Annual Passholders Get The Short End

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by mariamouse
Wow! As a 14 yr. old avid DISer, I am shocked by the behavior of full-grown adults on this thread! Yes, the OP is wrong in many ways... AP rates are not guaranteed and people shouldn't fume when they don't get what they want... and yes, people who disagree with it have every right to voice their opinion... but why do so many of you resort to mean remarks and make the OP feel unwelcome? Don't get me wrong, I understand posters fully, I just think it's immature to not learn to ignore or stop posting mean things. Sorry to fume... it's just been bugging me since I joined this thread and started reading these debatable threads. Just my opinion... maybe as a teen my points are less valid?

mariamouse

Your opinion is just as valid as the OP's opinion and I agree that there's no reason to be mean or unkind in our posts. So what if the OP might be here under an alias? His opinion is still a valid one, is it not.

Mariamouse, what a mature young person you are! Kudos to you for speaking up!!

 

[safetymom]

Boy, I must be wearing my rose colored glasses. All I have seen in this thread is different opinions. Opinions that everyone is entitled to share. Not just the ones that agree with the OP.

It doesn't make a difference if you are young or old. Your first visit or your 50th visit to WDW you are entitled to your opinion. Your first post or your 3000th post.

But you can change your opinion once someone presents some facts that you hadn't heard before.

Do we all want to have the same opinion all the time?

 

[DancingBear]

Just visiting over here from the Debate Board to see how things were going. Gotta say, if someone just posted a question about AP discounts, and somebody hijacked the thread into a debate, I'd understand the "get outta here" response. But when someone like the OP here posts a strong opinion ("Annual Passholders get the Short End" and "I was livid"), then if someone else wants to post their strong opinion to the contrary on the issue, what's the problem?

 

[disneychrista]

Why else whould I have bought an annual pass? Just to give Disney the pleasure of my company over and over without anything back to me? I doubt it.

Why does Disney need to give you back anything? You get unimited entrance to the parks at a fraction of what day trippers or even packages.

IMO, buying a pass in advance for the sole purpose of room discounts is a gamble. Holding a reservation (non-discounted) for the hotel you want the discount at puts the odds even more in Disney's favor, since you have increased room bookings and lessoned chances for discounts.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Safetymom,

I don't think it's the differing opinions that have gotten people upset. I think if you re-read the thread, you will find that the OP's motives were called into question, he was accused of being a troll, and of whining. There were other personal comments being made on both sides, but I am going to leave it there. I only planned on making one post in this thread, and really am going to stop at two (well, maybe ).

The DIS is a great place, and I think most people here would probably actually get on well if they met at WDW (as long as they promised not to talk about AP discounts, refillable mugs, pool hopping and too many people in a room! )

Mike

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by DancingBear
Just visiting over here from the Debate Board to see how things were going. Gotta say, if someone just posted a question about AP discounts, and somebody hijacked the thread into a debate, I'd understand the "get outta here" response. But when someone like the OP here posts a strong opinion ("Annual Passholders get the Short End" and "I was livid"), then if someone else wants to post their strong opinion to the contrary on the issue, what's the problem?

Because sometimes the verbal agressivness and argumentativeness shown by a few posters goes beyond the offering of helpful information or opinions. There are many people who do not enjoy getting into heated debates on a Disney board. Sometimes people just need to vent about their feelings of disappointment.........they shouldn't have to feel ganged up on, especially if the possibility exists that they're new here.

Not a very good welcome, huh?

 

[safetymom]

Mike, I can see how people could think that the OP was a troll. Once it was explained that they really were new it became a dead issue.

 

[Grog]

I can see how people could think that the OP was a troll. Once it was explained that they really were new it became a dead issue.

And an apology was issued to the OP by the poster that called his legitimacy into question. Something that has not been done by others who have tossed around the word "troll".

 

[MosMom]

From my passholder sleeve:

Special Passholder rates may be offered seasonally at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and select Disney Vacation Club Resorts. See your Mickey Monitor newsletter for specific offers.

So, yes they do say that they MAY be offered but they do list it as a perk in the actual sleeve. If you are going to list it as a perk to entice someone to spend a considerable amount more on tickets then you should be prepared to offer them. I'm not saying that they need to offer them ALL the time or at ALL resorts but they do need to offer them.

If Disney wants to only offer these discounts at specific times like they did for Disney Club, then spell it out. Don't keep people hanging by a string. Not good business IMO.

As far as Disney goes, I think it would be wise to continue the discounts as many people would stop buying AP's without the discounts. I know *I* go on more trips when I have my AP and I probably would just go on one trip per year if they stopped the low room rates for simple economics. They would lose money on me (and probably others) on rooms that would go empty otherwise. Seems silly. Perhaps I am in the minority and there are far more abusers of the system which causes Disney to actually lose money. Who knows, all I know is that they need to spell out the benefits instead of using it as a worm on a hook.

 

[year2late]

Isn't "may be offered" self explanatory?

I understand that folks are used to a more substantial offerings, but "may be offered" is iffy enough for me. I would never "expect" a discount given that language.

Frankly I think many of the AP holders themselves are partially to blame. I hear time and time again about folks booking rooms and waiting for the AP discounts to appear. Is there any wonder that if Disney is booking plenty of rooms why they would not be overflowing with discounts?

 

[MosMom]

Oh, I agree 100% with the fact that you shouldn't book rooms waiting for AP's to come out. Disney could stop that though by offering definite "seasons" for discounts instead of leaving it blowing in the wind.

