AP's Not out yet

[Sammie]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I do agree that by offering higher discounts, everyone expects them to be there all the time and at an increasing discount rate.

On my trips in the late 90's, I got a 20% MKC discount (Disney Club) and thought that was great! The codes that are being offered now are much higher than that and are still considered not enough. Moderates at $94, rack $144, is about 35% off. AKL/WL at $139, rack $239 is 42% off.

I know I've said this before, but I think Disney has really dropped the ball on this. By allowing the continous calling without any type of explanation of where the AP rates are is more damaging to them than just saying the codes are the best rates that will be offered. If I were a cm, being customer service oriented, I would be annoyed at getting all these calls and have no answer to give. I know at my job, I don't like saying I have no idea what is going on and have to try to make up some answer (although sometimes it happens ) .

I agree completely, but I do think that the percentage of people who are upset about the delays and are calling is still a very small percentage of the total number of calls they receive.

I know for us, it's hard to believe but a huge percentage of Disney's customers do not go to the lengths we all do to be informed.

Sometimes I think they see the Interent regulars as just a small thorn in their side, .

 

[franw]

Sammie - I agree that there were some amazing discounts offered at WDW after 9/11, but, and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, AP discounts through the Insider have been offered for quite a long time. Maybe one of our experts can add some insight into Disney's history of AP discounts. Have there always (other than peak times) been AP discounts available? Perhaps I am losing it but I am sure that we have been going on these discounts for several years. I think Cindala has a point - maybe they are giving us the "turkey" this upcoming season.

 

[Donnainnj]

My Daughter is 10 and I went on an annual pass discount the first time when she was in Utero. I found out about them on Prodigy, boy that was a long time ago. I bought an annual pass and my husband bought a regular (probably 5 day) pass. That was the last time we did it that way. Within the year we took another trip bringing my 3 half-sisters along, the first time they had gone anywhere. Had to buy DH another pass. All trips after those we have bought annual passes for both of us. I love having the freedom it a affords to take a few hours at the park without wasting a day, and the 2nd trip on the same pass that can be so much more reasonable.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by franw
Sammie - I agree that there were some amazing discounts offered at WDW after 9/11, but, and I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, AP discounts through the Insider have been offered for quite a long time. Maybe one of our experts can add some insight into Disney's history of AP discounts. Have there always (other than peak times) been AP discounts available? Perhaps I am losing it but I am sure that we have been going on these discounts for several years. I think Cindala has a point - maybe they are giving us the "turkey" this upcoming season.

I think there have been Annual Pass discounts in the past but prior to the Internet success of the past 5 years I do not think it was a wide known situation so I don't know how many were actually used.

I know there were no codes for the general public like there are now.

I would be interested in knowing how many people book a room "hoping" for an AP rate only to cancel it if they don't get it. Or do most book what they can afford then move up to a more expensive room if an AP rate is available. I always book what I can afford without discount, then hope for something to come out to allow me to move up. Also how many only buy a pass to secure a discount vs. how many buy the pass to use for it's worth as admission to the parks.

If many are booking what they really are not going to use without a Discount, do you think possibly that has affected the release of current discounts. That Disney sees this as a true booking and they do feel they need to offer any discounts to fill rooms.

If that is the case, then I guess that would be a case of cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Originally posted by chunkster20uk
I would love the AP rates to come out, I would love to be able to use a Florida Resident Code or even have a Postcard with a code on.

I will however have to pay the rate I have managed to get through Dreams, and also pay the price of our air fare from the UK. It would be nice if Disney recognised us here in the UK.

I'm so with you there !!! We're not even allowed to register on the US main Disney site, unless we lied and said we lived in the US, we get pushed through to the UK site, therefore no chance of a postcard, to the best of my knowledge. We also don't get all the other perks that come with an AP like the Monitor. Finally we cannot have a Disney Visa.

When I book a room I book one at a rate I know I can afford - however if there are and have been discounts......well I'm not going to look a gifthorse in the mouth!!

But all of that said - it's not like I'm so frustrated by the above that I'll never go back to Disney - and you know what........ I think they know that Sometimes you don't need a discount to market a place like WDW. I got some discount this trip with Dreams, I don't know what discount it was but to me it was still less than the rack rate of a standard room so I feel I've had a result.

I'll be sad to lose the Disney Club membership benefits at the end of this year more so for my discount off at the Disney Stores.

What benefits will I get with DVC as I do see this as a loyalty scheme and one I will be joining (fingers crossed) very soon?

 

[ducklite]

DVC offers the following benefits (although they are NOT guaranteed to continue)

10% off most purchases at the Disney Store (some restrictions apply--not on park passes, disney dollars, gift cards, animation art, WDCC, and can't be combined with most other offers)

Discounted passes (it's the Length of Stay passes only--can't remember what they call them these days.

25% discount on cash rooms at DVC resorts, subject to availability.

Discounts on some dining.

There are some others, can't recall what offhand.

Anne

 

[pigtail]

Yesterday April 10 we received the postcard for Animal Kingdom Lodge. We decided to stay at All Stars for budget reasons - but I did asl CRO last night if the AP rates were out - the cast member I spoke to said probably not for another 2 or 3 weeks! We did get All Stars for $85 a nite for preferred view, standard was $75.

 

[DebbieB]

DVC offers the following benefits (although they are NOT guaranteed to continue)

I think we are getting DVC confused.

DVC = Disney Vacation Club
DVC = Disney Visa Card

Posters talking about the reward program I think were referring to the Visa Card.