AP Rates tomorrow!!

[chyam]

I have the best rate for a split stay Dec 9th-18th.. Before booking it I spoke with two CMs and finally guest services. I called because I was having trouble logging onto the passholders website, but that's another story. Anyway I was told that whoever booked using the best rate plan would be guaranteed the lowest available rates. Because I was having trouble logging onto the website and because they couldn't book it for me (even though I offered to give them my AP#) I was considering waiting for an AP code the old way. They did not recommend I wait, saying there was no way an AP Code would beat the best rate plan. The lady with guest services said that if we were willing to take the chance with the nonrefundable deposit and $50.00 change fee that we would be rewarded with the lowest rate. She said there was no way the rates would be the same as Disney would then have alot of very angry passholders on their hands, who had taken the chance and booked using the best rate plan. She said that IF AP codes were offered the old way, that they would have to be less than with the best rate plan.

Hopefully AP codes will come out in the next day or two, but I would not expect them to be as good as what people will get with the best rate plan. I may be wrong, but what I think will happen is that the AP code will match what we now have with the best rate plan and then the rates for the best rate plan will then drop a little more.

Well I sure wish they would get their stories right because this is the email that I got when I asked the question if an AP rate comes out will that automatically be applied to a reservation that I made through the best rate program.
Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that the Passholder "Best Rate Program" is a discounted offer and is not rack rate.

If a guest makes any type of reservation and wishes to apply a discount at a later time, the
discount is not guaranteed.

There are no automatic or guaranteed conversion to
discounts on reservations once made. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

We appreciate your understanding.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ronda

WDW Online Communications



Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

You didn't even address my question...................
MY QUESTION WAS.................
IF I BOOK NOW AT RACK RATE USING THIS SPECIAL PASSHOLDER BEST RATE PROGRAM
DOES THAT MEAN THAT WHEN PASSHOLDER RATES OR FLORIDA RESIDENT RATES ARE
RELEASED THAT I WILL AUTOMATICALLY GET THAT BETTER RATE ????
hope that is clear this time..........................
----- Original Message -----
From: "Walt Disney World Guest Mail" <guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com>
To: "chyam" <chyam@tampabay.rr.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: Request for General Information about Walt Disney World Resort
(KMM16696071V41880L0KM)


Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that there are no automatic or guaranteed conversions to
discounts. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability
of the offer.

The new Passholder "Best Rate Program" Internet offer may only be booked
online at the
disneyworld.com Passholder website. Adult WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Park
Premium Annual, Annual and
Florida Resident Seasonal Pass or Exchange Voucher ID number will be
validated on the website at the
time of booking. The adult Passholder must be part of the traveling party
as the resort will still
verify the Pass at check-in.

Reservations must be made at least 120 days prior to your arrival date.
This offer is guaranteed to
be the best rate available at the time of booking for your travel dates.

A one (1) night NON-REFUNDABLE payment is required at the time of booking,
then the balance paid at
check-in.

Travel dates: October 15, 2005 through December 19, 2005. Booking dates
are through August 21,
2005.
Discount rates are available at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, Value,
Moderate and Deluxe
Resorts.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

 

[C.Ann]

Well I sure wish they would get their stories right because this is the email that I got when I asked the question if an AP rate comes out will that automatically be applied to a reservation that I made through the best rate program.
Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that the Passholder "Best Rate Program" is a discounted offer and is not rack rate.

If a guest makes any type of reservation and wishes to apply a discount at a later time, the
discount is not guaranteed.

There are no automatic or guaranteed conversion to
discounts on reservations once made. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

We appreciate your understanding.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ronda

WDW Online Communications



Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

You didn't even address my question...................
MY QUESTION WAS.................
IF I BOOK NOW AT RACK RATE USING THIS SPECIAL PASSHOLDER BEST RATE PROGRAM
DOES THAT MEAN THAT WHEN PASSHOLDER RATES OR FLORIDA RESIDENT RATES ARE
RELEASED THAT I WILL AUTOMATICALLY GET THAT BETTER RATE ????
hope that is clear this time..........................
----- Original Message -----
From: "Walt Disney World Guest Mail" <guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com>
To: "chyam" <chyam@tampabay.rr.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 7:52 AM
Subject: Re: Request for General Information about Walt Disney World Resort
(KMM16696071V41880L0KM)


Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that there are no automatic or guaranteed conversions to
discounts. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability
of the offer.

