Annual Passholders Get The Short End

[Nitram]

The Annual Pass rates just came out and when we tried to get a rate I was told that all rooms have been taken, everywhere. No rooms for any resort. When I asked how this happened, I was told that the recent promotion booked all the rooms, so no annual rate. Does anyone else feel shorted here? We are the loyal guests, we are the ones who travel several times in the year. And now, as loyal guests we will be paying rack rate (we can't even get the special they offered) and the guy who is not an Annual Passholder will have a better rate (in fact, he will get several nights for free)! How's that for loyalty? This is simply making me livid since we have booked the reservation a year in advance and simply waited for the Annual Pass Rate to come out. Had we known this would happen, we would have not bought the pass, and instead bought the "Special". I guess color me stupid for thinking Disney liked it's return guests.

 

[AirForceRocks]

The problem is that there is no guarantee on Annual Pass rates. I'm sorry that you bought the pass thinking that you were definitely going to get a discount, but for future reference, and to avoid disappointment, you might keep in mind that you don't have to have the pass to make the reservation, you just need it when you check in.

It's too bad that you weren't able to get an AP rate - I see that most of the folks here that were looking for them were able to get them. When are you planning on going to WDW? I would keep calling back, it is always possible that rooms with discounts will open up.

 

[jiminyfan]

I got to make 4 different ressies with AP rates with no problems for the time frame we wanted. Maybe another time frame will be available.

I know they have been booking lots of ressies this morning, but nothing is impossible - I even got a CRT ressie today for a party of 6.

Keep trying.

 

[alicecr]

I tried 3 times today before I got AP at Contemporary for 11/14 - 11/16. The first 2 times I was told all rooms were sold out and my existing reservation could not be changed to AP rate. The third call I got the discount. Keep trying. Maybe some people are holding rooms hoping for discount and when they don't get it the rooms will open up as they cancel.

 

[DebbieB]

How about the late August/September passholders who got shutout completely? I can't believe September is more filled than around all the fall events, even Christmas dates are included if you check-in on or before 12/26.

 

[halfway there]

Originally posted by alicecr
I tried 3 times today before I got AP at Contemporary for 11/14 - 11/16. The first 2 times I was told all rooms were sold out and my existing reservation could not be changed to AP rate. The third call I got the discount. Keep trying. Maybe some people are holding rooms hoping for discount and when they don't get it the rooms will open up as they cancel.

Although this sounds encouraging, I'm confused as to how this could be possible. If a certain number of rooms have been set aside for the discount then why wouldn't someone holding on to a room already, take advantage of it? And if they can't get a discount and cancel, how will I suddenly be able to get a discount for the same room they couldn't?

Hopefully, this is somehow true and even though I've already called 3 times, there's still a chance for me!

 

[safetymom]

I don't want to start a fuss but I would question why you think you deserve a discount.

Are you buying the annual pass because you are being loyal to Disney or buying it because you get cheaper admittance to the parks?

There are many of us that go and just buy Park hoppers and are loyal also. I don't feel I am entitled to anything even though I visit several times a year.

Hopefully you will be able to get your discount. In the future don't think of it as a guarantee for cheaper room rates and you won't have to be upset.

 

[mrsltg]

Well, I don't feel shorted. I am a loyal Disney-goer and I got a great rate. It's just luck of the draw today. I guess they didn't have a great need to give a lot of discounts so there were fewer AP rates available. I certainly don't agree that Disney has forgotten it's loyal guests.

Erin

 

[erikthewise]

You may not have gotten what you wanted, but it's hard to call it the short end. Last year I seem to recall the AP rates came out after the public codes. This year it's starting to look like there aren't going to be any public room-only codes for the fall. The AP rates may not be available at all resorts on all dates, but the discounts are pretty generous when you can get them, and we are getting first crack at them. Non-AP holders are still pretty much looking at rack rates for room-only, and it may well stay that way.

 

[FredS]

Nitram, I know what you mean. AFR and safetymom apparently you are completely out of the loop on room discounts!!

For instance, there have been the incredible discount offered via the Fairytale packages. Unfortunately for annual passholders, since they include passes for the stay they are not of any real value, as essentially you are paying twice to enter the parks. So, yes, someone who has never before and never will again go to WDW can get a better deal using the Fairytale package than an annual passholder who has to pay rack rate plus the cost of the AP. Essentially the discounts offered logically exclude annual passholders.

