Annual Passholders Get The Short End

[AirForceRocks]

Hey tinksfriend, I take it that your power isn't out? I just heard a blurb on the radio about a blackout in Britain.

 

[paults]

we bought our AP's for park use mostly and if we got a AP room discount, great. But seeing how long Disney waited to release them for Oct/Dec we decided 3 wks ago to use AP's at the SWAN and NEVER LOOKED BACK. We are DVC'ers but always stay FRI/SAT at other on-site resorts before going to BWV. If we like the SWAN than disney might not see us for awhile at their resorts other than DVC. We have nothing against DISNEY but it just seemed like the S&D wanted our business more.

Don't buy AP's for room discounts because you may not see any discounts for your times.

but as disney fans we'll be back

 

[thessaly]

Maybe I should be complaining that Florida Resident rates aren't out yet for that same time period.

Psst... look here:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/home/floridaresidents/offerindex?id=FLResFallOffer2

 

[Miss Jasmine]

lol, I saw that after and edited my post.

It really doesn't matter to me since I have an AP as well. And I am not planning on a resort stay during the time period (I'll be enjoying myself on a DCL cruise though, and I am patiently waiting to see if Florida Resident rates do come out for that, but if not, no big deal).

 

[tinksfriend]

Hi AirforceRocks!!

You know more than me then!!! I've been so absorbed in reading this board I've not seen the news!!

It's been very entertaining here today!!

Still think the original Poster is 'having a laugh' though!!!!

 

[FredS]

Not sure about the suspicion toward a new poster, who started a thread on a perfectly logical complaint.

Granted, there are many lurkers who rarely post due to the rudeness of some who post thousands of times, and seem to have some territorial issues with the boards. One doesn't have to "live" on this board to have a valid discussion point.

 

[chinamom3]

Nitram, you didn't state what your dates are. If you were trying to go in September, unfortunately, that's the month that was left hanging out to dry. However, if you were trying for other dates that WERE advertised, call back, call back, call back! People CAN, and do, make two different reservations within the same time frame, and then cancel one when they have decided. Frowned upon by others, but it is perfectly legitimate. Also, people cancel reservations for other reasons that are now unforseen. If you aren't leaving until October or past then, you have plenty of time for something to pop up on the Disney computers. I'd let the dust settle from today and start calling back every week or so, maybe more often closer to time. Please don't leave the DIS, you have every right to voice your feelings.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by tinksfriend
Still think the original Poster is 'having a laugh' though!!!!

I agree - I thought "Troll" when I first read it!

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by FredS
Not sure about the suspicion toward a new poster, who started a thread on a perfectly logical complaint.

Granted, there are many lurkers who rarely post due to the rudeness of some who post thousands of times, and seem to have some territorial issues with the boards. One doesn't have to "live" on this board to have a valid discussion point.

Who was rude to the OP, and what in the world are you talking about when you say "territorial issues"?

 

[tinksfriend]

Originally posted by FredS

Granted, there are many lurkers who rarely post due to the rudeness of some who post thousands of times, and seem to have some territorial issues with the boards. One doesn't have to "live" on this board to have a valid discussion point.

Exactly what you've just done to me!!!!!
I'll go back to 'lurking'!!!
Bye!!!!!!

 

[amymouse]

So I guess that AP now stands for "angry people" instead of annual passholder.

I'll go let my brain finish imploding on itself now.

 

[dznyntnh]

Oh, My!!

I thought that once Disney released these AP rates, things would become peaceful here again.

Silly me!

I guess I'll just go back to being one of those disloyal, non-AP, undeserving people who got suckered by Disney into buying a (no, don't say it) FTP.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I understand where AP holders are coming from. While Disney has EVERY legal right to not offer AP discounts, it just doesn't make any sense from a business standpoint.

Anyone who's bought an AP has already put up a good deal of money. Then, Disney offers hotel discounts, but only if you're willing to purchase a room AND more admission. They have opened a discount to everybody EXCEPT those who have already paid a lot of money. Not good for building brand-loyalty. Not to mention, as has already been stated, someone who's got the annual pass is a lot more likely to say "HEY! Great deal on airfare! Let's go to Disney World!" than someone who doesn't.

On the other hand, yes, Disney is a business. If it needs to get package bookings up for whatever reason, they have every right to do so.

The only thing that gets tired quicker than those with AP issues are those who say "Disney never guaranteed AP discount rates! Get over it!" If you don't want to hear the AP complaints, stop reading the posts that deal with the AP rates!

 

[Tonyspad]

While I am not one for any type of abuse to anyone, I will certainly speak my mind. I am of the mind set that Disney owes AP's NOTHING except admission for one year. Anyone who expects more should take another look at their AP information that they received upon purchase. Disney is a huge company and they need to turn a profit in order to maintain this unbelievable magical vacation spot we all adore. Where else can you go in the world with so much to do and have the ability to stay in a hotel within it's boundries (with many different classes avalible) that keeps the vacation going 24/7???

 

[AirForceRocks]

While Disney has EVERY legal right to not offer AP discounts, it just doesn't make any sense from a business standpoint.

It most likely does make business sense, or they wouldn't be doing it. I highly doubt that the Disney powers-that-be just woke up one morning and said "Hey, let's structure our discounts so that we can lose money AND piss off the AP holders - what do you think?".

Anyone who's bought an AP has already put up a good deal of money.

And so long as they are permitted to enter the park for one year, they have received what they paid for, no?

Not to mention, as has already been stated, someone who's got the annual pass is a lot more likely to say "HEY! Great deal on airfare! Let's go to Disney World!" than someone who doesn't.

Not if they only bought one pass in order to get the room discount (which I think is fine).