The new Passholder "Best Rate Program" Internet offer may only be booked
online at the
disneyworld.com Passholder website. Adult WALT DISNEY WORLD® Theme Park
Premium Annual, Annual and
Florida Resident Seasonal Pass or Exchange Voucher ID number will be
validated on the website at the
time of booking. The adult Passholder must be part of the traveling party
as the resort will still
verify the Pass at check-in.

Reservations must be made at least 120 days prior to your arrival date.
This offer is guaranteed to
be the best rate available at the time of booking for your travel dates.

A one (1) night NON-REFUNDABLE payment is required at the time of booking,
then the balance paid at
check-in.

Travel dates: October 15, 2005 through December 19, 2005. Booking dates
are through August 21,
2005.
Discount rates are available at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, Value,
Moderate and Deluxe
Resorts.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

--------------------------------

Well that's about as clear as mud.. Why am I not surprised?

 

[Poohbear123]

Fl. Resident Rate, even though I have a Seasonal Pass. Hope the Fl Res. Rate comes out tomorrow!

 

[BlsdMama]

Dear Cheryl,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Please know that there are no automatic or guaranteed conversions to
discounts. Special offers are
offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability
of the offer.


Reservations must be made at least 120 days prior to your arrival date.
This offer is guaranteed to
be the best rate available at the time of booking for your travel dates.

A one (1) night NON-REFUNDABLE payment is required at the time of booking,
then the balance paid at
check-in.

Actually this part:
[bold]
This offer is guaranteed to
be the best rate available at the time of booking for your travel dates.[/bold]

helps to me to make a tough decision faaaar easier. I was stressing about making my ressie 120 days ahead and now I WON'T! No way! Best deal at the TIME OF BOOKING?!? NO guarantee to lower the price down? Yeah, that's a perk. I'll stick with sweatin' out to see the AP rates now. I was really thinking the Best Rate would be worth it as long as they guaranteed it would be the "best rate", but since it is a nice title to mean - hey, book your room and maybe when the rates go down we'll give it to you and maybe we won't - well, now I'm less motivated to book. I'm waiting 'til late December for the Feb. rates now. I think I understand now why everyone is annoyed with the program!

 

[Disfreek]

I hope they come out tomorrow.

 

[Sandi]

The Best Rate info on the passholder site says:

"And, if we subsequently reduce our room rate to the general public for the same room and nights you booked online under this Program, we will automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate."

I read that as saying they ARE guarantying a discount. It is so discouraging that we can't seem to get a straight, consistent answer from Disney. I bought my AP the day before they came out with the new system. I'm really sorry I did. I know things are subject to change -- but changing based on which CM you're talking to on any particular day is a bit much.

 

[lilstint]

I think the BIG question is are AP discounts considered "general public" discounts. If they are not, than a lower AP rate could come out and they would not have to reduce the rates of those who booked under the "best rate" program. THAT would be VERY unfair I would think.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

I can understand the confusion w/this Best Rate Program since the quoted info posted contradicts itself, regardless if it's from official or unofficial sources. I can also understand why Disney would want a program like this in place. However, it seems like it was rushed to market, with kinks in the system, & without adequate marketing.

IMHO, I think AP holders should've made their opinions known in writing & by ignoring this new program until there was more adequate info. However, although there are several AP holders who are not comfortable with the Best Rate Program, there seems to be several AP holders who are advocates for it. And since AP holders have booked it, [I know, there weren't many other options], it unfortunately sent a message to Disney that they don't have to do better.


I'm curious...


Has anyone posted that they booked under the Best Rate Program at non-discounted [rack?!] rates & then had their ressies automatically adjusted for the discounted rate?

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We are new AP holders - are there ever any discounts for Christmas week?

As of yesterday when I called, there weren't. However, in the past the week beginning around Christmas eve or Christmas day began a black-out period. So it depends on what you mean by Christmas week. Christmas being on a Sunday this year would normally mean the week beginning with Christmas day and running the week that follows Christmas. This is historically the busiest week of the year for WDW and thus the reason it is usually a black-out period. Since Christmas eve is on Saturday this year, the black-out period may begin on 12/24 or a day or two earlier. If the AP rates apply on the date of check-in Disney has applied that rate to the entire stay in the past and I am guessing they will this year. Because of my annual leave schedule this year, I can only go the week following Christmas day so I may not be able to qualify for the AP rate when it comes out unless it includes Christmas eve. Otherwise we will have to use the AAA rate which usually isn't as good as the AP rate.

