Anyone else notice this about the "Best Rate" Program?

[johnnyr]

The number of posts with this new "Best Rate" program has decreased dramatically. I remember when AP rates would come out in the past (prior to Best Rate). There would be a flurry of activity here on these boards. It was exciting.

The latest rates came out Friday evening and all weekend there have been only a handfull of posts in a few threads. Is no one booking this program? I have evaulated it, and even though I cannot use it this year as they blacked out holiday season, I still wouldn't use it. Living in the northeast and traveling in winter is too unpredictable. I'm courious as to why there are not as many posts for people that are using the program, though. I can remember threads going to 60+ pages when they released AP discounts the old way.

 

[n2mm]

There are several reasons I see. One is that many folks are probably waiting for the Fall AP rates to be released in the next few weeks. WE want to see how they compare to the best rate program that people committed to when the plan was released. What will the room availabiliy be like. I think personnally this is where the best rate will affect AP holders the most. I believe that when the regular AP rates are released this month, availability will be GREATLY reduced. I don't believe there will be a separate alottment of rooms set aside. I think the rooms discounted at the regular AP rate will be the "leftovers". I see no more standards at WL or AKL or CR being available. I see lots of availability at the A/S sports and music.

So before we get a new group of folks are ready to commit to the non-refundable deposit for the jan/feb season, most of us are sitting back and waiting to see how this first round plays out. I'm like you because I fly out of Wash. DC and blizzards and snow can wreak havoc on airports, so not ready to jump on the non-refundable deposit bandwagon--not yet. If the savings if substantial, then maybe, but since the values are coming in at a less than $20 savings on the best rate program, I can't imagine a few dollars more being worth it to us, if we just need to be at a value resort.

ALSO, one last point. Many on the boards believe the FREE dining package will be re-released inJanuary. If they commit to the best rate program, many are not willing to lost their deposit when switching over to this package. So there's alot of "holding their breath" right now going on and waiting to see how all of this new stuff changes what we are use to.

 

[sherry8253]

I booked using the best rate program. We decided to split our December stay because we got such a great rate at the Dolphin over Thanksgiving 11/24 to 11/27). Our best rate stay at AKL starts on 11/27 and we are checking out 12/04. We are paying $45 MORE a night using the best rate program than we did in Jan '05 with an AP rate at AKL. My DH said we should wait and take our chances because he thinks AP rates will come out but I was afraid there would be no discounted rooms under the old AP system. Guess I will have to wait and see. If the rates continue to rise like they did between 01/05 & 12/05 (and this does not even include the regular YEARLY HIKE we see each year), this may be my last deluxe stay. I believe that moderates will be in my future. I don't think you are seeing page after page of posts because the best rate in my opinion isn't all that wonderful. But, it was the best there was so I took it.

 

[DisOrBust]

I'am with you on the Mods! We went in Jan because we could get AKL for 168 Sav view with tax. I won't pay 239 in Jan!

 

[addicted2disney]

Well, Im not a fan of the Best Rate right now. I have gone down over THanksgiving twice, wanted to go this year too. I wasnt sure of the dates the kids were off of school, and air fare is a little high right now. I have been trying for a week to get to the passholders section of the disneyworld site.. I can NOT get it. So I finally went to my moms, actually got to the section, went to see about booking the room because I read you can only do it online or through a travel agent... well.. to my disappointment, I cant even DO the best rate, because I missed the 120 day window. Im not thrilled with this program because that means no more discounted rooms last minute at busier times of year. I may not even get an AP rate for my room now, if and when the rates come out. Im really disappointed. The other reason I have been getting the AP's for the past few years is because of the room discount. Now, always go in January. have every year since 1999. We will again this year. But I will have to starte getting that all finalized like next month.. which is way earlier than we usually start organizing that trip. I just dont like that 120 window. IF they think the non refundable deposit will keep people from holding rooms only to drop them later.. thats fine... I can handle that.. but people wanting a last minute trip ( and that happens alot with AP's... sneak in and extra trip when you can) might not get to benefit from the AP rate. I will have to wait a few more weeks and hope I can get a room. I only stay at values anyway.. so im hoping there will be a left over room I cant grab!!!!

 

[tclowe]

I also think that the people who do book with the best rate program (like myself for December and February 2006) like this a lot but don't want to boast or celebrate on the boards since many others board members are very displeased with this program and feel Disney is punishing or leaving them out. I hope and do think there will be phone-in AP rates available for the same time but with less quantity than before or at a slightly higher rate than the Best Rate program. "Best Rate" has to mean something!?!

This program works well for us because we do live in the West Coast and can't do quickie trips to Orlando. We like to plan our vacation 6 months in advance to snag the cheaper air and reserve our rental car. Plus, my husband's work requires us to plan early and submit his request as soon as possible, otherwise other co-workers will snag the same week and we are out of luck. And it helps that I won't have to remember to wake-up at 6:00am to call about reserving an AP room on the first day of release.

Good luck to everyone waiting for an AP rate.

 

[addicted2disney]

Why IS there such a huge window anyway? Is it just to see how many serious people there are wanting to get the cheaper rate? I know before, people would hold rooms hoping for a better rate at a better resort, then dropping one or more last minute, but I would think the deposit change would prevent that. Esp. if you have to use the rack rate to hold it. No one will want to lose THAT much of a deposit. I only missed the window by a week. Thats why Im so disappointed. Its not like I wanted to go next week. Oh well.. there is nothing I can do about it now. I will just do what I did in previous years and wait until the day they come out and try then. Hopefully the airfare sales will be released for travel after Nov. 17th by then too. Its a good thing I only want a value resort. I may have a better chance to get my room with the AP discount.

 

[Piecey]

The number of posts with this new "Best Rate" program has decreased dramatically. I remember when AP rates would come out in the past (prior to Best Rate). There would be a flurry of activity here on these boards. It was exciting.

The latest rates came out Friday evening and all weekend there have been only a handfull of posts in a few threads. Is no one booking this program? I have evaulated it, and even though I cannot use it this year as they blacked out holiday season, I still wouldn't use it. Living in the northeast and traveling in winter is too unpredictable. I'm courious as to why there are not as many posts for people that are using the program, though. I can remember threads going to 60+ pages when they released AP discounts the old way.

What do you mean they blacked out the holiday season? I'm confused, I booked a Best Rate room from December 18-24.. Christmas Eve is surely considered "Holiday Season"?

 

[shoes99]

What do you mean they blacked out the holiday season? I'm confused, I booked a Best Rate room from December 18-24.. Christmas Eve is surely considered "Holiday Season"?

Best rates were only offered for checkin up to and including Dec 19th. You are checking in during the value season Dec 18th, but staying thru the holiday season, so your rates are value season rates for the entire trip.
No best rates were offered for check-in 12/20 to 1/1.