The purchase of an AP doesn't make one any more loyal than any other visitor, IMO.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We've already been to Disney & Universal 3X this year a total of 11 days in Disney! I still haven't purchased an AP for all 3 of us. I know I will be going again probably sometime in Feb or April and summer 2004.

I am planning to buy the AP for the main purpose...unlimited entrance to 4 parks for 365 days! When I purchase my AP...that is what I am entitled to...365 of Disney! I am not buying it to get a discounts on resorts, why... I know it's not a guaranteed and Disney sure never promised the AP holder that they will all receive a discount at any time and the resorts will have that discount availability at all times.

"...No expectations...no disapointments."

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
It most likely does make business sense, or they wouldn't be doing it. I highly doubt that the Disney powers-that-be just woke up one morning and said "Hey, let's structure our discounts so that we can lose money AND piss off the AP holders - what do you think?".

OH! That's right! Disney has NEVER made any business mistakes before! I suppose we're putting aside the abrupt cancellation of early entry that had to be later re-instated because of severe guest disapproval, the dismal performance of ABC, the entire Wide World of Sports complex, go.com......I can go on. Would you like me to?

And so long as they are permitted to enter the park for one year, they have received what they paid for, no?

Wow. You're REALLY stuck on that one point, aren't you? You earlier asked someone to re-read your post. Would be so kind as to read mine? I think you'll find:

While Disney has EVERY legal right to not offer AP discounts,

Just in case that didn't come across the way I meant it, let me say again: Disney has no obligation to offer resort discounts.

Not if they only bought one pass in order to get the room discount (which I think is fine).

Your logic here confuses me. These are the ONLY people that buy annual passes? I'm not one of them. I must be the only one.

The purchase of an AP doesn't make one any more loyal than any other visitor, IMO.

Unless you were speaking to someone else, where in my post did I make mention of a loyal guest? I made mention of brand-loyalty which is something completely different from a loyal visitor. If you upset your customers (no matter whether you or I think that said customers have a RIGHT to be upset), they will not continue to patronize your business. And it seems that Disney has taken a large group of people, and made them upset. Once again, whether or not that anger is justified is irrelevant; because those customers will more likely than not walk, and Disney will lose that business.

And it seems that you've completely missed the point of my post. I thought I made it pretty clear, and you seemed to have glossed right over it. Here it is again:

The only thing that gets tired quicker than those with AP issues are those who say "Disney never guaranteed AP discount rates! Get over it!" If you don't want to hear the AP complaints, stop reading the posts that deal with the AP rates!

 

[AirForceRocks]

OH! That's right! Disney has NEVER made any business mistakes before! I suppose we're putting aside the abrupt cancellation of early entry that had to be later re-instated because of severe guest disapproval, the dismal performance of ABC, the entire Wide World of Sports complex, go.com......I can go on. Would you like me to?

Nope, you don't need to, though I doubt that will stop you. It seems pretty obvious to me, given the apparently small number of rooms that were offered for AP discounts today, that the FTP was pretty successful in filling up the resorts. Sounds like a good business decision to me.

Wow. You're REALLY stuck on that one point, aren't you? You earlier asked someone to re-read your post. Would be so kind as to read mine?

I did read your post. And you are REALLY stuck on the idea that because someone has bought an AP, they are somehow entitled to more room discounts than those that haven't bought an AP.

Your logic here confuses me. These are the ONLY people that buy annual passes? I'm not one of them. I must be the only one.

Did I say anywhere that they are the only ones? But let's be serious here - you know and I know that many of the people on these boards have talked about doing that.

Unless you were speaking to someone else, where in my post did I make mention of a loyal guest? I made mention of brand-loyalty which is something completely different from a loyal visitor.

Surely even you can see that brand-loyalty is linked to loyal visitors. What does brand-loyalty result in? Loyal visitors - otherwise, what is the point?

And it seems that you've completely missed the point of my post. I thought I made it pretty clear, and you seemed to have glossed right over it. Here it is again:

Physician, heal thyself. If you don't want to read posts that say Disney never guaranteed an AP discount, then don't read them. Otherwise, you'll just have to deal with it, just like those of us that deal with the incessant whining and cyber-tantrums.

 

[CaipiraBob]

Look folks, I'm not going to argue the point that discounts are not necessarily promised for AP holders or part of any written policy.

I can only point out simply that discounts were provided for a long enough time for people to <i>become used</i> to receiving them.

Of course when they are not provided after becomming used to them to the point of planning on them, there is going to be a reaction. It doesn't matter if it was written policy or not. It happened consistently enough to establish an expectation for a large number of AP holders.

And it did cause a large reaction among AP holders. So while there may be a small segment of AP holder to whom a 25-40% discount is not a must to be able to plan the perfect vacation, there is by far a large number of people for whom it would be the deciding factor.

Regardless of the "other" business decisions involved, DisneyCorp has to take into account this factor, along with the growing competition being offered from varying other destinations.

IMHO, they covered a lot of lost ground today.

Still, there is the group of AP holders who will be left out of any savings for the fall. I can understand from the above perspective why they'd be upset.

As the market and overall economy are more of a questionable factor these days it's something to be concerned about.

AP holders do represent the more loyal of Disney's clientel.

Your base is not something you want to caused waves with.

So regardless of what side people take on this, Disney reinforced such expectations by consistently providing the discounts in question.

They may end up with a backlash by those who feel "left out".

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but it's definately a major issue for many people.

As this is my second cup of Fonseca Porto, I'm quite finished with coherent thought, and as so well expressed by another DIS member, "It's time for my nap"...

 

[AirForceRocks]

AP holders do represent the more loyal of Disney's clientel.

Sorry, but I just don't believe that is necessarily true.