 

[year2late]

While in theory, I may agree about offering (definite) seasonal AP rates is a swell idea, the reality is Disney offers the rates to boost the business. If they are already getting sufficient business, why should they offer the discount? Would shareholders be happy with Disney giving a $300 a night room for $129 when the market will easily bear the $300?

This goes back to the idiocy of AP holders booking rooms and praying for AP rates to appear. The act of booking the room gives one less chance for an AP rate toappear.

 

[Penny12]

Right, that's <i>enough</i> - knock it off people.

I think there are a good many adults here who would do well to take a leaf from mariamouse's book because I just can't believe some of the things I've read on this thread. And before anyone points the finger at their opposite in this 'debate' then let me assure you I'm addressing most everyone here.

Lets get some things straight...

It is <i>not</i> acceptable to climb all over a newbie. And for anyone who uses the feeble reasoning that it's probably a troll then I have to ask why then you are even responding? Any seasoned poster will tell you that the best way to deal with trolls is to starve them of fodder. Either way, there is simply no excuse for the way this thread has escalated into what it has.

Suggesting that 'visitors' from other boards have no right to post here is incorrect. Many people have already pointed out the benefits of 'Ignore' - if you really don't like seeing certain people that much, I think it's a good idea to take advantage of that particular board feature.

Let's also cut all the sarcastic "I'm just visiting from the DB/CB" stuff - I know you guys and I know you're not that sensitive to someone telling you that you've no right to post here - you've made your point, so stop playing games and stirring the pot.

None of those 3 statements are up for debate.

Now, on this thread we've had the venting and we've had the debating but it's been a good long while since I've seen anything new that isn't just a re-hash of something that's already been said over and over already. Unless someone has a fresh perspective I really think it's time this one got peacefully laid to rest - agree to disagree and move on. It would be nice if for once that could happen without a thread having to be locked....

 

[AirForceRocks]

Because sometimes the verbal agressivness and argumentativeness shown by a few posters goes beyond the offering of helpful information or opinions.

I agree HMG - I think that these comments from FredS, are great examples of what you've mentioned. I would remind you that these comments were made after zero provocation from anyone that disagreed with her.

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

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.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by year2late
While in theory, I may agree about offering (definite) seasonal AP rates is a swell idea, the reality is Disney offers the rates to boost the business. If they are already getting sufficient business, why should they offer the discount? Would shareholders be happy with Disney giving a $300 a night room for $129 when the market will easily bear the $300?

This goes back to the idiocy of AP holders booking rooms and praying for AP rates to appear. The act of booking the room gives one less chance for an AP rate toappear.

Just one more time that I would LOVE to be in on the decisionmaking in regards to discounts and customer/guest loyalty! LOL
Sometimes ya have to wonder who is making the decisions, when and WHY they make them as well.

I'm just glad when they finally do post their discount rates, albeit a bit later than is useful sometimes.

 

[iwannabeminnie]

Originally posted by MosMom
If you are going to list it as a perk to entice someone to spend a considerable amount more on tickets then you should be prepared to offer them. [/B]

I've done the math a hundred different times, and the AP always has me spending a considerable amount LESS on tickets. (Except for our upcoming trip when the FTP saved us a bundle over renewing. )

 

[J Mouse]

I booked the room I wanted at AKL last night. It took some time, but I got what I wanted. Here are some tips:
--Do not state "I would like the AP rate", instead state "Use code AMI please".
--Disney's goal is to sell the highest price room. Let them know you are only interested in a certain room at a certain rate.
----Negotiate for your room. Change dates slightly to find the room you want.
--When I mentioned that I was offered a room at Swan for $139/night, suddenly she found the savanna room I wanted...for the rate I wanted.
I saved about 50% off the rack rates and I'm happy.

We are going end of Nov.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by MosMom


If Disney wants to only offer these discounts at specific times like they did for Disney Club, then spell it out. Don't keep people hanging by a string. Not good business IMO.

You are trying to compare two different things. Disney Club was a discount card. AP is unlimited park admission not a discount card.

Even if there were discounts all the time, there would still be whining that there weren't enough of them to go around. If people are hanging on a string, then they put themselves there. Disney didn't promise AP holders anything except park admission.

 

[RescueRanger]

Let me start by saying that while I do not agree with everything the OP has stated, I believe they have every right to complain if they choose. If in their situation they are frustrated because of their dealings with Disney, then they should be able to vent as much as they want. I bought my APs because of the length of time we were at WDW in June. We don't normally do the waterparks or Disneyquest, so it just made more sense to buy APs. We also got a discount on our lodging so we got our value out of them. I have also seen where alot of people got very good discounts with the lates rates released. Could Disney have handled the discounts better? Absolutely. However, some people may not have gotten what they were expecting and they have every right to be frustrated. Do I think others with differing views should be able to post? Absolutely, if they do not become argumentative. There were several posts by opposing viewpoints to the OP that I personally had no problem with. They stated their opinion and left it at that. It is the person's that obviously were lookig for a debate that I had the problems with (hence my statement about going back to the debate board). The ones that can't seem to let it alone. I am thrilled to say that I finally figured out this "ignore" thing I keep hearing about. I thought it was people just trying to be sarcastic but now I know how to use it, it took care of alot of the problem.

 

[ripleysmom]

One other thing that I would like to point out to those people who book their rooms hoping for an AP rate. As far as Disney is concerned, those rooms are sold and do not require an AP rate to entice someone to stay.

Perhaps the best way to ensure enough AP rates to go around is to not book the rooms in advance. Then Disney will realize that they have to offer more discounts in order to fill their rooms.