 

[Twinks]

jcapizzi

We saved $1200 on our rack rate reservations with Best Rate on our Christmas trip checking in on 12.25.05, so there are some deals at some resorts. I hope you manage to get a good deal too!

 

[northern michigan]

And if it was to come out tomorrow, don't they usually notify passholders the day before, which would be todaay. At least that is how they have done it the past couple of times, or was that for some different kinda code? I have a hard time keeping up with it!

Yes, they do notify passholders the day before they are publicly released. However, everyone on the DIS knows before the passholders receive their one day advance notice e-mail about mid-morning. Apparently, there's always a leak out to the public before the passholders get the special advance offer. This is why I booked Best Rate.

 

[northern michigan]

I just applied the AAA discount to our Poly ressies for 10-19 to 10-24. BUT, I haven't actually called and got the membership yet. So, maybe I should hold off and see what happens with the AP rates first?!? UGH!!! WHY do they have to make it so CONFUSING!!!!

You are lucky! I tried to book that way, but wasn't allowed to do so. They required my personal membership number. At the time I didn't want to spend the money on the membership if I couldn't use it for a discounted room rate. They wouldn't even tell if there were rooms available at AAA rates at any given resort without my AAA membership number.

 

[CarolB]

How do you use the numbers on the voucher to access the passholder website? I was told you could, but the numbers on my voucher don't match the "blanks" in anyway on the pass holder website....anyone help?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

You are lucky! I tried to book that way, but wasn't allowed to do so. They required my personal membership number. At the time I didn't want to spend the money on the membership if I couldn't use it for a discounted room rate. They wouldn't even tell if there were rooms available at AAA rates at any given resort without my AAA membership number.

Check AAA.com.

I don't have a AAA card, my SO does, so we planned on using his. I went to the AAA site to research and it brought up some Disney hotels at discounted rates.

 

[northern michigan]

I just talked to them and the CM said that they will have AP rates, the regular old way, out soon for the next set of dates. She said the Best Rate Program is designed for AP holders, since they come so often, just to give them a heads up on the deals.

I like this theory. I was always frustrated when non-AP holders could get AP discounted room rates before current-AP holders. There was a year that we spent about 24 nights at WDW resorts at rack rate all while holding a current AP. I sat next to a wonderful lady that year (non-AP holder) on the bus to MK who told me of the discounted room rate gotten for her by a friend. Granted, these discounts are not guaranteed to AP holders, but as one...it is was frustrating when the above happens.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

How do you use the numbers on the voucher to access the passholder website? I was told you could, but the numbers on my voucher don't match the "blanks" in anyway on the pass holder website....anyone help?

Did you check mousesavers website? There was an example shown how to do it. Maybe that will help.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I booked yesterday using the Best Rate and I got a standard room at the BWI for $235/night . Regular rack rate for the same time period is $305 a night.

That's a savings of $210 over the course of the 3 nights I will be there. I think it's a pretty good deal.

ETA I think I like the program. It seems like it makes it more possible for AP holders to get AP rates. Gone are the days when one person would book as many rooms as possible on their AP, tying them up and making them unavailable to everyone else and then cancel the ones they don't want.

 

[staceylaurendave]

I don't get it. I purchased APs for the first time this year in July and received an excellent rate for Dec 4-11 at the Coronado for roughly $100 with tax per night. Would there be a deeper discound after tomorrow? Do I need to call them? Also, this best rate program, what's that all about? Booking at rack rates and crossing your fingers that the prices will go down? Sounds pretty risky to me.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Also, this best rate program, what's that all about? Booking at rack rates and crossing your fingers that the prices will go down? Sounds pretty risky to me.

I booked best rate for all the way out in Feb 2006 for $70 off rack rate with Best rate. I'm not going to complain about that.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I don't get it. I purchased APs for the first time this year in July and received an excellent rate for Dec 4-11 at the Coronado for roughly $100 with tax per night. Would there be a deeper discound after tomorrow? Do I need to call them? Also, this best rate program, what's that all about? Booking at rack rates and crossing your fingers that the prices will go down? Sounds pretty risky to me.

How did you get that rate?