Any word on discounts this morning?

[Gary M]

WDWFreak, I just stayed in the Drury, in downtown St. Louis, a couple of weeks ago. We stayed in a suite for $160 inc. tax per night(3 adults) which was much better than any $160 per night rack rate room in WDW or even discounted rooms in deluxe WDW resorts.

DW and I have had AP's for several years, because we have gone to WDW 3-4 times per year, staying at least 8 days per trip. Our AP's expire in Nov., 2003 and we will not renew them without discounted room rates for this winter. For our last 25 trips to WDW we have had very good discounts on our deluxe hotel rooms. For our first 3 trips we paid rack rates because we didn't know about the discounts, but never again. We are retired and travel to other places besides WDW, but like WDW very much. We only travel Nov. thru March. We plan ahead and already have two trips reserved for Vegas and one for New Orleans. We will only go to WDW twice this winter if we get good discounts on rooms, if not, we will travel to other places, like you suggest. If we don't go to WDW this winter, I'm sure they aren't going to miss our $8,000 to $10,000 or so we spend there each year.

I know the powers to be at WDW do not owe me or anyone else a discount, but I also feel that the rack rates are an insult for what you get. If the demand is there, then WDW can get the rack room rates, but not from me.

 

[currycook]

Gary,
I agree with you, I think WDW rack rates are too high for the value you get. With a nice discount it is much more resonable. Especially in Value season which is when we go and stay at WDW.

I am fortunate to live in Florida and have an AP. So I can book the Florida resident special rates which are very close to the AP rate. But I can understand the frustration of those that are waiting especially because they are some of the most loyal Disney customers. I dont think its in Disney's best buisness interest to frustrate its most loyal customers.

 

[wdwfreak]

Originally posted by Gary M
WDWFreak, I just stayed in the Drury, in downtown St. Louis, a couple of weeks ago. We stayed in a suite for $160 inc. tax per night(3 adults) which was much better than any $160 per night rack rate room in WDW or even discounted rooms in deluxe WDW resorts.

Of course there are better deals out there. I'm glad you enjoyed your suite. My example would be a standard room with two double beds that goes for 66.95 + 10.00 for each extra adult. I worked for Drury for several years and that's the general rack rate you'll find in and around STL.

I'm sorry, I base my decision on going to Disney on more than getting as good deal. You may be different. Yes, I've spent lots of money there and will continue to, but I don't feel screwed when I have to pay rack rate. And believe me, I don't have money to burn. If I felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth and that they still owed me, then I wouldn't go. Unfortunately for Disney, a lot of people are starting to feel that way.

I sense that there are those out there that are ready to throw in the towel with Disney based on potentially not getting an AP rate this fall. I'm simply not one of those people.

 

[DMRick]

I sense that there are those out there that are ready to throw in the towel with Disney based on potentially not getting an AP rate this fall.

I'm not ready to throw in the towel with Disney..but I am with their hotels. I've only thought they were reasonable for what you get with AP/postcard rates. This year, for the first time in a long time, we stayed off site..and was surprised how darn nice it was for cheap. We stayed in a Hyatt, gotten on Price Line, and were pretty darn happy with the room. We have ressie's for part of our week (and maybe for longer) this September at the Downtown Marriot. If the AP's don't come out we'll stay elsewhere, instead of Disney. And you know what? Since we are staying elsewhere anyway, we are going to Universal..and our next visit, I think we'll just plan on staying at Universal. My AP leads me to believe I will get AP's. I actually think I'm going to..but why make me wait this long to find out. Announce there aren't going to be any, and let me get on with my plans..don't keep me waiting and teasing with a couple of hours of AP's!

 

[magicmouse2]

According to mousesavershttp://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html#historical there were no annual passholder rates for September last year, but resort discounts codes.

 

[magicmouse2]

I just worked out that I could get a 2 bed Villa at OKW for $479 and then apply a 15% disney club discount. That would work out cheaper than renting points for $550 per weekend night. That is still much more than I wanted to pay though I cant justify paying $199 per night for 2 standard rooms at AKL
If the AP rates dont come out I may have to downgrade to POR for £133 per night and -20% DC discount.

 

[Mikenmindy]

Originally posted by magicmouse2
According to mousesavershttp://www.mousesavers.com/faq.html#historical there were no annual passholder rates for September last year, but resort discounts codes.

4/21/02-9/30/02 Annual Passholder room-only rates which were released on 1/24/02

 

[magicmouse2]

Wow,I can understand why everyone is getting so flustered now, if they came out THAT early last year. I didnt check that far back!

I am SO close to cancelling AKL and staying on at OKW an extra 3 nights by renting points. My patience is running out too....

 

[Tonyspad]

I just can not believe all the posts from people who are complaining that discounts are not out yet and how last year they came out much earlier. If some people can not afford a deluxe then why do they book it? Isn't it better to book a Mod then if any discounts are released take the lower price or upgrade??? You might as well go and buy a lottery ticket, because you are gambling with your families vacation and emotions. This resort board has become a place for people to complain about Disney not giving them a room that they can afford, when everyone knows what the prices are when a reservation is made. Everyone loves a discount but it is just getting to the point that when one discount period expires the next group comes on this board and begins to complain.

 

[GladysK]

I disagree with one thing Moussavers posted. Last year I got a discount code from Mousesavers that could be used by anyone. They were for the month of November & we got the AKL for a great rate.

If I don't get a discount, we simply will put off our trip.The economy is in the pits, unemployment is at an all time high. WDW better offer some room discounts or there will be empty parks.


So DISNEY..........are you listening?