I can understand exactly how frustrating it is. We tend to buy annual passes then try to get in several trips during the year. If the discounts are severely limited on room only then I don't think that we will get AP's in the future, but will get the discount packages. I fully expect that we will, however, make fewer trips as we won't have the AP clock ticking to encourage squeezing in another trip or two.

 

[Daryl]

Nitram, I understand your frustration. I am a AP holder who has always seen the room discounts as my main reason for purchasing my AP. Although most years I have been able to make 2 trips down, some years its just not doable, but the great room rates still make the pass a great bargain. There are fewer discounts this year but my advice, and it has worked well in the past, is to be flexible with your dates and as others here have said, keep trying. things change quickly and in my case persistance has always paid off. Good Luck, I hope it works out

 

[AirForceRocks]

AFR and safetymom apparently you are completely out of the loop on room discounts!!

Thanks so much for your concern, but no, I'm not at all "out of the loop" on room discounts. I'm well aware of the details of the FTP, and I understand how they aren't really a deal for AP holders - I never said they were. Nor did I say or even imply that there haven't been great deals for non-AP holders this year. I'm simply saying that IMO it is unreasonable to be so upset about something that is not and never has been guaranteed as a benefit for AP holders.

So, yes, someone who has never before and never will again go to WDW can get a better deal using the Fairytale package than an annual passholder who has to pay rack rate plus the cost of the AP.

Who said that they didn't? I don't think you read what I posted.

 

[Kapp]

it looks like instead of opening all available rooms for the AP rates, that they only released a specific, set number for AP access. They are probably doing some equation using what they normally fill plus what they expect to get from the Fall/Winter Dream Maker plus any other special promotion they may do closer to the holidays and what is left....is what is turned over to the AP rates. Just my thought on the subject. I really hate that they are taking advantage of AP holders and past DC members.

 

[chipscinderelly]

Nitram - Welcome to the DIS. I noticed this was your first post and that you registered today. I hope you find lots of valuable information here!

 

[AirForceRocks]

I believe that they have historically only set aside a certain number of rooms for discounts, be it AP, FL resident, military salute, etc., so that isn't new.

But I am intrigued by your comment about Disney taking advantage of AP holders - how so?

 

[DisneyKidds]

If one views Annual Passholder discounts on resorts as a guaranteed benefit and something they are entitled to as a passholder I can ssee how you might feel slighted if all the discounted rooms are gone before the AP discount is published. Problem is, resort discounts are not a guaranteed benefit. Personally, I think you should look at AP's for what they are.........the most cost effective means of gaining entry to the parks if you will be going to WDW for enough days during the year.........and not a method of gaining any other discounts.

Sure, for our May trip when we needed a night and I saw all these people getting big discounts with the FTP that I couldn't take advantage of I kind of thought it sucked.........but Disney has to run a business. Well, I was patient and I got my AP 40% room only discount.

Same for this coming Dec. Winter Dream Maker didn't work for us............but just today I picked up the Poly for $170 a night plus tax. You just have to be patient.........and a little flexible.

AP resort discounts are a way to reward AP holding guests with great rates on excess inventory. Disney has a right to sell as much inventory as they can at higher prices before they release the AP discounts. That is how a business works. As an AP holder who realizes that the discounts offered will be on excess inventory when Disney has it available, if you want the discount you have to be willing to take what is available. It's there, it's just up to you to make it work.

 

[mrsltg]

I really hate that they are taking advantage of AP holders and past DC members.

I for one know that I am feeling really "taken advantage of". I mean, with only a miniscule savings of $1500 , I can't believe that Disney would abuse me like this!

Erin

 

[skiwee1]

I wondering who was going to be the first to complain about the discounts. Welcome to the new OP! Anyway first there was complaining that there were no AP rates. Now that AP rates have come out we have more whining! When will this stop? LOL!!! As far as a limited number of rooms it is always done that way. AAA, AP, and any other discounted rooms are always a limited number. That is the way ALL hotels in the world operate, not just WDW.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

It's pretty strange that someone who has never posted before would start a thread like this. With that said, I was wondering who would still be complaining once the AP rates came out, and how long would it take. I can't say that I am disappointed or surprised.

Disney owes AP holders nothing more than admission to the theme parks 365 days a year.

All this whining is really getting on my nerves.

 

[tinksfriend]

Oh dear!!!!


I suspect you've all just been wound up!!!!!

OP registered today, just the one post?????!!!!

C'mon guys!!!! He/she'll be sat back and watching!!!!