SandrA9810 said:
I am sick and tired of dealing with Disney and booking rooms. I'm a florida resident seasonal passholder... how many florida residents do you know make plans 2 months in advance? besides maybe christmas or something.
I still get florida resident discount and AAA discount, but I know they aren't as good as Passholder.
One time I got really ticked off over the phone and reammed a poor disney employee out over the whole booking online thing. I hate doing things online that can't be done by my paypal account. Not every one in the universe has internet access at home, as to why there are libraries and kinkos. And I don't like using my credit cards on public access PCs.
Our passes haven't given us much more than 15 days in the parks, discount on TL, and I'm using the pass to give my aunt a discount on a car rental, and the one time I bought something at world of disney I saved about 5$. And of course every year the prices go up.
And since we were cheap, we used to buy play 4 passes in the summer (all four parks, park hopping) and then in october before they expired we'd upgrade for 80$ to our seasonals. That way we didn't have to go broke just to buy the passes. Now they got these crappy play 3 passes that don't like you park hop.
Disney is becoming money hungry from the ones that give them the most money, Florida residents, and this is the way they treat us.
You can add park hopping to the 3 day play passes for FL residents. It's approx. $164 per person versus approx. $128 for the non-hopper. It's the same price that a non FL resident would pay for 2 days, so theoretically giving FL residents one day "free."
For about $222.00 you can purchase the FL seasonal passes that you have now. For about $100.00 more you can get the AP without block out dates...a huge price cut from the cost of an AP for non-FL residents.
This is going to seem harsh, and I apologize, but based on these examples I don't see where Disney is cheating you. They are offering significant discounts for FL resident tickets and it seems that with at least 15 days of admission, you have received a great value for the price you paid (I would estimate a cost of $222.00/15 visits= $15 per day.)
As far as FL residents spending more money than non residents on WDW trips, well that's been debated here numerous times and only Disney knows whether that is true or not. Disney is entitled to increase prices every year, just as most businesses do. It's called inflation. You expect a pay raise every year, right? Similar concept, IMO.
From what I've seen, the AP rate is usually no more than $5 less than the FL rate, so it's up to you to decide if It's worth an extra $5 per night to have the ability to cntinue booking last minute over the phone. Or you have the choice of getting the $5 less per night by using the internet or calling between 2-5 60 days or more out to book the AP rate. Obviously there are many who prefer the internet for booking, which is why Disney created the BRP based on feedback from guests. You just happen to be one who does not, hence the reason they allow you to get the rate by calling in.
As far as being a FL resident and planning 2 months or more inadvance, I don't see the problem with that. I know not everyone is in the same situation, but most people are required to schedule vacations in advance. My job allows you to "bid" for vacations in January, but you can still request them the week before, however it may not be approved if there are people who "bid" in January for those dates. Especially holiday weeks. My sister is a school teacher, so she knows well in advance when her vacations will be. Yes, it's nice to be spontaneous and plan a Disney trip a week before or a day before for that matter, but chances of getting a discount that late in the game are always slimmer than securing one months in advance. I know there are exceptions (August, September, etc.) but with all of the special events held at Disney and sporting events now scattered throughout the year, it's becoming less likely. Not to mention all of the other FL residents who are also thinking the same way and wanting a last minute weekend stay...it's just becoming more and more "competitive" if you will.
I know that this post has rambled on quite a bit and I'm really not trying to criticize here, just trying to explain it from a different perspective rather than using the "glass half empty Disney is out to get me" attitude. Trying to highlight some of the positive benefits of being a FL resident here. Only you can decide what is best for your family and whenther there is value in what Disney offers us residents.