 

[Michael623]

GladysK makes a good point. Would Disney rather have empty hotel rooms or filled discounted rooms? From a business stand point I can't see leaving rooms empty.

 

[Tonyspad]

With these replys why would people who could not get a discounted deluxe reserve the All Stars or Coronado?? You mean to tell me that people would rather skip vacation with their family instead of staying in a different hotel? These posts make it seem it is Disneys fault that you are not going on vacation because they have not posted discount codes ... !!!

 

[MHopkins2]

With these replys why would people who could not get a discounted deluxe reserve the All Stars or Coronado?? You mean to tell me that people would rather skip vacation with their family instead of staying in a different hotel? These posts make it seem it is Disneys fault that you are not going on vacation because they have not posted discount codes ... !!!

It's certainly not Disney's fault if I don't go on vacation - it's my fault for not saving (and/or making) enough money to be able to go. But discounts or lack thereof are a factor. Prime real life example: I'm thinking about taking a long weekend trip in September, outside of my regular vacations and for no other reason than to treat myself. Flight rates right now are excellent, and thanks to Mousesavers, I found a good rate on a rental car. Getting a discount on a Disney resort would be the "icing" I need to push me over the edge into a purchase. It's not even so much about the actual money - if that were the case, I wouldn't stay onsite anyway. It's about the mental / emotional pull of "getting a deal." Does that make any sense?

 

[Tonyspad]

It makes you feel like you are conquering the giant. And good for you about thinking of a vacation when a deal comes around. The $99 deal at the Swan/ Dolphin is a deal hard to pass up!!! If I was able to take time off at Labor Day I would be at WDW in a heart beat. This just goes to prove that even though I would MUCH rather stay at a Monorail hotel I would stay at the Swan/ Dolphin instead of not going at all.

 

[Donnainnj]

Tonyspad,
I haven't made reservations yet as I wait for AP discounts. When I saw the discounts offered at HH and VB for Disney Visa card holders, (sorry about original mistake it is not an AP holder discount) I even considered splitting our stay with one of those, if we were driving I definitely would be at HH for part of the trip. I am not devoted to one resort at WDW so there is always something available. I have also considered staying the frist few days at WDW and then switching to a rental house. The wdw area is full of options and I am sure some good ones will be left when we book. We always have a great trip, I would have considered Swan and Dolphins current discount but we really want the kids to have their own room this trip, and I don't want to spend $300 per night for that to be possible. Hoping to get AP discount at AKL for a few nights of one room Savanah view, and then switch to two rooms with an AP discount at a moderate. If not we are flexable. By the by our trip is Oct 30th to Nov 10th.

 

[Sian]

Donna
Where did you see AP discounts for Vero Beach (other than Florida Residents AP discounts)?

 

[Gary M]

As I mentioned before we have stayed at deluxe resorts at WDW 25 times, with good discounts each time. Some mention only AP discounts, but we have had great discounts called the Jolly Holidays and just plain "ABC" type codes for everyone. These codes were offered during much better times for WDW.

Tonyspad, I don't want to start class warfare here, but my DW and I are retired and are fortunate enough to be be financially secure. Because we can afford rack room rates at WDW resorts doesn't mean we have to pay inflated room prices, when there are other vacation destinations for us. If this is a persons once in a lifetime trip with the family or they only go to WDW once every so many years, then fine, pay rack rate and don't disappoint the family.

Our days of doing the parks commando style are over and we enjoy a nice hotel. Some people say "they just shower and sleep in the room, so why pay more for a room, just stay in a less expensive resort".

We have gone a total of 28 times to WDW since Dec., 1992. We have flown each time and stayed at DL once and all the other times at deluxe resorts. Our trips have been anywhere from 7 to 10 nights, so we have spent a ton of money at WDW. WDW has a record of our trips and of course other peoples trips and know their regular customers. I feel like they are slighting their loyal customers. I really do like WDW very much, but like any business that doesn't appreciate my business, then I go someplace else. Last Feb. we were staying at the WL and I bet that it wasn't 1/3 full during the week. WE rode on TOT one weekday morning with only 5 other people in our elevator, the Muppet Show was maybe 1/4 full as was WWTBAM.

I don't know about Sept., but I would bet that the powers to be at WDW, will have room only discounts for much of the winter season. This is based on my past experiences of the last few years. It may not be called AP rates, but something else and will be very good. If not, then we can decide, rack rate or elsewhere.

 

[Donnainnj]

Sian,
So sorry, it isn't and AP discount, it is a Disney Credit Card discount. Hope that helps some out there. They are offering a Studio at VB from Oct 28 - Dec 30? excluding a few days around Thanksgiving for $99 a night. For HH, which we love, the offer is for the same dates and price, but in a 2 BR. When I told my 6 year old we were going to WDW again in Oct/Nov. she said, "How about HH instead". Hope this works for you if you are looking for a VB discount, if not I know in the past they have offered coupons in the official guide to WDW (Birnbaums) for both HH and VB, a % off for some time periods. I made my last reservation last trip to HH with the coupon code, and then purchased the book for the coupon. Good Luck!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

Okay......I'm waiting for the "secret" codes to appear as well. I think we all just love Disney and want to have a memorable vacation. Personally, I want the nicest room possible for the LEAST amount of money. Waiting for the codes is driving me CRAZY! ....But I think I can see the Disney point of view as well.....they're in this to make money. Trying to get the most out of each room makes sense from a business point of view. So, having said that, I'll still be calling every few days to check for codes!

TTFN!

 

[Colt]

Called Aug Wed Aug 13 7:35 EST, no AP rates. The CM sounded like a recording machine already, evidently ALOT of people had already called with the same question ....