that dealt with this issue. Basically, they wanted to know if I would book my hotel on line if they offered "the best possible prices" to those AP holders who used the website to make ressies. Nothing was mentioned about non-refundable deposits or making the ressies 120 days out, but they did mention possible special incentives to book online such as coupons and giveaways.

 

[poohj80]

What I dislike about the non-refundable part is that life sometimes gets in the way of vacation plans. I know we've had to change plans in the past due to work and family issues and the non-refundable policy would make us think twice about booking. If the policy stated that a reservation could be changed without losing the deposit I would feel better about booking, but it isn't specific yet. I think we need to give the CMs time to understand the new policy and then ask all the tough questions.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

The 120 days out combined with the non-refundable deposit rubs me the wrong way. Especially with children, what if you need to reschedule due to chicken pox or any number of things that can happen in life with a child ????? I'm going to let our AP expire and then maybe check the prices of the hotels at DownTown Disney......... I think we may have stayed in the deluxes at DW for the last time.

 

[debbiedoo]

I did an online survey for Disney about two months ago that dealt with this issue. Basically, they wanted to know if I would book my hotel on line if they offered "the best possible prices" to those AP holders who used the website to make ressies. Nothing was mentioned about non-refundable deposits or making the ressies 120 days out, but they did mention possible special incentives to book online such as coupons and giveaways.

I received the same survery --


I think that they are trying to stop everyone calling on the day that is released. I have my AP for other reasons--not necessarily the room rate perk. I am sure that this will change the way a lot of people book vacations.

 

[TinkTatoo]

I received the same survery --


I think that they are trying to stop everyone calling on the day that is released. I have my AP for other reasons--not necessarily the room rate perk. I am sure that this will change the way a lot of people book vacations.

I agree - I think they want to stop a lot of people who chop and change their bookings when the AP rates are released

 

[seashoreCM]

If all the AP will get yoou is the best publicly available rate, most folks will find that on their own and not need to use the AP room reservation procedure.

If you go to WDW enough, the AP will be the best admission ticket even if there were no room discounts or meal discounts or souvenir discounts.

More than 12 theme park days with hopping and the AP is probably the best buy.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/dispass.htm

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I think this is a direct result of last year's hurricane season. Can you imagine how many people called and cancelled and wanted refunds? Also, the people that did come anyway and were affected by it probably received some perks as a courtesy because the parks were closed. I'll bet that added up to a pretty penny as well. I may be totally wrong but I don't think it's just a coincidence that these announcements were made at the start of this year's hurricane season.

 

[DebbieB]

Checkout this thread. Regular AP rates may still be coming:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=841197

Disney does a horrible job of communicating changes.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

This evening I had dinner with a friend who works at CRO/WDTC and asked her about what is going on. I mentioned that sometimes my wife and I would decide three weeks out that we could get a good airfare and look for AP rates. She says these restrictions only apply to reservations made online. The old rules still apply to reservations made over the phone.

 

[debbiedoo]

This evening I had dinner with a friend who works at CRO/WDTC and asked her about what is going on. I mentioned that sometimes my wife and I would decide three weeks out that we could get a good airfare and look for AP rates. She says these restrictions only apply to reservations made online. The old rules still apply to reservations made over the phone.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[srfrgrl07]

I think this is a direct result of last year's hurricane season. Can you imagine how many people called and cancelled and wanted refunds? Also, the people that did come anyway and were affected by it probably received some perks as a courtesy because the parks were closed. I'll bet that added up to a pretty penny as well. I may be totally wrong but I don't think it's just a coincidence that these announcements were made at the start of this year's hurricane season.

Actually, WDW waived all penalties for cancellations last year without anyone even having to ask. Guests that were onsite were given admission equivalent to the number of days the parks were closed. And the rooms did not go unused...many FL residents and CM needed shelter for weeks even so for every cancellation that occured, there were numerous guests to fill those rooms. BTW, I've lived in FL for almost 20 years and last year's hurricane season was extrememly rare...and unpredictable. WDW would not base a business decision on the possibilty of hurricanes.

 

[mamalle]

I agree- we were some that went to disney after hurricane frances for a week. I really dont think its that. I am disappointed as we do trips on short notice and like to do 4 a year so Im not always sure of the dates until closer. I have had to cancel also and would hate to lose my deposit. the only thing Im hoping for his fla rates but as we have learned the last two trips this year- they are few of those and ended up paying rack rate both times.

 

[LittleBoPeep]

Has anyone tried to use it? We tried and could not book our trip for the beginning of October because it was less than 120 out and our December trip because our vacation dates are after their computer automated cut-off date of November 26th. It said if we wanted to make reservations, we needed to call...but if we call and make reservations over the phone, we are not guaranteed the "best available rate", we'll need to call back and make changes to the reservation if an AP code comes out, rather than it automatically being applied--if it's still available when we call back. It's very frustrating...they need to work out the bugs!!!
Anyone else have any problems using it yet?

 

[reedycreek]

i think this is a direct result of the post 9/11 travel economy growing. the disney theme parks (except that monstrosity they call California ADventure) are all doing well, bookings seem to be up, and sales are definitely way up. maybe they just realized they dont need to offer those AP discounts anymore, as attendance levels seem to be through the roof again...????

 

[HookdonWDW]

The new AP Policy won't work for us. DH is in the military, so his work schedule can change quickly. I don't want to have to worry about losing out on the cost of a night's stay because we cancel "only" 3 months out...

 

[Jynohn]

The new AP Policy won't work for us. DH is in the military, so his work schedule can change quickly. I don't want to have to worry about losing out on the cost of a night's stay because we cancel "only" 3 months out...

I have the same problem. No way can this new policy work for military families.